In the concept of IRL there is no balance, but there is fairness. No journalist can be truly objective, but we must try to be as fair and objective as possible. Fairness means that IRL includes many points of view in its stories. We allow those who are attacked to defend themselves. We do not allow anonymous attacks that imply the publication of documents about which the public is not informed about where they come from and how they were obtained.

IRL journalists work to keep their own biases out of stories. Stories should be thorough, moderate in tone, and include any facts or details that would affect readers, even information that contradicts the thesis of our stories. We always try to be balanced in our reporting; however this does NOT mean giving equal weight, position and depth to all opinions. Opinions that contain lies and half-truths are fact-checked before being presented to the public. No one must abuse the public space under the cloak of false balance. Fairness implies responsibility on the part of all parties involved in reporting.

IRL works hard to make its stories clear and concise. Our audience is the everyday population, not just elites, academics or insiders. This means that our journalists do not assume that everyone knows the background of the controversies or the identity of the people we write about. Providing context means that even the most casual reader can follow and understand the complex issues we're writing about, and also not feel like they're being talked about. We use simple words and language. We write well-organized stories with a beginning, middle, and end. We avoid bluster and self-promotion. We work to fully understand our subjects because if we don't, readers won't understand us. We tell them clearly what we know and what we don't know.

IRL spends a great deal of time and resources necessary for our reporters to truly understand diverse and difficult topics. Our goal is not only to investigate cases, but also to help citizens fully understand the issues so that they can form opinions on important matters.

IRL spends a great deal of time and resources necessary for our reporters to truly understand diverse and difficult topics. Our goal is not only to investigate cases, but also to help citizens fully understand the issues so that they can form opinions on important matters.

IRL recognizes the fact that the media have a large and extremely important role in social processes and responsibility towards their audience. Because of this, our team invests a lot to identify the needs of citizens, represent their interests and express their voice. As difficult as it may be, we fully disclose the facts we find during our work, no matter how difficult, embarrassing or painful that information would be for the state, individuals or a particular organization. People always have a right to know what is going on. We take care to minimize potential harm, but never at the cost of the truth. The work of our journalists is to help the everyday life of the citizens in Macedonia and abroad through top reports that will show the true and real situations, and we think that this is the ultimate patriotic act and the ultimate service of a citizen of the world who cares about where and how we live. Because of this, we often consult with citizens for our stories, and we aim for more than half of our reporting to be based on citizen reports of crime and corruption.

IRL recognizes the fact that the media have a large and extremely important role in social processes and responsibility towards their audience. Because of this, our team invests a lot to identify the needs of citizens, represent their interests and express their voice. As difficult as it may be, we fully disclose the facts we find during our work, no matter how difficult, embarrassing or painful that information would be for the state, individuals or a particular organization. People always have a right to know what is going on. We take care to minimize potential harm, but never at the cost of the truth. The work of our journalists is to help the everyday life of the citizens in Macedonia and abroad through top reports that will show the true and real situations, and we think that this is the ultimate patriotic act and the ultimate service of a citizen of the world who cares about where and how we live. Because of this, we often consult with citizens for our stories, and we aim for more than half of our reporting to be based on citizen reports of crime and corruption.

Journalism is also a business that aims to sell a certain product. Citizens must want to buy that product. Our team creates stories that readers or viewers want to read and, most importantly, can understand. We create and report on stories that matter to ordinary people, not millionaires and politicians. Our typical customer is a taxi driver, student, teacher, etc. Therefore, we create media products or stories that, although they are based on difficult and complicated topics, explain to the citizens exactly how the system works. We use a specific narrative structure, excellent storytelling techniques, must-have visualization supported by well-designed graphics and engaging and high-quality videos.

The Investigative Reporting Lab is affiliated with the international Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project as one of their media hubs and partners in Southeast Europe. IRL does not and will not cultivate relations with any entity from the country or abroad that aims to influence the independence of the media for their own personal interests. IRL has no ties to political parties, business corporations and criminal groups that more often intervene financially and secretly in certain media groups in order to influence their policies. Our team constantly works with colleagues from all over the world with different ethnic, geographical and cultural backgrounds. We have no political goal or ambition other than to educate citizens so that they can effectively participate in political, economic and social processes.

IRL uses a civil and moderate tone in its reporting. We believe that the media has a responsibility not to provoke violent emotions in the audience, a trend that we constantly witness. What does that mean? We do not insult people, use slang, sarcasm or ambiguous remarks and comments in our stories. We present information in a straightforward manner supported by documents and interviews.

IRL is made up of people who fearlessly stand up for the right of free speech, transparent institutions and free access to public information, regardless of whether we are defending our rights or the rights of others. Our members are also activists, members or volunteers in various bodies that represent these rights.

Our journalists adhere to the highest ethical standards. They do not mislead the public, misrepresent facts, take money for stories, or threaten sources. IRL does not pay for information, and IRL journalists do not accept gifts of any kind from people who are or may be the subject of research and do not go on corporate trips in order to avoid conflicts of interest. IRL journalists may accept a drink from a source in the amount of no more than five euros. IRL does not receive money for commissioned stories from anyone, no matter how relevant it may seem. IRL journalists always strive to be fair in their reporting. It begins with the beginning of the investigation of the way the sources and objects of the story are treated during the collection of information. Citizens deserve sources that are completely independent, credible and trustworthy. IRL will not use anonymous sources, except in rare cases where it is fully justified.