This Code of Ethics sets forth the principles that govern the conduct of journalists, editors, contributors, and staff of The Maple Review. It serves as a moral and professional compass, affirming our unwavering commitment to truth, intellectual honesty, freedom of expression, and public interest across our coverage in politics, business, arts and letters, science and technology, military and defence, and encyclopaedic entries.

We believe that journalism and public commentary are public trusts. As such, we recognise the imperative of preserving the dignity of our craft, resisting sensationalism, avoiding bias, and protecting the fundamental rights and freedoms of all.

1. Commitment to Truth and Accuracy
   
   1. All content must be accurate, well-sourced, and fact-checked. In the case of developing stories or contentious issues, this includes distinguishing facts from interpretation, conjecture, or opinion.
   2. Where mistakes occur, they must be promptly corrected with full transparency and an acknowledgement of the error.
   3. Data, quotations, citations, and other source materials must be faithfully presented. Misrepresentation, selective quoting, or omission of material facts is a serious breach of ethics.
2. Independence and Impartiality
   
   1. Editorial independence is paramount. Our coverage will remain free from political, corporate, or ideological pressures.
   2. Writers and editors must avoid any actual or perceived conflict of interest. Financial interests, personal relationships, or partisan affiliations must not influence content.
   3. We are committed to presenting diverse viewpoints, especially on contentious or politically sensitive matters, to foster open, respectful discourse.
3. Integrity in Reporting and Commentary
   
   1. Reporting on politics, business, and military affairs must be free from propaganda, manipulation, or undue influence. We neither fabricate nor distort.
   2. Commentary must be clearly distinguished from news. Analysis and opinion pieces must be reasoned, substantiated, and presented in good faith.
   3. Arts and Letters coverage must respect intellectual and artistic contributions, avoiding caricature or misinterpretation for polemical purposes.
4. Transparency and Accountability
   
   1. Authors must disclose relevant affiliations or funding that may influence their perspective.
   2. Corrections and retractions must be visibly and promptly issued when errors are discovered.
   3. Editors are responsible for ensuring all published content meets these ethical standards and for responding to credible complaints from readers.
5. Respect for Sources and Attribution
   
   1. We respect the confidentiality of sources where anonymity is necessary and ethically justifiable.
   2. No material may be plagiarised. Proper credit must be given to all sources, whether through citation, quotation, or other forms of attribution.
   3. We do not pay for interviews, documents, or information except under exceptional circumstances, which must be approved by editorial leadership and disclosed to readers.
6. Responsibility in Sensitive Coverage
   
   1. When reporting on conflict, security, and military affairs, we are bound by an obligation not to endanger lives, compromise operations, or irresponsibly publish sensitive intelligence.
   2. Coverage involving vulnerable communities, survivors of trauma, or sensitive personal experiences must be handled with empathy, respect, and caution.
   3. Scientific and technological reporting must avoid exaggeration, maintain peer-reviewed credibility, and clarify the limits of certainty.
7. Scholarly and Encyclopaedic Integrity
   
   1. Entries in the Encyclopedia section must be written with academic rigour, neutrality, and fidelity to verified sources. Primary and secondary sources must be clearly referenced.
   2. Original research must be clearly distinguished from interpretive summaries.
   3. Where contested historical, scientific, or philosophical views are presented, competing interpretations should be acknowledged.
8. Non-Discrimination and Respect for Human Dignity
   
   1. We uphold the principles of dignity, equality, and non-discrimination. No content should incite hatred, propagate stereotypes, or promote racism, sexism, sectarianism, or other forms of prejudice.
   2. We are committed to inclusive representation and responsible portrayals of race, gender, religion, and culture.
9. Editorial Oversight and Ethical Culture
   
   1. All editorial staff must undergo regular training on ethical journalism, fact-checking, and responsible authorship.
   2. Editorial board members must ensure that all decisions reflect the magazine’s ethical commitments, particularly when selecting topics, approving contributors, or rejecting submissions.
   3. Internal discussions on ethics, dilemmas, or grey areas must be encouraged and documented, ensuring an open culture of ethical self-reflection.
10. Reader Engagement and Public Interest
    
    1. We treat our readers as intellectual and moral equals. Content must not condescend, manipulate, or mislead.
    2. We encourage critical engagement and thoughtful disagreement. We welcome challenges to our editorial stance, as long as they are made in good faith and respectful terms.
    3. The ultimate criterion for all our editorial choices is the public interest, not popularity, marketability, or political convenience.
11. Enforcement and Review
    1. Violations of this Code may result in internal review, public acknowledgement, correction, or disciplinary action.
    2. The Code of Ethics shall be reviewed annually by the editorial board to ensure it remains responsive to new ethical challenges in journalism and scholarship.