Freelancers who have approved stories requiring media access must agree to and be bound by the code of conduct set forth on this web page.

1. You will fully abide by all rules set down by the host team and/or league. You will deport yourself professionally, and not do anything that will violate the terms of the license that you are granted through your media pass or other credentials;
   
2. You will make arrangements in advance with the media relations personnel of the organization issuing you credentials to do your work.
   
3. You will arrive for your coverage of a story at the time agreed upon or slightly before.
   
4. You will dress appropriately to the environment into which you are going. If you have any questions about what appropriate attire is for the event, you will contact your media counterpart in the organization to inquire before the day of your coverage/interview/information gathering, wherever possible. If formal attire (such as for an awards banquet) is required, and you do not possess such attire, contact your editor about your needs at least ten (10) days prior to the event, where possible.
   
5. You will not disperse information gathered for an article for this publication to other publications, agents, contractors or assigns of other publications, fan clubs, or other organizations prior to the publication of your assigned piece unless you receive prior written approval from an MLN editor to do so.
   
6. You will not cheer, root, or otherwise engage in partisan, celebratory behavior at an event, game, or meeting while working under a media credential for which this publication arranges. You will not engage in any disruptive behavior that causes your removal from a facility or building.
   
7. You will take good notes or bring a recording device to do same. You will attribute accurately comments on-the-record. Many of the people that we interview are still not always clear with the standard practices of journalism. You will go over the rules of engagement, and how to move from on to off the record with any subject whom you feel may not understand these rules, or when it becomes clear in the course of an interview that the subject may not know the operational rules of an interview. You will keep your notes or recordings for five(5) years beyond publication in case your notes or recordings become the subject of an editorial or legal review for their accuracy.
   
8. Any story involving allegations or accusations you will use the word "alleged" to describe the accusation in the draft submitted to your editor. You will also make sure that you have at least one, and preferably two reliable direct sources, either on or off the record, who can corroborate the allegations prior to placing them in your article. You will notify your editor of anything of such controversy prior to the article's writing and submission for guidance. Any article that contains allegations that has not had prior notification to the editor may be cancelled without kill fee at the discretion of the editorial staff.