Editorial policy

1. Sources. Stories are built on public and official records. When another news outlet reports something first, we treat it as a tip: we find the official record and write from that, never from their article. Every source is listed at the bottom of the story.

2. Credit. When a story was first reported by another outlet, we name that outlet and link to its report.

3. Accuracy. Every story is checked against its sources before publishing, and a story that fails the check is not published. Stories about crime, courts or elections are only published after a person has reviewed them.

4. Neutrality. We do not take sides or publish opinion.

5. Advertising. Paid content is always labelled 'Sponsored' or 'Advertisement' and kept separate from news. Advertisers never see stories before they are published and have no say in what we cover.

6. Corrections. If you spot an error, write to newsroom@thelocalecho.ca. Corrections are noted on the story.