Gothic.Black Source, Privacy, and Interview Policy
Website page draft | Version 1.0 | September 17, 2026
Gothic.Black permits anonymous public attribution because witnesses may reasonably fear ridicule, employment consequences, harassment, family conflict, unwanted publicity, or exposure of private locations.
Public Identification Options
• Account display name
• Full name
• First name only
• Initials
• Anonymous Witness
Public anonymity does not necessarily mean staff lack a private contact method. Private account, email, or contact information must be separated from the public case record.
Confidentiality Rules
• Never reveal a confidential identity without permission, except where legally required.
• Do not publish indirect clues that defeat anonymity.
• Review exact addresses, employers, distinctive job titles, relatives, registrations, account names, and recognizable media for identification risk.
• Explain why anonymity was granted when doing so does not expose the source.
• Seek additional corroboration for anonymous claims when practical.
Witness Treatment
Treat witnesses respectfully whether or not staff accept the witness’s interpretation. A sincere person can still be mistaken about an explanation.
• Do not ridicule, pressure, diagnose, or characterize a witness as mentally ill.
• Do not suggest substance use without evidence.
• Do not publish private correspondence without permission.
• Do not exaggerate a statement for entertainment.
• Do not edit an interview to create a materially different meaning.
• Do not present nervousness, confidence, hesitation, or emotion as proof of truth or deception.
Interview Permissions
Before an interview, establish whether the participant permits private staff interview only, written publication, livestream appearance, recorded audio, recorded video, podcast distribution, edited clips, promotional excerpts, and inclusion in a permanent case file.
Interview Status
• On the record
• Off the record
• Background only
• Anonymous
• Embargoed until a specified event
Automatically generated transcripts must be checked before being treated as exact quotation. Substantial edits must preserve intended meaning.
Minors and Vulnerable People
Do not publish a minor’s full name, school, home location, recognizable image, contact information, or sensitive medical or family information without appropriate permission and heightened review. Use added caution for bereavement, illness, trauma, family disputes, alleged possession, or alleged criminal conduct.