These standards govern Spotlight News and apply to Spotlight Drive resources when those resources perform an editorial or explanatory function. They are intended to make our work accurate, useful, transparent, and distinct from company announcements or product marketing.
Sources and verification
We prefer primary sources: official statements, court records, government documents, regulatory filings, union or guild materials, published research, direct interviews, and original documents. Credible secondary reporting can provide context or lead to a source, but it should not replace available primary evidence. Material factual claims should be checked against the underlying source whenever practical, and dates, names, titles, figures, quotations, and links should be reviewed before publication.
Attribution and original work
Information, ideas, reporting, images, and quotations from others must be attributed clearly. Spotlight Drive may report original information or synthesize multiple reliable sources into an accessible explanation. We do not rewrite another outlet’s work paragraph by paragraph, present someone else’s reporting as our own, fabricate quotations, or use attribution that hides the true source of a claim.
Direct quotations should be limited to what is necessary for accuracy, context, or commentary. Copyrighted material should be summarized in original language unless a limited quotation, licensed use, public-domain status, or another valid basis supports publication.
News, fact, context, analysis, and opinion
Headlines and article framing should accurately reflect the underlying facts. Reporting should distinguish confirmed fact from context, analysis, prediction, rumor, and opinion. When information is incomplete or developing, the article should say so. Opinion or commentary should be labeled and should not be presented as straight news.
Anonymous sources
Anonymous sourcing should be avoided unless the information serves a meaningful public-interest purpose, the source faces a credible reason not to be named, the source is in a position to know the information, and the information has been documented or corroborated as far as practical. The reason for anonymity and relevant source context should be explained to readers without exposing the source. Unsupported anonymous accusations should not be published.
Images, video, audio, and licensing
Published media should be original, licensed, public domain, used with permission, or supported by a clearly identified lawful basis. Captions and alt text should not imply that illustrative or stock media depicts a real event or person when it does not. Material edits, composites, recreations, or AI-generated or AI-altered media should be disclosed when the distinction matters. We do not fabricate a person’s voice or likeness for editorial presentation.
AI assistance in editorial work
AI tools may assist with organization, transcription, outlining, drafting, search support, formatting, or quality checks. AI output is not a source and must not be treated as verified evidence. A human is responsible for reviewing factual claims, source links, quotations, context, rights, tone, and publication decisions. We do not knowingly publish fabricated quotes, sources, events, or credentials. Material use of generated or altered media should be disclosed. See How Spotlight Drive Uses AI for the broader company policy.
Bylines, dates, and updates
Editorial articles should identify a byline or responsible editorial identity and display a publication date. A meaningful revision should include an updated date when the timing of the change matters. A routine formatting, spelling, or style fix may be made without changing the displayed update date. Bylines should not imply reporting or credentials that did not occur.
Corrections
We correct verified factual errors. Material corrections should be made promptly after review and accompanied by a visible note explaining what changed. Minor typographical, grammatical, formatting, or style fixes that do not change meaning may be corrected without a note. New information added after publication is an update, not necessarily a correction. The full process is described in the Corrections Policy.
Conflicts and disclosures
Writers and editors should disclose financial, personal, employment, family, gift, travel, or business relationships that could reasonably affect—or appear to affect—coverage. When Spotlight News covers Spotlight Drive, the Spotlight Challenge, or another company-controlled initiative, the relationship should be obvious. Company announcements must be labeled and kept distinct from independent editorial coverage.
Sponsored, paid, and affiliate content
Sponsored, paid, supplied, or partner-supported content must be labeled clearly enough for a reasonable reader to understand the relationship before engaging with it. If affiliate links are ever used, the material relationship should be disclosed near the relevant content. Payment, advertising, gifts, access, or affiliate compensation must not purchase positive coverage or suppress a warranted correction. Spotlight Drive does not accept pay-for-positive editorial coverage.
Fairness, safety, and privacy
Coverage should give relevant people or organizations a reasonable opportunity to respond to significant factual allegations when practical. We avoid publishing private personal information that is not necessary to the story, especially information involving minors, victims, medical matters, precise private addresses, or security risks. Safety and public-interest considerations may justify withholding a detail while still explaining the basis of the reporting.
Questions and accountability
Questions about these standards or a potential factual error can be sent to info@spotlightdrive.com or through the contact form. Include the page URL, the statement at issue, the reason it may be inaccurate, and any supporting source.
Related pages: About Spotlight Drive · Press & Media Center · AI Policy · Trust & Safety · Corrections · Privacy · Legal