Editorial Standards

The Maricopa Meridian holds itself to professional journalistic standards. This document explains how our newsroom operates and how we make decisions about our coverage.

ACCURACY

We verify facts before publication and seek documentary evidence whenever possible. Reporters must have at least two independent sources for any disputed claim. When we are wrong, we say so promptly and without qualification, and we explain what has been corrected.

SOURCING

We name our sources whenever possible so readers can evaluate credibility for themselves. When a source requests anonymity, an editor must approve it, and the reason must be documented on the record internally. We do not grant anonymity to sources making attacks on others or airing personal grievances.

CORRECTIONS

Corrections are published at the top of the original story and noted in the print edition when applicable. We do not delete errors silently or obscure what was wrong. We distinguish corrections for factual errors from clarifications that address incomplete or potentially misleading framing.

CONFLICTS OF INTEREST

Staff may not cover organizations, companies or individuals in which they have a financial or personal interest. Outside employment, freelance work and board memberships must be disclosed to editors and may limit assignments. We do not accept gifts of value from sources or subjects of coverage, beyond items of nominal value such as basic documents.

OPINION LABELING

Opinion columns, editorials and letters to the editor are clearly labeled and visually distinct from news reporting. Columnists speak for themselves, not for the institution. The editorial board speaks for The Maricopa Meridian as an institution, and neither the board nor columnists speak for the newsroom.

ANONYMOUS SOURCES

Anonymous sources are used only when the information is of significant public interest and cannot be obtained in any other way. We will tell readers as much as possible about why a source is protected and how we know what they say is reliable. Anonymity is never granted in exchange for favorable coverage or to shield a source from accountability.

PUBLIC RECORDS

The Maricopa Meridian actively files public records requests at the local, county and state level to inform our reporting. We publish records in full when doing so serves the public interest and does not compromise legitimate privacy or safety concerns. We do not pay for records beyond statutory fees allowed under Arizona law.

FAIRNESS

Subjects of negative coverage are contacted for comment before publication, with adequate time to respond whenever possible. Their responses and relevant context are included in the story. We apply the same scrutiny to all parties regardless of political affiliation, public standing or relationship to the paper, and we strive to reflect the broader community in our reporting.

EDITORIAL AND ADVERTISING SEPARATION

Advertisers have no influence over news coverage, story selection or editorial positions. The business and editorial departments operate independently, with separate reporting lines. Sponsored content is clearly labeled, visually distinct and produced separately from the newsroom, and advertising relationships do not affect our journalism.

For questions about these standards, readers may contact the editor at editor@maricopameridian.com.