POLICIES & STANDARDS

Ethics Policy

These guidelines are designed to steer the journalism of Wick & Company News Media as we report in an ever-evolving media landscape. We view these policies as a “living document” that will be updated and refined in response to input from our journalists, readers, and our evolving needs. Due to the varied nature of how news is gathered and reported, these guidelines should not be considered strict rules, nor should they be interpreted as covering every possible situation.

Conflict of Interest

Wick & Company News Media is committed to avoiding conflicts of interest or even the appearance of a conflict whenever possible. Our policies in this area may be more restrictive than those typically found in private business. Specifically:

• We pay our own way.
  We do not accept gifts, free trips, or preferential treatment from news sources. Occasional meals may be accepted, but only if they are infrequent and not intended to influence coverage. Invitations to paid events (except for press events) are prohibited, unless the tickets are specifically intended for journalistic purposes (e.g., critics’ review seats). We will pay for such tickets whenever possible.
• We do not accept payment from specific groups.
  We do not accept honoraria or expenses from governments, political groups, or organizations with positions on controversial issues. Journalists should also refrain from accepting payments from any person, company, or group they cover. This includes avoiding financial ties to entities that lobby government or seek to influence public policy. Exceptions may apply to organizations like educational institutions or professional groups, but only if the journalist is not involved in their coverage.
• Freelance assignments and honoraria should not be accepted if they could be seen as hidden gratuities or create an obligation to the source. We aim to maintain journalistic independence by minimizing ties to news subjects and special interests.
• Political neutrality.
  We avoid active participation in political, social, or partisan causes that might compromise our ability to report impartially. Although family members’ affiliations and professional activities are not subject to our newsroom policies, their involvement in political or controversial causes must be disclosed to department heads.

Fairness

Wick & Company News Media is committed to fairness in our reporting. While absolute objectivity may be debated, fairness is an achievable goal that guides our journalism. Fairness means:

• Completeness – A fair story presents all significant facts.
• Relevance – It includes only facts that are pertinent, avoiding distractions or irrelevant details.
• Honesty – We strive for clarity and accuracy, ensuring our reporting does not deceive or mislead.
• Opportunity for response – A fair story provides individuals or organizations the chance to comment on any claims made about them.

Taste

We respect the evolving concepts of taste and decency in society. While language and sensitivities may change over time, Wick & Company News Media aims to avoid sensationalism and obscenity. We will only use offensive language or graphic content when essential to the story’s context and meaning.

• Obscenities and offensive material may only be used with prior approval from executive or managing editors.
• Content warnings should be applied when potentially offensive material is included in reporting, and we will not link to sites that promote illegal activities. Legal consultation should be sought when unsure about content.

Opinion and Analysis

Wick & Company News Media maintains a clear separation between news coverage and editorial opinion. News pages present facts; editorial and “op-ed” pages express viewpoints. However, the following types of content may appear in the news section when appropriately labeled:

• Analysis – Interpretation of events based on evidence, including data, and predictions based on past occurrences.
• Perspective – Personal accounts or viewpoints on the news, including individual experiences.
• Opinion – Columns or blogs that express a specific viewpoint, typically in the Opinion section.
• Review – Professional critiques of services, products, performances, or works of art.

Social Media

Social media is a powerful tool for reporting and audience engagement but must be used with care. Wick & Company News Media journalists should ensure their social media presence aligns with the company’s reputation for journalistic integrity and neutrality.

• Editorial Independence – Journalists should not use social media to promote personal views, political causes, or advocate for policies covered by their newsroom.
• Civility and Professionalism – Online conduct should reflect the same professionalism expected in the newsroom. Disputes or criticisms of colleagues, sources, or competitors should not be aired on social media.
• Conflict of Interest – Personal advocacy on social media should be avoided, particularly in areas related to Wick & Company News Media’s coverage. This does not apply to opinion journalists (e.g., columnists, critics) who are expected to express views in their work.

Before posting, journalists should ask themselves whether the content might damage the integrity or reputation of Wick & Company News Media. If in doubt, don’t post.

Employee Conduct and Confidentiality

Journalists should not use their affiliation with Wick & Company News Media for personal gain or self-promotion. Public airing of internal discussions or confidential editorial matters, such as story plans or unpublished content, is prohibited.

Journalists should also refrain from using social media to disparage individuals or organizations, endorse products, or criticize companies. If an internal issue arises, staff should consult newsroom leadership before responding publicly.

Protection of Journalists

Wick & Company News Media is committed to the safety and well-being of its journalists. We will support staff members facing harassment or threats online and will work with them to protect their safety and reputation. If you receive threatening messages or experience online harassment, report the issue immediately to security and the deputy managing editor for news operations.

Scope of Policy

This policy complies with all applicable federal, state, and local laws, including Section 7 of the National Labor Relations Act. It does not restrict employees from engaging in activities protected by law, such as concerted activities or union organizing.

If you have any questions or need further clarification on any aspect of this policy, please contact the deputy managing editor for news operations or the newsroom standards editors.

National and Community Interest

At Wick & Company News Media, we are deeply committed to serving both national and community interests. We believe that these interests are best served through the broadest possible dissemination of accurate and relevant information. However, a claim of national interest made by a federal official does not automatically align with what is truly in the national interest. Similarly, a claim of community interest by a local official does not necessarily reflect the broader or deeper community interest.

