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photo shoots, et alia., you may be editing for your peers, not your
audience. The reader, not the vested interests of the subject and
assorted minions, is still boss.
8. Thou shalt set a good example. Ultimately, editorial integrity is

people, not policies. The best magazines don’t just talk about
integrity; they live it. This means you.
9. Thou shalt edit from the heart. Editors know integrity when they

see it. They also know a bad or biased or incomplete story that has a
private agenda. When in doubt, the golden rule applies: edit for others
as you would have them edit for you.
10. Thou shalt quit if necessary. If you find yourself unhappy and

professionally heartsick over the deals and demands made by your
job, try pointing out that honesty is the best business policy. Bosses
usually understand the rules that Sam Walton made zillions with at

WalMart: “1. Stick to your business. 2. Take care of the customer.”
That’s what editorial integrity is all about. If your boss still doesn’t get
it, try this test: Ask yourself, “Would I like an account of my

magazine’s behavior in the pages of Folio:?” If not, consider looking
for a job that measures up to your own sense of pride in performance.
Give a copy of these commandments to your replacement.