Editorial Policy
Maiak is an independent media outlet with a Ukrainian soul, telling human stories of Ukrainians around the world.
We write about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. For us, every person is the hero of their own story.
We do not chase sensations, ratings, or hype. You will not find news about politics, crime, road accidents, scandals, or celebrities here.
Maiak is a space where you can step back from the noise of the world and focus on humanity, culture, and real stories. Maiak is a place where stories shine.
We believe in the power of truth and humanity to change the world — without shouting, without rushing, without politics.
Every story here is a beam of light to help you find your way.
Ownership Structure
Maiak is a social enterprise registered in the United Kingdom as a Community Interest Company (CIC) under number 16510528.
Our registered address is: 167–169 Great Portland Street, London, United Kingdom.
The company has five co-founders, including citizens of the United Kingdom and Ukraine.
We have no private owners and are not subordinate to any political, commercial, or religious structures.
All editorial activity is conducted transparently, and any profits are directed towards the development of the media and socially beneficial projects.
General Principles
The Maiak editorial team is guided by the following principles:
- respect for people, their dignity, and their privacy;
- factual accuracy and verification of information;
- absence of political, religious, or commercial bias;
- balance of perspectives and honesty with our readers;
- zero tolerance for hate speech, discrimination, and xenophobia.
We do not produce breaking news. Instead, we tell stories that have meaning and remain relevant long after the day they are published.
Ethical Standards
- Plagiarism, distortion of facts, and the use of unverified sources are not acceptable.
- We always clearly distinguish between facts, analysis, and opinion.
- The personal political, religious, or ideological views of our journalists do not influence editorial content.
- We respect the privacy of the people in our stories and do not disclose personal information without consent.
- Photos and videos of children, people who have experienced trauma, or those in vulnerable situations are published only with their permission or on grounds of clear public interest.
Conflict of Interest
We do not accept gifts, financial rewards, or any other incentives from individuals or organisations we write about.
Factual Accuracy
The editorial team is responsible for the accuracy of all published facts.
Every claim in a piece must be supported by reliable sources.
We do not publish rumours, speculation, or content intended to manipulate public opinion.
Corrections
After publication, only corrections related to factual clarifications or grammatical errors are permitted.
If an inaccuracy or error is identified, the editorial team will publicly acknowledge the correction.
Articles are not removed at the request of subjects or third parties unless they violate the law or journalistic standards.
Photos, Video, and Quotes
We always credit photographers and cite the source of video material.
We do not alter the direct speech of our subjects, though we may edit it for grammar while preserving the meaning and tone.
Interview recordings are kept in the editorial archive to verify the accuracy of quotes.
Advertising and Sponsored Content
We do not publish covert advertising.
Any content created in partnership or with financial support is clearly labelled with an appropriate notice (“Informational Material”, “Partner Content”, etc.).
The editorial team retains full independence in the choice of topics, subjects, and formats.
Feedback
If you believe that one of our articles contains an inaccuracy or falls short of our editorial standards, please write to us at contact@maiaklighthouse.media or reach out via social media.
We welcome dialogue, corrections, and suggestions.