Corrections Policy

Purpose

At What’s Up Worcester News, Inc., accuracy and accountability are at the heart of our work. We recognize that mistakes can happen, and when they do, we are committed to correcting them quickly, clearly, and transparently. This policy outlines how we handle corrections, clarifications, and updates to ensure public trust in our reporting.

Our Commitment

  • We strive to produce accurate, fair, and verified reporting in every story we publish.
  • When an error is identified—by a staff member, source, or member of the public—we will promptly review and correct it.
  • We take responsibility for our mistakes and make corrections in a way that is visible and honest to our readers.

Corrections Process

  1. Identifying an Error
    • Errors may be reported by readers, staff, or sources by contacting editor@whatsupworcester.com.
    • All correction requests are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief or designated editor.
  2. Verification and Decision
    • If an error is confirmed, the correction will be made as soon as possible.
    • If clarification (rather than correction) is needed, we will note that accordingly.
  3. Publishing the Correction
    • Online articles: A correction or editor’s note will appear at the bottom of the story, clearly marked and dated.
    • Social media posts: If the error appeared on social media, a corrected post or follow-up will be published to clarify the record.
    • Video content: If an error occurs in a published video, a pinned comment, a caption edit, or a re-upload will note the correction.

Types of Corrections

  • Minor Edits: Typographical or grammatical errors that do not affect meaning may be corrected without a public note.
  • Significant Errors: Any factual inaccuracy, misquote, or omission that could mislead readers will receive a public correction note.
  • Clarifications: When additional context is needed to prevent misunderstanding, a note will explain the clarification.

Reader Engagement

We encourage readers to help us uphold accuracy. Anyone can submit correction requests by emailing editor@whatsupworcester.com with the article title, link, and description of the potential error.
We value community feedback and consider it an essential part of ethical journalism.

Accountability

This policy applies to all reporting, videos, graphics, and social posts produced by What’s Up Worcester News, Inc. It is reviewed annually by the Editor-in-Chief and Board of Directors to ensure it reflects best practices in nonprofit, community-based journalism.

Approved by: Board of Directors, What’s Up Worcester News, Inc.
Effective Date: October 2025
Contact: jfilmore@whatsupworcester.com