Satire and editorial policy
1. Purpose
The project uses a city-news format for entertainment. Fiction, exaggeration, parody and subjective commentary may be used where the presentation makes the genre clear and respects other people’s rights. The project is not an official source of incident reports, government announcements or information about private lives.
2. Clear labels
“Satire / fiction” denotes an invented story; “Archive summary” denotes a summary of previously published source material; “Opinion” denotes commentary; “Information” denotes an article containing verifiable claims; “Unverified” denotes material without confirmed editorial fact-checking. The label appears near the title and is explained within the article. Sharing a link should preserve the context and genre.
3. Limits of fiction
A real name, recognisable image or other identifying detail requires consideration of that person’s rights. A coincidence disclaimer does not establish anonymity where a person is actually identifiable. The genre must not be used to justify bullying, false criminal allegations, sexualised humiliation, disclosure of private information or discrimination. Particular care is required where minors are concerned.
4. Quotations, sources and photographs
Invented remarks must be recognisable as a fictional device and must not be passed off as real interviews. Factual material should identify an available source; links to feeds or archives carry an explanatory note. Images require appropriate rights and grounds for use. A photograph of a real person must not be presented as documentary proof of a fictional event.
5. Updates and translations
Editors may correct text, replace an image, add a translation or unpublish an article. Changes to Russian text require a review of the English version. Substantial factual corrections should be explained within the article. A translation using a different illustration retains the same genre and fiction label.
6. Right to challenge material
Rights to protect reputation, seek removal of unlawfully used images and pursue other statutory remedies remain available. This policy does not prohibit complaints, require a waiver of court access or replace legal assessment of a particular publication.