Broadside News Group

The following four principles form the foundation of all editorial work conducted under the Broadside News Group banner. They apply equally to every publication in our network, regardless of size, subject area, or geographic focus.

Independence

Each Broadside publication makes its own editorial decisions. The publisher does not direct coverage. The parent company does not assign stories, approve headlines, dictate angles, or intervene in editorial judgment. Ownership provides infrastructure, resources, and standards. Editorial direction belongs to the editors and contributors responsible for each publication.

This separation is structural, not merely aspirational. Advertising revenue does not influence editorial decisions, and no advertiser is promised or given favorable coverage.

1. No corporate officer, board member, or business-side employee may direct, review, or approve editorial content prior to publication.
2. Advertising and editorial operations are maintained as separate functions with separate reporting structures.
3. Publications may decline to cover any topic or entity, including the parent company, its partners, or its advertisers, based solely on editorial judgment.
4. If the parent company or any related entity becomes the subject of legitimate news coverage, affected publications will cover the story with the same rigor they apply to any other subject, with appropriate disclosure of the relationship.

Accuracy

We verify before we publish. Every factual claim in our reporting must be supported by evidence — documentation, direct observation, or credible sourcing. We do not publish rumors, speculation, or unverified allegations as fact. When information is uncertain, we say so. When we cannot confirm a claim, we do not publish it.

1. All factual assertions must be verified through at least one reliable source before publication. Claims that are central to a story or that could cause significant harm require verification from two or more independent sources.
2. We distinguish clearly between fact and opinion, between news reporting and analysis, and between what we know and what we believe. Headlines and social media posts accurately reflect the content of the stories they represent.
3. Contributors verify the identity and credentials of their sources. We do not knowingly amplify misinformation, and when information we have published is later found to be inaccurate, we correct it promptly and transparently.
4. Statistical claims, data visualizations, and quantitative assertions are reviewed for accuracy by an editor before publication. We cite our data sources and, where possible, link to the underlying data.
5. Photographs and multimedia content are not digitally altered in ways that misrepresent the scene or events depicted. Photo illustrations are clearly labeled as such.

Fairness

Fair journalism means more than avoiding factual errors. It means presenting information in context, seeking comment from all relevant parties, and resisting the temptation to construct a narrative before the facts support one. Fair reporting acknowledges complexity and avoids false equivalence.

1. We seek comment from all parties who are the subject of, or materially affected by, our reporting before publication. When a party declines to comment or does not respond to a reasonable request, we note that in the story.
2. We present sufficient context for readers to understand the significance and limitations of the information we report. We do not cherry-pick facts, quotes, or data to support a predetermined conclusion.
3. We do not allow personal opinions, political affiliations, or institutional relationships to color our news reporting. Opinion content is clearly labeled and separated from news coverage.
4. We are attentive to the impact of our reporting on individuals and communities. We consider whether the public interest served by publication outweighs any potential harm, particularly when reporting on private individuals, minors, victims of crime, or vulnerable populations.
5. When covering disputes, we make a good-faith effort to represent the strongest version of each party's position. We do not construct straw-man arguments or selectively quote sources to misrepresent their views.

Transparency

We believe that trust is built through openness. We disclose our ownership structure, our funding sources, our editorial standards, and our methods. We correct our errors publicly. We explain our editorial decisions when readers ask. We do not hide behind institutional anonymity.

1. Our ownership and funding information is publicly available and kept current.
2. We disclose conflicts of interest — financial, personal, or institutional — that could reasonably be perceived to influence our coverage. When such conflicts exist, we either recuse the affected journalist or disclose the conflict to readers.
3. When we make errors, we correct them promptly and transparently, following our published corrections policy.
4. We explain our reporting methods when doing so helps readers evaluate our work. For investigative projects, we publish methodology notes describing how we gathered and verified our information.
5. We respond to reader inquiries about our editorial decisions. Readers may contact any publication through its published contact information or reach the parent company through our contact page.

