Ethics & Standards
We ask the city to be transparent. These are the rules we hold ourselves to in return.
Independence
The Carnation's coverage is decided by its editors, full stop. No sponsor, advertiser, member, or civic partner reviews a story before publication or influences whether it runs. Advertising, listings, and sponsorship never guarantee or block editorial coverage. Funding keeps us alive; it does not buy a verdict.
Sponsored work is always labeled
When a feature is paid for, it carries a clear ‘Sponsored’ label on the page and in any share preview. We hold sponsored Spotlights to the same factual standard as our editorial, but we never let them masquerade as it.
Accuracy and corrections
We aim to get it right the first time and to fix it fast when we don't. Every correction is logged publicly, with the original error described plainly. We do not quietly edit the record.
Fairness and right of reply
When our reporting is critical of a person or business, we seek their response before publication and represent it fairly. People named in our stories can always reach the editors.
Sources and anonymity
We prefer named sources. We grant anonymity only when there is a real risk to someone for speaking, and we tell readers why a source is unnamed. Open Questions responses can be submitted anonymously by design.
Conflicts of interest
Our staff and contributors disclose any financial or personal stake in what they cover. When a conflict can't be avoided, we disclose it in the story or assign the piece to someone else.