Ethics Policy

This Code of Ethics sets out the principles that govern how everyone at The Market Periodical works. It underpins our journalism across cryptocurrency, forex, and stocks, and it supports our Editorial Policy and Corrections Policy. These are the standards we hold ourselves to, and the standards readers can hold us to.

Our guiding principles

Six principles guide our work:

• Independence—our journalism serves readers, free from commercial or outside influence.
• Integrity—we are honest in how we gather, present, and stand behind information.
• Accuracy—we verify before we publish and correct when we are wrong.
• Fairness—we report in good faith, in context, and give subjects a chance to respond where appropriate.
• Transparency—we are open about our sources, our commercial relationships, and our use of technology.
• Accountability—we put our names to our work and answer for it.

Conflicts of interest

We avoid situations where personal interests could compromise, or appear to compromise, our judgment. Staff must disclose relevant financial and cryptocurrency holdings to editors, and anyone with a material personal stake in an asset or company generally steps back from covering it. Staff may not trade on non-public information obtained through their work, and may not time personal trades around our coverage. Where a potential conflict is unavoidable and the reporting is in the public interest, it is disclosed to readers.

Gifts, hospitality, and free products

Our coverage cannot be bought with favours. Staff do not accept cash, gifts, hospitality, travel, or other benefits that could be seen to influence our reporting. Where we receive a product to test for a review, accepting it does not entitle the provider to a favourable rating, editorial input, or approval before publication, and we disclose such arrangements where relevant. Products provided for testing do not change our conclusions.

Independence from advertisers and sponsors

Editorial decisions are made by editorial staff, never by advertisers or sponsors. Commercial partners cannot commission, approve, or veto our journalism, and buying advertising earns no editorial favour. Any content produced in partnership with a third party is clearly labelled under our Sponsored Content Policy so readers always know what they are reading.

Sourcing ethics and anonymous sources

We build our reporting on primary sources, official records, and named experts, and we attribute information so readers can trace it. We use anonymous sources sparingly—only when the information matters, cannot be obtained on the record, and can be corroborated—and anonymity is approved by an editor. We do not let anonymity become a shield for unaccountable claims or promotional agendas.

Plagiarism and fabrication

We have zero tolerance for plagiarism and fabrication. We do not copy others’ work, invent quotes, sources, or data, or present someone else’s reporting as our own. We credit the outlets and people whose work we build on, and we quote and attribute accurately. Breaching this standard is among the most serious violations at The Market Periodical.

Transparency about AI use

We are open about the role of technology in our work. AI and automated tools assist us with data gathering and research, but all published body content is written and verified by named human authors who are responsible for it. Algorithmic price forecasts are clearly labelled as educational and are never presented as advice. We do not publish AI-generated body text as if a human wrote and verified it when they did not.

Fairness and diversity

We strive to report fairly and in context, to represent a range of perspectives, and to treat the people and communities we cover with respect. We seek out diverse viewpoints and sources, avoid unfair characterisations, and give subjects of critical reporting a reasonable opportunity to respond where appropriate.

Handling mistakes and complaints

When we get something wrong, we correct it openly and promptly. Readers can report suspected errors or raise concerns at any time, and we take every report seriously. Our full process is set out in our Corrections Policy.

Accountability and enforcement

This Code applies to everyone who contributes to The Market Periodical, whether staff or freelance. Editors are responsible for upholding it, and breaches are taken seriously and addressed appropriately, up to and including removing content or ending a working relationship. Named bylines mean our writers are accountable for their work, and our editors are accountable for what we publish.

Contact us

To raise an ethics concern, contact [email protected]. To report an error, email [email protected], or reach us through our contact page.

Last reviewed: 2026