Fairness applies to the people we write about. Anyone facing a significant negative allegation in our coverage is asked for a response before publication wherever that is practically possible, and the response is represented fairly and in full proportion. Editorial judgment is not for sale: advertisers, sponsors and partners have no say in what we cover or how, and anything paid for is labelled as paid for, as described under Advertising.
Sensitive material gets extra care. In crime, tragedy and conflict coverage, and wherever minors or vulnerable people are involved, the public interest in publication is weighed against the harm that identifying detail can cause. Context matters too: Germany's history and social fabric shape how stories are read, and unfounded rumour has no place in ours.
Conflicts of interest are disclosed inside the newsroom, and an editor steps back from any story where a conflict cannot be managed. Accountability closes the circle: anyone may challenge what we publish, and every challenge reaches a human editor through the channels under Contact and the procedure in our Corrections Policy.