Editorial Statute

This statute sets out how the RNT-Motorsports newsroom works: the principles we report by, how we keep editorial and commercial interests apart, and what readers, sources and contributors can hold us to. It is based on the model editorial statute for online newsrooms of the Dutch Association of Journalists (NVJ).

Article 1Definitions

In this statute:

RNT-Motorsports

the journalistic medium published at rnt-motorsports.com and its associated channels, including newsletters, social media and the live blog.

Publisher

RNT-Motorsports, the sole proprietorship of Jakob van Putten, registered with the Netherlands Chamber of Commerce (KvK) under number 99022052 since 1 December 2025 and based in Harderwijk, the Netherlands. The publisher provides the business and commercial conditions under which the newsroom does its work.

Editor-in-chief

the journalist who bears final responsibility for the journalistic content of RNT-Motorsports and safeguards its editorial independence: Jakob (Jaap) van Putten.

Newsroom

the editor-in-chief and the regular freelancers, who contribute journalism in text or images.

Regular freelancers

self-employed journalists and photographers who work regularly for RNT-Motorsports under a contract for services. At present: Tessa van Duin (photographer and editor) and Joel Oliva Pacheco (motorsport journalist).

Guest contributors

writers and photographers who contribute occasionally.

The roles of publisher and editor-in-chief may be held by the same person. Article 6 sets out how independence is safeguarded in that case.

Article 2The medium and its purpose

1. 2.1RNT-Motorsports is an independent, English-language motorsport news site. The newsroom publishes news, reports, results, background, explainers and opinion on Formula 1, Formula 2, the FIA World Endurance Championship, the GT World Challenge Europe, the Nürburgring Langstrecken-Serie and the major 24-hour races, among others.
2. 2.2Our purpose is to inform readers about motorsport reliably, accessibly and promptly, to explain the sport to those who want to understand it, and to make room for well-founded opinion and discussion.
3. 2.3The editorial formula (choice of subjects, formats, sections and design) is set by the editor-in-chief after consulting the regular freelancers.

Article 3Journalistic principles

1. 3.1The newsroom works in accordance with the Dutch Code of Journalism (2008) and the NVJ Code, and takes into account the Guidelines of the Netherlands Press Council (Raad voor de Journalistiek) in their most recent version. Where this statute conflicts with those codes, the codes prevail.
2. 3.2We strive for accuracy, verifiability, balance and fairness in reporting, analysis and opinion. Facts, quotes, names, results and standings are checked against official or otherwise reliable sources before publication.
3. 3.3Quotes are published only when the exact wording has been verified. Information taken from other media is credited to its source.
4. 3.4We never cite sources that do not exist and never imply we hold information we do not have.
5. 3.5News and opinion are kept clearly apart. Our own view appears in a clearly marked section or in an article labelled as opinion.
6. 3.6Anyone who is seriously accused or shown in a negative light is given the opportunity to respond beforehand, unless that is not reasonably possible. In that case, the article says so.
7. 3.7We respect the privacy of drivers, team members and others involved, and intrude on it only when the public interest justifies doing so. Reporting on accidents and injuries is handled with restraint.

Article 4Independence

1. 4.1The newsroom does its work free from influence from outside or within, other than as provided in this statute.
2. 4.2RNT-Motorsports has no ties to any political or religious group, or to teams, drivers, manufacturers, sponsors, organisers or other stakeholders in motorsport.
3. 4.3RNT-Motorsports has no ties of any kind to sports betting or gambling operators. We publish no betting tips, odds or referrals to gambling operators and accept no payment for them.
4. 4.4Accreditation, press invitations, travel or other facilities provided to the newsroom have no influence on our coverage. Where an organisation has paid for travel or accommodation, we say so in the article concerned.
5. 4.5Regular freelancers and guest contributors tell the editor-in-chief about any personal or business interest that could call their independence on a subject into question, such as a relationship with a team, driver or sponsor. The editor-in-chief decides whether that person covers the subject; where relevant, the interest is disclosed on publication.

Article 5Editorial and commercial content

1. 5.1The publisher is responsible for advertising and other commercial income. The newsroom is not responsible for the content of advertisements.
2. 5.2Advertisements, sponsored content and affiliate links are clearly recognisable to readers as such, through an explicit label or clearly distinct design.
3. 5.3Advertisers and commercial partners have no influence on the choice, content or tone of editorial publications. Critical coverage of advertisers is always possible.
4. 5.4The publisher refuses advertising from sports betting and gambling operators. In automated advertising networks, that category is blocked.
5. 5.5The publisher does not decide, without consulting the editor-in-chief, on matters that may affect editorial policy, such as which kinds of advertising are accepted, the balance between editorial and commercial space on the site, partnerships with third parties, and the sale or reuse of editorial content.

