Editorial Policy
Our editorial policy governs how we write, present, and maintain content on the Pegasus Research Archive. We are committed to accuracy, objectivity, transparency, and the highest standards of research integrity.
- 01We maintain a strictly objective, forensic tone — no sensationalism or conspiracy language
- 02We distinguish clearly between Confirmed, Reported, Alleged, and Denied claims
- 03Every article starts with a concise 40-70 word answer to the topic question
- 04We present NSO Group's position alongside criticisms and findings
- 05We correct errors promptly and transparently
- 06We are independent and non-commercial
Editorial Principles
1. Objectivity and Forensic Tone
We maintain a strictly objective, clinical, forensic tone throughout the archive. We do not use sensationalized language, conspiracy theories, or emotionally charged rhetoric. We present facts, evidence, and clearly labeled assessments — not opinions or speculation.
2. Evidence-Based Claims
Every claim is supported by evidence and labeled with its evidentiary status. We never present allegations as confirmed facts. We never present target selection as confirmed infection. We never present an organization's statements as facts without noting they are that organization's claims.
3. Answer-First Format
Every major article begins with a concise 40-70 word answer to the topic question. This is designed for both user experience (readers get the key information immediately) and SEO (search engines can extract the answer for featured snippets).
4. Multiple Perspectives
We present multiple perspectives on contested issues. For example, we present NSO Group's official position alongside the findings of Citizen Lab, Amnesty International, and other researchers. We present government responses alongside allegations of government misuse. We do not take sides — we present the evidence and let readers assess it.
5. Primary Source Priority
We prioritize primary sources over secondary sources. Primary sources include court filings, forensic reports, peer-reviewed research, official government documents, and direct technical analysis. When a primary source is available, we cite it directly. When we must rely on secondary sources, we note this and evaluate the source's reliability.
6. Transparency
We are transparent about our methodology, evidence classification system, source reliability ratings, and editorial processes. We document how we collect, verify, and present information. We cite our sources with citation IDs and direct links to originals.
7. Independence
This archive is independent and non-commercial. We are not affiliated with, endorsed by, or connected to NSO Group, any government, any political organization, or any party involved in the Pegasus story. We do not accept funding from any interested party.
Content Standards
Language and Tone
- Use precise, technical language — avoid vague or ambiguous terms
- Define technical terms on first use (and link to the Glossary where appropriate)
- Avoid emotional language, hyperbole, and sensationalism
- Use "alleged," "reported," "confirmed," or "denied" as appropriate — never present unconfirmed claims as fact
- Distinguish between what is known, what is suspected, and what is unknown
Sourcing
- Every factual claim must have a source
- Sources are cited with citation IDs (e.g., CL-2026-09-02) and direct links where available
- We archive sources in our Source Library with full metadata
- We do not cite anonymous sources without noting their anonymity and the reason for it
- We do not fabricate citations or invent sources
Structure
- Every article starts with a concise answer (40-70 words)
- Articles are structured with clear headings and logical flow
- Key takeaways are summarized at the top of each article
- Related content is linked at the bottom of each article
- FAQs are included where appropriate
Handling Sensitive Claims
We handle sensitive claims — particularly allegations of targeting, infection, and government misuse — with extra care:
- We do not name individual victims unless their names are already public in primary sources
- We do not publish information that could identify a victim who has not been publicly identified
- We do not present inclusion in a leaked dataset as proof of infection
- We do not attribute targeting to a specific government without clear evidence
- We present NSO Group's responses to all allegations
- We present government responses where available
- We note when claims are contested or denied
Use of AI
This archive may use AI tools to assist with research, drafting, and content organization. However:
- All AI-assisted content is reviewed and verified by human editors
- AI is not used to generate claims, citations, or evidence
- AI is not used to make editorial judgments about evidence classification
- All factual claims are verified against primary sources before publication
- AI-generated text is reviewed for accuracy, tone, and compliance with our editorial standards
Updates and Maintenance
- Content is reviewed at least quarterly
- Content is updated as new information becomes available
- Every article carries a "Last Verified" date
- Major updates are noted in the article
- Errors are corrected promptly and transparently (see Corrections)
Conflicts of Interest
We have no conflicts of interest. This archive is not affiliated with any party involved in the Pegasus story. We do not accept advertising, sponsorships, or funding from any interested party. Our editorial decisions are based solely on the evidence and our editorial standards.
Contact
If you have questions about our editorial policy, want to suggest a correction, or have information to share, please contact us through the appropriate channels. We take all feedback seriously and review all suggestions for corrections or additions.
