Correction and Ethics Policies

Ethics Statement:

1. Seek Truth and Report It
   Journalists should be honest, fair, and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.
   • Accuracy & Verification: Always verify information before releasing it. Speed is never an excuse for mistakes.
   • Transparency in Sourcing: Identify sources clearly so the public can judge their reliability. Anonymity should be a rare exception reserved only for sources facing danger.
   • Providing Context: Avoid oversimplifying or misrepresenting stories. Headlines, photos, and soundbites should not take information out of context.
   • Giving Voice to the Voiceless: Actively seek diverse perspectives and represent marginalized communities fairly. Never plagiarize.

2. Minimize Harm
   Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues, and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

• • Balance vs. Need: Balance the public’s right to information against the potential harm or discomfort it may cause.
  • Compassion: Show extra sensitivity when dealing with children, victims of sex crimes, and inexperienced sources.
  • Privacy Rights: Recognize that private individuals have a greater right to control information about themselves than public officials who seek power or influence.

3. Act Independently
   The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

• • Avoid Conflicts of Interest: Avoid real or perceived conflicts of interest (e.g., political involvement, secondary employment) and disclose them if they are unavoidable.
  • Resist Pressure: Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors, or special interest groups. Do not pay for access to news.
  • Gifts & Favors: Refuse any gifts, free travel, or special treatment that could compromise professional integrity.

4. Be Accountable and Transparent
   Journalists must take responsibility for their work and remain open to dialogue with the public.

• • Acknowledge Mistakes: Correct errors quickly, prominently, and explain why they happened.
  • Explain Ethical Choices: Encourage dialogue and invite public feedback about news practices and coverage choices.
  • Self-Policing: Hold other journalists and your own news organization accountable to the same high standards.

Corrections: We take accuracy seriously and promptly correct factual errors.

If a published story contains a factual mistake, we will update the story as quickly as possible and note the correction at the bottom of the article when appropriate.

Minor edits that do not change the meaning of a story such as for grammar, spelling or style may be made without a correction note.

How to Request a Correction

If you believe we’ve made an error, please contact us using our feedback form here. Please include: A link to the story, the information you believe is incorrect, and details about supporting documentation.

When significant corrections or clarifications are made, we will clearly note what was changed so readers understand the update.

Adjustments to any image will be limited to standard industry practices to accurately reflect the scene that was photographed.

In video production, enhancements to improve sound quality and visual quality are allowed as long as the content/intent of the story remains intact.

If using drones, all use will be by licensed operators who will avoid actions in the air that we would not engage in on the ground.