These standards govern work prepared for NorthScope News. Accuracy, useful context and accountability come before speed.
Evidence and sourcing
Use original documents, official data and direct accounts where available. Link to the material supporting substantive claims, and check names, dates, figures, units and quotations against that material. Explain when evidence is incomplete, disputed or subject to revision.
A government statement or company announcement establishes what its author says; it does not independently prove every assertion. Attribute claims, distinguish selected projects from completed work, and distinguish proposed rules from rules in force. Seek corroboration and relevant responses when the story calls for them.
Original work and attribution
Write original summaries and explanations. Credit other publications when relying on their reporting, and add useful context rather than reproducing their work. Never invent people, quotations, interviews, credentials, sources or on-the-ground observations.
Clear article labels and bylines
Separate factual news, analysis, opinion and explainers. Identify named contributors accurately. A NorthScope News byline identifies publication-level work, not an undisclosed individual reporter. An article must explain material limitations in how it was prepared.
AI assistance and editorial review
AI may assist with organising research, drafting, editing and creating clearly labelled illustrations. Disclose material AI assistance. The responsible human editor or publisher must review sources, facts, context and final wording before an article is released to the public. AI output is not itself a source.
Photographs, illustrations and graphics
Use images with a documented licence, permission or public-domain basis. Credit the creator and source as required. Distinguish file photographs from images of the specific event, and give relevant dates or context. Label conceptual and AI-generated illustrations; never present them as documentary photographs. Charts must identify their data source and avoid misleading scales.
Dates and corrections
Use the actual publication date. Show an updated date only for a substantive revision, and explain material changes where readers need the context. Correct significant factual errors with a dated note. See our corrections policy.
Commercial transparency and conflicts
Clearly label advertising, sponsorship, paid partnerships and affiliate relationships wherever they appear. Keep commercial material distinguishable from editorial coverage. Disclose relevant financial or personal conflicts that could affect a reader’s assessment of a story.
Reader accountability
Readers can contact the publication to question a source, request a correction or raise a concern about these standards. Include the article link and the supporting evidence so the issue can be reviewed.
