Being first is nice. Being right is the job.
This policy sets the standards for everything MIDDERMUSIC publishes, from breaking news to buying guides. It covers news, features, album reviews, guides, song lists and product coverage.
Every writer works to it, and Will, Founder of MIDDERMUSIC, is responsible for enforcing it.
Accuracy and sourcing
Accuracy comes before speed, even on a fast-moving story. Writers credit every source they use, and we link to the original wherever one exists. We prefer primary sources: artists, labels, official announcements, chart publishers and manufacturers.
We judge each source on its record, and we take extra care on sensitive subjects. We use anonymous sources only when there is no other way to report a story, and we say why on the page.
Writers report within their areas of knowledge, and we assign stories with that in mind.
Kinds of content
We label what each piece is, so you know how to read it before you start:
- News reports what happened, with sources.
- Features add context and analysis, and carry the writer’s judgment.
- Reviews are the writer’s assessment of an album or product, with a score where our scoring guide applies.
- Guides and lists explain, compare or recommend, and state how we chose what is in them.
News stays news. Opinion never appears in a news story unless the story quotes it and names who said it.
Advertising and affiliate income
Money talk, kept short. MIDDERMUSIC earns money from advertising and affiliate links. Our affiliate disclosure explains how those links work and which programs we use.
Advertisers, affiliate partners and sponsors do not influence what we cover, how products rank or what scores they get. Commissions never change a rating or a recommendation, and advertisers do not see articles before they are published.
Bylines and authors
You should always know who is talking. Every article carries the name of the person who wrote it, shown at the top of the page.
Each byline links to an author page with that writer’s background and areas of knowledge. You can meet everyone who writes for us on Our Team.
Dates and updates
Each article shows the date it was first published, near the headline. We add an “Updated” date only when the content changes in a meaningful way, such as new facts, new products or a corrected error.
A spelling fix, a new image or a layout change does not change the date. Tidying up is not news.
Plagiarism
Short section, firm line. We do not tolerate plagiarism in any form, including copied text from other publications. Any case leads to removal of the copied material and a review of the writer’s role.
Corrections
When we get something wrong, we correct it on the page and record it in our corrections log. You can report an error by emailing will@middermusic.com, and our corrections policy explains what happens next.