This page explains how Stadtlogik (stadtlogik.de) approaches reporting that involves minors. It is intended for readers, sources, and families who want to understand the safeguards we apply. If you have a specific concern about a story or would like to request a review, the contact details are provided below.
Why do we need a specific policy for minors?
Children and young people are particularly vulnerable in news coverage. We believe that their privacy, safety, and long-term wellbeing must take priority over the public’s right to know in most cases.
Stadtlogik follows European press ethics principles and Swedish media guidelines, which recognise that minors require heightened protection. Publishing a child’s name, image, or personal details can have lasting consequences for their development, schooling, and family life. Our policy ensures that any editorial decision involving a minor is made with careful consideration of those risks.
What additional steps do we take when covering children?
When a story involves a minor, we require an additional layer of editorial oversight. Every article that names or identifies a child under 18 is reviewed by Daniela Sauer, our Ansvarig för faktagranskning (fact‑checking lead), before publication.
Our editors follow a checklist that includes verifying parental or guardian consent, assessing whether anonymisation is sufficient, and avoiding unnecessary details about a child’s home, school, or habits. We do not publish images of minors without explicit permission unless the image is taken in a public setting and the child is not the focus of the story. These standards apply across all formats – text, images, video, and audio – and are documented in our editorial policy. For further detail on how we verify facts, see our fact‑checking policy.
How this works in practice
For instance, if a reporter is writing about a school project that includes a photograph of a student, the editor will ensure that parental consent has been obtained and that the child’s full name is not used unless it is clearly in the public interest. Daniela Sauer will then confirm that the consent record is on file before the story goes live.
Another example: a feature on youth climate activism might quote a 16‑year‑old organiser. In that case the reporter would first discuss with the child’s parent or guardian whether a first‑name‑only attribution is appropriate, and would check that the young person understands what the article will say. The final decision to proceed is documented in the editorial system and reviewed by Daniela Sauer.
Who oversees this policy?
Daniela Sauer, our Ansvarig för faktagranskning, has specific responsibility for safeguarding standards involving minors. She works alongside our Chefredaktör Simon Schwarz and the wider editorial team.
Stadtlogik is owned and operated by Stadtlogik Media Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number C 92009, Malta Business Registry). The policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect changes in law, best practice, or our own experience. You can read more about our team on the Our Team page and about our funding model on the ownership and funding page.
Where can I raise a concern?
If you believe a story has breached this policy, or if you have a concern about the way a minor has been depicted, please contact us at complaints@stadtlogik.de. We take all complaints seriously and will investigate promptly.
For a formal complaint you can follow our complaints procedure, which explains the steps we take to review the issue and provide a response. If the concern involves a child’s safety, we may also involve relevant authorities in line with Swedish law.
In short
Stadtlogik treats coverage of minors with special care, requiring additional review by our fact‑checking lead before publication. We prioritise the privacy and wellbeing of children over editorial convenience. If you have any concerns, our complaints team is ready to respond.