Effective: September 20, 2026 Version: 2026-09-20-1
1. Using Independent Journalist
Independent Journalist is a community platform for member profiles, public posts, discussion, editorial submissions, and publication of approved work. You are responsible for the activity performed through your account and for keeping your login credentials secure.
2. Your Content and Copyright
You retain ownership of original content you create and submit. By posting or submitting content to Independent Journalist, you give Independent Journalist a non-exclusive, worldwide, royalty-free license to host, store, reproduce, format, resize, display, and distribute that content as reasonably necessary to operate the platform and, for content approved for publication, to display and archive it as part of Independent Journalist publications. This license does not transfer your copyright ownership.
3. Editorial Submissions
Submitting work for editorial review does not guarantee approval or publication. Independent Journalist may approve, reject, request changes to, feature, organize, or remove material in accordance with its editorial and moderation practices. Editorial staff do not obtain ownership of your work merely because it is submitted or approved.
4. Public Posts, Forums, and Conduct
You are responsible for material you post. Do not submit unlawful content, material you do not have the right to use, malicious code, spam, impersonation, targeted harassment, private personal information posted without authorization, or content that violates another person’s intellectual-property or privacy rights. Independent Journalist may moderate, restrict, remove, or preserve content when reasonably necessary to operate and protect the platform.
5. Accounts, Suspension, and Deletion
Accounts may be restricted, suspended, or terminated for violations of platform rules, abuse, security concerns, or legal requirements. Members may delete their accounts through Account Settings. Account deletion removes the member account and profile access. Personal-feed material may be removed from public view. Previously approved or published editorial work may remain in the publication archive and may be identified as work from a “Former Contributor.”
6. Reports and Copyright Complaints
Independent Journalist may review reports concerning infringement, abuse, privacy, or other violations and may remove or restrict material while a report is reviewed. A person submitting material represents that they have the rights and permissions reasonably necessary to submit it.
7. Platform Availability
The platform is provided on an as-available basis. Features may be changed, interrupted, suspended, or discontinued. Independent Journalist does not guarantee uninterrupted availability, preservation of every draft or post, or that all user-submitted information is accurate.
8. Responsibility and Liability
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Independent Journalist is not responsible for losses caused solely by user-generated content, third-party services, service interruptions, or unauthorized use outside its reasonable control. Nothing in these Terms excludes rights or liabilities that cannot lawfully be excluded.
9. Changes to These Terms
These Terms may be updated as the platform develops. Material changes may require renewed notice or acceptance. The version shown above identifies the Terms presented when an account is created.
10. Contact
Questions about these Terms may be directed to Independent Journalist through the contact methods made available on the website.