Editorial policy of MOST

The editorial policy of MOST media is based on the principles of objectivity, accuracy, reliability, and independence. Our goal is to create clear, engaging, and relevant materials that reflect the realities of the Kherson region.

The main principles that MOST journalists and correspondents follow when preparing and publishing materials on the website:

1. Objectivity

We strive to present news objectively and independently of external influence. Our journalists tell stories without hiding facts or distorting information. The personal views of journalists are in no way reflected in the materials – except for specific types of texts such as reports or opinion columns. 

2. Independence

The editorial office maintains its independence from political parties, commercial structures, and other influences. The editorial board of the media independently and freely decides which materials will be published and which will not. Promotional and advertising materials are labeled accordingly.

3. Accuracy and Reliability

We strive for maximum accuracy in all our materials. Journalists verify facts before publication and use reliable sources of information. If errors are found, we are committed to correcting them as soon as possible and explaining the reason for the mistake to readers.

3.1. Error Correction Policy

Our editorial team aims to provide its audience with correct information as quickly as possible. If errors are found, whether factual or grammatical – they must be corrected as soon as possible by the author of the material or the editor. In the case of grammatical corrections, changes in the text are not marked. Exception – if it is important within the news itself, the update time may be indicated at the beginning of the paragraph. If factual errors are corrected, such a correction is clearly indicated in the text, and the following is added to the material:

1. A “Corrected” label is added to the material’s headline.
2. The corrected version is added to the text of the material, and if necessary, an explanation of the error in the previous information is provided. 

Our commitment to transparency in error correction applies to both small news pieces and long-form materials. Our audience can trust us to make corrections. 

3.2 Policy on Removing Materials

In rare cases where a material contains such serious errors that it cannot be corrected, we may remove it. The decision to remove material is made by the editor-in-chief. In such a case, the material is deleted from our website and from the archives. We are completely transparent about removing materials and always explain why a material was taken down. /For example, a story titled /// contained numerous factual errors or inaccuracies and was removed/

4. Transparency

The editorial office is open and transparent in its relations with readers and the public — including financially. Our editorial team is funded by advertising, grants, and donations from readers. Our funding does not influence our content and allows us to remain an independent media outlet.

5. Ethics and Responsibility

We adhere to ethical standards and principles of journalism, such as respect for privacy, honesty, refusal of discrimination, and non-disclosure of confidential information. 

We also pay special attention to exposing corruption in the activities of local authorities.

6. Content Quality

We strive to ensure high quality of texts, photos, and videos published on the site. All visual materials are credited to the author and the original source. We aim to provide readers only with quality information that meets high standards of journalism.

7. Professionalism 

We take our work seriously and ensure that our materials are grammatically and stylistically flawless. We are open to criticism and constructive feedback from our readers and colleagues.

8. The following is unacceptable in internal editorial behavior:

• treating colleagues as service staff;
• harassment (sexual harassment);
• psychological pressure, verbal abuse, humiliation based on sex/gender;
• sexist jokes and anecdotes;
• interference with work, stigmatization based on sex;
• incitement to hatred, violence.

In their professional activities, journalists:

• maintain gender balance when preparing materials: equally write/talk about men and women, seek comments/expert opinions from both men and women on various topics;
• do not use or spread stereotypical images of femininity and masculinity regarding women and men, and do not disseminate discriminatory, sexist content (textual or visual); ambiguous statements and indecent hints about behavioral “traits” are unacceptable;
• do not produce content (textual or visual) that promotes the sexualization and objectification of women;
• promote the visibility of women in political, economic, military, and other areas traditionally considered male, as well as the visibility of men in areas traditionally considered female — entertainment, fashion, education, childcare, and family care;
• when covering various socio-political topics and professional achievements (successes) of women, do not focus on their appearance (clothing, hairstyle, makeup, accessories, etc.), do not ask whether they have time for family or household duties;
• avoid judgmental statements about the life choices of women and men;
• avoid victim-blaming (shifting responsibility and guilt for violence to the victim — for example, those who have suffered from human trafficking, domestic or sexual violence, prostitution, etc.) and do not sensationalize such topics;
• do not emphasize the racial background, citizenship, or social status of women and men;
• always maintain gender balance in surveys (ensure that men and women of different social statuses and ages are equally represented);
• use feminine forms of professional titles and job positions when referring to women;
• systematically cover issues of gender discrimination in everyday life, family, business, education, employment and wages, career building, participation in military actions, and civic-political life.

The editorial office:

• welcomes and promotes increasing the competence of its employees on gender issues;
• provides flexible working hours for pregnant women and parents (both women and men) with young children;
• ensures equal conditions for all employees for training and career growth;
• does not divide future material topics (and therefore tasks) into “female” and “male,” thus not supporting stereotypes and enabling comprehensive development and self-realization of all employees;
• provides the necessary conditions for comfortable work and equal pay for both women and men.

9. Terminology

In news, columns, and other materials, the editorial office uses the following terms and names.

9.1. Russians – all citizens of Russia without exception. The editorial office uses this term not for generalizations or political correctness. All soldiers of the Russian armed forces, security forces, and government employees are for us Russians. We believe that the war in Ukraine is not only the fault of Putin personally or the soldier who came to fight in our country, but of all Russians.

9.2. Instead of the commonly used term Gauleiter, which is used to refer to the heads of occupation administrations and other leaders appointed by Russians, from December 12, 2023, the editorial office uses the term “head of the occupation authority in the temporarily occupied part of the Kherson region.”

9.3. All officials of the occupation administrations of the Kherson region are called by the editorial office “appointed by Russians head” or “head of the occupation authority”.

9.4. The part of the Kherson region that is temporarily occupied by Russians is referred to by the editorial office as “temporarily occupied territory” and derivatives of this phrase.

9.5. We do not use the words “orcs,” “bunker rat,” “sosaldo,” “rashists”. First of all, because of aesthetic beliefs and the ability to hurt Russians and their voluntary helpers with our materials in other ways.