Editorial Policy

General Guidelines

European Relations is committed to advancing thoughtful, objective, and open discussions on European affairs. As a platform for students, young professionals, and experts, we aim to provide high-quality, fact-based content that encourages critical thinking and the exchange of ideas. To ensure this standard, our editorial policy is structured around the following principles:

1. Accuracy and Reliability: All published work must be thoroughly researched and fact-checked. Contributors must provide proper attribution for all sources and ensure the credibility of their references.
2. Impartibility: European Relations remains impartial as an organization, ensuring an open platform for all perspectives. While opinion pieces and blog articles may reflect individual viewpoints, academic papers must adhere to a neutral and balanced perspective, avoiding undue bias or favoritism. Contributors are expected to present viewpoints fairly and base their arguments on well-substantiated evidence.
3. Transparency: We maintain open communication with contributors and readers, clearly outlining our editorial process and any potential conflicts of interest.
4. Content Ownership: Contributors retain the copyright to their work while granting European Relations the right to publish and promote it on our platform.
   
   

Editorial Conduct

Our editorial team adheres to the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and fairness. To ensure trust and respect in all interactions, we commit to the following:

1. Ethical Sourcing:
   • We identify ourselves clearly when engaging with sources and explain the purpose of our inquiries.
   • We clarify with sources whether conversations are on-the-record or off-the-record before proceeding.
2. Professionalism:
   • Editorial staff maintain civility and respect in all interactions, whether in person, online, or via other communication channels.
   • When addressing sensitive issues or allegations, we strive to represent all perspectives fairly by reaching out to the relevant individuals or organizations for comment before publication.
3. Corrections and Accountability:
   • Mistakes happen, but when they do, we will correct them promptly and transparently. Corrections will be clearly marked and explained.
   • Plagiarism, fabrication, or any form of journalistic malpractice is strictly prohibited and will result in the immediate removal of the content and further review.
     
     

Editorial Integrity

To safeguard the independence and credibility of European Relations, we maintain strict separation between editorial content and non-editorial activities. The following measures ensure the integrity of our platform:

1. Independence:
   • Decisions about editorial content are made solely by the editorial team, free from external influence by advertisers, sponsors, or investors.
   • Any partnership or sponsorship that could present a conflict of interest will be clearly disclosed within the relevant content.
2. Transparency in Partnerships:
   • Sponsored content, advertisements, or partnerships are distinctly labeled to avoid any confusion with journalistic or academic articles.
   • If a story involves a partner or sponsor, their relationship with European Relations will be disclosed in the article.
3. Ethical Participation:
   • Editorial team members may participate in events or panels related to European affairs, provided these activities are pre-approved by the editorial board. Travel-related expenses and honoraria must also be disclosed.
   • Reviews of products, books, or other items must remain unbiased. Temporary access to review materials must not influence the editorial judgment.

Peer Review Process (for academic papers)

To ensure the highest academic standards, European Relations employs a peer review process for academic papers submitted to the platform. Submissions undergo evaluation by our editors in correspondence with subject-matter experts who assess the rigor, originality, and contribution of the work. The peer review process includes:

• Initial screening by the editorial team to ensure adherence to submission guidelines.
• Review by experts or academics within the field* to provide constructive feedback and recommendations
• Revisions by the author based on reviewer comments before final approval.
• Transparent communication throughout the process to maintain integrity and fairness.

* Papers that have been produced in a prior academic context (such as coursework, university theses, or research projects) will be fact-checked to determine if and by whom they have been reviewed. Previously graded theses or academic papers will rely on prior assessments by university faculty, and the given grade will serve as an indicator of the paper’s evaluation. Such works will not undergo an additional full peer review by European Relations but will still be subject to editorial checks for adherence to platform standards.

European Relations strives to create a platform that upholds the highest standards of editorial ethics and journalistic excellence. This policy is reviewed periodically to ensure its continued relevance and alignment with our mission of promoting informed, impactful discourse on European affairs.