How should conflicts of interest be disclosed?

• A. All material conflicts of interest must be disclosed to editors and, where relevant, to readers; avoid reporting where COI could bias.
• B. COIs should be kept confidential.
• C. COIs must be disclosed only to editors.
• D. COIs require a paid sponsorship.

Answer: (B)

Transparency about conflicts of interest is essential in credible publishing. When a writer, reviewer, or researcher has a personal, financial, or professional stake that could influence their work, that stake should be disclosed to editors so they can evaluate potential impact on coverage, and, where relevant, to readers so they can judge objectivity. Clear disclosures help maintain trust and allow audiences to assess bias, rather than hiding it behind confidentiality. The disclosure should describe what the conflict is and why it matters to the piece, giving readers enough context to weigh the information fairly. Editors may use the disclosure to decide how to present the material or to add necessary context, ensuring the work remains transparent and credible. Keeping conflicts confidential undermines trust and undermines the ability of readers to judge the integrity of the reporting.