These Terms of Use describe the rules for accessing Potok (Potok.media) and using materials published on our website.
Potok is an independent news outlet publishing in Russian and English. Our news coverage is available free of charge and does not require registration.
1. Editorial Content
Potok publishes news, analysis, and other editorial content based on publicly available sources and our own editorial work.
We strive to provide accurate, reliable, and up-to-date information, but we cannot guarantee that every publication is free from errors. Reporting on developing events may be clarified as new information becomes available.
Our publications may contain statements, allegations, assessments, and opinions expressed by third parties. These do not necessarily reflect the views of our editorial team and are not always independently established facts. We aim to distinguish verified information, source reports, and opinions clearly.
Our content is provided for journalistic and informational purposes and is not a substitute for individualized legal, medical, financial, or other professional advice.
Our reporting practices, verification principles, and corrections procedures are described in our Editorial Standards.
2. Copyright
Original articles, photographs, graphics, website design elements, and other materials may be protected by copyright and other applicable laws.
Rights to individual materials may belong to their creators, participants in the project, or third-party rights holders.
Publication on Potok.media does not transfer exclusive rights to visitors or grant unrestricted permission to copy, distribute, adapt, or commercially exploit the materials.
Potok does not claim exclusive copyright over facts, events, ideas, or other information that is not independently protected by copyright law.
Some publications may contain quotations, translations, images, or other elements of third-party works. Rights in those elements remain with their respective rights holders to the extent provided by law.
The copyright status of images created using artificial intelligence depends on applicable law and the nature of any human creative contribution. Not all such images are necessarily protected by copyright.
3. Quotation and Republication
We welcome links to Potok articles and responsible quotation with proper attribution.
Quotation, reproduction, translation, adaptation, and other uses of copyright-protected materials are permitted where authorized by applicable law, an applicable license, or the relevant rights holder.
When quoting our publications, we ask that you identify Potok as the publication source and, where possible, provide a link to the original article. This request does not limit any rights to use materials provided by law.
Full republication of original articles or substantial copyright-protected portions of our publications, where not otherwise permitted by law or license, requires permission from the relevant rights holder.
Potok may authorize reuse only to the extent that the project or its authorized participants hold the necessary rights. Permission granted by Potok does not extend to third-party works or elements of such works unless the required authority exists.
Factual information itself is not protected by copyright. Nothing in these Terms restricts applicable copyright exceptions and limitations, including fair use where available.
For republication inquiries, contact [email protected].
4. Images and Third-Party Materials
Our publications may include original photographs, artistic illustrations, licensed images, and other materials obtained from external sources.
Some illustrations are created using generative artificial intelligence. Such images are used as editorial artwork and should not be interpreted as documentary photographs of actual events.
The rights and restrictions governing individual images, videos, and other materials depend on applicable law, licensing conditions, and the rights of the relevant parties.
Where material belongs to a third-party rights holder, its publication on Potok.media does not mean that Potok is authorized to grant others permission to copy, modify, or distribute it.
5. External Links and Embedded Content
Our publications may contain links to external websites, documents, social media platforms, and third-party content.
These links help identify sources, provide additional context, or direct readers to related materials.
Linking to an external resource does not necessarily imply endorsement of all content, opinions, services, or activities associated with it.
Third-party websites and platforms operate under their own terms. Their content, availability, security, and personal data practices may change independently of Potok.
We do not guarantee the accuracy, availability, or security of external resources. This provision does not exclude any liability that cannot lawfully be limited under applicable law.
When visiting external resources, we recommend reviewing their terms of use and privacy policies.
For information about data processing on our website, please see our Privacy Policy.
6. Use of the Website
Readers may browse our publications, use available website features and interface settings, follow links, and share links to Potok articles.
The website must not be used to gain unauthorized access to its systems, disrupt its infrastructure, deliberately overload the service, interfere with security measures, or engage in other unlawful activities.
Automated access must not be used to attack the website, materially interfere with its operation, or unlawfully copy or redistribute copyright-protected materials on a large scale.
These provisions do not restrict lawful search engine indexing, permitted quotation, sharing of links, use of publicly available factual information, or other activities authorized by applicable law.
To protect the website's security and availability, we may apply technical restrictions to requests that threaten or interfere with its infrastructure.
7. Corrections and Copyright Complaints
If you believe an article contains a factual error, you may contact us at [email protected].
We review such reports in accordance with our Editorial Standards. Significant errors may be corrected with an explanation, and fundamentally inaccurate articles may be retracted.
Rights holders may submit complaints concerning alleged copyright infringement.
To help us review a complaint, please identify the material in question, provide the relevant article URL, explain the basis of the claim, and include contact information for follow-up.
Each complaint is assessed in light of the information provided, the rights of copyright owners, the public interest, applicable copyright exceptions, and relevant legal requirements.
Depending on the circumstances, the review of a complaint may result in a correction, clarification, temporary restriction of access, removal of material, or rejection of the request where legally justified.
Submitting a complaint does not automatically result in removal of a publication. Where applicable law requires specific action or response timelines, those requirements apply.
The email address provided is an editorial contact channel and does not, by itself, constitute the appointment of a formally designated DMCA agent or replace any special legal procedures where required.
8. Website Availability and Responsibility
We strive to maintain reliable access to Potok.media, but we do not guarantee uninterrupted availability, the absence of technical failures, or complete accuracy in every publication.
The website and its publicly available features are provided on an "as is" and "as available" basis to the extent permitted by applicable law.
Content may be corrected, supplemented, or retracted in accordance with our Editorial Standards and applicable legal requirements.
Readers should independently assess the accuracy and relevance of published information when making personal, professional, or other decisions.
To the extent permitted by applicable law, Potok does not assume liability for indirect or consequential losses arising from temporary website unavailability, failures of external resources, or decisions made solely in reliance on general informational content.
Nothing in these Terms excludes or limits liability for unlawful conduct or any rights or liabilities that cannot lawfully be excluded or limited under applicable law.
9. Communication Safety
Our editorial contact address is [email protected].
Ordinary email does not guarantee sender anonymity or complete confidentiality.
Please do not email documents or information whose disclosure could put you, confidential sources, or others at risk.
Potok does not currently provide a separate, verified secure channel for submitting such material.
10. Changes to These Terms
We may update these Terms of Use to reflect changes in website functionality, editorial practices, or applicable legal requirements.
The current version will be published on this page.
Changes do not override rights granted to readers under applicable law or, by themselves, create obligations for which the law requires separate consent.