Editorial Standards
The Moral Decay Index examines the distance between stated values and public behavior. Our work is guided by evidence, transparency, intellectual honesty, and standards that do not change with party loyalty.
The standard must apply to everyone
We do not promise perfect judgment. We promise to explain our reasoning, identify our evidence, disclose important limitations, and correct material errors.
Independence and fairness
David retains final editorial responsibility. Advertisers, sponsors, product partners, political campaigns, and outside organizations do not control our topics, scores, or conclusions. We apply the same standards to political allies and opponents.
Facts, interpretation, and opinion
Articles should distinguish verifiable facts from analysis, inference, and opinion. Headlines must reflect the article and should not claim more than the supporting evidence establishes.
Evidence and attribution
Material factual claims should rely on identifiable, credible sources. Whenever practical, we link to original government data, peer-reviewed research, institutional reports, or methodologically transparent surveys.
Care with sensitive topics
Medical, mental-health, legal, financial, crime, race, and demographic subjects require precise language and careful sourcing. Correlation is not proof of causation, and disagreement is not evidence of bad faith.
Responsible use of AI
AI may assist with research organization, drafting, editing, images, or production. AI output is never treated as a source. David remains responsible for verification, judgment, disclosures, and corrections.
Commercial transparency
Relevant sponsorships, affiliate relationships, and material interests will be disclosed. Advertising or a commercial relationship does not purchase favorable editorial treatment.
Our review checklist
- Does the headline accurately describe the evidence?
- Are important factual claims linked to credible sources?
- Are fact, inference, and opinion clearly distinguished?
- Have uncertainty and meaningful limitations been disclosed?
- Would we apply the same wording and standard to an ally?
- Could the language unfairly dehumanize or stereotype a group?
Corrections policy
Material factual errors are corrected promptly. When appropriate, we note what changed. Minor spelling, grammar, formatting, and link repairs may be made without a correction notice.
- Send the article URL.
- Identify the disputed statement.
- Provide supporting evidence or an original source.
David is accountable for what appears here
Tools can assist the work, but they cannot accept responsibility for it. David makes the final publication decision and is responsible for checking claims, evaluating sources, and ensuring that every article reflects the site’s editorial judgment.
AI assistance is disclosed as a production method—not presented as evidence or authority.
What readers should expect
Readers should be able to understand what is known, what is uncertain, how a conclusion was reached, and where to challenge it. Strong disagreement is welcome. Deliberate deception, unsupported certainty, and dehumanization are not.