Buckrail is committed to the highest ethical standards in news reporting and community updates. Buckrail retains full authority over editorial content to protect the best journalistic and business interests of our organization.
This evolving document is meant to provide general guidance to the Buckrail editorial and advertising teams, helping them navigate many difficult ethical questions that arise in the course of doing our jobs.
Buckrail fully and wholly aligns with The Society of Professional Journalist Code of Ethics and uses it as a basis for best ethical practices.
Fairness & Accuracy
The Buckrail editorial team is committed to fairness and accuracy.
It is our policy to strive for fairness by citing our sources, providing context, and verifying information before releasing it.
Quotes from sources are accompanied by context as well as how the quote was obtained, ie. public meeting, email, press release, etc.
Respect
As members of the community, the Buckrail team strives to cover community news with the utmost respect for our sources, readers and the topic at hand. We support the open and civil exchange of views.
Independence
Buckrail is an independent media company owned by Teton Media Works, the parent company of Jackson Hole News & Guide, Jackson Hole Daily, Orijin Media, and a number of magazines including, A Grand Wedding, Jackson Hole Magazine, RANGE Magazine and Teton Family Magazine.
The Buckrail newsroom and advertising team are independent entities separate from the Jackson Hole News & Guide and Jackson Hole Daily newsrooms.
Conflicts of Interest
Buckrail is committed to avoiding conflicts of interests, real or perceived. The editorial team does not accept gifts or payments.
Our reporters avoid involvement in partisan causes but when unavoidable or conflicts of interest arise, reporters recuse themselves from stories that could compromise their ability to report and edit objectively.
Accountability and Transparency
When possible we provide links to source materials including reports, websites, emails, etc.
We do not mislead sources. Regardless of the situation, our reporters identify themselves and respect on and off the record conversations.
Corrections
We strive to provide news accurately and recognize the constant evolution and permanency of the online space. We gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
When errors arise, it is our policy to make corrections as soon as we become aware of them. This is done through an “Editor’s Note” which explains the correction and the date in which it was corrected.
Take-down requests
In an effort to minimize harm, Buckrail will consider take-down requests/unpublishing requests on a case-by-case basis.
We recognize the small community we cover and strive to show compassion to those who may be affected by news coverage. We use heightened sensitivity across the board but especially for juveniles, victims, and individuals accused of crimes, and consider the long-term implications of permanence of our online publication.
Per the SPJ code of ethics, we recognize that private individuals have a greater right to control information about themselves than public figures and others who seek power, influence or attention. We may choose to omit information regardless of it being public information.
Non-Staff Bylines
Buckrail republishes articles from The Associated Press and Wyofile to bolster our state and national coverage. Every article that is not original Buckrail content is published in its original form and includes the byline of the author as well as the news source.
Sponsorships and Advertising
Our advertising partners do not influence our news team and vice versa. All advertorial articles are clearly differentiated by a “sponsored by” byline and a “Sponsored” tag.
