Climbing Magazine’s Editorial Standards

Journalistic Ethics

Climbing editors, freelance contributors, and freelance photographers must be rigorously fair, accurate, and honest in their editorial work, particularly when producing stories that are controversial, critical, or material to the reputation of the subject.

Fair presentation of facts

A Climbing article should never mislead readers or viewers. We strive to place facts and quotes, particularly those containing material information or critical opinions, in fair and proper context. Writers must quote sources accurately and present clarifying or summarizing information on behalf of sources in the spirit in which a source intended. Wherever appropriate and possible, Climbing:

• Gathers information directly and interviews first-hand sources
• Records interviews with full notes or audio
• Checks facts and statistics
• Validates the authenticity of documents and other evidence
• Corroborates claims and allegations made by sources

Fairness to subjects and sources

We make every effort possible to provide an opportunity for sources and subjects to respond to challenging, critical, or newly public information about themselves, their associates, or their organizations before publishing a piece of work. We strive to present responses fairly and in appropriate context. However, the final presentation of information is entirely at the discretion of the Climbing editorial staff and the writer, not the source. We may allow sources to review their quotes that will appear in coverage, but will never allow a source or subject to review a draft prior to publication.

Artificial intelligence

Climbing writers are forbidden from using artificial intelligence (AI) to write or edit articles on their behalf. Photographers are forbidden from using AI to generate images. Some AI tools (e.g., spell check) are permissible.

Corrections, clarifications, and updates

Climbing is committed to factual accuracy. When material errors are brought to our attention and separately verified, we will correct them as quickly as possible and add a note detailing the time and nature of the update or correction to the story.

Gear testing standards

Unbiased product reviews are vital to Climbing’s mission. Critical to this effort is trust: Our readers and brand partners must know that Climbing upholds the highest journalistic standards in the ways we solicit, test, review, and promote the products we receive for evaluation.

Climbing contributors must review all products and gear without bias—or clearly indicate the circumstances of any bias that they may have. While many of Climbing’s recommendations will, by nature, be subjective, editors are expected to make every reasonable effort to design testing methods, create product criteria, and write reviews and recommendations in the fairest possible manner.

No Climbing gear contributor—either employee or contractor—is permitted to accept compensation of any kind from a brand or third party in exchange for reviewing a product. This includes direct payments and exchanges of value in the form of free products or services. Paid-promotion articles and social media posts will be clearly marked as “sponsored content” to delineate those advertisements from the editorial work of Climbing.

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