Independence is a working rule, not a slogan. It requires clear authority, transparent funding, conflict management and a publication process in which conclusions cannot be purchased, suppressed or rewritten by interested parties.
Who decides what is published
The Editorial Board decides what to commission, review, publish, correct, update or withdraw. Editors may consult specialists and legal counsel, but no outside person has a right to approve conclusions or demand favourable treatment.
Relationship with Constitution Watchdog
Constitution Watchdog is the publisher and institutional home of The Mandamus. It may support strategy, finance, technology and administration. Signed publications remain the responsibility of their authors. Only a piece clearly labelled Editorial represents the position of The Mandamus Editorial Board.
Funding and partnerships
- Material project funding is disclosed in a durable public record.
- A sponsor may support a theme, event or series but may not select conclusions or suppress criticism.
- Sponsored opinion, undisclosed native advertising and payment for publication are prohibited.
- Editors must disclose and manage financial or professional interests relevant to a decision.
Political and institutional pressure
Requests from public authorities, political organisations, professional bodies, employers or influential individuals are handled through the same documented standards applied to other requests. Legal notices are assessed carefully; criticism alone is not a basis for removal.
Recusal
An editor should recuse where a reasonable reader could question the editor’s impartiality because of professional participation, financial interest, close personal relationship, prior advocacy or a public commitment to the specific dispute.
Independence across the publication cycle
- Commissioning: subjects and authors are chosen for public value, expertise and editorial need rather than favour, access or payment.
- Review: reviewers are selected for competence and freedom from disqualifying conflicts.
- Editing: authors may be challenged to strengthen evidence, narrow claims or address counterargument; they are not required to adopt a funder’s or publisher’s preferred conclusion.
- Publication: timing, headline, placement and format are editorial decisions.
- Post-publication: corrections and responses are assessed under published standards, not influence or status.
Commercial, professional and political relationships
The journal does not exchange publication for advertising, sponsorship, donations, access, institutional partnership or professional favour. Contributors may hold political, governmental, commercial, academic or advocacy roles, but relevant interests must be disclosed and the work must remain independently supportable. An editor’s disagreement with a lawful political position is not itself a conflict; direct involvement in the specific matter may be.
Legal threats and requests for removal
Complaints and legal notices are taken seriously and assessed promptly. The journal distinguishes demonstrable error, unlawful material, credible risk, contested interpretation and attempts to suppress criticism. Where appropriate, it may seek legal advice, request evidence, invite a response, correct a passage, delay publication or remove material. Status, urgency asserted by the complainant or threat of reputational discomfort does not determine the outcome.
Publisher intervention
The publisher may intervene to protect staff safety, comply with law, preserve data security or address a material governance failure. Any intervention affecting editorial content should be narrowly tailored, documented and disclosed where disclosure is lawful and would not create further harm.
Independence questions
Can a funder suggest a subject?
Yes, but the suggestion creates no entitlement to coverage, choice of author, access to drafts or control over conclusions.
Can Constitution Watchdog request an Editorial?
It may propose a subject. The Editorial Board decides whether an institutional position is appropriate and controls the reasoning and text.
May an editor publish on a matter they worked on?
Potentially, with full disclosure and independent handling by another editor. Direct professional involvement may require recusal from editorial control.