Editorial standards

Accuracy comes before speed. Attribution should be clear, factual claims should be supported by appropriate evidence, and meaningful errors should not be quietly rewritten or removed.

Sourcing

Reports should rely on identifiable primary documents, direct statements, on-the-record interviews, public records, official data, or other credible sources appropriate to the claim.

When The American Desk relies materially on reporting first published by another news organization, that publication should be clearly attributed. Whenever practical, important or disputed claims should be verified through more than one reliable source.

Anonymous sourcing should be used sparingly and only when the information is important, the source is in a position to know it, and there is a legitimate reason the source cannot be identified publicly.

Automation and AI

Automated systems and artificial intelligence may assist with news monitoring, transcription, organization, source comparison, summarization, research, and drafting.

AI-generated material should not be treated as a source. Factual claims should be supported by identifiable underlying sources. Sensitive, disputed, or consequential claims should receive additional editorial review before publication.

Automation should not be used to invent quotes, facts, sources, reactions, or certainty that the available evidence does not support.

Corrections and updates

Substantive factual errors should be corrected promptly and transparently. When a correction materially changes the meaning of an article, a correction or editor's note should explain what changed.

Developing stories may be updated as new information becomes available. Significant developments or corrections should be identified rather than silently replacing earlier reporting.

Routine spelling, grammar, formatting, or style edits that do not materially change meaning do not require a correction note.

News and opinion

News reporting and opinion should be clearly labeled and presented as separate editorial products.

News coverage should distinguish verified facts from allegations, analysis, predictions, and opinion. Disputed claims should be attributed to the person or organization making them.

Conflicts and independence

Editorial decisions should not be influenced by advertisers, sponsors, business relationships, or personal interests.

Sponsored or paid material should be clearly labeled and should not be presented as independent news coverage.