Readers deserve to know when a relationship could affect—or appear to affect—coverage. ChulaVista.com contributors and editors must disclose material conflicts of interest before working on a story.
Financial and business relationships
Contributors should disclose ownership interests, employment, consulting work, paid partnerships or significant financial relationships involving a person or organization they are covering. When a conflict is substantial, another contributor or editor should handle the story.
Friends, family and close relationships
Personal relationships can also create conflicts. Contributors should not report on close family members, romantic partners, employers, clients or adversaries without disclosure and editorial review.
Gifts and special treatment
Do not accept gifts, discounts, travel, meals or other benefits intended to influence coverage. Small incidental hospitality may be unavoidable in some community settings, but anything material should be disclosed to an editor.
Political activity
Contributors may hold personal political views, but news coverage must not be used as campaign advocacy. Anyone with a formal campaign role, paid political relationship or significant partisan involvement should disclose that relationship and ordinarily avoid editing or reporting directly on that campaign or candidate.
Business submissions and sponsored material
A business may submit information, but editorial coverage is not guaranteed. Paid or sponsored content must be clearly labeled. Advertising relationships do not entitle an advertiser to favorable editorial treatment.
Corrections and accountability
If a conflict was not disclosed and later becomes known, ChulaVista.com may add disclosure, revise the article, reassign coverage or remove material when necessary to protect reader trust.