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District of Columbia Times

Editorial Guidelines

Last Updated: January 2025

Editorial Guidelines

District of Columbia Times is committed to the highest standards of journalism. These guidelines govern our reporting, writing, and editorial processes to ensure accuracy, fairness, and ethical journalism that serves our readers in Washington DC, the DMV region, and across the nation.

Core Principles

Accuracy and Verification

  • Fact-checking: Every factual claim must be verified through at least two independent sources before publication
  • Quotes: All quotes must be accurate and used in proper context. We do not alter quotes except for clarity, and any such changes must be clearly indicated
  • Corrections: When errors occur, we correct them promptly and transparently, noting the correction at the top of the article
  • Source attribution: We clearly identify the source of all information and distinguish between firsthand reporting and information obtained from other sources

Independence and Integrity

  • Editorial independence: Our editorial decisions are made independently of commercial, political, or other external pressures
  • Conflicts of interest: Journalists must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to editors and, when relevant, to readers
  • Sponsored content: Advertising and sponsored content must be clearly labeled and kept separate from editorial content
  • Gifts and favors: Staff members may not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from sources or subjects of coverage

Fairness and Balance

  • Multiple perspectives: Stories on controversial topics must include diverse viewpoints and give subjects of critical coverage an opportunity to respond
  • Context: We provide sufficient context for readers to understand the significance and implications of events and issues
  • Avoiding bias: While we embrace diverse perspectives in opinion and analysis pieces, news reporting must be fair and free from political, ideological, or personal bias
  • Representation: We strive to include voices from all DC neighborhoods and communities, from Ward 1 to Ward 8

Privacy and Sensitivity

  • Privacy rights: We respect individuals' privacy and only publish private information when it serves a clear public interest
  • Vulnerable subjects: Extra care is taken when reporting on children, victims of crime or tragedy, and other vulnerable individuals
  • Graphic content: We carefully consider whether graphic images or descriptions serve the public interest before publication
  • Cultural sensitivity: We are mindful of DC's extraordinary diversity and ensure respectful coverage of all communities

Specific Standards

Sources and Attribution

  • On-the-record: We prefer on-the-record sourcing. Anonymous sources are used only when necessary and with editor approval
  • Anonymous sources: When granting anonymity, we explain why in the story and verify that the source has direct knowledge
  • Documents: We seek to review original documents rather than relying on others' characterizations
  • Expert sources: We identify experts' credentials and any potential conflicts of interest

Federal Government Coverage

  • Institutional knowledge: Our coverage demonstrates understanding of how federal government and Congress work
  • Watchdog role: We serve as a watchdog on federal agencies, Congress, and the administration
  • Access and independence: We maintain access to sources while preserving editorial independence
  • Documentation: We prioritize official documents, records, and firsthand observation
  • Accountability: We hold federal officials and agencies accountable to the public

Political Coverage

  • Partisan neutrality: Coverage of politics is fair to all parties and perspectives
  • DC local politics: We cover DC city government and statehood issues comprehensively
  • Federal politics: We provide in-depth coverage of congressional and executive branch activities
  • Campaign finance: We report on political fundraising and potential conflicts of interest
  • Election coverage: During elections, we provide equal opportunity for major candidates to present their views

Policy Reporting

  • Complexity and clarity: We explain complex policy issues in accessible language
  • Impact analysis: Policy stories explain real-world impacts on DC residents and Americans
  • Expert sources: Policy reporting includes qualified experts and affected stakeholders
  • Legislative process: We explain how legislation moves through Congress
  • Implementation: We follow policy from proposal through implementation and impact

Local Community Coverage

  • All eight wards: We provide coverage across all DC neighborhoods, not just downtown and NW
  • Gentrification and displacement: We cover housing and development issues with sensitivity to community impacts
  • DC statehood: We cover DC's unique political status and the statehood movement
  • Marion Barry legacy: We understand and provide context for DC's political history
  • Community voices: We actively seek voices from diverse and underrepresented neighborhoods

Business and Economic Reporting

  • Disclosure: Journalists covering business must disclose any financial interests that could affect their coverage
  • Federal contracts: We scrutinize federal contracting and procurement with appropriate skepticism
  • Lobbying: We cover lobbying and influence with transparency about money and access
  • Corporate relationships: We maintain independence from advertisers and business interests
  • Economic inequality: We cover economic disparities within DC

National Security and Defense

  • Verification standards: National security reporting requires rigorous verification
  • Classified information: We handle classified information responsibly and consult with editors and legal counsel
  • Source protection: We protect confidential sources, particularly in national security reporting
  • Public interest: Publication decisions weigh national security concerns against public interest
  • Government claims: We scrutinize government security claims with appropriate skepticism

Digital and Social Media

Online Standards

  • Same standards apply: Editorial standards apply equally to all platforms, including social media
  • Headlines: Headlines must be accurate and not misleading, even for digital engagement
  • Speed vs. accuracy: We prioritize accuracy over speed and update stories as new information becomes available
  • Corrections online: Online corrections are made clearly and transparently, with notation of what was changed

Social Media Conduct

  • Professional standards: Staff maintain professional standards on personal social media accounts
  • Political neutrality: Staff avoid partisan political activity on social media
  • Engagement: We engage respectfully with readers and critics on social media
  • Breaking news: Social media posts must meet the same verification standards as published articles

Use of AI and Technology

  • AI assistance: Artificial intelligence tools may be used to assist with research, editing, and content generation, but all content must be reviewed and verified by human editors
  • Disclosure: Significant use of AI in content creation or newsgathering must be disclosed to readers
  • Human oversight: Final editorial decisions and fact-checking remain the responsibility of human journalists
  • Transparency: We are transparent about our use of technology in the newsgathering and publishing process

Accountability

To Our Readers

  • Transparency: We explain our processes and decisions when readers have questions
  • Reader feedback: We welcome and respond to reader feedback and concerns
  • Complaints: Formal complaints are reviewed by senior editors and addressed promptly
  • Public editor: Readers may contact our editorial leadership with concerns about coverage

To Our Sources

  • Clarity: We are clear with sources about how their information will be used
  • Respect: We treat sources with respect, even when covering them critically
  • Promises: We honor commitments made to sources about attribution and timing
  • Protection: We protect confidential sources and take source protection seriously

To Our Profession

  • Ethical standards: We adhere to the highest standards of journalistic ethics
  • Continuous improvement: We regularly review and update our practices
  • Training: Staff receive ongoing training in journalistic standards and ethics
  • Industry leadership: We contribute to advancing journalism standards in Washington and nationally

These guidelines are living principles that evolve with our journalism. Questions about these guidelines should be directed to our editorial leadership.