This code of ethics applies to all contributors working for any Broadside News Group publication. Adherence to these standards is a condition of engagement. Violations may result in correction, removal, or public retraction, depending on the severity of the breach.

Conflicts of Interest

1. Contributors and editors do not accept gifts, favors, free travel, or other items of value from sources, subjects of coverage, lobbyists, or public officials. Exceptions are limited to items of nominal value (generally under $25) that are offered broadly to members of the press, such as refreshments at a press conference.
2. Contributors must disclose to their editor any personal, financial, familial, or business relationship with any person or entity they are assigned to cover. Editors will determine whether the conflict requires reassignment or disclosure in the published work.
3. No contributor may accept employment, consulting fees, speaking fees, or other compensation from any entity they cover or are likely to cover without prior written disclosure and approval.

Pay-for-Play Prohibition

No coverage in any Broadside News Group publication is available for purchase. We do not publish sponsored content disguised as editorial content. We do not accept payment in exchange for favorable coverage, placement, or headlines. Advertising and sponsored content are clearly and prominently labeled.

Fabrication and Plagiarism

1. We do not fabricate quotes, scenes, dialogue, sources, or details. Every element of our reporting must be grounded in verifiable reality. Composite characters, invented scenes, and dramatized events have no place in news reporting.
2. We do not plagiarize. All work published under our mastheads must be original or properly attributed. When we build on the reporting of other news organizations, we credit them by name. When we quote from published sources, we provide attribution.
3. We do not recycle our own previously published work as new reporting without disclosure. When a story substantially incorporates material from an earlier piece, we note this.

Source Relationships

1. We do not pay sources for information. We do not promise favorable coverage in exchange for access. We do not make agreements with sources that compromise our editorial independence.
2. We do not enter into romantic or sexual relationships with sources we are actively covering. If such a relationship develops, the contributor must immediately disclose it to their editor and be removed from the relevant coverage.
3. We protect the identity of confidential sources as described in our sourcing standards. This protection is a solemn obligation. We do not reveal the identity of a confidential source without their explicit consent.

Enforcement

Violations of this code of ethics are reviewed by the editorial leadership of the affected publication. Consequences are proportional to the severity of the violation:

• Minor violations (first-time failures of disclosure, inadvertent conflicts) are addressed through coaching, correction, and documentation.
• Serious violations (undisclosed conflicts that influenced coverage, acceptance of prohibited gifts or compensation) result in removal from the assignment, formal reprimand, and public correction of affected work.
• Severe violations (fabrication, plagiarism, deliberate deception of editors or readers) result in immediate removal from the publication and public disclosure, including retraction of all affected work.

Errors are inevitable in journalism. What matters is how a news organization responds to them. Broadside News Group is committed to correcting errors promptly, transparently, and completely. We do not quietly alter published stories. We do not minimize our mistakes. When we get something wrong, we say so — clearly and publicly.

Types of Corrections

1. Correction. Used when a published story contains a factual error that is material to the reader's understanding of the story. This includes incorrect names, dates, titles, statistics, characterizations of events, or any other factual claim that was wrong at the time of publication. Corrections are noted prominently at the top of the affected article, with the date and a clear description of what was wrong and what is correct.
2. Update. Used for minor fixes that do not change the substance of the story — typographical errors, formatting issues, broken links, updated photo credits, or the addition of information that became available after publication. Updates are noted at the top of the article with the date.
3. Clarification. Used when a story, while not factually incorrect, was written in a way that could reasonably be misunderstood or that omitted context necessary for fair understanding. Clarifications are noted at the top of the article with the date and an explanation of what has been clarified.
4. Editor's Note. Used when the circumstances surrounding a story require explanation — for example, to disclose a previously unknown conflict of interest, to explain a significant editorial decision, or to address concerns about the reporting process. Editor's notes are published at the top of the affected article.
5. Retraction. Used when a story is so fundamentally flawed that it cannot be corrected. Retracted stories are removed from publication and replaced with a retraction notice explaining why the story was retracted and what went wrong. The retraction notice remains permanently at the original URL.

