1. Introduction
The purpose of these policies is to outline the ethical and editorial standards expected to be used by companies within Neuronkraft and in projects where Neuronkraft is involved by while creating game-based educational products (e.g. games, rule books for games, teacher manuals) regardless of the nature (e.g. thematic area and intended use), type (e.g. digital, physical) and tone (e.g. target age group, factual, satirical) of the final products.
These editorial policies have been compiled and inspired by what we consider best in class practitioners in industries where editorial policies and guidelines are required.
The reputation of Neuronkraft and the quality of its products are our most important assets.
2. Accuracy
We strive to be accurate in all we write by which we mean that the text qualitatively should reflect the source and what the source wants to imply.
Accuracy also implies that actual values and figures should reflect real world figures.
In some cases, it might be needed or desirable to recalibrate figures relatively with each other to facilitate a fun and fair experience. In this case it should be mentioned either specifically on a case-by-case basis or as a rule or assumption on the final product. We may be needed to simplify but never falsify the big picture.
Information should be verified before being used, using original “normative sources” by which is meant that the sources are generally accepted as being accurate however with their specific and clearly identified and recognized ideologies and “agenda”.
Best practice is to update and, where necessary, correct information throughout the life of a product, and to be clear about which is which.
Post-publication, errors and new developments must be flagged and corrected whenever possible (in a subsequent edition or online).
For future possible events and trends, it is permissible to use the futurist framework of wghat is possible, plausible, and desirable. Things that violate the present understanding of the laws of nature should be omitted. It should be clear from the source or context that the text and figures are related to forward looking statements, prognosis or forecasts or simply “educated guesses” or even “wishful thinking”.
In a fast-changing world, evidently any printed product is a testament to the exact time it was created, and evidently data and circumstances will change over time.
3. Anonymous sources
Anonymous sources are not used. Providing clear sources builds the trust of our products amongst the customers and users.
4. Conflicts of interest
We refuse gifts, favors, fees, free travel and special treatment and other things that may compromise integrity, impartiality and damage credibility.”
5. Fairness
We do not omit points of major importance or significance. Fairness includes completeness and relevance.
In some cases including future events, present data information can be interpreted in different ways when extrapolated into the future. In that case, it is important that any extrapolation is based on a normative source or a combination of normative sources.
We do not bring any story related to any specific individual.
We avoid hate speech and discriminatory statements.
6. Independent contractors
In the occasion that freelance contributors are used to provide content, they must comply with these standards.
7. Language and tone
Our contents are written in a informal and easy-to-understand style using specific jargon when relevant for precision and incisiveness. Insults and profanity are not used.
8. Legal matters
We respect the intellectual property of other content creators.
We should have the rights to use any texts and images and that the use of any non-licensed copyrighted material falls within “fair-use” provisions.
9. Plagiarism and fabulism
Plagiarism is theft of other people’s work and violation of their copyright, and we do not tolerate that.
When information is used, including facts and quotations, gathered by other sources, we should attribute them under “fair use” provisions.
We should base our work on primary sources with the use of secondary sources for clarity and brevity only.
We will not tolerate the knowing provision of false information, but we do recognise that “green washing” and “wishful thinking” are widespread and often difficult to recognise. We should provide our customers with sources and references, so they have the chance of making their own analysis.
Nothing should be fabricated or exaggerated, except in products that clearly use satire or irony as their communication style.
10. Data Sources and Sourcing
We do not pay for access to reports, papers, documents etc. Some reports and other sources may require “payment” with an email-address which is acceptable if all with a valid email address can gain access.
We do not promise favorable coverage in return for a source’s data and co-operation.
We do not threaten uncooperative sources.
We identify ourselves as game designers and clearly explain the purpose and use of our products.
We do not agree to or offer sources the opportunity to read texts before we publish.
We take full responsibility, as editor, for the final wording of any story.
11. Transparency
Decisions about what stories we use is solely by the publisher.
We will disclose any commercial relationships the company has that might appear.
Commercial relationship shall not influence our own analysis and phrasing of a story.
12. Compliance with these policies
These policies do not anticipate every situation that will arise in our work.
We require that “professional judgement” and “common sense” is applied, and that relevant internal and external experts are consulted when or if “grey zone” cases occur.
13. Update
These policies will be updated and reviewed when needed.