Statement of Ethics: How Fremont Neighbor does its work
Fremont Neighbor is an independent publication dedicated to the people, places, and stories that make Fremont what it is, from neighbor profiles and local history to community events and the occasional issue that affects where we all live.
We’re factual. We work to verify facts before publishing. When we’re not certain about something, we say so. If we make a mistake, we correct it prominently and explain what changed.
We’re fair. If a story reflects critically on a person, business, or organization, we give them a genuine opportunity to respond before we publish. We don’t take quotes or clips out of context, and we don’t sensationalize.
We’re transparent. We’re clear about who we are, what a story is about, and tell sources how information will be used. We work with sources upfront if they want something kept private or off the record. We are responsive if sources have concerns after publication.
We’re independent. Our editorial judgment belongs to us alone. No advertiser, sponsor, or donor influences what we cover or how we cover it. When a reporter has a personal connection to a story – a friend, a business they frequent, an organization they belong to – we disclose it or reassign the story.
We’re resourceful. We’re a volunteer-run publication. Our team uses AI tools to support research, organization, and production; not to replace reporting or editorial judgment. All of that is ours.
We treat people with care. We’re mindful that being written about can feel exposing. We’re especially careful with people who aren’t used to talking to reporters. We don’t pursue details that would cause harm without serving any real public interest.
We’re accountable. Readers can reach us directly with concerns about accuracy, fairness, or how we handled a story. We take those seriously and respond.
We’re your neighbors. We live here too. That’s the Fremont state of mind, and it shapes everything about how we do this work.
Questions or concerns? Reach us at editor@fremontneighbor.com.