Editorial Standards

These standards guide coverage at Pontotoc News. Our goal is useful, accurate reporting and summaries that make clear what is known, where the information came from and what remains uncertain.

Sources and verification

We prioritize original, identifiable sources: public records, official announcements, schools, athletic programs, public agencies and people with direct knowledge. When coverage relies on another organization’s announcement or reporting, the source should be named and linked when practical.

A social media post is a source to evaluate, not proof by itself. Names, dates, locations and the identity of the posting organization need checking. Information that cannot be supported should be left out or clearly described as unverified. Quotes must accurately reproduce an attributable source; invented quotes, events and statistics have no place in our coverage.

Local relevance and context

Articles should distinguish Pontotoc County developments from regional or statewide news. Headlines, summaries and images should accurately reflect the story. A summary should add useful organization and context rather than repeat unsupported claims or suggest reporting that did not occur.

Sports and weather

Sports coverage should verify the team, sport, game date and whether a score is final. Records, standings, player statistics and postseason implications need supporting sources. A score reported during a game should not be presented as a final result.

Weather coverage should identify the issuing agency and the time period covered by a forecast, warning or advisory. Old graphics and expired alerts should not be presented as current. Readers should consult the National Weather Service and local emergency officials for the latest safety instructions.

AI assistance and automated publishing

Pontotoc News uses AI-assisted tools and automation for parts of its publishing, including preparing source-based summaries. Some articles can publish through automated processes without a person reviewing each one beforehand. Automated checks are not a guarantee of accuracy. The publication remains responsible for addressing errors in its coverage.

AI output is not an independent source. The underlying information still needs support, and automated writing must not create quotations, people, statistics or events. Neither an automated summary nor an account byline should imply an interview or eyewitness reporting that did not happen.

Images, opinion and sponsored material

Images should be relevant, accurately described and used with appropriate permission or another valid basis. Illustrations, file photos and supplied images should not mislead readers about what was photographed or when. Opinion and paid or sponsored content should be clearly identified so readers can distinguish them from news coverage.

Corrections and reader feedback

Readers can flag a concern through our contact form. Our corrections policy explains what to include and how corrections differ from developing-story updates.

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