West Virginia Explorer is committed to producing journalism that serves readers first. Our credibility depends on maintaining editorial independence, avoiding improper influence, and being transparent about relationships that could reasonably raise questions about our work.
These principles apply to news reporting, features, photography, commentary, and other editorial content produced by the West Virginia Explorer newsroom.
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions at West Virginia Explorer are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, tourism organizations, government agencies, political organizations, businesses, and other outside interests.
Financial support, advertising relationships, access to sources, or other commercial considerations do not determine whether we cover a subject or how we report it.
Advertisers and sponsors do not have the right to review, approve, alter, or suppress independent editorial coverage.
West Virginia Explorer may cover businesses, destinations, organizations, public agencies, and individuals with which the publication has professional or commercial relationships when those subjects are newsworthy. Such relationships do not entitle an organization to favorable coverage or exempt it from critical reporting.
Advertising and Editorial Separation
West Virginia Explorer maintains a strict separation between advertising and independent journalism.
Advertising relationships do not influence newsroom decisions. Advertisers do not determine whether West Virginia Explorer covers a subject, how it reports a story, or the conclusions its journalists and editors reach.
West Virginia Explorer does not sell sponsored articles, paid editorial coverage, favorable reviews, or placement in independent news and feature stories.
Advertising is clearly distinguishable from editorial content. The purchase or absence of advertising does not entitle any person, business, organization, destination, or government agency to favorable coverage, nor does it exempt them from critical or unfavorable reporting when warranted.
West Virginia Explorer’s editorial staff retains sole authority over newsroom coverage and editorial decisions.
Conflicts of Interest
Journalists and editors should avoid financial, professional, political, or personal relationships that could compromise—or reasonably appear to compromise—their independence.
If a potential conflict cannot be avoided and the information remains in the public interest, West Virginia Explorer may disclose the relationship to readers.
Writers should not use their editorial positions to obtain personal favors, preferential treatment, financial benefits, or other advantages unrelated to legitimate newsgathering.
Political and Advocacy Independence
West Virginia Explorer is not affiliated with any political party or candidate, and it does not produce independent news coverage to advance the interests of political campaigns, elected officials, advocacy organizations, or ideological movements.
Journalists covering political or public-policy issues should approach competing claims fairly, seek reliable evidence, and distinguish verifiable facts from opinion or advocacy.
West Virginia Explorer may publish commentary or analysis when appropriate, but such material should be clearly distinguishable from straight news reporting.
Gifts, Travel, and Complimentary Access
Journalists may occasionally receive press access, review materials, admission, transportation, lodging, meals, or other accommodations when necessary or customary for legitimate reporting.
These arrangements do not guarantee coverage or favorable treatment.
When complimentary travel, accommodations, or other substantial assistance is directly relevant to a story and could reasonably affect a reader’s assessment of the reporting, West Virginia Explorer may disclose the assistance.
Staff members should not solicit or accept significant gifts or benefits intended to influence editorial decisions.
Sources and Fairness
West Virginia Explorer seeks information from knowledgeable, relevant sources and strives to present facts in their proper context.
Sources should be identified whenever practical. Anonymous sources may be used when the information is important, the source has a legitimate reason for confidentiality, and editors are satisfied that the information is credible.
Individuals and organizations subject to significant criticism should generally be given a reasonable opportunity to respond when circumstances permit.
Editorial independence does not require false balance. West Virginia Explorer seeks fairness and accuracy while giving appropriate weight to evidence and established facts.
Outside Material and Attribution
West Virginia Explorer respects the work of other journalists, researchers, historians, photographers, public agencies, and institutions.
Information derived substantially from another source should be properly attributed. Quotations, photographs, documents, research, and other material are used in accordance with applicable journalistic standards, copyright requirements, licenses, and permissions.
Press releases and other promotional materials may provide leads or factual information, but West Virginia Explorer strives to independently report, verify, contextualize, or supplement such material when publishing it as journalism.
Editorial and Business Roles
As an independent publication, West Virginia Explorer may have members whose responsibilities extend beyond traditional newsroom functions. The publication recognizes that this can create conflicts and therefore places particular importance on transparency and editorial judgment.
Business relationships, advertising activities, or outside professional interests should not dictate independent news coverage.
When an outside relationship is sufficiently relevant that readers could reasonably question a journalist’s independence, West Virginia Explorer will consider disclosure, reassignment, additional editorial review, or other appropriate measures.
Corrections and Accountability
Editorial independence includes accountability for our work.
When West Virginia Explorer makes a significant factual error, we promptly and transparently correct it under our Corrections & Clarifications Policy.
Questions about accuracy, fairness, ethics, or potential conflicts of interest may be submitted to the West Virginia Explorer newsroom for review.
Our Responsibility to Readers
West Virginia Explorer’s first editorial obligation is to its readers and to the integrity of the information we publish.
We believe independent journalism requires more than freedom from outside interference. It also requires sound judgment, transparency, fairness, verification, and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes.
These principles guide our newsroom as we report on the people, places, institutions, history, culture, economy, environment, and issues that shape West Virginia.
Our newsroom practices are also informed by widely recognized professional journalism principles, including the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics.