Editorial Standards

PRETEND is an independent investigative podcast reported and written by Javier Leiva. This page describes how that reporting is done.

Sources and evidence

PRETEND's investigations are built on primary material wherever it exists: court filings and case records, police reports, recordings, documents, and interviews with the people involved. Significant factual claims are checked against that material, not repeated from secondary accounts. The sources behind each major investigation are listed on its investigation page.

Allegations versus established facts

PRETEND separates what has been established, such as convictions, pleas, and documented events, from what people claim. Accusations are attributed to the person making them. An arrest or a charge is reported as an allegation, not as proof of guilt.

Contacting the people involved

As a courtesy, PRETEND contacts people whose conduct is discussed in the reporting and gives them a chance to respond. PRETEND does not ask anyone for permission to publish.

Legal review

Javier Leiva consults with media attorneys as needed, especially on reporting that makes allegations about identifiable people. Not every episode goes through formal legal review.

Corrections

If you believe something in PRETEND's reporting is wrong, email javier@pretendradio.org with the episode, the specific statement, and any supporting documentation. When an error of fact is confirmed, the correction is made on the podcast.

Responses and criticism

People discussed in PRETEND's reporting can send a response to the same address. Substantive criticism of an investigation is summarized and answered on that investigation's page, under "Criticism & Responses." That section addresses the claim itself, not the person who made it.