Editorial Standards at the Brookfield Examiner

At the Brookfield Examiner, our commitment to responsible journalism guides our editorial standards. These principles ensure that we uphold the highest ethical and professional standards in delivering news and information to our readers.

1. Accuracy and Truthfulness

• We are dedicated to honesty, accuracy, and fairness in our reporting. We will never distort or fabricate facts, images, sound, or data.
• Providing accurate context for our reporting is paramount. We seek diverse voices to offer important perspectives on the subjects we cover.
• Reliable sources are key to our journalism. We will always make clear to our audience who our sources are, their motivations, and any conditions set for providing information.

2. Correcting Errors

• We are committed to correcting errors quickly, completely, and visibly. We make it easy for our audience to bring errors to our attention.
• When our reports include criticism of individuals or organizations, we provide them with an opportunity to respond.

3. Conflict of Interest

• We avoid conflicts of interest that could compromise our ability to report fairly. Any unavoidable conflicts or situational factors that may affect our credibility will be disclosed to our audience.
• Our journalists do not engage in political office or directly participate in civic or business affairs that they cover.
• We do not allow advertisers or funding sources to influence the integrity of our journalism.

4. Community and Respect

• We respect our audience and those we report about, recognizing the potential impact our work may have on our subjects and communities.
• Our professional conduct includes not plagiarizing or violating copyrights and keeping promises to sources, readers, and the community.

5. Fact-Based Reporting

• We strive for fact-based news coverage, differentiating fact from opinion clearly. Reporters may provide commentary in related blog posts or columns, transparent about their opinions.
• Our reporters may express personal opinions on their social network accounts but avoid statements that could reasonably lead readers to question their ability to report fairly.

6. Balance and Fairness

• We cover not only the most powerful voices on an issue but also those who are not typically heard, ensuring a balanced perspective.
• We refrain from presenting multiple points of view when one perspective has been credibly established as fact.

7. Transparency in Reporting

• We disclose sources’ conflicts of interest when applicable (e.g., funding sources for studies).
• Our journalism is based on fact-checking to independently verify all information before publication.

8. Online Commenting

• We do not permit anonymous comments and fact-check user comments for accuracy.
• Hate speech or incitement to violence will not be tolerated in our comment sections, and we reserve the right to remove such content.

9. Sensational Material

• We run sensitive material only when there is a clear public interest and value in publication, avoiding content solely for revenue purposes, such as clickbait.

10. Privacy and Sensitivity

• We consider the privacy of individuals and the impact of sensitive material, especially when it affects vulnerable populations.
• We refrain from running sensitive material for the purpose of generating digital traffic.

11. Corrections

• We are diligent in acknowledging and correcting errors in our reporting, ensuring transparency with our readers.

12. Responsible Content

• We use obscenities, vulgarities, or slurs only when necessary for accurate quoting and with sensitivity to our readers.

13. Fact-Checking

• We prioritize fact-checking and the verification of information before publication, avoiding the spread of unverified information.

14. Diversity and Inclusivity

• We actively seek diverse sources and perspectives to enhance the quality of our coverage.

15. Coverage of Sensitive Topics

• We handle sensitive topics, such as mental health and suicide, with care and sensitivity.

16. Community Involvement

• Our journalists avoid community involvement that could create conflicts of interest or impact their reporting integrity.

17. Accountability

• We hold ourselves accountable for the accuracy and fairness of our reporting, valuing the feedback and input of our readers.

18. Ethics in Reporting

• We adhere to ethical reporting practices and follow established standards to maintain our readers’ trust.

19. Independence

• We refuse any attempt to censor our content, upholding our commitment to editorial independence.

20. Awards and Contests

• We accept awards from journalistic organizations with judges who are journalists.

Our readers’ trust is of utmost importance, and we continuously strive to uphold these editorial standards. We appreciate your support and engagement with the Brookfield Examiner.