Intrusion into private lives should always be justified by legitimate public interest. While our first goal is to gather and report news, we do so with sensitivity and with respect for the privacy of people who find themselves in newsworthy situations. Staff members normally should identify themselves as representatives of the State Journal. This is particularly important when interviewing or photographing ordinary citizens, who should be aware they may be quoted or depicted in the newspaper. Any cause for concealing one's identity when gathering news should be discussed in advance with a department or senior editor.
Plagiarism is dishonest and unacceptable.
When we determine we have published inaccurate information, we run prompt corrections. State Journal staffers should be accountable for their reports, and readers or other affected people should be offered a reasonable opportunity to reply. Complaints of inaccuracy that are not satisfactorily resolved by the reader and the originating staff member must be handled by the staff member's supervisor. Instances in which an entire story is based upon a confidential source will be rare. No such sources may be used except when the public has a compelling interest in the material and there is no other way to get it.