Ethics, Accuracy and Corrections Policy
Inland Empire Community News (IECN) is an independent, locally owned news organization serving San Bernardino County and the greater Inland Empire. IECN publishes the Colton Courier, El Chicano and Rialto Record, as well as reporting through IECN.com, newsletters, social media and other digital platforms.
Our responsibility is to provide the communities we serve with accurate, fair, transparent and locally relevant journalism. This policy describes the standards IECN follows in gathering and publishing news and the steps we take when an error is identified.
Accuracy and Verification
IECN strives to publish information that is accurate, properly attributed and presented in context. Our reporters and editors are expected to take reasonable steps to verify information before publication.
Depending on the nature of the story, those steps may include:
- Confirming names, titles, dates, locations, statistics and other factual details.
- Reviewing public records, documents, recordings or other available evidence.
- Attributing information to identifiable and credible sources.
- Seeking confirmation from more than one source when a significant claim cannot be independently documented.
- Providing individuals or organizations facing substantial criticism or allegations with a reasonable opportunity to respond.
- Distinguishing verified facts from opinion, analysis or information that remains preliminary.
- Ensuring that headlines, photographs, captions and social media language accurately reflect the underlying reporting.
News can develop quickly, particularly during emergencies, criminal investigations and other breaking events. When information has not been fully confirmed, IECN will identify it as preliminary or attribute it to the agency, official or other source providing it. Stories may be updated as additional verified information becomes available.
Fairness and Transparency
IECN seeks to report with fairness, independence and respect for the communities we cover. We work to avoid misleading omissions, distortions and language that unfairly characterizes a person, organization or community.
When a story involves a dispute, controversy or serious criticism, IECN makes a good-faith effort to accurately represent the relevant positions. Fairness does not always require equal space for every viewpoint, but it does require that facts and responses be presented honestly and in appropriate context.
IECN generally identifies its sources so readers can assess the basis of the reporting. Anonymous sources may be used when the information is important to the public, the source has a legitimate reason to remain unnamed and IECN can sufficiently verify the information. An editor must know the source’s identity.
Information obtained from press releases, government statements, public records, community submissions or other outside materials will be attributed when appropriate. Submitted information may be edited for accuracy, clarity, length and style.
Conflicts of Interest and Paid Content
IECN journalists and editors should avoid financial, personal, political or organizational conflicts that could compromise—or reasonably appear to compromise—the fairness of our reporting.
When a relevant connection cannot reasonably be avoided, IECN will disclose it when the relationship is important for readers to understand the coverage.
IECN maintains a distinction between independent editorial reporting and paid advertising or sponsored content. Branded or sponsored content will be identified so readers can understand that it was produced as part of a paid partnership. An advertising relationship does not guarantee favorable independent news coverage or prevent IECN from reporting on matters of legitimate public interest.
Opinion columns, editorials, letters to the editor and similar commentary will be labeled or otherwise presented in a way that distinguishes them from reported news.
Corrections and Clarifications
IECN corrects confirmed factual errors promptly and transparently.
Readers, sources and community members may report a possible error through the Contact Us page on IECN.com. Requests should identify the article or publication, the specific information believed to be incorrect and, when available, documentation or other evidence supporting the requested correction.
When a potential error is brought to our attention, IECN editorial leadership will:
- Review the published report and the available notes, records, recordings or source material.
- Contact the reporter, source or affected party when additional verification is needed.
- Determine whether the report contains a factual error, requires clarification or should be updated.
- Make the appropriate change as promptly as reasonably possible.
Correction requests are evaluated based on verifiable facts. A disagreement with the framing, tone or conclusions of accurate reporting does not by itself require a correction.
How Corrections Are Published
For digital articles, confirmed factual errors will be corrected in the article. When an error is substantive, IECN will add a correction note explaining what was inaccurate and what was changed. Minor spelling, punctuation, formatting or typographical errors that do not affect the meaning of a report may be corrected without a formal notice.
For print editions, substantive errors will be corrected in an upcoming edition as soon as reasonably practicable. The correction will identify the original report and provide the accurate information.
When a significant error appears in a headline, photograph, caption, newsletter or social media post, IECN will correct or replace the material when possible. When appropriate, IECN may publish a separate correction or follow-up notice.
An update adds new information to a report that was accurate when published. A clarification provides additional context or makes accurate information easier to understand. A correction addresses information that was inaccurate when published. These notices will be used when appropriate to help readers understand the nature of a change.
Accountability
IECN welcomes good-faith questions and feedback about the accuracy, fairness and transparency of our journalism.
To request a correction, please include:
- The headline or subject of the report.
- The publication date, if known.
- A link to the online article, when available.
- The specific information believed to be inaccurate.
- The corrected information and any supporting evidence.
Requests may be submitted through the Contact Us page at IECN.com.
This policy applies to news published by Inland Empire Community News through the Colton Courier, El Chicano, Rialto Record, IECN.com and IECN-operated digital platforms.
