The Roanoke Valley Reporter is committed to accurate, fair, and responsible reporting. Our credibility depends on providing our readers with information they can trust.
We make every reasonable effort to verify information before publication. However, mistakes can occur. When we determine that we have published a substantive factual error, we will correct it promptly and transparently.
Our Standard
The Roanoke Valley Reporter will correct factual information that we determine to be inaccurate.
Before making a correction, we will review the information in question and, when appropriate, consult source material, public records, recordings, documents, photographs, individuals involved, or other available evidence.
A request for a correction does not automatically mean that a correction will be made. We will independently determine whether the published information was inaccurate and whether a correction is warranted.
What Constitutes a Correction?
A correction is appropriate when published information contains a substantive factual error.
Examples may include:
- An incorrect name, title, date, location, or numerical figure.
- An incorrect description of an event or action.
- An inaccurate quotation or attribution.
- Incorrect information concerning a vote, meeting, court proceeding, arrest, government action, public record, or other factual matter.
- Information presented as fact that we later determine was materially inaccurate.
When a substantive error is confirmed, the Roanoke Valley Reporter will correct the information as soon as reasonably practical.
Corrections vs. Updates
Not every change to a published story constitutes a correction.
News develops. Additional information may become available after an article is initially published. We may update stories as new information is confirmed, including additional statements, documents, developments, charges, decisions, identifications, or other relevant information.
Adding newly available information to an otherwise accurate story is an update, not a correction.
When appropriate, significant updates may be identified within the article so readers understand that additional information was added after the original publication.
Minor Changes
The Roanoke Valley Reporter may make minor edits that do not alter the factual substance or meaning of an article without publishing a formal correction notice.
These may include:
- Spelling or typographical corrections.
- Grammar and punctuation.
- Formatting.
- Broken or incorrect links.
- Minor wording changes made for clarity.
- Other non-substantive editorial changes.
If a change materially affects the facts or meaning of a story, it will be treated as a substantive correction rather than a routine edit.
How Corrections Will Be Identified
When a substantive factual correction is made to an article, the Roanoke Valley Reporter will generally include a correction note with the article explaining what information was incorrect and what has been corrected.
We will not ordinarily remove an entire article simply because it contained an error that can be appropriately addressed through a correction.
Our goal is to maintain an accurate record while being transparent with readers when substantive mistakes occur.
Disagreements With Coverage
A disagreement with our reporting does not necessarily constitute a factual error.
Individuals, businesses, government agencies, public officials, organizations, or other subjects of our reporting may disagree with the conclusions of a story, thesignificance given to particular information, or the manner in which accurately reported facts are presented.
The Roanoke Valley Reporter will consider concerns raised about our reporting and will review credible claims of factual error. However, we will not alter accurate reporting solely because a person or organization disagrees with it, objects to its publication, considers it unfavorable, or would prefer that information be presented differently.
Quotes and Statements
Accurately reported statements generally will not be changed simply because a speaker later wishes they had worded the statement differently.
If we determine that a quotation was inaccurate, materially incomplete in a way that created a false impression, or improperly attributed, we will review the matter and make an appropriate correction when warranted.
A person’s subsequent clarification, explanation, or change in position may be newsworthy and may be added as an update or reported separately, but it does not necessarily make the original accurately reported statement incorrect.
Public Records and Official Information
The Roanoke Valley Reporter frequently relies upon public records, court records, government documents, law enforcement information, meeting records, and statements from public officials and agencies.
If information was accurately attributed to an official source but that source later corrects or changes the information, we will evaluate the circumstances and update the story when appropriate.
A subsequent correction or change to information provided by an official source does not necessarily mean that our original reporting was inaccurate based upon the information available at the time of publication.
Arrests, Criminal Charges and Case Dispositions
An arrest or criminal charge is not a finding of guilt. When reporting arrests or criminal charges, the Roanoke Valley Reporter will make reasonable efforts to clearly distinguish allegations from convictions and to accurately attribute allegations and charges to the appropriate authorities, court records, or other sources.
