Editorial ethics
The Good Trouble Show is independent investigative journalism. These are the standards the show holds itself to.
Source verification
Every factual claim in original reporting is traced to a primary source: a document, a named witness, a recording, or a public record. Where a claim depends on a single source, that dependence is disclosed. Where a claim is contested, the contesting view is represented.
Anonymous sources
Anonymity is granted when (a) the source faces credible professional, legal, or physical retaliation for going on the record, and (b) the information cannot be obtained from a named source. Anonymous claims are described, characterized, and corroborated by additional evidence before publication. The show does not publish single-source anonymous claims of fact about specific individuals.
Conflicts of interest
Financial relationships, advisory roles, and personal relationships relevant to a story are disclosed in the episode or piece where they arise. The show takes no money from defense contractors, intelligence agencies, or political action committees, and discloses any sponsorship in show-open advertising.
Right of reply
Subjects of investigative pieces are contacted for comment in advance of publication, with sufficient notice to respond substantively. Responses are quoted accurately and in context. Where no response is received, the lack of response is noted.
Review
Investigative pieces touching national-security, intelligence, or FOIA-derived material are reviewed by counsel before publication when warranted. The show does not submit reporting to government agencies for pre-publication review.
Standards of language
The show avoids partisan framing and labels of political identity in descriptions of public officials and institutions. Where a witness or document uses such language, it is quoted directly, not adopted as description.
Questions
Questions about these standards, or about how a specific piece was reported, are welcome. Email Email the show.