Editorial Policy

Our editorial policy is based on the standards and guidelines of News Media Canada as part of the Local Journalism Initiative and The Canadian Press.

LETTERS AND OPINION POLICY
Beach Metro Community News welcomes letters and community commentary that foster constructive civic dialogue. Letters and opinion pieces represent the views of the writers, not necessarily those of the publication. The publication reserves editorial discretion to ensure submissions meet standards of fairness, accuracy, and respect.
You can reach our editor at: editor@beachmetro.com

EDITORIAL PRINCIPLES
Although our role continues to evolve, the principles that guide our work are unchanged. Everything that we do must be honest, unbiased and unflinchingly fair. We deal with facts that are demonstrable, supported by sources that are reliable and responsible. We pursue with equal vigour all sides of a story. Accuracy is fundamental. Discovery of a mistake calls for immediate correction. Corrections to stories already published or broadcast must not be grudging or stingy. They must be written in a spirit of genuinely wanting to right a wrong in the fairest and fullest manner.

STAFF RESPONSIBILITY
Responsibility for upholding Beach Metro Community News standards rests with our reporters, editor and publisher. So much individuality is involved in reporting, writing and editing news that it is impossible to have precise rules covering every eventuality. Being guided by proven practices is the surest way of meeting the standards that Canadians have come to expect from their national news agency.

Among the most important of these practices:

  1. Investigate fully before transmitting any story or identifying any individual in a story where there is the slightest reason for doubt. When in doubt cut it out. But never make this an excuse for ditching an angle without thorough checking. The doubt must be an honest doubt, arrived at after examination of all the facts.
  2. Cite competent authorities and sources as the origin of any information open to question. Have proof available for publication in the event of a denial.
  3. Be impartial when handling any news affecting parties or matters in controversy. Give fair representation to all sides at issue.
  4. Stick to the facts without editorial opinion or comment. Reporters’ opinions are not wanted in copy. Their observations are. So are accurate backgrounding and authoritative interpretation essential to the reader’s understanding of complicated issues.
  5. Admit errors promptly, frankly.
  6. Beach Metro can help overcome such public attitudes through scrupulous care for facts and unwavering dedication to fairness. We must not be quick to dismiss criticism and complaints, a trait that journalists refuse to accept in others.
  7. The power of news stories to injure can reach both the ordinary citizen and the corporate giant. Beach Metro’s integrity and sensitivity demand that supervisors and staff respond sympathetically and quickly when an error has been made.
  8. Every story shown to be erroneous and involving a corrective must be drawn to the attention of supervisory staff.
  9. Any use of generative AI in articles or images will be disclosed to readers.