Ethics Policy

The principles below govern all material published under the Qatrova name. They are working rules rather than declarations, and the Corrections Policy is one of the mechanisms through which they are enforced.

Accuracy before speed. The publication prefers to be correct rather than first. No deadline overrides the verification of a source.

Attribution. Facts, figures and quotations drawn from another outlet’s original reporting are credited to that outlet, with a link where possible. Another publication’s exclusive is never presented as Qatrova’s own work.

Fairness to subjects of coverage. A person or organisation facing a significant adverse allegation is given the opportunity to respond before publication wherever practicable, and any response received is represented fairly.

No fabrication. Quotations, sources, statistics and events are never invented. This applies to everything the site carries, without exception.

Independence from commercial interest. Coverage is not for sale and is not shaped by advertisers or partners; paid material is labelled as such, as described under Advertising.

Care with sensitive material. In coverage of crime, tragedy, conflict and vulnerable people, including minors, the public interest in publication is weighed against the potential for harm, and identifying detail that serves no public-interest purpose is omitted.

Respect for context. Coverage is produced with awareness of the legal, cultural and religious framework of the State of Qatar, and care is taken not to publish unfounded rumour or unsubstantiated defamatory claims.

Conflicts of interest. Editorial staff disclose personal, financial or organisational conflicts connected to their assignments and withdraw from coverage where a conflict cannot be managed.

Accountability. Any reader may challenge what is published. Every challenge reaches a human editor through the routes listed under Contact.