WE ARE COMMITTED TO:

Seeking and reporting the truth in a truthful way

• We will dedicate ourselves to reporting the news accurately, thoroughly and in context.
• We will be honest in the way we gather, report and present news.
• We will be persistent in the pursuit of the whole story.
• We will keep our word.
• We will hold factual information in opinion columns and editorials to the same standards of accuracy as news stories.
• We will seek to gain sufficient understanding of the communities, individuals and stories we cover to provide an informed account of activities.

Serving the public interest

• We will uphold First Amendment principles to serve the democratic process.
• We will be vigilant watchdogs of government and institutions that affect the public.
• We will provide the news and information that people need to function as effective citizens.
• We will seek solutions as well as expose problems and wrongdoing.
• We will provide a public forum for diverse people and views.
• We will reflect and encourage understanding of the diverse segments of our community.
• We will provide editorial and community leadership.
• We will seek to promote understanding of complex issues.

Exercising fair play

• We will treat people with dignity, respect and compassion.
• We will correct errors promptly.
• We will strive to include all sides relevant to a story and not take sides in news coverage.
• We will explain to readers our journalistic processes.
• We will give particular attention to fairness in relations with people unaccustomed to dealing with the press.
• We will use unnamed sources as the sole basis for published information only as a last resort and under specified procedures that best serve the public's right to know.
• We will be accessible to readers.

Maintaining independence

• We will remain free of outside interests, investments or business relationships that may compromise the credibility of our news report.
• We will maintain an impartial, arm's length relationship with anyone seeking to influence the news.
• We will avoid potential conflicts of interest and eliminate inappropriate influence on content.
• We will be free of improper obligations to news sources, newsmakers and advertisers.
• We will differentiate advertising from news.

Acting with Integrity

• We will act honorably and ethically in dealing with news sources, the public and our colleagues.
• We will obey the law.
• We will observe common standards of decency.
• We will take responsibility for our decisions and consider the possible consequences of our actions.
• We will be conscientious in observing these Principles.
• We will always try to do the right thing.

If you have questions or would like to talk with someone about these principles, contact our executive editor, Bob Stover at 321-242-3607 or by e-mail.