At RiverheadLOCAL, our mission is simple: to inform, engage, and strengthen the Riverhead community through independent, accurate, and fair reporting. We believe good local journalism is an essential public service. It builds understanding, holds power accountable, and connects neighbors to one another.
Opinion and Editorial Content
Opinion pieces on RiverheadLOCAL are clearly labeled as such. They reflect the views of the author, not necessarily the views of the publication.
As a general rule, RiverheadLOCAL does not publish institutional endorsements of candidates for public office. On rare occasions, our publisher or editor may choose to write a personal column explaining her own voting decision, always labeled as opinion and written with full transparency about why the exception is being made.
Code of Ethics
At RiverheadLOCAL, our work is guided by a simple principle: the public’s right to know is the foundation of democracy.
We follow the spirit and intent of the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics, adapted to the realities of small-community journalism. Our commitment is to seek truth, act independently, and remain accountable to the people we serve.
1. Seek Truth and Report It
We are committed to accuracy, honesty, and context in every story we publish. We:
– Verify facts before publication and correct errors promptly.
– Attribute information to reliable, identified sources whenever possible.
– Avoid presenting rumors, speculation, or unverified information as fact.
– Provide context, not just quotes or soundbites.
– Respect privacy while recognizing the public’s legitimate need to know.
– Give individuals and organizations the opportunity to respond to criticism or allegations before publication whenever feasible.
2. Act Independently
Our loyalty is to the public we serve — not to advertisers, officials, or personal interests. We:
– Do not accept gifts, favors, or special treatment that could compromise integrity or the appearance of independence.
– Keep a clear line between news and advertising content.
– Identify sponsored or paid content clearly.
– Disclose any personal or financial conflicts of interest when they exist, and recuse ourselves from related coverage when appropriate.
– Maintain a strict firewall between editorial and business operations within East End Local Media Corp. to preserve journalistic independence.
3. Be Accountable and Transparent
We take responsibility for our work and invite scrutiny from the public. We:
– Correct mistakes quickly, clearly, and visibly.
– Welcome reader feedback and questions about our reporting.
– Explain our editorial decisions when necessary, especially on sensitive stories.
– Remain open to dialogue about fairness, coverage priorities, and representation.
4. Minimize Harm
We recognize that our reporting affects real people. We:
– Treat all subjects with dignity and respect, even when reporting on controversy or wrongdoing.
– Take care when identifying juveniles, victims of crime, and people in vulnerable circumstances.
– Avoid needlessly sensational or demeaning content.
– Consider the long-term impact of our reporting on individuals and the community.
