Pearls and Irritations is an independent journal supported by donations from our readers. Our editorial policy supports a progressive, liberal perspective, with an emphasis on peace and justice. Our authors are experts in their field and not paid, rather they provide informed analysis and commentary on issues that matter to Australians on a pro bono basis.
We do not aim for ‘balance’ in our editorial position. We have a clear point of view on such issues as climate, racism, care for the vulnerable, war and relations in our region, particularly relations between the United States, China and Australia.
You can read our Editorial Charter here.
We have now decided to open up articles for reader comments.
We invite respectful, considered, succinct and topical comments from our readers.
Should you wish to comment on our site you agree to adhere to our guidelines:
- Keep your comments on-topic
- Limit to one comment per article
- Do not slander our authors
- It is not a forum for open discussion with other commenters
- Do not slander others who comment
- Do not share links, unless they reference articles in this site
- Comment in your own name, not a pseudonym
- Your comment should not be longer that 200 words (and comments in excess of this may be edited)
Moderation
We moderate all comments to ensure they comply with these guidelines.
We use moderation technology to assist in the management of the moderation process and the identification of comments which breach our guidelines, are potentially harmful to the reputation of Pearls and Irritations, our authors and others who comment.
If your comment breaches a moderation guideline it will be unpublished until such time it is reviewed or, if it breaches what we consider to be a strong guideline it will be deleted, unpublished.
We reserve the right to publish or remove comments at our discretion.
Should your comment not be published, we will not enter into correspondence with you.
Your comments may not be published for the following reasons:
- Use of language that is offensive, inflammatory or provocative. This includes swearing, obscene, sexually explicit or vulgar comments, pornographic, racist and defamatory comments.
- Statements which degrade others on the basis of gender, race, class, ethnicity, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or other classification.
- Comments which appear predatory, including hate speech, intimidation, harassment or name-calling.
- Statements that put Pearls and Irritations at risk of defamation, condoning illegal activity, breaching confidentiality or commercial-in-confidence, or that may be in contempt of court.
- Promotion of your own ideology, religious beliefs, political party or group.
- Promotion of your business, products and services or publications.
- Infringement of copyright or intellectual property.
- Public complaints about your comments not being published.
We reserve the right to block accounts that continue to breach our standards.
We look forward to reading a respectful discourse of comments.
This policy may be updated from time to time, as needed.