Vinyl Media Editorial Standards & Code of Practice

Updated on the 10th of August, 2026

1. Our Purpose

Vinyl Media exists to inform, explain, analyse and entertain through independent journalism.

Across every publication in our network, we are committed to producing journalism that is accurate, fair, independent and accountable. Whether reporting on music, entertainment, culture, technology, business, advertising, media or other industries, our first obligation is to our readers and to the integrity of our journalism.

This Code establishes the editorial standards expected of every employee, editor, journalist, contributor and freelance writer producing editorial content for Vinyl Media.

It applies across all editorial platforms, including websites, newsletters, podcasts, video, social media and emerging digital formats.

2. Our Business Model

Vinyl Media publishes advertising-supported journalism.

Most of our publications are available free of charge to maximise access to quality journalism. Advertising, sponsorship and other commercial partnerships are therefore essential to sustaining our publications, investing in journalism and serving our audiences.

We recognise, however, that our commercial success depends upon the trust of our readers.

Readers choose our publications because they expect journalism that is accurate, fair, independent and relevant. Advertisers choose to partner with us because trusted journalism builds engaged audiences.

Accordingly, editorial integrity is not only an ethical obligation—it is fundamental to our long-term commercial success.

No short-term commercial benefit justifies compromising the trust our readers place in us.

3. Editorial Independence

Vinyl Media maintains a clear separation between editorial decision-making and commercial decision-making.

Editorial content is produced independently of advertising sales, sponsorship negotiations and other commercial relationships.

Commercial teams do not determine editorial coverage, and editorial teams do not promise favourable coverage in exchange for commercial support.

Readers should always be able to distinguish between independent editorial content and paid or sponsored content.

PART A - Editorial Principles

4. Accuracy

Accuracy is the foundation of our journalism.

We will:

• verify material before publication wherever reasonably possible;
• distinguish clearly between verified fact, analysis and opinion;
• attribute information to reliable sources;
• avoid misleading headlines, captions or imagery;
• not knowingly publish false or materially misleading information;
• correct significant inaccuracies promptly and transparently.

Speed to publication must never take priority over accuracy.

5. Fairness

Our journalism should be fair, balanced and proportionate.

Where material makes serious criticism of a person or organisation, we will ordinarily provide a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.

Where this is not possible, the article should state that an opportunity to comment was provided or explain why this was not reasonably practicable.

Fairness does not require false equivalence or equal weight to unsupported claims.

6. Independence

Editorial decisions must be made independently of commercial, political or personal influence.

Editorial staff must not allow:

• advertisers;
• sponsors;
• shareholders;
• commercial partners;
• personal relationships; or
• financial interests

to influence editorial judgement.

Commercial success is important to Vinyl Media, but editorial integrity is essential.

7. Public Interest

Vinyl Media recognises that freedom of the press carries corresponding responsibilities.

Where ethical principles conflict, editorial decisions should be guided by the public interest.

Factors that may support publication include:

• exposing wrongdoing;
• revealing matters affecting public health or safety;
• informing public debate;
• holding organisations or individuals accountable;
• correcting misinformation;
• protecting consumers or industry participants.

The stronger the intrusion into privacy or potential harm, the stronger the public interest justification should be.

PART B - Editorial Standards

8. Sources

Named sources are preferred.

Anonymous sources should be used only where:

• the information cannot reasonably be obtained otherwise;
• anonymity is necessary to protect the source; and
• the editor is satisfied the source is credible.

Journalists should understand a source's motives before agreeing to confidentiality.

Confidences accepted must be honoured.

9. Verification

Journalists should independently verify information wherever reasonably possible.

Publication by another media organisation does not remove the obligation to verify.

Rumour, speculation and social media posts should not be presented as established fact or appropriately researched opinion.

10. Attribution

Information, quotations, images and ideas obtained from other publications or creators must be appropriately attributed.

Original reporting by others should be acknowledged.

Plagiarism is unacceptable.

11. Opinion and Analysis

Opinion, commentary and analysis are an important part of journalism.

Opinion pieces should:

• be clearly labelled;
• be based upon accurate facts;
• fairly represent relevant evidence; and
• distinguish fact from opinion.

12. Right of Reply

Where practical, people or organisations who are the subject of significant criticism should be given an opportunity to respond before publication.

Responses should be fairly represented.

Where a response is received after publication and materially affects the accuracy or fairness of the article, appropriate updates should be considered.

13. Corrections

Errors should be corrected promptly.

Significant corrections should be transparent and explain what has changed.

Editors are responsible for determining the appropriate remedy, including:

• correction;
• clarification;
• update;
• editor's note; or
• removal where legally required.

14. Privacy

Vinyl Media respects personal privacy.

We will avoid unnecessary intrusion into private lives unless publication is justified by a sufficiently strong public interest.

