Editorial
Standards.

Editorial decisions belong to the newsroom.

Advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners, public institutions, political actors, event organizers and sources do not determine whether Breeze covers a subject, how a story is framed, which evidence is included, when an article is published or what conclusion the reporting reaches.

Accreditation provides access; it does not imply endorsement. A partnership does not create an entitlement to coverage. Sponsored or commissioned commercial material is identified as such and remains distinct from independent editorial reporting.

Where an external relationship is materially relevant to a story, Breeze will disclose that relationship where necessary for readers to evaluate the reporting.

Accuracy takes precedence over speed.

Breeze seeks to establish material facts before publication through primary records, direct observation, named sources, specialist knowledge and other evidence appropriate to the story.

Official information is treated as attributable evidence rather than as automatically complete explanation. Statements from governments, companies, political actors, institutions and advocacy groups are identified as claims when they have not been independently established.

Material facts should be checked against additional evidence where the circumstances of the story make independent verification necessary.

When reliable evidence conflicts, the disagreement should remain visible in the reporting.

Named sources are preferred whenever circumstances permit.

Breeze may grant anonymity when the information is newsworthy and identification could expose a source to a credible risk of retaliation, loss of employment, physical danger or other substantial harm. Anonymity is not granted merely because a source prefers not to be named.

The newsroom should know the identity of an anonymous source whenever reasonably possible. Stories using anonymity should describe the source’s relevant position and, where appropriate, explain why anonymity was granted without revealing information that would defeat the protection.

Unless otherwise agreed in advance, conversations with a journalist are treated as on the record. Terms such as background, not for attribution and off the record require mutual understanding before the information is provided. A source cannot retroactively place material off the record after publication terms have already been established.

Breeze does not represent one person as multiple sources and does not fabricate composite sources.

Fairness requires serious engagement with evidence that could materially alter a story.

People and institutions facing significant criticism, allegations of wrongdoing or conclusions that may materially affect their reputation should ordinarily be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication when circumstances permit.

The absence of a response does not prevent publication when the reporting is sufficiently supported. Where relevant, the article should state that comment was requested and whether a response was received.

Fairness does not require giving unsupported claims equal weight with verified evidence. It requires representing relevant positions accurately and testing them against the available record.

A number does not explain itself.

When Breeze uses statistics, budgets, administrative records, contracts, monitoring data or other quantitative evidence, the reporting should identify the definition, period, unit and scope necessary to understand the measure.

Figures expressed in the same unit are not assumed to be directly comparable. Differences in population, accounting basis, geographic scale, time period or institutional scope should be identified where they materially affect interpretation.

When Breeze derives a figure from underlying data, that calculation should be distinguishable from an official statistic or third-party estimate. Material assumptions, exclusions and limitations should be disclosed in the article, methodology note or accompanying graphic where necessary.

Missing data should not be silently converted into observed values. Estimates and modeled values should be identified as such.

Charts, maps and graphics should preserve the scale and uncertainty of the underlying evidence rather than exaggerate the apparent strength of a result.

Breeze distinguishes reporting, analysis and opinion by their editorial function.

News reporting is grounded primarily in verified facts and attributed claims. Analysis may interpret patterns, compare evidence or examine the implications of reported facts, but its conclusions must remain traceable to evidence.

Opinion presents an identified author’s argument or judgment and is labeled accordingly.

Analysis should not be used as a label for unsupported opinion, and opinion should not be presented in the visual form of straight news without clear identification.

Headlines, summaries, social copy and visual presentation should preserve the distinction made in the article itself.

Breeze corrects material factual errors when they are identified and verified.

A correction addresses information that was wrong. A clarification adds a material distinction where the original wording may have produced a misleading understanding. An update records new information that became available after publication.

An update is not used to conceal a correction.

Material corrections should be visible to readers and should identify the substance of what changed. The article should preserve enough context for readers to understand that the published record was amended.

Minor typographical, formatting or grammatical changes that do not alter meaning may be corrected without a formal notice.

Readers and subjects may submit correction or rebuttal requests through the newsroom’s Correction & Rebuttal process.

News photography, video and documentary imagery should preserve the factual character of the scene they represent.

Routine technical adjustments such as cropping, exposure correction or color balancing may be used where they do not materially alter the meaning of the image. People, objects or events should not be added, removed or rearranged in documentary news imagery.

Illustrations, composites, simulations and other non-documentary visuals should be identified when their nature could otherwise be misunderstood.

Data graphics and maps should distinguish observed data from estimates, projections or schematic representation where that distinction matters.

Captions and credits should accurately describe the origin and context of visual material.

Breeze may use artificial-intelligence tools to assist limited newsroom tasks such as research organization, document review, transcription, translation, data work, coding or editorial production.

AI output is not treated as verified evidence.

Facts, quotations, sources and claims generated or summarized by an AI system must be independently checked against reliable sources before publication. AI does not replace original reporting, source evaluation, editorial judgment or human accountability.

The newsroom remains responsible for everything it publishes regardless of the tools used in its production.

Breeze does not use generative AI to create or materially alter documentary news photography, video or audio in ways that could be mistaken for an authentic record of events.

Where AI plays a material role in published journalism and knowledge of that role is necessary for readers to understand how the work was produced, Breeze will disclose its use.

Confidential source material, unpublished reporting and sensitive personal information should not be entered into public or unapproved AI systems where doing so could compromise privacy, security or source protection.

Journalists and editors should avoid financial, political, professional or personal interests that could improperly influence editorial judgment or create a material appearance of such influence.

Substantive gifts, payments or benefits are not accepted in exchange for coverage. Breeze does not pay sources for interviews or information.

Ordinary access, accreditation or basic hospitality may be accepted where necessary for legitimate reporting, but it does not create an obligation to provide favorable coverage.

Travel, accommodation or other material support supplied by an outside organization should be independently paid where practical. Where outside support is necessary and materially relevant to how reporting was produced, appropriate disclosure should be considered.

Commercial colleagues, partners and sponsors do not approve independent editorial copy.

Breeze does not fabricate facts, quotations, characters, documents or events.

The work of other publications, researchers, photographers, data providers and creators should be credited when their reporting or material contributes materially to our work.

Direct quotations are reproduced accurately and in context. Paraphrase should not disguise unattributed copying.

Contributors are responsible for complying with the same standards of accuracy, attribution and disclosure that apply to newsroom staff.

Readers, sources and subjects may contact Breeze about factual accuracy, sourcing, editorial conduct or other concerns relating to published journalism.

Requests involving corrections, rebuttals or rights affected by published reporting may be submitted through the Correction & Rebuttal process.