Controversial Topics
The Geneseo Current believes local journalism is most valuable when it gives readers reliable information they can use to reach their own conclusions.
Some of the issues we cover will naturally be controversial. Residents may have strongly different views about development, government decisions, elections, education, public policy, social issues and other matters affecting our community. The existence of disagreement is not a reason to avoid a subject. In many cases, it is a reason to cover it carefully.
Our role is not to be pro- or anti- any issue, organization, political party, candidate, proposal or point of view. Our role is to find and present responsibly sourced facts, provide relevant context and accurately represent significant perspectives when disagreement exists.
Our standards
When covering controversial subjects, The Geneseo Current will:
Start with verifiable facts. We prioritize public records, original documents, data, direct observation, on-the-record interviews and other identifiable, credible sources.
Distinguish fact from opinion. Claims, allegations, interpretations and predictions will be identified as such and attributed to their source rather than presented as established fact.
Provide context. Numbers and quotations can be technically accurate while still creating a misleading impression when presented without necessary context. We will work to explain what information means, what it does not mean and what relevant limitations exist.
Seek relevant perspectives. When a story involves meaningful disagreement, we will make reasonable efforts to give the people, organizations or public bodies directly involved an opportunity to explain their positions.
Avoid false balance. Fairness does not require treating every claim as equally supported. When reliable evidence clearly establishes a fact, we will report that fact.
Avoid loaded framing. Headlines, photographs, graphics and social-media posts should accurately reflect the reporting rather than exaggerate controversy or steer readers toward a particular conclusion.
Be transparent about uncertainty. If something is unknown, estimated, proposed, disputed or cannot be independently verified, we will say so.
Correct errors. When we get a material fact wrong, we will correct it clearly and as promptly as possible.
Separate advertising from editorial coverage. Purchasing advertising does not entitle an individual or organization to favorable news coverage, and declining to advertise does not result in unfavorable coverage.
Apply the same standards consistently. Our sourcing and verification standards do not change based on whether a subject, person or position is popular or unpopular.
Neutrality does not mean silence
Responsible journalism does not require us to avoid facts because they may reflect positively or negatively on someone.
If public records document a government expenditure, we may report it. If data show a measurable benefit, we may report it. If an inspection identifies a violation, we may report it. If officials dispute an interpretation, we may report their response.
Reporting a documented fact is not an endorsement or condemnation of the people or issues involved.
Likewise, presenting someone's argument does not mean The Geneseo Current agrees with it. It means that perspective is relevant to understanding the story.
Our goal
Readers may finish the same story and reach very different conclusions. That's OK.
Our measure of success is not whether readers agree with us. It is whether they received enough accurate, responsibly sourced and clearly presented information to understand the issue and decide for themselves.
We report. We provide context. We ask questions. The conclusions belong to our readers.