Effective September 21, 2026.

The American Quorum's editorial purpose is to provide accurate, independent reporting and analysis that helps readers understand what happened, why it matters, and what remains uncertain. These standards apply to work published under both named authors and the institutional News Desk byline.

Accuracy and verification

Factual news reports should rely on at least two independent, credible sources. Whenever possible, one source should be a primary record such as an official filing, court document, public data set, transcript, agency release, research paper, or direct statement from an accountable organization.

A report may proceed from a single authoritative primary source when the source itself is the news and independent confirmation is not reasonably available. In that circumstance, the article should attribute the claim clearly, avoid implying independent verification, and explain material limitations or unresolved facts.

Writers and editors must distinguish between what a source asserts, what documentary evidence establishes, and what TAQ concludes. Anonymous sourcing is exceptional and should be used only when the information is important, the source has direct knowledge, and there is a compelling reason the source cannot be named.

Fact-checking

Before publication, the responsible workflow checks names, titles, dates, places, quotations, numerical claims, links, and the relationship between a headline and the underlying evidence. Material statistics should be traced to an original or authoritative source where practicable. Estimates, preliminary figures, allegations, projections, and disputed claims must be labeled as such.

Headlines, excerpts, social copy, illustrations, and captions must not overstate the reporting. Photographs or generated illustrations may not be presented as documentary proof of an event they do not depict.

News, analysis, and opinion

  • News centers verified facts, relevant context, and fair attribution. The writer's personal preference should not determine the conclusion.
  • Analysis interprets verified evidence, identifies patterns, or evaluates consequences. Analytical judgments must be supported and should be recognizable as interpretation rather than established fact.
  • Opinion advocates a viewpoint. Opinion material must be labeled clearly and remains subject to standards of accuracy, attribution, disclosure, and correction.

TAQ does not disguise advocacy as straight reporting. When a story mixes news and analysis, the analytical passages should be grounded in cited evidence and written so readers can distinguish fact from interpretation.

Fairness and context

Fairness does not require false equivalence. It requires describing significant competing evidence or responses in proportion to their relevance and evidentiary support. People and organizations facing material criticism should be given a reasonable opportunity to respond when time and circumstances permit. A lack of response should not be portrayed as an admission.

Coverage should avoid stereotypes and unnecessary personal details. Race, ethnicity, religion, gender, disability, immigration status, sexual orientation, and other personal characteristics should be included only when genuinely relevant to the story.

Human editorial responsibility

TAQ uses technology, including AI-assisted tools, within a controlled editorial system. Automation does not hold editorial responsibility. A human editor establishes the rules, approves the workflow, reviews standards and exceptions, and remains accountable for published work. Server-side publishing guardrails enforce approved category, author, tagging, and delivery rules; they do not replace editorial judgment.

Our use of AI is described in the AI Use Policy. The institutional News Desk byline is explained on the Masthead.

Corrections and updates

TAQ corrects material errors transparently. Substantive corrections are noted on the article; routine spelling, grammar, formatting, and link repairs that do not change meaning may be made without a note. Developing stories may be updated as reliable facts emerge. See the full Corrections Policy.

Independence

Editorial conclusions are not for sale. Advertising, memberships, sponsorships, donations, and business relationships do not entitle a party to favorable coverage or prior approval of independent journalism. Relevant conflicts of interest must be disclosed or managed according to the Ethics Policy.

Questions about these standards may be sent to TAQ@TheAmericanQuorum.com.