The ethos of our community newspaper is grounded in the principles of social justice, equity, and human compassion. We are committed to offering a platform that reflects diverse voices and perspectives, aiming to foster a well-informed and empathetic community. To achieve this, we invite contributions that are insightful, respectful, and adhere to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Below are the quality standards that all commentary contributors are expected to follow.
1. Commitment to Accuracy and Truthfulness
- Factual Accuracy: Contributions must be meticulously researched and fact-checked. Any claims, statistics, or historical references should be verifiable by reliable sources.
- Transparency: Disclose any potential conflicts of interest. If your commentary involves personal experience or anecdotal evidence, clearly state this.
2. Formality and Professionalism
- Language: Use formal, but accessible language. Avoid slang, jargon, or overly complex vocabulary that might alienate readers.
- Structure: Contributions should have a clear introduction, body, and conclusion. Arguments must be logically organized and presented in a coherent manner.
3. Respect and Sensitivity
- Tone: Maintain a respectful and considerate tone, even in criticism. Our discourse aims to elevate, not denigrate.
- Inclusivity: Be mindful of language that might inadvertently perpetuate stereotypes or bias. Strive for inclusivity and sensitivity towards all community members, regardless of their background.
4. Originality and Thoughtfulness
- Original Content: Submissions must be the original work of the contributor. Plagiarism is strictly prohibited and will result in immediate rejection of the submission.
- Artificial Intelligence: Using an AI app like GPT to proofread and enhance the clarity of your writing is fine. When used properly, artificial intelligence has great potential to lower the barrier to entry for journalism and increase accessibility.
- Relevance and Contribution: Commentaries should offer fresh perspectives or insights relevant to our community. They should enrich the discourse and contribute positively to public understanding and engagement.
5. Readiness for Publication
- Editing: Submissions should be thoroughly proofread and edited for grammar, punctuation, and clarity before submission. While minor edits may be made by our editorial team, contributions should be more-or-less ready for publication.
- Conciseness: While we do not enforce a specific word limit, conciseness is valued, as it respects both the readers’ time and the space constraints of the newspaper.
6. Ethical Considerations
- Respect for Privacy: Avoid the unnecessary mention of private individuals without their consent, especially in a manner that could be seen as invasive or harmful.
- Social Justice, Equity, and Compassion: Commentary should, where relevant, reflect a commitment to these values. We encourage contributions that highlight issues of social justice, advocate for equity, and demonstrate compassion towards those affected by various societal challenges.
Conclusion
Contributors play a vital role in the vibrancy and impact of our community newspaper. By adhering to these quality standards, contributors will ensure that their commentary not only enriches our community discourse but also upholds the values and principles that define us. We look forward to your insightful and impactful contributions.