Standards
Ethics Policy
The conduct expected of people who report, write and edit for the Journal.
Last updated
Conflicts of interest
Contributors should not report on subjects in which they, their families or close associates have a meaningful personal or financial stake. Where a potential conflict exists, it should be disclosed to editors, who may reassign the work or disclose the relationship to readers.
Financial conflicts
Because the Journal covers household finance, contributors should not use information gathered in their work for personal financial gain, and should not write about specific financial products or companies in which they hold a direct interest without disclosure and editorial approval.
Gifts and incentives
Contributors should not accept gifts, payments, free services or other incentives that could influence, or appear to influence, their coverage. Items provided for review, where accepted, should be disclosed in the related article.
Sources
We deal honestly with sources, identify ourselves as working for the Journal, and do not pay sources for information.
Anonymous sources
We prefer named sources. Anonymity may be granted only when information is important to readers, cannot reasonably be obtained on the record, and the source has a credible reason for not being named. Where anonymity is granted, we explain to readers why.
Attribution and plagiarism
Work drawn from others is attributed. Presenting another person’s words, research or ideas as one’s own is not acceptable. Quotations should be accurate and used in context.
Independence
Coverage is not offered in exchange for advertising or other commercial arrangements. Our Advertising Policy describes how commercial content is separated and labeled.
Corrections
Contributors should report errors in their own work promptly. Corrections are handled under our Corrections Policy.