The Media Outlet has been independently certified according to the JTI Programme and CWA 17493:2019.

Certified by

Alliance for Audited Media – Northern America

Date of certification

25/11/2024

Contact details

1600 McConnor Parkway
60173 Schaumburg
United States of America

Media Outlet Sopris Sun Date of first publication 02/08/2024 Date of Latest Change 20/11/2024

11. Responsibility for Content Provided by the General Public

11.1. User Generated Content/Eyewitness News

A Media Outlet shall ensure that the same principles of checking for accuracy, legal, and ethical compliance are applied to journalistic content sourced from the general public (UGC or Eyewitness News content) as with all content it publishes.

Does your Media Outlet publish any content that comes not from staff or freelancers but from external sources such as readers/viewers?

Yes

Does your Media Outlet have set structures to ensure the checking of externally sourced material undergoes the same principles as that created entirely by its own journalists?

Yes

11.2. Editorial Guidelines for UGC/Eyewitness News

There should be specific categories within the Media Outlet’s Editorial Guidelines for dealing with User Generated Content (UGC) or Eyewitness News and these should be publicly accessible. In relation to this type of content the guidelines shall indicate the verification process to be used, how the content should be published with any labelling required and include guidance on dealing with the content providers in a responsible manner.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provisions for externally-submitted material?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication. We do not take comments on our website from website visitors.

Are there Editorial Guidelines dealing with UGC/eyewitness news content?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication.

Do they include details on the verification processes to be used for this content?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication.

Do they include guidance on the appropriate labelling of such content?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication.

Do they include guidance on dealing with the providers of such content in a responsible and ethical manner?

11.3. Opinion Guidelines

In relation to opinion or comment pieces the guidelines should set clear requirements of the ethical principles expected which may include but is not limited to prohibition of comment due to defamation, privacy, hate speech and harassment. The Media Outlet should make clear its policy on the moderation of such content, whether it is pre or post publication, and its policy on take-down, notice and appeal provisions.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from defamation?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from invasions of privacy?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from hate speech?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication.

Do your Editorial Guidelines also include provision for ensuring comment material is free from harassment?

Yes

If you want to publish additional information, please provide it here.

All letters to the editor or third party columns are reviewed by our editorial staff before publication.

Is it clear to the public whether your Media Outlet’s moderation of such comment is pre- or post-publication?

Does this policy allow for the removal of offending material?

Yes

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