The Pembroke Citizen Journal is committed to providing fair, accurate and independent news for and about the Pembroke community and surrounding areas.

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The Pembroke Citizen Journal does not endorse or favor any candidate for public office in our coverage. Our goal is to inform and educate the public, allowing readers to form their own conclusions. All reporting must be factually accurate, clearly sourced, and verified before publication. Above all, our reporters are committed to listening to and respecting all members of the community. We approach every interview and story impartially, balancing the public’s right to know with respect for the individuals involved. Stories should represent multiple perspectives when appropriate. We do not publish unverified rumors or one-sided accounts.

 

Independence

Our volunteer reporters will avoid all conflicts of interest. They do not accept payment or gifts from sources, or from any person, company or organization that is the subject of their reporting. They will not participate in partisan political activities related to the Pembroke community, and surrounding communities, that will jeopardize their journalistic neutrality. They will not misrepresent their identity or occupation. They will always present their press credentials when reporting.

 

Sources

We seek a broad range of sources, including decision-makers, individuals affected by decisions, and subject-matter experts who can provide context and background. 

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We identify sources by name except in rare circumstances when doing so could place them at risk or subject them to retribution. If a source requests anonymity, we make every effort to verify the information through additional sources. A source could be a relevant document.

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Reporters identify themselves as representatives of PCJ and make clear that conversations are on the record and may be published. Requests for “OFF the record,” or “on background” status must be discussed with an editor before being granted. 

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Sources do not preview, edit or approve stories prior to publication. In cases involving complex or technical information, a reporter may read back specific passages to a source solely to confirm factual accuracy. 

 

Corrections​

When we make an error, we publish a correction as soon as possible. 

 

Social Media

We may use social media to identify potential sources and gather publicly available statements with proper attribution, to verify the accuracy of social media content before including it in our reporting, or to find and feature links to relevant documents or previous reporting when appropriate.

 

Social media will not be used to express personal opinions that could compromise impartiality, promote products, businesses, political parties, candidates, or ideologies.

 

Transparency

PCJ volunteer reporters will respect copyright laws and properly attribute the work of others.  They will clearly distinguish between firsthand reporting and material sourced from other media or external organizations and clearly label press releases or other unedited submissions so they are distinguishable from independently reported news.  Editorial decisions are independent of advertising relationships. Paid content will always be clearly labeled as “Sponsored” or “Advertisement.”

 

We are currently a volunteer-based newspaper with plans to become a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We will remain transparent about our sources of revenue, including charitable donations. When appropriate, we will include disclaimers in stories involving featured individuals, businesses or organizations that are donors, sponsors, or advertisers.

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The PCJ Editorial Committee reserves the right to refuse any advertisement, sponsorship or donation.

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Once established as a 501(c)(3) the Pembroke Citizen Journal will publish formal charitable donation guidelines and post the names of donors on our website unless anonymity is requested. Donors and advertisers will have no editorial influence over our content.