Guidelines

What to Submit

On-Topic:

Commons.news welcomes any online resources that stimulate thought, discussion, and action, with a particular focus on amplifying diverse progressive voices worldwide. For topics that we cover, please see the "Tags" page.

Off-Topic:

  • Content centered around mainstream political gossip, crime, or celebrity news that doesn't contribute to a deeper understanding of progressive issues
  • Clickbait articles, unverified sources, or sensationalist material
  • Videos of accidents, cute animals, or anything that might be considered frivolous or intended purely for entertainment
  • Submissions from tabloids or overly commercial, mainstream media outlets, unless no other alternative exists

Submissions

  1. Titles: Use clear, concise, and short titles. Avoid using excessive punctuation, all caps, or promotional language. Use the article's original title unless it is misleading, clickbait, or unnecessarily sensational. Edit titles only to enhance clarity or accuracy.
  2. Original Sources: Always link to the original source of a story. If your submission is reporting on something discussed elsewhere, link to the primary source.
  3. Avoid Self-Promotion: While it's acceptable to share your own work occasionally, this platform is not meant for personal promotion. Focus on sharing diverse voices from around the world.
  4. Content Types: If you're submitting videos, podcasts, or other non-article formats, please add [video], [podcast], etc., among the tags for clarity.
  5. No Reposting: Avoid deleting and reposting content. If a submission needs to be removed, it likely shouldn't have been posted initially.
  6. No Vote Solicitation: Do not ask for upvotes, comments, or submissions. Content should succeed on its merit.

Comments

  1. Be Respectful and Kind: Engage with others thoughtfully, even when you disagree. Commons.news thrives on constructive dialogue, not confrontation.
  2. Substance Over Snark: Comments should be substantive and contribute to the conversation. Avoid sarcasm, one-liners, or dismissive remarks.
  3. Disagree with Ideas, Not People: If you disagree, focus on countering the argument rather than attacking the individual. Assume good faith in others' contributions.
  4. No Flamebait or Troll Behavior: Avoid engaging in flame wars, overly provocative comments, or baiting others into arguments. Maintain a level of discourse that promotes good behavior.
  5. Stay on Topic: Ensure your comments are relevant to the submission at hand. Generic tangents and internet clichés detract from meaningful discussion.
  6. Teach, Don't Dismiss: If you critique an article or comment, offer a well-reasoned explanation that contributes to others' understanding.
  7. Emphasize with Italics: If you want to emphasize something, use italics instead of using all caps. Italics can be generated by surrounding a word with asterisks (*).
  8. Use Throwaway Accounts Sparingly: It's acceptable to use a temporary account for sensitive matters, but frequent use undermines the sense of community and accountability.

Flagging and Moderation

  • If you come across content that is spam, off-topic, or otherwise inappropriate, flag it instead of engaging. Our moderation team will handle it accordingly.
  • Avoid complaining about content in the thread itself. Use the flagging system or reach out to moderators if you believe something requires attention.

Final Thoughts

This platform exists to share well-researched, thought-provoking content and to amplify voices that might not be heard elsewhere. Together, we can build a space where we can all learn, discuss, and grow.