Editorial Policies

At Associates Times, our goal is to provide accurate, timely and relevant news that our readers can trust. In order to meet the highest standards of accuracy and to ensure our content is perfectly aligned with audience expectations. We follow these editorial policies and standards to gather, produce and publish original content.

1. Accuracy and Verification

• All information is properly checked and using credible primary and secondary sources, before it is published on the website.
• Direct quotes are properly attributed with accuracy and presented in the context of the information.
• Statistics, Data and Images are properly verified and attributed for authenticity and transparency before being published on Associates Times' website.
• If a story is updated or corrected, it is clearly indicated with a timestamp above the article.

2. Editorial Independence

• Our editorial decisions are made independently, without any influence from advertisers, sponsors, or external parties.
• We distinguish between news reporting, opinion, and sponsored content, and clearly label each.

3. Sources and Attribution

• We attribute all sourced material, including text, images, and multimedia, to its original creator or organization.
• Anonymous sources are used only when essential and when their information is verified through other means.

4. Corrections and Updates

• If an error is identified, we correct it promptly and note the correction in the article.
• Updates for developing stories are marked with the latest update time.

5. Ethical Reporting

• We avoid publishing material that promotes hate, discrimination, or incites violence.
• Graphic or sensitive content is accompanied by a warning and used only when it serves a strong editorial purpose.

6. Reader Engagement and Feedback

• We welcome constructive feedback and take reader concerns seriously.
• Complaints about accuracy, fairness, or potential violations of these policies can be sent at the editor's email address - scott.johnson@associatestimes.com.

7. Opinion and Analysis

• Opinion pieces are clearly marked as such and reflect the author's personal views, not the official stance of Associates Times.
• Analysis content is based on facts but may include interpretation and context to help readers understand complex issues.

8. AI Usage and Plagiarism Check

• Plagiarism is strictly prohibited at Associates Times. We use advanced plagiarism detection tools and manual review processes to prevent any content duplication.
• We ensure that AI is used as a supportive tool, and any AI-generated content undergoes thorough editorial review by our team of experienced journalists before being published.
• Our editorial team maintains full oversight to guarantee that every article upholds the accuracy, clarity, and journalistic integrity we are known for.