Our Standards
These are the standards Delco Rising holds itself to, published so readers can hold us to them too. We're a small, independent newsroom, so every policy here is written for how the work actually gets done. When the operation grows, these get updated, and the update gets noted at the bottom of this page.
Jump to: Editorial process · Editing · Corrections · Labels · Right of reply · Ethics · Bylines · Reader engagement · Funding
Editorial process
Every factual claim in a Delco Rising story has to trace back to something we can point to: a public record, a meeting recording, a named source, or our own direct observation.
Documents first. Meeting video, agendas, minutes, budgets, court filings, campaign finance reports, and Right-to-Know responses are the backbone of our reporting. When a document exists, we get it and read it ourselves instead of relying on someone's description of it.
Recordings get checked against the tape. Auto-transcripts of meetings are a starting point, not a source. Any quote we publish from a public meeting is checked against the actual recording, including who said it.
We credit other outlets. Everything we do is original reporting, but when the Daily Times, the Inquirer, Spotlight PA, or anyone else broke a piece of a story, we name the outlet and the reporter and link to their work.
Anonymous sources are rare. We grant anonymity only when a source faces real risk (job loss, retaliation, safety) and the information can't be obtained on the record. We tell readers why the source was granted anonymity, and we never use an anonymous source to attack someone personally.
Private citizens get more care than public officials. People speaking at public comment are part of the public record, and we name them. But a private person who isn't seeking power gets less scrutiny than someone who holds it or is running for it.
Editing process
Accuracy comes from a second set of eyes on ALL stories, not just the ones that carry the most risk. Correspondents submit drafts and nothing publishes until an editor has reviewed it.
Accountability and investigative pieces get a second read. Anything that alleges wrongdoing by a named person, relies on Right-to-Know documents, or is a major investigative piece is vetted before it publishes.
Big stories sit overnight. An investigative piece doesn't get written and published in the same sitting.
AI tools assist, they don't verify. We use AI tools for things like transcription cleanup and research help. Nothing an AI tool produces is treated as a source, and every fact it touches is checked against the original record by an editor.
Corrections policy
When we get something wrong, we fix it fast, say what we fixed. Errors get corrected within 24 hours of being confirmed.
When a fact is wrong, readers will see a dated note at the top of the story stating what was wrong and what's right.
Typos and broken links get fixed without a note. Anything that changes meaning gets a note.
Emailed newsletters can't be unsent. Our newsletter goes to inboxes the moment a story publishes, and the email copy can't be changed. So when a correction changes the substance of a story, that story will be on the site.
How to report an error: email info@delcorising.com with the story link and what you think is wrong. We respond to every report.
Labeling news, analysis, and opinion
What we do is keep the reporting and the point of view visibly separate, so readers always know which one they're reading.
Opinion pieces reflect their authors. Op-eds from community leaders, activists, candidates, and residents run in our Opinion section and represent the views of the person who wrote them.
Podcast and video follow the same rule.
Right of reply
Anyone we're about to accuse of wrongdoing, misconduct, or a serious failure hears from us before the story runs, with enough time to actually answer.
Who gets contacted: any named person or organization facing a specific allegation, any official whose record or statement is the core of the story, and anyone whose reputation could take real damage from what we publish. Routine coverage of public votes and public statements doesn't require outreach, since the record speaks for itself.
How responses appear: we quote or fairly summarize the response in the story, near the claim it addresses. If someone declines or doesn't respond, we say that and note when we reached out. If a response comes in after publication, we add it as a dated update.
Ethics policy
Delco Rising answers to readers, not to parties, donors, or the people we cover. Everything in this section exists to protect that.
Independence. We don't publish sponsored content, and no one pays to be covered, to be left out, or to change a story. We don't withhold material for access, that is a ZERO tolerance policy.
Lines we don't cross:
- We don't work for, consult for, or take money from any campaign, party committee, or PAC.
- We don't donate to candidates we cover.
- We don't hold party committee positions while covering the party.
Bylines
- Guest opinion pieces carry the author's name and a line disclosing any relevant affiliation, like a campaign, employer, or organization tied to the topic.
- When a story builds on another outlet's reporting, that reporter is credited by name in the story.
What we don't take: money from campaigns, parties, PACs, elected officials, or government bodies we cover. No sponsored content. No paid placement.