Ethics & Standards

Accuracy Above Speed

Being first is worthless if we are wrong. We publish what we can verify, label what we cannot, and update as facts firm up. See our Editorial Guidelines for the sourcing rules behind this commitment.

Fairness

People and institutions we report critically are given a fair chance to respond, and their responses are represented honestly. We do not quote out of context, and we do not use headlines the story cannot support.

Privacy & Dignity

• Victims of crime and accidents are treated with restraint; names are published only when officially released and clearly newsworthy.
• Minors are identified only in exceptional, clearly justified circumstances.
• Private individuals caught up in public events are not subjected to harassment or exposure for entertainment.

Sources

Anonymous sources are used sparingly, only when the information is important and unobtainable on the record, and their claims are corroborated. We do not pay for news. Plagiarism is a firing offense: other publishers' work is credited, never copied.

Images

Photographs and illustrations must be accurate to the story's subject. We do not stage news images, alter documentary images, or present illustrations as photographs of real events.

Health & Safety Reporting

Medical findings are reported with their stage and limitations — early, small or preliminary studies are described as such, never as established fact or medical advice.