Approaches to people experiencing grief, trauma or distress should be undertaken with sensitivity.

15. Harm

We seek to minimise unnecessary harm while reporting matters of legitimate public interest.

Coverage involving:

• suicide;
• self-harm;
• family violence;
• sexual offences;
• children;
• mental illness;
• graphic violence

requires particular editorial care.

Content warnings should be used where appropriate.

16. Children

The welfare of children takes priority over publication.

Journalists should exercise particular care when interviewing or identifying minors and comply with applicable legal restrictions.

17. Discrimination

Coverage should avoid unnecessary emphasis on race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, disability, age, gender, sexuality or other personal characteristics unless genuinely relevant to the story.

PART C - Editorial Integrity

18. Conflicts of Interest

Editorial staff must disclose any actual, potential or perceived conflict of interest to their editor.

Conflicts may arise through:

• financial interests;
• family relationships;
• outside employment;
• political involvement;
• advisory roles; or
• personal relationships.

Editors may reassign coverage where appropriate.

19. Gifts, Hospitality and Sponsored Travel

Journalists should not accept gifts or benefits that could reasonably compromise editorial independence.

Sponsored travel or hospitality may be accepted only with editorial approval where there is genuine editorial value.

Acceptance never guarantees coverage.

Where sponsored travel materially contributed to reporting, this should normally be disclosed.

20. Commercial Content

Editorial content and commercial content must be clearly distinguishable.

Advertising, sponsorship and branded content must never be presented in a manner likely to mislead readers into believing it is independent editorial journalism.

Commercial relationships must not influence editorial decisions.

21. Trade Publications

Many Vinyl Media publications report on industries in which advertisers, subscribers and sources are active participants.

Trade journalism requires the same standards of independence, fairness and accuracy as consumer journalism.

Editorial decisions must never favour or disadvantage organisations because they advertise, sponsor events, purchase subscriptions or maintain commercial relationships with Vinyl Media.

22. Social Media

Editorial staff should exercise the same standards of accuracy, fairness and professionalism on social media as in published journalism.

Personal social media activity should not undermine public confidence in editorial independence.

23. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence may assist editorial workflows.

AI does not replace editorial judgement.

Any editorial content created or materially assisted by AI must be reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication.

Editors remain responsible for accuracy, fairness, attribution and compliance with this Code.

PART D - Editorial Practice

24. Enterprise Journalism

Vinyl Media encourages original reporting, investigative journalism and exclusive stories developed independently of press releases or promotional material.

Journalists are encouraged to pursue original ideas, identify emerging issues and develop specialist expertise.

Any editorial content derived from press release content must be critically considered for accuracy and ethical practices and approved by a human editor before publication.

25. Legal Compliance

Editorial staff must comply with applicable Australian laws, including those relating to:

• defamation;
• contempt of court;
• copyright;
• privacy;
• confidential information;
• suppression orders; and
• intellectual property.

Where uncertainty exists, legal advice should be sought before publication.

26. Editorial Accountability

Editors are responsible for ensuring compliance with this Code.

Questions about ethical issues should be raised before publication whenever practicable.

Editorial staff are encouraged to seek guidance rather than make uncertain decisions in isolation.

27. Our Relationship with Readers, Advertisers and Communities

Vinyl Media believes trust is earned by consistently serving the interests of our audiences.

Our publications exist to help readers better understand the industries, communities and cultures they care about. We strive to produce journalism that is relevant, insightful and valuable to those audiences while maintaining the highest standards of accuracy, fairness and independence.

We continually adapt the ways in which our journalism is created, presented and distributed in response to changing audience behaviours and technologies.

Innovation should expand the ways audiences experience our journalism, never diminish the standards by which it is produced.

This philosophy sits at the heart of Vinyl Media's Adaptive Media strategy. It recognises that trusted journalism creates enduring value for our readers, advertisers, commercial partners and the communities we serve.

These principles apply equally across every publication, every platform, every technology and every future form of media developed by Vinyl Media.

PART E - Complaints

28. Complaints

Vinyl Media welcomes feedback and complaints regarding editorial content.

Complaints should be made to:

editorial@vinyl.media

Complaints will be considered promptly and fairly.

Where appropriate, we will publish corrections, clarifications or other remedial actions.

29. Compliance

Compliance with this Code is a condition of engagement for all editorial staff and contributors.

Breaches may result in editorial guidance, further training, disciplinary action or termination of engagement.

30. Guiding Principle

Ethical journalism requires judgement.

No code can anticipate every circumstance.

Where competing considerations arise, editorial staff should act honestly, independently and fairly, giving appropriate weight to the public interest, the rights of those affected, and the trust placed in Vinyl Media by its readers.

The trust of our readers is Vinyl Media's most valuable asset. It is earned through accuracy, fairness, independence and accountability, and every editorial decision should strengthen that trust.

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