Editorial independence
Advertising or sponsorship does not buy positive coverage, reviews, interviews, playlist placement presented as editorial, recommendations or editorial conclusions.
Policy
How Music Is Mental Media works.
Music Is Mental Media (MIMM) makes editorial decisions, sources claims and separates independent journalism from commercial work.
Our editorial purpose
MIMM is a music culture and discovery publication. We are interested in what music does in people’s lives: through artists, listeners, rooms, screens, memory and communities. We are music-first, research-aware where appropriate, and accountable for the editorial decisions we publish.
Sponsored content and partnerships
Sponsored work may be published when clearly labelled, factually accurate and consistent with MIMM values. A partner does not control unrelated editorial decisions.
Reviews, access and complimentary material
MIMM may receive media access, guest-list access, review tickets, press material or promotional assets. None guarantees coverage, positive coverage, a particular review or continued coverage. Material relationships are disclosed when editorially relevant.
Sources and attribution
We prefer, where practical, primary creator sources, official interviews, official documents, original research and reliable first-party material, then credible secondary reporting. Unsourced social reposts are not equivalent evidence.
Artist interviews and creator statements
When MIMM says an artist, songwriter or composer explained something, the claim should be traceable. An authorized primary interview or video may be embedded when it materially improves the story; a strong written primary source remains valid.
Primary media and embeds
A song or performance embed is used when hearing it materially helps the reader understand the editorial argument. We do not embed every incidental title, and use only legitimate or authorized sources.
Science, health and mental health
We link to research where appropriate, distinguish association from causation, avoid overstating results and do not present music as guaranteed treatment or medical advice. MIMM may discuss wellbeing while remaining a music publication.
Corrections and updates
Material factual errors should be corrected. Updates should not silently rewrite history when a correction or disclosure is appropriate. To report a possible error, contact hello@musicismentalmedia.com with the article title, link and correction request.
Photography and media rights
MIMM uses owned, licensed, permitted or otherwise rights-safe visual and media assets. Credits remain factual; internal rights notes are not public editorial copy.
Guest contributors and community submissions
Submitting music, a story or media does not guarantee publication. Published community and contributor work remains subject to editorial review; submission is not endorsement.
Conflicts and disclosures
We disclose material relationships when they are editorially relevant and do not let them determine independent editorial conclusions.
AI and editorial responsibility
MIMM may use digital and AI-assisted tools to support research, drafting, editing, formatting and workflow. Human editorial responsibility remains with MIMM.
Editorial thinking in practice
These published essays show the editorial philosophy behind this policy.
Stories
Music With Stakes: What Makes Us Believe an Artist?
Some performances make us stop hearing the performance at all. The voice, writing, band, production and imperfections align, and for a few minutes we simply believe them.
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Stories
The Artist Can Tell Us What They Made. The Listener Can Tell Us What It Became.
Knowing what a songwriter meant can deepen a song. It can also shrink one we've already made our own. So who gets to decide what a song means once it leaves the person who wrote it?
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Stories
A First Listen Is a Moment, Not Necessarily a Verdict
Sometimes a record gets us immediately. Sometimes it takes five listens, a different year, another person's perspective or hearing the song in a room full of people.
Read moreCommercial information
For practical partnership formats, see Advertise / Partner. Paid work never guarantees independent coverage. For a publication overview, see the Media Kit.