The Panopticon is committed to the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, and ethical journalism. As law students training to enter a profession built on integrity, we hold ourselves to rigorous standards.
1. Accuracy & Verification
Our Commitment:
- Every factual claim is verified through multiple sources where possible
- We distinguish clearly between fact, analysis, and opinion
- We use primary sources and original documents whenever available
- We verify the authenticity of documents and sources
Our Process:
- Claims are checked against official records, documents, and multiple sources
- Statistical information is verified against original data sources
- Quotes are verified and used in proper context
- We seek documentary evidence to support claims
2. Fairness & Right of Reply
Our Commitment:
- All parties discussed in our reporting are offered the opportunity to respond
- We include substantive responses in our coverage
- We fairly represent opposing viewpoints
- We avoid misrepresenting positions or taking statements out of context
Our Process:
- Individuals and organizations mentioned are contacted before publication
- We provide specific allegations or claims and allow reasonable time to respond
- Responses are included in published articles in full or fair summary
- Declined responses are noted in articles
3. Corrections & Accountability
Our Commitment:
- We correct errors promptly, transparently, and prominently
- We own our mistakes
- We maintain a public corrections log
Our Process:
- Corrections are made within 24 hours of verification
- Significant corrections are noted at the top of articles
- Minor corrections (typos, formatting) are corrected silently
- A public corrections page lists all substantive corrections
How to Request a Correction:
Email editor@panopticon.press with:
- The article URL
- The specific error
- The correct information (with supporting evidence if applicable)
4. Independence & Conflicts of Interest
Our Commitment:
- Editorial decisions are made independently
- We disclose any potential conflicts of interest
- We do not allow outside influence on our coverage
Our Standards:
- The editor will recuse from coverage where direct personal involvement exists
- Relationships or affiliations relevant to coverage are disclosed
- We accept no payment or incentives related to coverage decisions
5. Source Protection
Our Commitment:
- We protect confidential sources to the fullest extent possible
- We never voluntarily disclose source identities
- We are transparent about the limitations of source protection
Our Standards:
- Sources may request confidentiality before, during, or after interviews
- We use anonymous sources only when necessary for stories in the public interest
- We independently verify information from anonymous sources
- We describe sources as specifically as possible without compromising identity
Limitations:
- We cannot guarantee complete anonymity due to technical and legal limitations
- UK law does not provide absolute journalist-source privilege
- We advise sources about risks and limitations
6. Attribution & Plagiarism
Our Commitment:
- We give credit where due
- We never plagiarize
- We distinguish between our original reporting and information from other sources
Our Standards:
- Original sources are cited and linked
- Quotes from other publications are attributed
- Data and statistics include source attribution
- We link to source documents when publicly available
7. Use of Anonymous Sources
Our Standards:
- Anonymous sources are used only when:
- The information is in the public interest
- The source faces genuine risk from identification
- The information cannot be obtained through on-the-record sources
- The information can be independently verified
Our Process:
- Information from anonymous sources is independently verified
- We describe sources as specifically as possible without compromising safety
- We do not use anonymous sources for attacks on individuals
8. Transparency About Our Process
Our Commitment:
- We are transparent about how we gather and verify information
- We explain our editorial decisions when relevant
- We engage constructively with criticism
Our Practice:
- We explain our methodology for data analysis and investigations
- We make original documents available when possible and appropriate
- We engage with readers who question our coverage
9. Use of Documents & Records
Our Standards:
- We verify the authenticity of documents
- We provide context for documents and data
- We do not publish private information irrelevant to matters of public interest
- We redact personal information unrelated to our reporting
10. Privacy & Public Interest
Our Standards:
- We balance privacy rights with the public interest
- We report on public figures and institutional behavior in matters of public concern
- We avoid publishing private information unless clearly in the public interest
- We consider the potential harm of publication
Public Interest Considerations:
- Institutional accountability and governance
- Use of student funds and resources
- Student welfare and safety
- Academic integrity
- Compliance with legal and ethical obligations
11. Comments & Community Engagement
We do not currently have a comments section. We welcome feedback via email at editor@panopticon.press.
12. Updates to These Standards
These editorial standards may be updated as our publication evolves. Significant changes will be noted with the date of revision.
Last updated: January 22, 2026
Contact
Questions about our editorial standards: editor@panopticon.press
Request a correction: editor@panopticon.press
Confidential tips: tips@panopticon.press
The Panopticon is an independent student publication and is not affiliated with UCL, UCL Faculty of Laws, or UCL Students’ Union.