Last updated: July 2026
InvestorWatchdog’s standards for accuracy, independence, source protection, and accountability in investigative journalism.
1. Our Mission
InvestorWatchdog exists to serve the public interest through independent, evidence-based investigative journalism focused on financial fraud, investment scams, and regulatory failures.
Our mission is to expose fraudulent actors, hold regulators accountable, and provide investors with the information they need to protect themselves. We operate without financial ties to the industries we cover, and we accept no advertising from financial services firms.
Every investigation we publish is driven by one question: does this serve the public interest? If the answer is yes, we publish. If it does not, we do not.
2. Editorial Independence
InvestorWatchdog’s editorial decisions are made exclusively by our editorial team. No advertiser, investor, sponsor, or third party has any influence over what we investigate, what we publish, or how we report.
We do not accept payment for coverage, positive or negative. We do not accept gifts, hospitality, or other benefits from sources. We do not allow commercial relationships to influence editorial content.
Our journalists are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest to the Editor before beginning an investigation. Where a conflict cannot be managed, the journalist is recused from the relevant story.
3. Accuracy & Verification Standards
We apply rigorous verification standards to every claim we publish.
Before publication, every factual claim must be supported by at least one of the following: documentary evidence, on-record statements from named sources, verifiable public records, or corroboration from two independent sources.
We do not publish allegations based solely on anonymous tips. Anonymous sources may provide leads, but claims must be independently verified before publication.
Where we are unable to verify a claim to our standard, we do not publish it. Where we have strong evidence but cannot achieve full verification, we explain the evidential basis and limitations to readers.
4. Right of Reply
Every individual and organisation that is the subject of a critical investigation is given a meaningful opportunity to respond before publication.
We contact subjects by email and, where possible, by phone, providing a clear summary of the allegations and a reasonable deadline for response — typically five working days for major investigations, 48 hours for time-sensitive reports.
Responses are published in full or summarised fairly. Where a subject declines to comment or does not respond, this is noted in the article. We do not allow non-response to delay publication of matters in the public interest.
We do not accept legal threats as a substitute for substantive engagement with our reporting.
5. Source Protection
We take the protection of confidential sources extremely seriously. We will not reveal the identity of a confidential source without their explicit consent, except in extraordinary circumstances where there is an imminent risk to life.
Sources who provide information in confidence are told clearly what protections we can and cannot offer. We advise sources on operational security where relevant.
We use secure communication channels for sensitive source communications. We do not retain source-identifying information beyond what is necessary for verification purposes.
Whistleblowers and victims who share their stories with us are treated with care and respect. We explain the publication process clearly and obtain informed consent before publishing personal accounts.
6. Corrections Policy
We correct errors promptly and transparently. When we make a factual error, we correct it as soon as it is identified, note the correction clearly at the top of the article, and explain what was wrong and what the correct information is.
We do not silently edit articles to remove errors. All corrections are dated and preserved in the article record.
If you believe we have made an error, contact us at editorial@investorwatchdog.com with the specific claim you believe is incorrect and the evidence supporting your position. We will investigate and respond within five working days.
We distinguish between corrections (factual errors), clarifications (where additional context is needed), and updates (where new information has emerged after publication).
7. Risk Scores & Ratings
InvestorWatchdog’s Risk Score is a proprietary assessment tool used in Platform Exposé investigations. It is not a financial rating and should not be used as the sole basis for any investment decision.
Risk Scores are calculated using our published Methodology, which considers factors including regulatory status, complaint volume, withdrawal refusal patterns, corporate structure opacity, and on-chain evidence where applicable.
Risk Scores represent our editorial assessment at the time of publication. They may be updated as new information emerges. A high Risk Score indicates significant investigative concern — it does not constitute a legal finding of fraud.
We publish our full Methodology so readers can assess our scoring approach independently.
8. Legal & Regulatory Compliance
InvestorWatchdog operates in compliance with applicable UK law, including the Defamation Act 2013, the Data Protection Act 2018, and relevant press standards.
We rely on the public interest defence where applicable. We believe that exposing financial fraud and protecting investors from harm constitutes a clear and compelling public interest.
We do not publish information that would identify victims without their explicit consent. We anonymise victim accounts where requested.
We cooperate with legitimate law enforcement requests through proper legal channels. We do not cooperate with requests that we believe are designed to identify confidential sources or suppress legitimate journalism.
9. Complaints Procedure
We take complaints about our journalism seriously and investigate all substantive complaints promptly.
To make a complaint: email editorial@investorwatchdog.com with the headline of the article, the specific claim you are complaining about, and the basis for your complaint. We will acknowledge receipt within two working days and provide a substantive response within ten working days.
If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your complaint to IPSO (Independent Press Standards Organisation) if we are a member, or seek independent mediation.
We publish an annual transparency report summarising complaints received, corrections made, and legal challenges faced.
Questions about our editorial standards? Contact us at editorial@investorwatchdog.com