Editorial Guidelines

Our standards for quality journalism and transparent reporting

The Visalia Chronicle is committed to the highest standards of journalism. These guidelines outline our principles, practices, and commitment to our readers.

Accuracy & Verification

Accuracy is the foundation of our journalism. We adhere to the following standards:

  • We verify information through multiple credible sources before publication
  • We attribute information to official sources (police, government agencies, court records) whenever possible
  • We do not publish rumors, speculation, or unverified claims as fact
  • We promptly correct errors and publish corrections transparently
  • We clearly distinguish between confirmed facts and statements from sources

Style & Tone

Consistency in writing style helps readers trust and understand our coverage:

  • Writing Standard — We follow Associated Press (AP) Style for consistency in grammar, punctuation, and formatting
  • Tone — Our reporting is neutral, clear, and accessible to a general audience
  • Headlines — Headlines are factual, not sensational, and accurately reflect the content of the article
  • Clarity — We write in plain language, avoiding jargon and explaining technical terms when necessary
  • Local Focus — We emphasize local relevance and community impact in our coverage

Fairness & Balance

We strive to present news fairly and without bias:

  • We present multiple perspectives on controversial issues
  • We give subjects of critical coverage the opportunity to respond
  • We avoid inflammatory or sensational language
  • We maintain a clear separation between news reporting and opinion content
  • We use neutral, factual language in all news coverage

Opinion vs. News

We maintain a strict separation between news reporting and opinion content:

  • Labeling — Opinion pieces, editorials, and commentary are clearly labeled as such
  • News Coverage — News articles present facts without the writer's personal opinions or conclusions
  • Editorial Review — Opinion pieces go through the same fact-checking and editorial review process as news articles
  • Attribution — Op-eds and guest columns include author identification and any relevant affiliations

Independence

Our editorial decisions are made independently:

  • Advertisers have no influence over our news coverage
  • We do not accept payment for favorable coverage
  • We disclose any potential conflicts of interest
  • Sponsored content is clearly labeled and distinguished from editorial content

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The Visalia Chronicle uses artificial intelligence (AI) tools as part of our news production process. We believe in full transparency about how AI is used in our newsroom:

How We Use AI

  • Research & Aggregation — AI tools help us gather and organize information from public sources, official records, and news feeds
  • Fact Extraction — AI assists in identifying key facts from source documents
  • Initial Drafting — AI may produce initial article drafts based on verified facts
  • Readability Analysis — AI helps ensure articles are clear and accessible to readers

Human Editorial Oversight

All content is reviewed, edited, and approved by our editorial staff before publication. Our editors:

  • Verify facts and sources in every article
  • Ensure accuracy, fairness, and journalistic standards are met
  • Review AI-generated content for errors, bias, or inappropriate material
  • Make final decisions on all content that is published
  • Take full editorial responsibility for published content

Our Commitment to Transparency

We are transparent about our use of AI in journalism. Readers can trust that all content has been verified and approved by human editors who take full responsibility for accuracy and quality.

What AI Does Not Do

  • AI does not conduct interviews or speak with sources
  • AI does not make editorial decisions about what to publish
  • AI does not fabricate information or create fictional content
  • AI does not publish content without human review

Sources & Attribution

We are committed to transparent sourcing:

  • We identify sources by name whenever possible
  • Anonymous sources are used sparingly and only when necessary to obtain important information
  • We clearly attribute information to its source
  • Direct quotes are used only when we have verified the exact words

Corrections Policy

When we make errors, we correct them promptly and transparently:

  • Corrections are published as soon as errors are identified
  • Significant corrections are noted at the top of the article
  • We do not silently alter published content
  • Readers can report errors to staff@visaliachronicle.com

Contributor Guidelines

We occasionally accept submissions from community members and guest contributors:

  • Submissions — Guest columns and letters should be sent to staff@visaliachronicle.com
  • Format — Submissions should be 400-800 words for guest columns, under 300 words for letters
  • Identification — All submissions must include the author's full name, contact information, and any relevant affiliations
  • Rights — By submitting, contributors grant The Visalia Chronicle the right to publish, edit for length and clarity, and distribute the content
  • Review Process — All submissions are reviewed by our editorial staff and may be edited or declined

Contact & Feedback

We welcome feedback from our readers. If you have questions about our editorial policies, wish to report an error, or have concerns about our coverage, please contact us at staff@visaliachronicle.com or visit our Contact page.

Last updated: January 2026