Our Ethics and Standards
The LA Local makes community-centered journalism that helps Angelenos connect with their neighbors and solve everyday problems. We seek the truth, report it and present it alongside concrete pathways for positive change. Building and earning trust is foundational to this work.
Our Core Values
Truth and Accuracy
All news must be based on verifiable facts. Quotation marks contain exact words spoken. Ellipses and editing cannot change meaning. Headlines must accurately reflect the story.
Independence and Integrity
We exist only to serve readers and the public interest. Advertisers, donors and other outside interests have no input on editorial decisions. We maintain transparency in our funding sources and disclose when sources are also financial contributors.
Fairness and Balance
We seek out and publish diverse voices. Verifiable facts guide our reporting. Thoroughness and balance come from the totality of our coverage, not necessarily each individual story.
How We Work in Communities
We Don’t Parachute In and Leave
We reject the model where journalists arrive during crises, gather quotes and leave. Instead, we:
- Maintain ongoing presence and relationships in communities we serve
- Follow up on stories and track long-term outcomes
- Share updates on how stories have been received and their impact
- Ensure communities benefit from journalism about them
We Listen to Residents, Not Just Officials
We prioritize deep community listening through sustained engagement. We build relationships with diverse neighborhood voices, not just official sources. We respect that residents are experts on their own lived experiences and engage with communities as partners in developing solutions.
We Collaborate, Not Compete
We coordinate with other media organizations when it better serves residents, share resources rather than duplicating coverage, credit partner organizations transparently and maintain editorial independence while working collaboratively.
How We Use Sources and Quotes
Anonymous Sources
We avoid anonymous sources whenever possible. They may be used only when news value outweighs lack of transparency and with senior editor approval. We must explain why anonymity is needed and know the source’s true name and contact information. We grant greater consideration to whistleblowers, victims of crimes or trauma and people in danger. We never grant government spokespeople anonymity for official comments.
Making Sure People Understand How We’ll Use Their Words
We explain clearly to sources how their interview will be used and whether participation puts them in harm’s way. We don’t assume sources understand journalism terms. We explain:
- On the record: Information can be used in quotes with the source’s name
- Not for attribution: Information can be published and quoted without the source’s name
- On background: Information can be used as context but not in quotes or attributed
- Off the record: Information cannot be published, quoted or attributed
All interviews and information are on the record unless agreed otherwise beforehand. All reporting that does not name a source must follow anonymous sourcing rules.
Covering Crime and Public Safety
Story selection is guided by community impact or connection to issues the community cares about. Coverage is rigorously reported and inclusive, with good-faith efforts to reach all parties: law enforcement, prosecutors, defense attorneys, victims and families, witnesses and community stakeholders.
We follow up as cases develop, bring in context connecting incidents to crime trends and broader issues, point out disputed facts and push back on rhetoric that doesn’t align with facts. Our reporting is trauma-informed, using language and images that are sensitive to all involved.
When We Use Mugshots (Almost Never)
We do not publish mugshots except in rare circumstances where there is compelling editorial justification. The permanent nature of online images means mugshots can harm individuals long after charges are dropped or sentences served.
We will only consider mugshots when all of these conditions are met:
- The person poses a documented, ongoing threat to public safety, and the image serves a direct protective purpose
- No other photograph is available, and visual identification is essential
- Editorial leadership has approved after careful deliberation
Linking to GoFundMe and Mutual Aid
We may include links to GoFundMe, mutual aid funds and similar campaigns when directly relevant to the story and a clear public service. We link to verified campaigns supporting individuals affected by events we’re covering or advancing community-driven solutions.
Before including any crowdfunding link, we verify the campaign’s authenticity and connection to the story, clearly identify the organizer and their relationship to the beneficiary and disclose potential conflicts of interest. We never link to campaigns organized by LA Local staff, board members or their immediate family. We frame links factually as information rather than advocacy.
When We Make Mistakes
When we become aware of an error, we correct it promptly. Corrections must explain what was wrong, how the mistake occurred and what is correct. We generally do not retract or take down news articles.
When misconduct goes beyond inadvertent mistakes, we investigate thoroughly, reach out to affected individuals, take their input seriously and discipline journalists when appropriate. No one should be retaliated against for raising concerns about inaccurate information or code violations.
Avoiding Conflicts of Interest
Money and Investments
Journalists must never report on businesses where they or immediate family members hold financial interests. We never use prepublication information to profit from investments. Widely held investments, like mutual funds and stock in companies not covered, are allowed.
Family and Friends
Journalists must refrain from reporting on issues where immediate family or close friends have financial or advocacy interests. They cannot report directly on organizations employing their spouse, partner, parents or children, or on organizations where they volunteer or advocacy organizations they belong to. General religious affiliations are acceptable if coverage is impartial and fair.
