Our Commitment
Mineral King Publishing exists to provide accurate, fair, independent and trustworthy journalism to the communities we serve. We believe local journalism is a public service, and we are committed to earning and maintaining the trust of our readers through ethical reporting, transparency and accountability.
Our newsroom follows the principles outlined in the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, which encourages journalists to:
- Seek truth and report it.
- Minimize harm.
- Act independently.
- Be accountable and transparent.
These principles guide every stage of our reporting and publishing process.
Accuracy and Fairness
We strive to publish information that is accurate, verified and presented in its proper context.
Our reporters make every reasonable effort to:
- Verify facts before publication.
- Attribute information to reliable sources.
- Seek comment from individuals or organizations who are the subject of significant criticism or allegations.
- Distinguish between verified facts, analysis and opinion.
- Correct factual errors promptly and transparently when they occur.
Because journalism is often produced under deadline, information may evolve after publication. When new verified information becomes available, we update our reporting accordingly.
Independence
Mineral King Publishing maintains editorial independence from advertisers, donors, political organizations and outside interests.
Editorial decisions are made solely by the newsroom and are not influenced by advertising relationships, financial considerations or personal interests.
Our journalists avoid conflicts of interest whenever possible and disclose unavoidable conflicts when appropriate.
Transparency
We believe readers deserve to understand how our journalism is produced.
When appropriate, we explain:
- How information was obtained.
- Why anonymous sources were used.
- When stories have been updated after publication.
- Why editorial decisions were made in matters of significant public interest.
If information cannot be independently verified, we will clearly communicate that limitation to readers.
Respect for Sources and the Public
Our reporting seeks to minimize unnecessary harm while fulfilling our responsibility to inform the public.
We strive to:
- Treat interview subjects with dignity and respect.
- Show compassion toward victims of crime and tragedy.
- Exercise special care when reporting on children and vulnerable individuals.
- Avoid sensationalism.
- Respect privacy except where outweighed by legitimate public interest.
Opinion and News
News reporting and opinion content serve different purposes.
News stories are intended to present verified facts and balanced reporting.
Editorials, opinion columns and guest commentaries represent the views of their respective authors and are clearly identified as opinion.
Use of Anonymous Sources
Whenever possible, we identify the sources of information used in our reporting.
Anonymous sources may be used only when:
- The information is newsworthy and cannot reasonably be obtained otherwise.
- The source faces legitimate risk for providing the information.
- Editors understand the identity of the source and have assessed the source’s credibility.
Anonymous sources are not used simply to avoid accountability.
Artificial Intelligence
Mineral King Publishing may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with certain newsroom functions, including research, transcription, data organization and other production tasks.
Journalists remain responsible for verifying all facts before publication. AI-generated content is reviewed by human editors prior to publication and is never considered a substitute for editorial judgment or original reporting.
Corrections Policy
Accuracy is fundamental to our mission. Despite careful reporting and editing, mistakes can occur.
When we determine that a factual error has been published, we will correct it as promptly as reasonably possible.
Corrections may include:
- Correcting factual inaccuracies within the article.
- Adding an editor’s note explaining a significant correction.
- Updating headlines or captions when necessary.
- Clarifying language that could reasonably mislead readers.
We generally do not remove published articles unless legally required or under extraordinary circumstances. Instead, we favor correcting and updating the public record.
Requests to correct factual errors should include:
- A link to the article (if available).
- A description of the alleged error.
- Supporting documentation or evidence, when possible.
Correction requests may be submitted by emailing: editor@thesungazette.com
Every request is reviewed by our editorial staff. We investigate all credible correction requests and determine whether a correction, clarification or no action is warranted based on the available evidence.
Not every disagreement over wording, interpretation or editorial judgment constitutes a factual error. Decisions regarding corrections remain the responsibility of Mineral King Publishing’s editorial leadership.
Accountability
We welcome feedback from readers and believe accountability strengthens journalism.
Questions regarding our reporting, editorial standards or corrections may be directed to: editor@thesungazette.com
Our goal is to continually improve our journalism through transparency, accuracy and a commitment to serving the public interest.