The Chesterfield Valley Post's credibility depends on readers trusting that our coverage is independent and honestly reported. This policy describes the ethical standards we hold ourselves to.

Independence from outside influence

• Advertising and editorial are separate. Advertisers do not see stories before publication, do not influence what we cover, and cannot buy favorable coverage. Sponsored content, if we ever publish it, is clearly labeled and visually distinct from editorial reporting.
• No pay for coverage. We do not accept payment, sponsorship, or in-kind benefits in exchange for news coverage.
• No hidden relationships. When a story involves a business, organization, or individual with a financial or personal relationship to the publication or its staff, we disclose that relationship in the story itself.

Gifts and hospitality

Staff members do not accept gifts, meals, travel, or other items of material value from people, businesses, or organizations they cover. Routine items available to the general public (a cup of coffee at a public event, a press-box seat at a game, a conference tote bag) are fine.

If a gift cannot politely be refused, it is donated to charity.

Conflicts of interest

Staff members disclose to the editor any personal, financial, family, or political relationship that could reasonably be seen as a conflict of interest with a story they are working on. The editor decides whether the staff member should continue on the story, recuse, or whether the relationship should be disclosed in the story itself.

Political activity

Staff members engaged in news reporting do not:

• Publicly endorse or campaign for political candidates or ballot measures
• Donate to candidates or political committees covered by the publication
• Display political signs, bumper stickers, or social-media endorsements for candidates in races we cover

Staff members may vote, hold private political views, and participate in civic life in ways that do not publicly signal bias in our coverage.

Social media

Staff members' public social-media activity is subject to the same standards as published stories. We avoid posts that would compromise our ability to cover a person, organization, or issue fairly. We correct social-media errors the same way we correct article errors.

Sources

• We honor off-the-record and background agreements made before an interview.
• We do not pay sources for information.
• We do not misrepresent ourselves to obtain information, except in the rarest circumstances where it is the only way to obtain information of significant public interest — and even then, only with editor approval.

Plagiarism and fabrication

Plagiarism and fabrication are grounds for immediate removal of the content and disciplinary action. When we use another outlet's reporting, we attribute it clearly and link to the source. When we use data, documents, or quotes from a source, we do so honestly.

Questions or concerns

Readers who believe we have fallen short of these standards can write to social@surroundsoundnews.com. Every such message is read by the editor.