When conflicts are unavoidable, we disclose them in the story and explain steps taken to ensure the conflict didn’t influence coverage.
Politics and Advocacy
News staff may not endorse or contribute money to candidates, parties, platforms, bills or initiatives. All staff must avoid political partisanship in personal lives, including social media, yard signs, bumper stickers and public events.
Staff can support issues promoting journalism practice (access to public records, First Amendment protection, importance of local news) and democratic values core to our work (including everyone’s right to succeed without discrimination).
Rules for Freelancers
Freelancers must adhere to all ethical requirements in this code and disclose potential conflicts. They cannot cover stories where they, immediate family members or business partners have financial or public advocacy interests.
Staying Independent From Funders
We retain final authority over subjects we cover and how we cover them. Supporters cannot use contributions as leverage to dictate or influence news coverage. All coverage decisions belong to newsroom staff.
Journalists never solicit money from organizations or individuals they cover. If approached by potential contributors they cover, journalists connect them with authorized fundraisers and remove themselves from discussions.
We never suggest that financial support ensures favorable coverage, protects from negative coverage or allows influence over our news agenda. We never threaten negative coverage in retaliation for not contributing.
Being Transparent About Who Funds Us
We maintain transparency in revenue sources. All donors are informed that their support doesn’t influence coverage. We accept anonymous gifts over $1,000 only for unrestricted support. Donor names are disclosed for gifts over $1,000 designated for specific coverage areas.
Day-to-Day Professional Standards
Gifts, Freebies and Perks
We generally don’t accept gifts, free meals, tickets, travel or other benefits. If covering events with food, we pay our share. We’re especially cautious about accepting freebies from sources. Exceptions include situations where refusal would be impolite (family dinners for story subjects) or small personal gifts under $25. Media credentials are for work purposes only, not personal entertainment.
Outside Work and Speaking Gigs
We encourage journalists to give interviews to outlets adhering to similar ethical standards. Outside speaking engagements, outside work and acceptance of travel reimbursement or honoraria require advance approval. When speaking to political groups, journalists must clarify that their appearance doesn’t constitute endorsement.
Freelance work for other publications cannot present conflicts, requires editorial approval and must maintain the same ethical standards.
Social Media and Online Presence
The same ethical standards apply to social media and online presence as to published work. Staff must avoid expressing opinions that could compromise credibility on topics they cover. Online presence reflects on the newsroom’s reputation. Staff must verify information before sharing, even in their personal capacity.
Photos and Video
Photos and videos can be cropped, toned and edited using common journalistic standards, but cannot be altered to create scenes that didn’t occur in real life. Care must be taken when cropping or framing to avoid ignoring important context or giving false impressions.
Photo illustrations, staged or posed images, and AI-generated images must be clearly labeled. All identifiable individuals in photo captions are named by first and last name unless anonymity conditions are granted.
Video editing must adhere to truth and cannot present events in false linear order. Video re-enactments are strongly discouraged and must be clearly labeled if used. When interviewing or photographing children, we seek parental consent and explain how content will be used.
Protecting Sources From Legal Pressure
We are not agents of law enforcement, nor operatives for lawyers or investigators. When approached for additional information about our stories, we let the stories speak for themselves. If subpoenaed to provide testimony or information, we protect the identity of sources and integrity of our reporting.
Treating People With Respect
We give extra consideration to vulnerable people or those inexperienced with the media. We identify ourselves clearly, explain how information will be used, answer questions patiently about potential consequences and take special care when dealing with children.
We engage with community members sincerely and respectfully, are upfront about how we’ll use their information, listen genuinely, believe they can make our work better and remain responsive to their concerns. We are as transparent as possible about our operations and reporting.
When We Cover Ourselves
When reporting on ourselves — whether positive or negative — we comply with all ethical standards in this code. We strive for honesty and transparency, avoiding opaque business-speak. We’re not entitled to special treatment. If staff cannot report the story, we enlist a freelancer. Editing decisions are made for journalistic reasons. We never censor unflattering or controversial stories about ourselves.
Reflecting LA’s Diversity
We strive to reflect our community’s diversity in our sources, story subjects and staff. We actively seek out underrepresented voices and perspectives and examine our coverage patterns to identify and address blind spots.
Making This Code Real
Staff facing ethical dilemmas should consult editors immediately. Complex issues may be reviewed by editorial leadership. We maintain documentation of ethical decisions for future reference.
We publish this ethics policy publicly, update it regularly, welcome questions about our standards and decision-making, and participate in professional journalism organizations and training.
Violations may result in disciplinary action, including termination for serious violations. All staff are expected to report potential ethical violations.