Code of Ethics

1. Independence

LFG is funded entirely by members. We do not accept advertising, corporate sponsorship, political donations, or government grants. We do not accept payment for coverage, favourable framing, or editorial placement of any kind.

No individual, organisation, or political party has editorial influence over what LFG investigates, publishes, or promotes. Our editorial decisions are made solely on the basis of public interest, accuracy, and civic relevance.

2. Accuracy and Verification

We publish only what we can verify. All factual claims in LFG investigations and briefings are sourced from publicly available records, official documents, or named and verified sources. Where information is contested or uncertain, we say so clearly.

When we make errors, we correct them promptly and transparently. Corrections are published in the same location as the original content and noted with the date of correction. We do not quietly edit published content without disclosure.

3. Fairness and Right of Reply

Any person or organisation that is the subject of a significant factual claim in an LFG investigation will be offered a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication. Responses will be included in the published piece unless the subject declines to comment or cannot be reached within a reasonable timeframe.

We do not publish allegations without evidence. We distinguish clearly between established facts, contested claims, and editorial opinion.

4. Political Balance

LFG is not affiliated with any political party, movement, or ideology. We apply the same scrutiny to all parties, governments, and political actors regardless of their position on the political spectrum. We track policy promises and voting records across all parties equally.

Our civic tools - including the AI Civic Advisor, the Government Record Tracker, and the Candidate Comparison Engine - are designed to present factual information in a balanced, non-partisan way. Where editorial opinion is expressed, it is clearly labelled as such.

5. Source Protection

LFG protects the identity of confidential sources to the fullest extent permitted by law. We will not disclose the identity of a source who has provided information on the basis of confidentiality without their explicit consent, except where required by a lawful court order.

We do not encourage or assist in the unlawful acquisition of information. All information published by LFG is obtained through lawful means.

6. AI Content Standards

LFG uses AI tools to assist with research, summarisation, and civic tool generation. All AI-generated content that is published on the platform is reviewed by a human editor before publication. We clearly label content that has been substantially generated by AI.

The LFG AI Civic Advisor is trained to provide balanced, factual information. It is not designed to advocate for any political position. Users should treat AI-generated civic information as a starting point for their own research, not as definitive legal or professional advice.

7. Conflicts of Interest

LFG team members and contributors are required to disclose any personal, financial, or professional interest in any matter they are covering. Where a conflict of interest exists, the relevant team member will be recused from editorial decisions on that matter.

LFG does not cover organisations in which team members hold financial interests without full disclosure. We do not accept gifts, hospitality, or benefits from organisations we cover.

8. Privacy and Harm Minimisation

LFG publishes information about public figures and organisations in the exercise of their public roles. We do not publish private information about individuals unless it is directly relevant to a matter of genuine public interest and the public interest outweighs the privacy intrusion.

We do not publish content that could place individuals at risk of harm. We handle sensitive topics - including mental health, suicide, and family violence - in accordance with established New Zealand media guidelines.

9. Accountability

LFG holds itself to the same standards of transparency and accountability that we expect from the institutions we cover. We publish our editorial policies, funding model, and team information publicly.

If you believe LFG has breached this Code of Ethics, we want to hear from you. Please contact us at [email protected]. We will acknowledge all complaints within 5 working days and respond substantively within 20 working days.

10. Related Policies

This Code of Ethics should be read alongside our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy.