Editorial Standards

Core standard: show the work

Public Pulse reports from public meetings, official records and direct sourcing. Reporting distinguishes approved actions from discussion, proposal and speculation. Relevant context and unresolved questions are identified instead of being quietly filled with assumptions.

Verification

Meeting coverage should be checked against available agendas, minutes, staff materials, contracts, budgets, ordinances, recordings and other primary records. Names, vote totals, dollar amounts and dates receive special attention because small errors in civic reporting can materially change meaning.

Facts, analysis and open questions

When the public record establishes a fact, we say so. When interpretation is required, it should be clear that interpretation is occurring. When an answer is not yet available, the story should preserve the open question rather than manufacture certainty.

Source documents

When practical, coverage should link directly to agendas, minutes, budgets, ordinances, contracts and other primary documents so readers can inspect the same record used in the reporting.

Fairness and political independence

Public Pulse does not endorse candidates or parties through its reporting. Relevant competing explanations or disputes should be represented accurately when they materially affect the story. Neutrality does not require treating a documented fact and an unsupported claim as equivalent.

Use of AI and automation

Tools may assist with document organization, transcription, search, calculations, formatting or research workflow. They do not replace source verification. Material factual claims should be traceable to public records, direct reporting or clearly identified sources.

Changes and updates

Stories may be updated when new records, responses or meeting actions become available. Material changes should be noted when they alter the substance of the original reporting.