Editorial Standards | New York Evening Mail

Journalism is a public trust. Every story we publish represents a commitment to our readers: that we've done our homework, that we're telling you the truth as best we can determine it, and that we've been fair to everyone involved.

These standards aren't bureaucratic rules imposed from above-they're the principles that guide how we work, day in and day out. They're what separates journalism from rumor, reporting from opinion, and news organizations from content farms.

We publish these standards so our readers know what to expect from us, and so we can be held accountable when we fall short.

Accuracy

Getting it right is the foundation of everything we do. We'd rather be second with the truth than first with a mistake.

Verification Before Publication

We don't publish information unless we've verified it through multiple sources or primary documentation. If someone tells us something happened, we confirm it independently before reporting it as fact. We check court records, public documents, official statements, and eyewitness accounts. When information comes from a single source, we say so.

Primary Sources

Whenever possible, we go to primary sources: court filings, city council meeting transcripts, SEC documents, scientific studies, original video footage. We don't rely on secondhand accounts when we can get the original. And when we cite documents, we link to them so readers can verify our reporting themselves.

Context and Completeness

Facts without context can be misleading. A statistic means nothing without comparison to historical baselines or other jurisdictions. A quote can be distorted if the surrounding conversation is omitted. We work to provide the context readers need to understand the significance of what we're reporting.

Uncertainty and Limitations

We're honest about what we don't know. If information is disputed, we say so. If our sources have limitations, we acknowledge them. If a story is developing and facts are still emerging, we tell readers and update the story as we learn more. Phrases like "according to" and "officials say" signal the source of claims that we haven't independently verified.

Fairness

Fairness doesn't mean false balance-giving equal weight to truth and falsehood. It means treating everyone in our coverage with basic human dignity and giving subjects a genuine opportunity to respond to criticism.

Right of Reply

Before publishing any story that criticizes or makes allegations about an individual, organization, or company, we reach out for comment. We provide reasonable time to respond-at minimum 24 hours for routine stories, and longer for complex investigations. If someone declines to comment or doesn't respond, we note that in the story. We include meaningful responses, not just a "declined to comment" brush-off.

Representing Multiple Perspectives

On matters of legitimate public debate, we present multiple perspectives fairly. This doesn't mean giving equal space to fringe positions or manufacturing controversy where none exists. It means accurately representing the range of views held by reasonable people, explaining why they hold those views, and not caricaturing positions we disagree with.

Avoiding Stereotypes

We write about individuals as individuals, not as representatives of demographic categories. We don't make generalizations about neighborhoods, ethnic groups, or communities based on the actions of a few. We're alert to language that carries hidden assumptions or perpetuates stereotypes, and we work to avoid it.

Compassion in Coverage

We cover difficult subjects-crime, tragedy, poverty, illness-with sensitivity to the people affected. We don't exploit grief or suffering for dramatic effect. We give victims and their families the dignity of choosing how they want to be portrayed. We're especially careful when covering vulnerable populations, including children, the elderly, and those with mental illness.

Independence

Our only allegiance is to our readers and to the truth. We're not beholden to advertisers, politicians, special interests, or anyone else who might try to influence our coverage.

Separation of Editorial and Business

Our editorial decisions are made independently of our business operations. Advertisers don't get favorable coverage, and they don't get to suppress negative stories. The same goes for potential partners, vendors, or anyone else with a financial relationship to the Evening Mail. Our editors decide what to cover based on newsworthiness, period.

No Sponsored Content

We don't publish sponsored content, native advertising, pay-for-play articles, or any other content that's been paid for by outside parties. If you see an article on our site, it's because our editors decided it was newsworthy-not because someone paid for placement. Advertising on our site is clearly labeled and visually distinct from editorial content.

Political Independence

The Evening Mail doesn't endorse political candidates. Our reporters don't donate to political campaigns, attend political rallies, or display partisan materials. We cover all political parties and perspectives with the same level of scrutiny. We report on what politicians do, not what team they're on.

Conflicts of Interest

Reporters don't cover organizations or companies in which they have personal or financial interests. If a potential conflict exists, we disclose it and assign the story to someone else. Staff don't accept gifts, travel, or other benefits from sources or subjects of coverage. When we quote experts, we disclose relevant financial relationships.

Sources

Our sources are the foundation of our reporting. We cultivate them carefully, protect them when necessary, and hold them to the same standards of honesty we hold ourselves.

Named Sources

We prefer named sources whenever possible. Readers deserve to know who's making claims so they can evaluate credibility. Anonymous information is inherently less trustworthy than attributed information. We push sources to go on the record, and we explain the value of attribution.

Anonymous Sources

When sources face legitimate risk of retaliation-losing their job, facing physical harm, or suffering professional consequences-we may grant anonymity. But we don't do so lightly. Anonymous sources must provide information that serves a significant public interest and that we cannot obtain any other way. We independently verify their claims before publication. And we tell readers why the source couldn't be named.

Source Protection

When we promise confidentiality, we keep it. Our reporters don't reveal sources to management, to law enforcement, or to anyone else. We maintain this principle even at significant cost. The ability to protect sources is fundamental to journalism's role in holding power accountable.

Source Relationships

We maintain professional relationships with sources. We don't pay for information, offer favorable coverage in exchange for access, or make promises we can't keep. We're clear about what we can and can't do, and we don't mislead sources about how their information will be used.

Corrections and Accountability

We make mistakes. When we do, we fix them quickly, transparently, and completely. Our credibility depends not on being perfect, but on being honest about our errors.

Correction Policy

When we discover a factual error, we correct it immediately and note the correction at the bottom of the article with a timestamp. The correction explains what was wrong and what the accurate information is. We don't quietly edit errors out of stories-readers deserve to know what changed. For significant errors, we may also publish a standalone correction.

Updates vs. Corrections

We distinguish between corrections (fixing errors) and updates (adding new information as a story develops). Updates are noted with a timestamp and brief description. Minor typographical errors and style issues are fixed without notation.

How to Request a Correction

If you believe we've made an error, please let us know. Email us at [email protected] with specific information about what you believe is incorrect and, if possible, documentation supporting the accurate information. We review all correction requests and respond within 48 hours.

News vs. Opinion

We maintain a strict separation between news reporting and opinion content. Readers always know which type of content they're reading.

N News Reporting

• Reports facts without taking sides
• Presents multiple perspectives fairly
• Attributes opinions to their sources
• Avoids loaded language
• Lets readers draw conclusions

O Opinion & Analysis

• Clearly labeled as opinion
• Expresses a point of view
• Based on factual reporting
• Written by different staff
• Open about perspective

News reporters don't write opinion pieces on their beats. Opinion writers don't cover breaking news. This separation ensures that reporters can cultivate sources and maintain access without compromising their independence, and that opinion writers can express their views freely.

Questions About Our Standards?

We welcome questions about how we practice journalism. If you have concerns about a specific story or want to understand our process, reach out.

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