Editorial Standards & Ethics

The Blue Ridge Times believes that news organizations must build a bond of trust and credibility with readers. A key building block of this trust is maintaining levels of accuracy, transparency, and fairness, and here are some key ways that the Blue Ridge Times protects this trust: 

• The Blue Ridge Times will only publish information that we believe is true and accurate. It is not enough to simply “know” what’s going on. 

• The Blue Ridge Times will strive to rely on firsthand knowledge and verify claims. Anonymous sources will be used as last resort. 

• The Blue Ridge Times acknowledges that the “press” has no special “right” to break the law in pursuit of a story. We believe that knowingly violating the law in pursuit of a story is wholly unethical. 

• The Blue Ridge Times respects privacy interests. We avoid publishing salacious personal information as “click bait” and believe matters involving an individual’s public life should be treated with good taste. We recognize legal access to information different from an ethical justification to publish or broadcast. 

• All complaints about a story’s accuracy or fairness should be taken seriously. If a someone believes a piece is unfair or inaccurate they can email info@theblueridgetimes.com. If a correction is warranted, it will be published as soon as possible. A serious correction will be highlighted at the top of the story. 

• Published articles are labeled appropriately between news and opinion. News articles are labelled as news, and if informed opinion is provided it is clearly labelled. Additionally, pieces that are wholly opinion pieces are labeled “opinion.”