Our Pledge: At VulturePress.com, our mission is to deliver sharp, engaging, and trustworthy entertainment journalism. Our credibility is our most valuable asset. This Code of Ethics serves as our public commitment to integrity, transparency, and fairness in all our reporting and operations. Every member of our team—editors, writers, contributors, and freelancers—is expected to uphold these standards.
1. Accuracy & Fact-Checking
We are committed to getting it right.
- Verification: We will diligently verify information, rumors, and tips before publication. This includes confirming details with multiple sources whenever possible.
- Corrections: We promptly correct errors of fact, large or small. Corrections will be clearly noted within the article itself, specifying what was changed and when. We do not silently edit substantive errors.
- Rumors & Spoilers: We will clearly label rumors, unconfirmed reports, and potential spoilers. We will not present speculation as fact.
- Headlines & Social Media: Our headlines, social media posts, and push notifications must accurately reflect the content of the article and not be misleading for clicks.
2. Sourcing & Attribution
We are transparent about where our information comes from.
- Anonymous Sources: The use of anonymous sources is a last resort, reserved for situations where it is necessary to protect a source from harm or to share vital information that cannot be obtained on the record. The decision to use an anonymous source requires editor approval.
- Attribution: We always credit original reporting from other outlets. Plagiarism—the unattributed use of another’s work or ideas—is strictly forbidden and grounds for immediate termination.
- Confidentiality: We protect the identity of confidential sources.
3. Independence & Conflicts of Interest
Our coverage is not for sale. We maintain a strict separation between editorial content and business interests.
- Gifts & Perks: We do not accept gifts, money, or special favors from subjects we cover, studios, publicists, or PR firms that could compromise, or appear to compromise, our objectivity. Review copies of media (screeners, books, albums) are considered industry-standard tools of the trade and are acceptable.
- Travel & Junkets: Attendance at press junkets, premieres, or studio-funded travel must be disclosed to our readers within the relevant article (e.g., “VulturePress attended a press junket for this film hosted by Studio X”).
- Personal Relationships: Writers and editors must disclose any close personal or financial relationships with subjects they are assigned to cover. In such cases, they will be recused from the story.
- Advertising & Sponsorship: Advertisers and sponsors have no influence over our editorial content. “Native advertising” or sponsored content will be clearly and prominently labeled as such.
4. Fairness & Respect
We strive to be critics, not bullies.
- Subject Respect: We can be sharp and critical without being needlessly cruel, hateful, or engaging in personal attacks. Criticism should be directed at creative work and professional conduct, not at immutable personal characteristics.
- Right of Reply: We make a good-faith effort to contact the subject of a potentially negative story for comment prior to publication and will include their response or note their refusal to comment.
- Privacy: We respect the personal privacy of public figures, recognizing that not all aspects of their lives are fodder for public consumption. We will weigh the public interest against an individual’s right to privacy, especially concerning family members and children.
5. Diversity & Representation
We are committed to reflecting the diverse world of entertainment and our audience.
- Inclusive Coverage: We will consciously work to cover a wide spectrum of creators, artists, and stories from underrepresented groups.
- Sensitive Language: We are committed to using respectful and accurate language, especially concerning race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, disability, and other identifiers.
- Story Assignment: We will strive to assign stories to writers who can bring relevant cultural context and understanding, while also recognizing that empathy and research are universal journalistic skills.
6. Transparency
We believe in being open with our readers.
- Affiliate Links: We may use affiliate links (e.g., to Amazon or other retailers). These links will be disclosed at the top or bottom of an article. They do not influence our editorial coverage or product recommendations.
- Opinion vs. News: The line between news reporting, analysis, and opinion will be clearly marked for readers through section labels and design.
7. Accountability
We hold ourselves accountable to our readers and to this code.