Correction Procedures

1. All corrections, regardless of type, include the date of the correction and a description of what changed. The original error is not deleted or hidden; the correction is appended.
2. Corrections are made as soon as the error is confirmed. Our target is to publish corrections within 24 hours of confirmation, and sooner for errors that could cause immediate harm.
3. The contributor and editor responsible for the original story are notified when a correction is made to their work.
4. Corrections are tracked and reviewed regularly. Patterns of error are addressed through additional training, process changes, or personnel action as appropriate.
5. Stories that have been corrected retain the correction notice permanently. We do not remove correction notices from archived stories.

Reporting an Error

Readers, sources, and members of the public who believe they have identified an error in any Broadside News Group publication are encouraged to report it. We treat every error report seriously and investigate promptly.

• By email: [email protected]
• By web form: broadsidenewsgroup.com/contact/
• Directly to the publication: Each publication maintains its own contact information for corrections. If you are unsure which publication to contact, write to the address above and we will route your inquiry appropriately.

When reporting an error, please include the headline or URL of the story, a description of the error, and any supporting evidence or documentation. All error reports receive an acknowledgment within one business day.

Accountability is not a one-way street. We hold public officials and institutions accountable through our reporting, and our readers have the right to hold us accountable in return. This policy describes how we receive, review, and respond to reader feedback about the accuracy, fairness, and quality of our journalism.

How to Submit Feedback

If you believe a story published by any Broadside News Group publication is inaccurate, unfair, incomplete, or in violation of our editorial standards, we want to hear from you. Substantive feedback helps us improve our work and maintain the trust of our readers.

• Email: [email protected]
• Web: broadsidenewsgroup.com/contact/
• Mail: Editorial Standards, Broadside News Group, Denver, Colorado

When submitting feedback, please be as specific as possible. Include the story headline or URL, the specific passage or claim you are concerned about, and any evidence or context that supports your concern. Vague or general complaints are more difficult to investigate, though we review all feedback received.

Review Process

1. Every complaint submitted through the channels above is reviewed by an editor. Complaints about specific stories are routed to the editorial leadership of the responsible publication. Complaints about network-wide practices or policies are reviewed at the organizational level.
2. We acknowledge receipt of all substantive feedback as quickly as possible.
3. We respond to substantive concerns promptly. If an investigation requires more time, we will inform the complainant of the expected timeline.
4. The editor reviewing the complaint will examine the original reporting, consult with the contributor and editor responsible for the story, review any evidence provided by the complainant, and make a determination.
5. Possible outcomes include: no action (the story is accurate and fair as published), correction (a factual error is confirmed), clarification (the story could reasonably be misunderstood), editor's note (additional context or disclosure is warranted), or retraction (the story is fundamentally flawed).

Publication of Outcomes

When a complaint is upheld — that is, when our review determines that a story was inaccurate, unfair, or in violation of our standards — we publish the outcome. Corrections, clarifications, editor's notes, and retractions are published on the affected story as described in our corrections policy. We do not resolve complaints quietly. If we got it wrong, our readers will know.

Complainants are notified of the outcome of their complaint regardless of whether it is upheld. If you disagree with our determination, you may request a secondary review by the editorial standards committee by writing to [email protected] with the subject line "Appeal."

The credibility of our journalism depends on the integrity of our sourcing. These standards govern how Broadside News Group contributors identify, attribute, and protect their sources, and how we verify the information those sources provide.

