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The publishing standards DOPE Sports Network adopts going forward.
DOPE Sports Network adopts the following publishing standards going forward. They guide new work, editorial review, and corrections; they do not imply that every item in the historical archive already complied with every policy.
DSN prioritizes factual accuracy, independently verifiable information, and responsible sourcing. Scores, statistics, results, team records, and athlete information should be checked against official league sources, school athletic departments, governing bodies, box scores, or credible reporting. Unresolved material claims should be held rather than presented as confirmed facts.
Original reporting must distinguish firsthand observations from information supplied by external sources. External reporting, photography, and other media must receive appropriate attribution. Rewording another publication’s reporting does not remove the need for verification or create ownership of that source’s work.
DSN will correct meaningful factual errors promptly when identified. Substantive corrections should be transparently noted within the affected article when appropriate. Routine spelling or formatting fixes may be made without a correction note.
Request a correction at press@dopevzn.com. Include the story URL, identify the disputed information, and provide a reliable source when possible. Disagreement with an opinion is not by itself a factual error.
DSN maintains separation between independent journalism and commercial partnerships. Advertisers and sponsors do not control independent editorial coverage. Commercial agreements must not guarantee favorable reporting.
Paid partnerships, sponsored articles, and branded content must be clearly identified. A commercial relationship must not be presented as independent reporting. Advertising placements require separate approval before activation.
AI may assist with research organization, transcription, drafting, editing, and production workflows. Publication requires appropriate human editorial review. AI-generated information is not verified reporting without independent confirmation. Statistics, interviews, quotations, sources, and eyewitness accounts must never be fabricated.
Use original photography, licensed media, authorized press materials, or other imagery with documented appropriate usage rights. Giving a photographer credit does not automatically establish the right to republish an image. Getty Images photographs and other copyrighted imagery require the appropriate license or authorization.
Credit the applicable rights holder and comply with the license. Clearly distinguish file photography from images of the event covered; never imply DSN attended a game based only on an illustrative or archive photograph.
Coverage of minors must be handled responsibly. Respect applicable safeguarding requirements, privacy restrictions, event rules, and school policies. Avoid unnecessary disclosure of sensitive personal information, private contact details, and unsupported recruiting claims.
Journalists and contributors should disclose relevant relationships that could compromise, or reasonably appear to compromise, editorial independence. An editor should evaluate the conflict before an assignment or publication decision.