SF Bay Area Times

Editorial Guidelines

Last Updated: January 2025

Editorial Guidelines

SF Bay Area Times is committed to the highest standards of journalism. These guidelines govern our reporting, writing, and editorial processes to ensure accuracy, fairness, and ethical journalism that serves our readers across the Bay Area and Northern California.

Core Principles

Accuracy and Verification

  • Fact-checking: Every factual claim must be verified through at least two independent sources before publication
  • Quotes: All quotes must be accurate and used in proper context. We do not alter quotes except for clarity, and any such changes must be clearly indicated
  • Corrections: When errors occur, we correct them promptly and transparently, noting the correction at the top of the article
  • Source attribution: We clearly identify the source of all information and distinguish between firsthand reporting and information obtained from other sources

Independence and Integrity

  • Editorial independence: Our editorial decisions are made independently of commercial, political, or other external pressures
  • Conflicts of interest: Journalists must disclose any potential conflicts of interest to editors and, when relevant, to readers
  • Sponsored content: Advertising and sponsored content must be clearly labeled and kept separate from editorial content
  • Gifts and favors: Staff members may not accept gifts, favors, or compensation from sources or subjects of coverage

Fairness and Balance

  • Multiple perspectives: Stories on controversial topics must include diverse viewpoints and give subjects of critical coverage an opportunity to respond
  • Context: We provide sufficient context for readers to understand the significance and implications of events and issues
  • Avoiding bias: While we embrace diverse perspectives in opinion and analysis pieces, news reporting must be fair and free from political, ideological, or personal bias
  • Representation: We strive to include voices from all Bay Area communities, from San Francisco to San Jose, Oakland to Berkeley

Privacy and Sensitivity

  • Privacy rights: We respect individuals' privacy and only publish private information when it serves a clear public interest
  • Vulnerable subjects: Extra care is taken when reporting on children, victims of crime or tragedy, and other vulnerable individuals
  • Graphic content: We carefully consider whether graphic images or descriptions serve the public interest before publication
  • Cultural sensitivity: We are mindful of the Bay Area's extraordinary diversity and ensure respectful coverage of all communities

Specific Standards

Sources and Attribution

  • On-the-record: We prefer on-the-record sourcing. Anonymous sources are used only when necessary and with editor approval
  • Anonymous sources: When granting anonymity, we explain why in the story and verify that the source has direct knowledge
  • Documents: We seek to review original documents rather than relying on others' characterizations
  • Expert sources: We identify experts' credentials and any potential conflicts of interest

Technology Coverage

  • Tech industry scrutiny: We cover Silicon Valley and tech companies with the same critical lens we apply to all industries
  • Conflicts in tech: Staff must disclose investments in tech companies and recuse themselves from coverage when appropriate
  • Technical accuracy: We ensure technical information is accurate and explained accessibly
  • Innovation and impact: We cover both technological innovation and its societal impacts on Bay Area communities

Housing and Real Estate

  • Disclosure: Journalists covering real estate must disclose property ownership and investments
  • Affordability context: Housing stories include context about affordability and displacement issues
  • Data accuracy: Real estate data and statistics are verified and properly sourced
  • Community impact: We examine how development affects existing communities

Environmental Reporting

  • Climate and science: Environmental and climate reporting follows scientific consensus and peer-reviewed research
  • Local impact: We connect global environmental issues to local Bay Area impacts
  • Expert sources: Environmental stories include qualified scientific experts
  • Balance without false equivalence: We provide context without giving equal weight to fringe views that lack scientific support

Political Coverage

  • Neutrality: Political coverage must be fair to all parties and perspectives
  • Local, state, and federal: We cover politics at all levels relevant to Bay Area readers
  • Partisanship: News articles must not favor any political party, though opinion pieces may express viewpoints
  • Election coverage: During elections, we provide equal opportunity for major candidates to present their views

Business and Financial Reporting

  • Disclosure: Journalists covering business must disclose any financial interests that could affect their coverage
  • Market-moving news: We handle market-sensitive information responsibly and do not trade on information before publication
  • Corporate relationships: We maintain independence from advertisers and business interests
  • Startup coverage: Coverage of startups and venture capital includes appropriate skepticism and verification

Community Journalism

  • Peninsula, East Bay, South Bay: We provide balanced coverage across all Bay Area subregions
  • Urban and suburban: We cover both urban San Francisco and suburban communities
  • Diversity: We actively seek voices from all racial, ethnic, economic, and social communities
  • Public service: We prioritize stories that serve the public interest and community needs

Digital and Social Media

Online Standards

  • Same standards apply: Editorial standards apply equally to all platforms, including social media
  • Headlines: Headlines must be accurate and not misleading, even for digital engagement
  • Speed vs. accuracy: We prioritize accuracy over speed and update stories as new information becomes available
  • Corrections online: Online corrections are made clearly and transparently, with notation of what was changed

Social Media Conduct

  • Professional standards: Staff maintain professional standards on personal social media accounts
  • Engagement: We engage respectfully with readers and critics on social media
  • Breaking news: Social media posts must meet the same verification standards as published articles
  • Personal opinions: Staff must be mindful that personal opinions on social media may reflect on the publication

Use of AI and Technology

  • AI assistance: Artificial intelligence tools may be used to assist with research, editing, and content generation, but all content must be reviewed and verified by human editors
  • Disclosure: Significant use of AI in content creation or newsgathering must be disclosed to readers
  • Human oversight: Final editorial decisions and fact-checking remain the responsibility of human journalists
  • Transparency: We are transparent about our use of technology in the newsgathering and publishing process

Accountability

To Our Readers

  • Transparency: We explain our processes and decisions when readers have questions
  • Reader feedback: We welcome and respond to reader feedback and concerns
  • Complaints: Formal complaints are reviewed by senior editors and addressed promptly
  • Public editor: Readers may contact our editorial leadership with concerns about coverage

To Our Sources

  • Clarity: We are clear with sources about how their information will be used
  • Respect: We treat sources with respect, even when covering them critically
  • Promises: We honor commitments made to sources about attribution and timing
  • Follow-up: We follow up with sources when stories develop or change

To Our Profession

  • Ethical standards: We adhere to the highest standards of journalistic ethics
  • Continuous improvement: We regularly review and update our practices
  • Training: Staff receive ongoing training in journalistic standards and ethics
  • Industry leadership: We contribute to advancing journalism standards in California and beyond

These guidelines are living principles that evolve with our journalism. Questions about these guidelines should be directed to our editorial leadership.