Attribution and Identification

1. On the record is the default. All information provided to our writers is presumed to be on the record unless the source and the writer explicitly agree to different terms before the information is shared. On-the-record information is attributed to the source by name and title or affiliation.
2. On background means the information may be published but the source will not be identified by name. The writer and source should agree on how the source will be described (e.g., "a senior administration official," "a person familiar with the negotiations"). Background attribution requires editor approval before publication.
3. Off the record means the information is provided for the writer's understanding only and may not be published in any form, even without attribution. Off-the-record agreements must be explicit and mutual. If a writer receives off-the-record information, they may attempt to confirm it independently through other sources and publish it with proper attribution to those other sources.
4. Deep background means the information may be used to inform reporting but may not be attributed in any way, even to an anonymous source. The information may be published only if it can be independently confirmed and attributed to another source.

Anonymous Sources

Named sources are always preferred. Anonymous sourcing weakens accountability and makes it harder for readers to evaluate the credibility of the information. We use anonymous sources only when the following conditions are met:

1. The information is of significant public interest and cannot reasonably be obtained from a named source.
2. The source has a credible reason to fear retaliation, harm, or other serious consequences from being identified.
3. The writer has assessed the source's credibility, including their motive for providing the information, their track record, and their proximity to the events or information described.
4. The information provided by the anonymous source is corroborated by at least one independent source or by documentary evidence.
5. The decision to grant anonymity is approved by an editor before publication. The editor must know the identity of the source.

When we use anonymous sources, we explain in the story why anonymity was granted, with as much specificity as possible without revealing the source's identity. We do not use anonymous sourcing for opinions, speculation, or attacks on other individuals.

Document and Record Verification

1. Documents, records, and data used in reporting are verified for authenticity before publication. Contributors examine provenance, check for signs of alteration, and, where possible, confirm documents through multiple independent channels.
2. We make use of public records, Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and state open-records laws as standard reporting tools. When records are obtained through public records requests, we note this in the story.
3. When we obtain leaked or confidential documents, we consider the public interest served by publication, the potential harm of disclosure, the authenticity of the materials, and the motive of the person providing them. Publication of leaked documents requires editorial review and approval.
4. We do not hack, steal, or use illegal means to obtain documents or data. We do not encourage or direct sources to break the law to provide us with information.

Public Records and FOIA

Public records are a cornerstone of accountability journalism. Our publications actively use federal, state, and local open-records laws to obtain government documents, data, contracts, correspondence, and other materials that serve the public interest. When agencies resist or delay lawful records requests, we pursue appeals and, when necessary, legal action to vindicate the public's right to know.

Broadside News Group embraces technology as a tool for better journalism, not as a substitute for it. Our publications use a range of technology tools — including artificial intelligence, data analysis software, content management systems, and distribution platforms — to support research, editorial operations, audience engagement, and business functions. The following principles govern our use of these tools.

Human Editorial Control

1. No article, report, analysis, or editorial content is published by any Broadside News Group publication without human editorial review and approval. Technology may assist the editorial process, but it does not replace human judgment.
2. AI tools do not write our journalism. When AI-assisted tools are used in the reporting or production process — for example, to transcribe interviews, analyze large datasets, summarize public records, or generate initial research briefs — the output is reviewed, verified, and edited by a human journalist before any information derived from it appears in published work.
3. Automated content, including machine-generated summaries, headlines, or social media posts, is reviewed by an editor before publication.

Transparency About Technology Use

1. When AI or automated tools play a material role in the production of a specific piece of content — beyond routine tools like spell-checkers or content management systems — we disclose that use to readers.
2. We do not use AI-generated images, audio, or video in our journalism without clear labeling. Synthetic media created for illustrative purposes is labeled as such.
3. Our publishing infrastructure, including web hosting, content distribution, and analytics systems, is provided by Novel Cognition. This relationship is disclosed in our ownership information.

Data and Privacy

1. We handle reader data, source information, and unpublished editorial materials with care. We do not sell reader data to third parties. We do not use reader data for purposes unrelated to journalism and essential business operations.
2. We use analytics tools to understand how readers engage with our journalism so that we can serve them better. These tools do not influence editorial decisions about what to cover or how to cover it.
3. Source communications, unpublished notes, and confidential materials are stored securely and access is limited to authorized contributors and editors.