Editorial Guidelines

At Arizona Watcher, our editorial guidelines are the backbone of everything we publish. These standards exist to protect our readers, our sources, and the integrity of our journalism. Every member of our team - from reporters to editors - is expected to uphold these principles without exception.

1. Accuracy & Verification

Accuracy is non-negotiable. Before any information is published, it must be verified through at least two independent and reliable sources. We do not publish unverified claims, rumors, or speculation as fact.

• All statistics, data, and figures must be traced back to their original source
• Documents referenced in stories must be reviewed firsthand by the reporter
• If a claim cannot be verified in time, we wait - we do not rush accuracy for the sake of speed
• Any information provided by a single source must be clearly noted in the story

If we get something wrong, we fix it. Corrections are published promptly, prominently, and without excuses. See our Corrections Policy below.

2. Independence & Conflicts of Interest

Arizona Watcher operates free from political, corporate, and advertiser influence. Our editorial decisions are made exclusively by our editors based on newsworthiness and public interest.

• No advertiser, donor, or sponsor may influence editorial content in any way.
• Staff members must disclose any personal, financial, or political relationships that could create a conflict of interest with a story they are covering.
• Reporters may not cover organizations, companies, or individuals they have a personal or financial relationship with.
• Arizona Watcher journalists may not accept gifts, travel, meals, or anything of value from sources, PR firms, or organizations they cover.
• Staff members are discouraged from publicly expressing strong political opinions, particularly on issues they cover.

If a conflict of interest arises, the reporter must immediately notify their editor and be reassigned from the story.

3. Fairness & Balance

We are committed to presenting all sides of a story fairly and without favoritism. This does not mean false equivalence - giving equal weight to fringe or disproven positions - but it does mean that all parties affected by or relevant to a story have a right to respond before publication.

• All individuals or organizations criticized or implicated in a story must be given a reasonable opportunity to comment before publication
• Responses must be sought in a timely manner and followed up on if no reply is received
• When reporting on contested issues, we present the full range of credible perspectives
• Opinion and analysis pieces are clearly labeled and kept separate from news reporting

4. Transparency

Our readers have the right to understand how our journalism is produced. We are open about our methods, our sources, and our funding.

• We clearly distinguish between news, opinion, analysis, and sponsored content
• When we use anonymous sources, we explain to readers why anonymity was granted and what steps we took to verify the information
• We do not alter quotes. Minor grammatical edits for clarity are permitted only with the approval of the source
• We disclose when Arizona Watcher has a financial or organizational relationship relevant to a story

5. Source Guidelines

Our sources are our most valuable asset. We protect them and treat them with respect.

• Reporters must clearly identify themselves as journalists from Arizona Watcher before conducting interviews
• We do not use deceptive methods to obtain information except in rare cases of significant public interest, and only with prior editorial approval
• Confidential sources are granted anonymity only when the information is vital to the public interest and cannot be obtained any other way
• The identity of confidential sources is known only to the reporter and the Editor-in-Chief, and is never disclosed without the source's explicit consent
• We do not pay sources for information

6. Reporting on Vulnerable Communities

Arizona Watcher covers communities that have historically been underserved or misrepresented in the media, including Indigenous communities, border communities, and low-income neighborhoods. We approach this reporting with care, respect, and cultural awareness.

• We do not publish the names or identifying information of minors without parental consent, except in rare cases of significant public interest approved by the Editor-in-Chief
• We follow established guidelines when reporting on suicide, mental health, and trauma, prioritizing the wellbeing of individuals over sensationalism
• When reporting on Indigenous communities, we seek input and partnership from community members and leaders rather than reporting from the outside looking in
• We avoid language and framing that stereotypes, demeans, or dehumanizes any individual or group

7. Social Media Standards

Arizona Watcher journalists represent our outlet both on and off the clock. The following standards apply to all staff social media activity:

• Do not share unverified information, even informally, on personal social media accounts
• Do not express strong political opinions on issues you cover as a reporter
• Clearly distinguish between personal opinions and Arizona Watcher's editorial positions
• Do not engage in online arguments with sources, subjects of coverage, or readers
• Breaking news should be published on Arizona Watcher's platforms first, before being shared personally

8. Use of Artificial Intelligence

Arizona Watcher recognizes that AI tools are increasingly present in newsrooms. Our policy is as follows:

• AI may be used as a research aid or writing tool, but all content published under an Arizona Watcher byline must be written, reviewed, and verified by a human journalist
• AI-generated content must never be published without full editorial review and fact-checking
• Reporters must disclose to their editor if AI tools were used in the production of a story
• We do not use AI-generated images to illustrate news stories without clearly labeling them as such

9. Corrections Policy

Accuracy is our standard. When we fall short of it, we own it.

• Corrections are published as soon as an error is identified and confirmed
• Corrections appear at the top of the original article, clearly labeled
• We do not silently edit published articles to remove errors without publishing a correction notice
• Significant errors that affect the meaning or substance of a story may result in a full retraction, published with a detailed explanation

To submit a correction request, contact us at corrections@arizonawatcher.com

10. Editorial Complaints

If you believe Arizona Watcher has violated these guidelines or treated you unfairly, we want to know.

• Complaints should be submitted in writing to editor@arizonawatcher.com
• All complaints are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief within five business days
• Where appropriate, we will publish a response or correction

Contact Our Newsroom

📧 General Inquiries: hello@arizonawatcher.com

🔎 News Tips: tips@arizonawatcher.com

✏️ Corrections: corrections@arizonawatcher.com

📣 Advertising: advertising@arizonawatcher.com

📍 Mailing Address: 455 N 3rd St, Phoenix, AZ 85004, United States

These guidelines are reviewed and updated annually by the Arizona Watcher editorial team. Last updated: June 2026. © 2026 Arizona Watcher. All rights reserved.