Accuracy and verification
- Go to the primary record.
- Copy numbers word for word with date and unit.
- Two sources for hard numbers or say so.
- Check meaning, not only the number.
- Check again after design.
- Allegations labeled as allegations, estimates as estimates.
When we publish
- Second and right.
- Breaking news says confirmed vs still checking, timed updates.
- Explainers wait for the documents.
- Recaps carry the event date.
- Every story approved by an editor before design.
- No rumors or untraceable screenshots.
Fairness
- Other side stated the way its strongest supporters would.
- Public figures on public record.
- Private people protected: no minors, mental health crises or crime victims without consent.
- No pile-ons, blur private people's names in screenshots.
- Chance to respond before reporting anything damaging.
News or opinion
| Label | What it means |
|---|---|
| News | Verified reporting on what happened. |
| Explainer | The documents, background and context. |
| Analysis | Interpretation grounded in reported facts. |
| Opinion | An explicitly labeled point of view. |
| Fact check | A claim checked against the record. |
- Opinion never changes a fact.
Conflicts of interest
| Role | Disclosure |
|---|---|
| Executive Director, NC Housing Table | Disclosure line on every housing story + credit the people who led each fight. |
| Founder, DB3 Group | On any story touching a DB3 company, competitor or deal we're part of. |
| Minister | In faith commentary. |
| Former organizer and campaign manager | When writing about campaigns or people we worked with or against. |
- No covering a deal, client or campaign that pays us as news.
- No gifts, free passes disclosed.
Sources and attribution
- Every claim has a name.
- Credit other outlets.
- Quotes exact.
- Anonymous sources rare with reason given.
- No paid sources.
- CC credit + link on republished stories.
Images, video and data
- Real photos first, credited.
- Generated/unconfirmed labeled ‘Photo illustration’.
- No reposting others' videos.
- Chart axes start at zero unless noted, every chart names source and date.
- Big numbers with context.
Money and independence
- Sponsors buy space, not coverage.
- Sponsored content labeled.
- Sponsors never review stories.
- Own products labeled.
- Markets content is news and analysis, not financial advice, positions disclosed.
- Affiliate links disclosed.
- No ads on republished stories.
Technology and AI
| AI helps with | A person always decides |
|---|---|
| Finding stories/documents | Which stories run |
| First drafts of slides and captions | Final wording and facts |
| Style checks | Accuracy and fairness |
| Layout | Images and labels |
- Nothing publishes automatically.
- AI never invents a quote, source, number or photo.
Corrections and feedback
- Fixes in the piece with a dated correction note.
- Instagram: pinned correction comment, caption edit, or delete-and-republish if the main claim was wrong.
- Podcast: show notes.
- Clarifications labeled the same.
Requests reviewed within 2 business days.
Inclusion and accessibility
- People described as they describe themselves.
- Plain English, jargon explained.
- Contrast, alt text and captions.
- Range of voices beyond officials.
Contact and review
- Reviewed every 6 months.
[standards email to confirm]
Next review: .