Article 6The editor-in-chief

1. 6.1The editor-in-chief bears final responsibility for all journalistic content of RNT-Motorsports, including content produced by contributors, third parties or with the help of software, and is the newsroom’s point of contact for readers, sources and organisations.
2. 6.2The editor-in-chief leads the newsroom, sets the editorial formula (article 2.3) and decides on publication.
3. 6.3For as long as the editor-in-chief is also the publisher, the editor-in-chief expressly undertakes not to let business interests weigh in editorial decisions, and presents business arrangements that affect the newsroom, such as partnerships, sponsorship and advertising policy, to the regular freelancers in advance.
4. 6.4Before appointing a different editor-in-chief, the publisher seeks the advice of the regular freelancers. In the absence of the editor-in-chief, a regular freelancer designated by the editor-in-chief acts as deputy.

Article 7Rights of contributors

1. 7.1Conscientious objection. A contributor may refuse an assignment to which they have serious conscientious objections or which they consider to conflict with article 3 or 4. Refusal has no adverse effect on future assignments.
2. 7.2Changes to contributions. Substantial changes to a contribution are discussed with its author beforehand. If the author disagrees, they may require that it is not published under their name, or not published at all.
3. 7.3Credits. Text and images are published with the correct credit for their creator. A photo credit is never invented or attributed to someone else.
4. 7.4Reuse. A contribution is reused outside RNT-Motorsports, or sold to third parties, only with its creator’s consent, unless otherwise agreed in writing.
5. 7.5Assignment letter. A freelancer covering an event on behalf of RNT-Motorsports receives, on request, an assignment letter from the editor-in-chief for accreditation purposes.
6. 7.6Newsroom meeting. The editor-in-chief meets the regular freelancers at least twice a year to discuss editorial policy, plans and the use of resources, and keeps a short record of each meeting. Once the newsroom has more than ten members, an editorial council may be elected in line with the NVJ model.

Article 8Software and artificial intelligence

1. 8.1The newsroom may use software and artificial intelligence as tools, for example for a first draft, translation, summarising official documents or processing results.
2. 8.2No text produced wholly or partly with artificial intelligence is published unless an editor has checked and edited it. All facts, names, quotes, figures and results are checked against the original source.
3. 8.3Software-generated claims about sources, such as “RNT has learned” or “sources confirmed”, are removed unless they are backed by real sources verified by the newsroom.
4. 8.4Images created or substantially altered with artificial intelligence are never used as news photographs. Where such an image is used as an illustration, this is stated with the image.
5. 8.5Responsibility for content always lies with the newsroom and the editor-in-chief, however a publication was produced.

Article 9Images

1. 9.1News photographs show reality. Editing is limited to what is customary in photojournalism, such as cropping, exposure and colour correction. Elements are never added or removed.
2. 9.2Third-party images are used only with the rights holder’s permission and with the correct credit.

Article 10Sources

1. 10.1We name our sources wherever possible.
2. 10.2Where we have promised a source anonymity, that promise is kept. The identity of a confidential source is known only to the newsroom member concerned and the editor-in-chief.

Article 11Corrections and complaints

1. 11.1Errors are corrected promptly and openly. For any correction of substance, a note below the article states what was changed and when.
2. 11.2Complaints about our coverage can be sent to the editor-in-chief at [email protected]. We acknowledge receipt within five working days and respond in substance within four weeks.
3. 11.3Anyone who remains dissatisfied may turn to the Netherlands Press Council (Raad voor de Journalistiek). RNT-Motorsports recognises the Council and publishes any ruling concerning it.

Article 12Reader comments

1. 12.1Readers can comment on articles. We moderate comments and remove contributions that are abusive, discriminatory, threatening or unlawful, that contain personal data of others, or that advertise, including for gambling operators.
2. 12.2Reader comments do not represent the views of the newsroom.

Article 13Final provisions

1. 13.1This statute takes effect on 1 October 2026 and is published on rnt-motorsports.com.
2. 13.2This statute forms part of the contracts for services between RNT-Motorsports and the regular freelancers. For guest contributors, articles 3, 4, 7.2, 7.3, 8 and 9 apply to every contribution.
3. 13.3The editor-in-chief may amend this statute after consulting the regular freelancers. Any amended version is published here with its date.
4. 13.4In matters not covered by this statute, the editor-in-chief decides, with due regard to the codes in article 3.1 and after consulting the freelancers concerned.