Our Partnership Principles

Absolute Editorial Independence

Editorial independence is fundamental to Flobstar's identity and the way our newsroom operates. We value the expertise, resources, research, and perspectives that our partners bring to a collaboration. However, a partnership does not transfer editorial authority to the organisation involved.

Flobstar retains full responsibility for its editorial decisions, including story selection, investigation, interpretation of findings, headlines, publication schedules, and the overall presentation of information. Partners may provide relevant information, offer technical clarification, share research materials, and correct factual inaccuracies relating to their work. However, they cannot demand favourable coverage, suppress critical findings, approve stories before publication, or determine how our journalists approach an issue.

We also recognise that responsible journalism sometimes requires asking difficult questions, examining institutional decisions, and reporting findings that may not align with the interests of a partner. Such reporting will not be restricted by an existing or previous partnership.

Our independence is not a condition we negotiate depending on the organisation involved. It is a responsibility we maintain in every relationship, regardless of the size, reputation, influence, or financial contribution of a partner.

Rigorous Evidentiary Standards

Health and scientific information can directly influence how people understand diseases, make healthcare decisions, and respond to public health developments. This makes accuracy particularly important in everything we publish or distribute through our partnerships.

Flobstar expects information shared through collaborative projects to be supported by credible evidence. Depending on the subject, this may include peer-reviewed scientific publications, original research, recognised medical guidelines, official epidemiological data, government health reports, and information from reputable public health institutions.

We do not assume that information is accurate simply because it comes from a recognised university, established healthcare organisation, research institution, or influential individual. Claims must be examined based on the quality of the evidence supporting them.

We also pay attention to how research findings are communicated. An association between two factors should not automatically be presented as proof of causation. Findings from animal studies should not be described as established outcomes in humans, and preliminary research should not be presented as definitive medical evidence.

Where evidence is limited, conflicting, or still developing, we make reasonable efforts to communicate those limitations. We will not exaggerate research outcomes, remove important scientific context, or turn uncertain findings into stronger claims simply to attract attention.

Our objective is to ensure that information reaching our audience is not only interesting but also responsible, understandable, and scientifically defensible.

Health Equity and the Fight Against Misinformation

Access to reliable health information remains unequal across communities. Differences in education, geography, income, language, healthcare infrastructure, and access to digital resources can determine whether people receive the information they need to protect their health.

At Flobstar, we believe health journalism should contribute to closing these gaps. We are particularly interested in partnerships that make accurate medical and public health information more accessible to communities that are often underserved or underrepresented in mainstream health reporting.

This includes initiatives addressing neglected tropical diseases, infectious disease outbreaks, maternal and child health, mental health, non-communicable diseases, healthcare access, and challenges affecting health systems across Africa and other parts of the world.

We also recognise the growing impact of health misinformation, particularly through social media, online communities, and misleading interpretations of scientific research. We welcome collaborations that support public education, scientific literacy, responsible fact-checking, and the communication of evidence-based health information.

Our approach is not limited to correcting false claims after they have circulated. We also support initiatives that help people understand medical information, recognise unreliable health claims, ask informed questions, and make better use of credible health resources.

We want our partnerships to contribute to a healthier information environment, where reliable knowledge is not limited to privileged institutions or particular geographical regions.

Transparency, Disclosure and Accountability

We believe that trust in health journalism depends not only on the accuracy of what is published but also on openness about how information is produced and who is involved.

For this reason, Flobstar is committed to being transparent about its partnerships, collaborative projects, institutional relationships, and other relevant affiliations. When an organisation contributes to a research project, public health campaign, educational initiative, publication, or event, we aim to make that involvement clear to our audience.

Where applicable, we disclose the identity of participating organisations, the nature of their contributions, relevant funding arrangements, sponsorships, and potential conflicts of interest. We do not believe readers should have to guess whether an organisation has supported or participated in a particular initiative.

We also expect our partners to communicate honestly about their involvement, provide accurate institutional information, and disclose any relevant interests that could affect the interpretation of shared findings or project outcomes.

Transparency does not mean every administrative detail of a partnership must be made public. However, information that could reasonably influence how readers understand or assess our work should not be deliberately concealed.

When mistakes occur, we believe they should be addressed responsibly. We are committed to reviewing legitimate concerns, correcting factual errors where necessary, and maintaining clear communication with partners and readers.

Ultimately, our relationships should be built on openness and accountability, not assumptions or undisclosed arrangements.

Strict Separation of Editorial and Commercial Interests

Flobstar recognises that sustainable journalism requires resources. Financial partnerships, sponsorships, advertising, institutional support, and grants can help strengthen our operations, expand our reach, and support the development of public health communication initiatives.

However, we maintain a clear distinction between the commercial activities of our organisation and the editorial responsibilities of our newsroom.

An organisation that sponsors an event, supports a project, purchases advertising space, or provides financial assistance does not automatically become entitled to news coverage, favourable reporting, editorial recommendations, or influence over our journalists.

Similarly, advertising relationships do not prevent Flobstar from independently reporting on an organisation, its activities, its industry, or issues involving its products and services. Our editorial decisions are guided by newsworthiness, public interest, evidence, and professional journalistic standards rather than commercial expectations.

Where content is sponsored, paid for, or produced as part of a commercial arrangement, we make reasonable efforts to identify it clearly so that readers can distinguish it from independently produced editorial content.

We also expect our partners to respect this separation. Financial contributions should support agreed activities without creating an expectation of editorial control or guaranteed publicity.

Our position is straightforward: commercial relationships may support the work we do, but they must never determine what our newsroom reports, how it reports it, or what conclusions it reaches.

At Flobstar, we do not view partnerships simply as opportunities for institutional visibility, publicity, or organisational growth. We see them as opportunities to bring together knowledge, expertise, resources, and different perspectives to address issues that affect people's health and well-being.

We understand that every organisation has its own objectives and responsibilities. However, meaningful collaboration requires mutual respect, honest communication, and a shared understanding of the standards that guide the work.

We are open to working with organisations and individuals who recognise the importance of credible health information, responsible scientific communication, public accountability, and the independence of journalism.

These principles apply to our institutional collaborations, research partnerships, media relationships, sponsored initiatives, public health campaigns, and other formal engagements.