Editorial Standards

These are the rules every TradWatch analysis follows. Several are enforced by our publishing software: an analysis cannot be published until its checklist passes.

1. Public figures and public statements only

We write about statements made in public by public figures and outlets: published videos, podcast episodes, articles, books, sermons posted online and public social-media posts. We record why each person or outlet counts as public before we publish anything about them.

We never write about private individuals, and we never publish personal information: no home addresses, phone numbers, personal email addresses, family members, health details or other private matters. We do not speculate about anyone's motives, mental health, private life or possible crimes. Documented public facts — a published decree, a court ruling, a public statement by a diocese — may be reported with a source.

2. A primary source for every claim

Every claim we examine is quoted verbatim and linked to the original video, episode, article or post. For audio and video we give the timestamp where the words are spoken, so anyone can hear them in context. Where possible we also keep an archived copy or transcript in case the original is removed.

3. Every counterpoint is sourced

Each answer we give cites at least one supporting source. Where doctrine or Church discipline is at issue, we cite official Church sources by paragraph or section:

• the Catechism of the Catholic Church (e.g. CCC 1203);
• the documents of the Second Vatican Council (e.g. Sacrosanctum Concilium §36);
• papal documents — encyclicals, apostolic exhortations and constitutions, motu proprio letters;
• the Code of Canon Law (e.g. CIC can. 1364);
• statements of the dicasteries of the Holy See and of bishops' conferences.

We place these alongside historical, scholarly, scientific and journalistic sources, chosen for reliability: peer-reviewed research, recognised historians, primary historical documents and established news organisations.

4. Fact and analysis are labelled

Every counterpoint carries one of two labels:

• Verifiable fact — something anyone can check in the cited source.
• TradWatch analysis — our interpretation or judgement, argued openly.

An editor confirms that fact and opinion are clearly distinguished before every analysis is published.

5. Quotes are short and outnumbered by commentary

We quote only as much as is needed to show exactly what was said, and we always pair quotes with our own commentary. No single quotation runs longer than 75 words, and quoted material never makes up more than 40% of an analysis. Our software measures both and blocks publication when either limit is exceeded.

6. Media is embedded or linked, never copied

We never download, re-upload or rehost anyone's audio or video. We link to the original, or embed it using the platform's own official player. Players load only when a reader presses play, and each one carries a notice that it is embedded for commentary and that we are not affiliated with its owner. See our Fair Use & Commentary Notice.

7. Tone

Calm, precise and fair. We describe positions in the words their holders use. We do not mock, use slurs or loaded labels, or attack people's character. When a claim is wrong, we say so plainly and show why. When a critic makes a fair point, we say that too.

8. Timeliness, briefs and follow-ups

We aim to respond while a statement is still being discussed. A brief answers a single statement quickly and to the same standards as a full analysis. When a story develops, we publish a follow-up and link it to the earlier pieces, and we add dated updates to existing analyses where that serves readers better.

9. Research tools and human verification

We use software, including AI tools, to monitor public feeds, organise research and suggest sources to consult. Nothing is published without a human editor who has opened every primary source, confirmed each quotation word for word and in context, and checked every citation. Directory profiles, explainers and timeline entries are compiled from public sources and reviewed by an editor; each profile shows when it was last reviewed and how to suggest a correction.

10. Corrections and replies

We correct errors promptly and transparently — see our Corrections Policy and the public corrections log. People and outlets we write about may respond under our Right of Reply, and we publish substantive responses alongside the analysis.

11. Independence and conflicts of interest

We are not affiliated with any diocese, religious order, outlet or person we cover. Contributors disclose any relationship with a subject, and step back from covering it where the relationship is significant. [Add your funding and conflict-of-interest disclosures here.]