Effective Date: June 29, 2025

At Saluda Standard-Sentinel, we are committed to practicing ethical, independent, and community-first journalism. This Editorial Policy outlines the standards we follow to ensure every story we publish is fair, accurate, and worthy of public trust.

We believe local news should be clear, honest, and focused on the real lives of the people we serve — in South Carolina, North Carolina, and Georgia.

1. Editorial Independence

Saluda Standard-Sentinel operates with complete editorial independence. Our reporters and editors make decisions based solely on journalistic merit, not on political affiliation, advertiser influence, or personal relationships.

No sponsor, partner, or advertiser has control over the stories we write or the opinions we express.

2. Accuracy and Corrections

We are committed to accuracy above all else. Every article published on our website is reviewed for factual correctness, clear sourcing, and context. If we make an error, we will:

  • Promptly correct the mistake

  • Add a visible correction notice when appropriate

  • Welcome reader feedback and verification

To report an error, please contact us at:
📧 editor@saludastandard-sentinel.com

3. Sources and Attribution

We aim to use reliable, publicly available, and official sources in all of our reporting. When using third-party information:

  • We provide clear attribution with embedded links where possible

  • We avoid anonymous sources unless necessary for safety or verification

  • We never plagiarize or copy content from other outlets without proper credit

We also include firsthand reporting, public records, government data, and reader-submitted tips where verified.

4. Corrections and Clarifications

If a factual mistake is found in a published story, we will:

  • Correct the information as soon as possible

  • Note the correction at the bottom of the article

  • Maintain transparency about what was changed and why

Our credibility is rooted in our accountability to the public.

5. Opinion and Commentary

From time to time, we may publish:

  • Opinion columns from staff or local contributors

  • Letters to the Editor from community members

These will be clearly marked as opinion or editorial. They do not reflect the views of the newsroom as a whole.

6. Community Contributions

We encourage and accept:

  • Reader tips and story leads

  • Public submissions for obituaries, event notices, and opinion pieces

  • Local voices and freelance writers

All contributed content is reviewed by our editorial team before publication to ensure it meets our standards of relevance, tone, and accuracy.

7. Conflicts of Interest

Our staff:

  • Must disclose any personal or financial connections to a story

  • Cannot cover events or entities where they hold an active role (e.g. a political campaign, local business they own)

  • Are expected to maintain professional distance from subjects they cover

We value transparency and will always disclose any potential conflicts.

8. Diversity and Fair Coverage

Saluda Standard-Sentinel is dedicated to representing the diverse voices of the South. We strive to:

  • Cover rural and urban stories equally

  • Highlight underrepresented communities

  • Avoid bias in language or framing

  • Ensure fairness to all sides in any public dispute

9. Advertising and Sponsored Content

Editorial content is completely separate from advertising.
When sponsored content or native advertising appears on our site:

  • It will be clearly labeled

  • It will not influence our news coverage

  • Readers will be informed of its commercial nature

We do not allow paid placement in editorial articles.

10. Contact Us

Have a question about our editorial standards or a concern about coverage?
We welcome feedback and open dialogue.

Use our contact form at Contact Us Here

We’re here to help and typically respond within 1–2 business days.