Editorial Policy
Stadia publishes journalism and analysis about the business, technology and regulation of esports and betting.
This policy explains the standards applied to our editorial work.
Accuracy
We aim to publish information that is accurate, properly attributed and supported by reliable evidence.
Before publication, writers and editors should:
- verify names, job titles, company names, dates and financial figures;
- distinguish confirmed facts from estimates, allegations and opinion;
- link to primary documents whenever practical;
- seek independent corroboration for material claims;
- identify the original source of statistics and research; and
- give relevant parties a reasonable opportunity to respond to significant criticism.
Speed does not override accuracy.
Sources
Stadia prefers attributable, on-record sources. Anonymous sourcing may be used when the information is in the public interest and the source faces a credible professional, legal or personal risk from being identified.
At least one editor must know the identity of an anonymous source. We will explain the source’s relevant position as clearly as possible without revealing their identity.
Anonymous sources should not be used merely to publish speculation, personal attacks or information that can reasonably be obtained on the record.
News, analysis and opinion
We distinguish between different forms of content:
- News reports verified developments and relevant context.
- Analysis interprets events using evidence, expertise and clearly explained reasoning.
- Interviews present an identified subject’s views and should not be understood as Stadia’s endorsement.
- Opinion represents the named author’s argument.
- Partner Content is commercially supported and clearly labelled.
Headlines, social posts and images must fairly represent the underlying article.
Independence
Editorial decisions are made on the basis of relevance, evidence and reader value.
Advertisers, sponsors, investors, event partners and other commercial relationships do not receive the right to approve independent editorial coverage.
No payment, gift, travel arrangement or business relationship guarantees coverage or influences the conclusions of an article.
Conflicts of interest
Writers and editors must disclose any financial, advisory, employment, family or close personal relationship that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their work.
Where a conflict is material but manageable, Stadia will disclose it prominently within the article. Where a conflict cannot be managed transparently, the writer should not cover the subject.
Right of reply
When an article contains substantial criticism or allegations concerning an identifiable person or organisation, we will normally seek comment before publication.
A request for comment should explain the central claim and provide a reasonable response period given the urgency of the story.
A refusal or failure to respond will not necessarily prevent publication.
Embargoes and exclusives
Stadia may agree to reasonable embargoes when they serve readers and do not prevent independent reporting.
Accepting an embargo does not guarantee coverage. We do not agree to conditions requiring favourable treatment, removal of relevant context or advance approval of editorial copy.
Artificial intelligence
AI tools may assist with research organisation, transcription, translation, data processing or preliminary editing.
AI-generated output is not treated as a verified source. A human editor remains responsible for checking facts, citations, quotations, meaning and context before publication.
Stadia will not knowingly publish fabricated quotations, sources, events, images or data generated by artificial intelligence.
Materially AI-generated or AI-altered imagery will be labelled where its nature may not otherwise be clear to readers.
Images and media
Images must be owned, licensed, supplied for editorial use or otherwise lawfully available.
Captions should identify the subject and, where appropriate, the source or creator. Images must not be manipulated in a manner that materially misleads readers.
Corrections
Material factual errors are corrected clearly and promptly under our Corrections Policy.
We do not remove accurate reporting solely because it has become inconvenient to a person or organisation.
Contact
Questions about this policy or concerns about a published article can be submitted through our Contact page.