The Role of Journalists

In an era dominated by the internet and instant access to information, it is increasingly challenging for journalists to maintain a clear distinction between reporting the news and becoming part of the story. However, we remain steadfast in our belief that reporters must strive to stay in the background — as stagehands rather than stars. Their job is to report the news, not to create it.

Journalists at Wick & Company News Media must also adhere to the highest ethical standards in their work. This includes never misrepresenting their identity or occupation. A reporter must always identify themselves as a journalist, never as a police officer, doctor, or anything else.

Verification, Fact-Checking, and Correction Standards

Verification and Fact-Checking

Wick & Company News Media holds its reporters responsible for ensuring the accuracy of their reporting. Every story undergoes a thorough review and fact-checking process. Stories are first reviewed by assignment editors — department heads and their teams — who work closely with reporters to develop and refine stories. This is followed by a second-level review from multiplatform editors who focus on the overall quality and accuracy of the reporting. Senior editors then provide final oversight before publication in both digital and print formats. The scope and depth of editorial review vary based on factors such as complexity, sensitivity, and timing.

Corrections Policy

At Wick & Company News Media, we prioritize accuracy and strive to promptly correct any errors. When corrections, clarifications, or editor’s notes are issued, our goal is to be transparent, providing clear explanations of what was wrong and what has been corrected. Readers should always understand the nature of the error and the steps taken to rectify it.

Digital Updates
In the digital age, our stories evolve as we refine and improve them. We don’t include notes stating that a story has been updated unless the new information is significant or warrants special attention. However, if an article is corrected, clarified, or updated for accuracy, we will clearly inform readers with a correction, clarification, or editor’s note.

Types of Corrections

• Corrections: If there is a substantial error, such as a factual mistake in an article, we will publish a correction explaining the error and its correction.
• Clarifications: These are used when our story is factually accurate but the language or presentation is unclear or lacks sufficient detail. Clarifications may also be used if new information was later added to the story.
• Editor’s Notes: In cases where the story’s substance or ethical integrity is in question, or if the article fails to meet our editorial standards, an editor’s note may be added with an explanation. Other Corrections Practices
• If readers point out errors in the comments, we will acknowledge the correction in the comment section.
• If an error is made in a news alert or on social media, we will issue a correction on the same platform.
• We will not attribute blame to individual reporters or editors but may note that an error occurred due to a production issue or misinformation from an external source. Take-Down Requests

Given the permanent nature of online publication, we occasionally receive requests to remove (or “unpublish”) stories. As a policy, we do not grant such requests unless there is a clear and compelling reason, such as the need to correct a significant inaccuracy. If someone requests the removal of a story, we will assess whether a correction or follow-up report is warranted. We do not remove content as if it had never been published, but we are always open to updates or corrections when fairness requires it. Additionally, take-down requests for content involving personal data will only be considered if there is a threat of physical harm.

Policy on Sources

Wick & Company News Media values transparency in its reporting, especially in terms of disclosing the sources of information. We believe that the public deserves to know where and how we gather our information to ensure that our reporting is credible, fair, and complete.

Confidential Sources

While we prefer to use named sources, we recognize that there are occasions where granting anonymity is necessary to uncover important information. However, anonymity is not granted lightly. We only use confidential sources when it is essential for providing better reporting, such as when revealing the source’s identity could endanger them or lead to professional retaliation.

Editors must always know the identity of confidential sources. Journalists should also strive to verify information from confidential sources with at least one additional independent source whenever possible. Single-source reporting should only be done after careful consideration and approval from senior editorial staff.

Handling Sources

When using sources, it is our responsibility to treat them fairly. This means placing their statements in context and quoting them accurately. We must also give subjects of our stories ample opportunity to respond, and we do not promise sources that we will refrain from further verification or investigation.

We will not publish ad hominem remarks or anonymous personal attacks, and we avoid “blind quotes” that serve only to add color without contributing meaningful information. In rare cases where we use partial names for identification, we will provide a clear explanation to readers.

Attribution and Plagiarism

We maintain a strict policy against plagiarism. All external sources, whether from other media or wire services, must be properly attributed. Our readers should always be able to distinguish between what was directly reported by our staff and what comes from outside sources. Additionally, any significant contributions from freelancers or other staff members will be credited properly, ensuring transparency.

Diversity Policy

Diversity is central to the mission of Wick & Company News Media. We believe that journalism must reflect the diversity of society, both in terms of the stories we cover and the people we quote. This commitment includes engaging voices from various backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives to ensure our reporting is as inclusive as possible.

Our annual diversity report, which provides insights into our progress, is available for review.

AI Policy

Wick & Company News Media embraces innovation, including the responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI). We apply AI as a tool to support our reporting by enhancing research, translating content, or processing large amounts of information, while maintaining our commitment to accuracy and transparency. AI will not be used to create or alter visual content without clear disclosure.

We are committed to ensuring that AI tools are used in line with our journalistic standards, and that our staff plays a key role in vetting and contextualizing AI-generated content. We aim to use these technologies in ways that enhance, rather than replace, the value of human journalism.

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