Individuals accused of crimes are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in a court of law.
An article that accurately reports that an individual was arrested or charged with a criminal offense does not become inaccurate merely because the charges are subsequently dismissed, reduced, amended, or otherwise resolved, or because the individual is acquitted.
Those subsequent events represent developments in the case rather than corrections to an accurate report of the original arrest or charges.
When a final disposition is brought to our attention, the Roanoke Valley Reporter will make reasonable efforts to independently verify the information. When verified and appropriate, we may update the original article or provide follow-up coverage reflecting the disposition of the case.
The Roanoke Valley Reporter does not routinely monitor the court disposition of every arrest or criminal charge it reports and assumes no obligation to independently track every criminal case through final disposition.
Some criminal cases, because of their seriousness, public interest, continuing developments, or other news value, may receive ongoing coverage through subsequent articles or updates.
Individuals who wish to inform the Roanoke Valley Reporter of the disposition of a previously reported criminal case are encouraged to contact us and provide sufficient information for the disposition to be independently verified through court records or another reliable source.
Arrest and Booking Photographs
When an arrest or booking photograph is lawfully available through a public record or provided by a law enforcement agency, the Roanoke Valley Reporter may publish the photograph in connection with reporting concerning the arrest or criminal charges.
The publication of an arrest or booking photograph does not imply that the person depicted has been convicted of a crime or is guilty of the allegations reported.
The subsequent dismissal, reduction, amendment, or resolution of criminal charges does not automatically result in removal of an arrest photograph or previously published article that was accurate at the time of publication.
Requests involving exceptional circumstances may be considered individually. Decisions concerning the continued publication, removal, or alteration of photographs or other previously published material remain editorial decisions of the Roanoke Valley Reporter.
Requests to Remove Published Information
As a general practice, the Roanoke Valley Reporter does not remove accurate published information solely because an individual or organization later requests its removal.
The passage of time, resolution of a controversy, dismissal of criminal charges, acquittal, or another subsequent development does not by itself make previously accurate reporting inaccurate.
When appropriate, subsequent developments may instead be reflected through an update to the original article or additional reporting.
Requests involving exceptional circumstances will be considered individually. Any decision to remove, substantially alter, or restrict access to previously published material will remain an editorial decision of the Roanoke Valley Reporter.
Photos, Captions and Multimedia
Our commitment to accuracy extends beyond written articles.
We will correct substantive factual errors appearing in photographs, captions, graphics, videos, headlines, social media posts, or other material published by the Roanoke Valley Reporter when appropriate.
Social Media Corrections
When a substantive factual error appears in information published directly through a Roanoke Valley Reporter social media account, we will determine the most appropriate method of correction based on the nature of the error and the platform involved.
When practical, we will correct or clarify the information in a manner that allows readers who encountered the original information to understand what was wrong.
How to Request a Correction or Provide Updated Information
Readers, sources, public officials, organizations, and others are encouraged to contact us if they believe we have published inaccurate factual information or ifthey have verifiable information concerning a significant subsequent development in a matter previously reported by the Roanoke Valley Reporter.
Requests should identify:
- The article or content in question.
- The specific information believed to be inaccurate or in need of an update.
- The correct or updated information.
- Any documents, court records, links, or other evidence supporting the request.
Requests may be submitted to:
Roanoke Valley Reporter
Email: news@roanokevalleyreporter.com
Providing supporting information allows us to review requests more efficiently. Submission of a correction or update request does not guarantee that published material will be changed or removed.
Our Commitment to Readers
The Roanoke Valley Reporter believes credibility is earned through accuracy, transparency, and a willingness to acknowledge mistakes when they occur.
We will not knowingly allow substantive factual errors to remain uncorrected. At the same time, our corrections process will not be used to remove or alter accurate reporting simply because that reporting is controversial, unfavorable, disputed, or later followed by additional developments.
When we get something wrong, we will correct it.
When the reporting is accurate, we will stand behind it.
