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Editorial Standards

How a story reaches the page — and what we do when we get something wrong.

01 — Decide What the Piece Is

Before writing begins, we consider what kind of piece a story is: personal narrative, reader-submitted account, or feature. This shapes how it’s developed and reviewed.

02 — Check What Can Be Checked

Where a story includes factual claims, we check what can reasonably be checked before publication.

03 — Edit for the Reader, Not the Click

Editing decisions prioritize clarity and honesty for the reader over sensational framing.

04 — Keep the Record Afterward

We aim to keep a record of significant edits made after initial publication.

05 — When We Get Something Wrong

Mistakes happen. When we identify or are told about a factual or significant error, we take it seriously and review it.

06 — How Corrections Work

Confirmed material errors are corrected. Depending on the nature of the error, we may update the piece and note that a correction was made.

07 — How Automation and AI Are Used

Software and AI tools may assist with drafting, editing, organizing, or other production tasks. Automation supports our workflow; it does not replace editorial review or responsibility.

08 — Reaching a Person

If you have a concern about a specific story, you can reach us via the Contact page under Editorial & Corrections. We aim to make sure a person reviews reports of factual or significant errors.