At Tricity Local News, our primary mission is to deliver accurate, unbiased, and comprehensive coverage of the events, policies, and stories shaping our community. To maintain the highest standards of journalistic integrity and build enduring trust with our readership, we have established these comprehensive Editorial Guidelines.

These principles govern our writing, sourcing, and review processes, ensuring that every piece of content we publish meets strict criteria for Experience, Expertise, Authoritativeness, and Trustworthiness (E-E-A-T).

  1. Core Editorial Values

Accuracy and Fact-Checking

Accuracy is the cornerstone of our reporting. We are committed to getting the facts right before publication.

  • Verification: All factual claims, names, dates, and statistics must be rigorously verified prior to publication.
  • Primary Sources: We prioritize original reporting and primary sources (e.g., official public records, direct interviews, eyewitness accounts, and raw data). Secondary sources must be clearly attributed and linked.
  • Rumors and Speculation: We do not publish unsubstantiated rumors. If a rumor is of significant public interest, we will explicitly frame it as unverified while actively working to confirm or debunk it.

Objectivity and Fairness

Our reporting is strictly independent of political, commercial, or personal interests.

  • Neutral Tone: News articles must be written from a neutral standpoint, free of the writer’s personal opinions.
  • Right of Reply: When publishing stories that involve allegations or criticism of individuals or organizations, we mandate giving the subject a fair opportunity to respond before publication.
  • Separation of Content: Opinion pieces, editorials, and sponsored content will be clearly labeled to ensure they are never confused with hard news reporting.

  1. The Review & Publication Process

Drawing inspiration from rigorous industry standards, our multi-tiered review process ensures that every article is thoroughly vetted for quality, readability, and factual integrity.

  1. Pitch & Assignment: Writers submit pitches to the editorial desk. Assignments are granted based on the writer’s expertise in the specific local beat (e.g., city council, local business, community events).
  2. Drafting & Sourcing: Writers draft the content using authorized primary sources. All claims must be backed by verifiable data or recorded interviews.
  3. Desk Editorial Review: A desk editor reviews the draft for structural integrity, clarity, and adherence to our E-E-A-T guidelines. This step includes checking for unbiased language and proper source attribution.
  4. Fact-Checking & Legal Review: High-stakes or investigative pieces undergo an independent fact-check. If a story involves sensitive legal matters, it is reviewed by our legal counsel.
  5. Final Approval: The Managing Editor gives final sign-off before publication.
  6. Post-Publication Audits: We conduct regular audits of our live content to ensure older articles remain accurate and are updated as new information develops.

  1. Human-Authored Content & Originality

To maintain the authenticity of our voice and protect our platform’s search authority, Tricity Local News enforces strict guidelines regarding originality and the use of automation.

Zero Tolerance for Plagiarism

Plagiarism is a dismissible offense. All work must be entirely original. If referencing another publication’s exclusive breaking news, we must credit them by name and provide a direct hyperlink in the first mention of the information.

AI and Automated Content Policy

  • Human-Driven Journalism: All articles published on Tricity Local News must be researched, written, and edited by human journalists. We do not publish AI-generated news articles.
  • AI as a Tool, Not an Author: Writers may use AI tools strictly for administrative assistance, such as transcribing interviews, generating preliminary outlines, or organizing raw data. However, the final prose, analysis, and editorial judgment must be 100% human to ensure nuanced, high-quality local coverage that resonates with our readers.

  1. Ethics and Conflicts of Interest

Our journalists and editors must remain free from conflicts of interest—both real and perceived—that could compromise their editorial judgment.

  • Gifts and Gratuities: Editorial staff are strictly prohibited from accepting gifts, free travel, meals, or special treatment from sources, local businesses, or political figures.
  • Financial Disclosures: Writers must disclose any financial interests in the companies or local initiatives they cover. If a conflict exists, the writer will be recused from the story.
  • No Pay-to-Play: Our editorial decisions are completely independent of our advertising department. Advertisers have no influence over our news coverage, and we do not accept payment in exchange for news stories.

  1. Corrections and Updates

Transparency is essential to building trust. When we make a mistake, we own it and correct it promptly.

  • Minor Errors: Typographical or grammatical errors that do not change the factual meaning of the story may be corrected without an editor’s note.
  • Factual Corrections: If a factual error is discovered, we will update the article immediately and append a clear “Correction” note at the bottom of the page, explaining what was changed and when.
  • Developing Stories: For ongoing local events, articles will be updated as new information becomes available. These pieces will be clearly marked with “Updated” and a corresponding timestamp.

If you spot an error in our reporting, please bring it to our attention immediately by emailing our editorial desk at [email protected].

  1. Diversity and Inclusion

Tricity Local News is committed to reflecting the full diversity of our community in our coverage. We strive to seek out voices and perspectives from all demographics, neighborhoods, and socioeconomic backgrounds, ensuring our reporting is inclusive and representative of the entire tricity area.

  1. Contact the Newsroom

We welcome tips, feedback, and engagement from our readers.

  • General Inquiries & News Tips: For breaking news, local tips, or general editorial questions, reach out to us at [email protected].
  • Op-Ed Submissions: If you are a community leader or resident looking to submit an opinion piece, please email [email protected] with the subject line “Op-Ed Pitch.”

Note: These guidelines are treated as a living document and are regularly reviewed and updated to adapt to the evolving landscape of digital journalism.