Standards and Transparency

Last updated: July 2026

The Ledger Star is an independent, not-for-profit news and analysis publication focused on Hampton Roads, Virginia, and the industries, institutions, investments, and public decisions shaping the region.Our goal is to provide credible, useful information for the people responsible for leading, investing in, and building Hampton Roads. These standards explain how we gather information, correct mistakes, manage potential conflicts, use artificial intelligence, and distinguish journalism from advertising.

Sourcing Standards

The Ledger Star seeks to publish reporting that is accurate, fair, properly attributed, and supported by reliable evidence. Whenever possible, our reporting relies on primary sources, including:

• Government records and regulatory filings

• Corporate announcements and financial disclosures

• Public meeting materials

• Court records and official documents

• Direct interviews

• Data from established public agencies

• Statements from individuals or organizations directly involved in the subject

We may also use reporting from other credible news organizations, trade publications, academic institutions, research organizations, and industry sources. When another publication first reports information that materially contributes to an article, The Ledger Star will identify or link to that source when appropriate.Anonymous sources may be used when the information is important, the source has direct knowledge of the matter, and disclosure of the source’s identity could create a legitimate professional, legal, or personal risk. Information from anonymous sources should be independently verified whenever possible.Press releases, corporate statements, and government announcements are treated as claims from the organizations issuing them, not as independently established facts. The Ledger Star may question, contextualize, or challenge those claims.We do not knowingly publish fabricated quotes, statistics, events, companies, people, or sources.

Corrections Policy

The Ledger Star corrects factual errors promptly and transparently.Corrections may address inaccurate names, dates, figures, quotations, descriptions, links, or other material facts. Significant corrections will be noted within the article so readers can understand what was changed. Minor spelling, grammar, formatting, or style edits may be made without a correction notice when they do not change the meaning of the article.Updates that add new information to an accurate article may be identified as updates rather than corrections.Readers who believe an article contains an error may contact us at [email protected]. Please include the article title, the information believed to be incorrect, and any supporting documentation or sources.Requests to remove accurate information will be considered individually but will not automatically result in removal. The Ledger Star may update, clarify, anonymize, or remove information when there is a compelling ethical, safety, or legal reason to do so.

Conflict-of-Interest Policy

The Ledger Star seeks to avoid financial, political, professional, and personal relationships that could improperly influence its coverage.Writers and editors should disclose any material relationship with a person, company, organization, project, or public body covered in an article. A material relationship may include employment, consulting work, investments, board service, close personal relationships, business partnerships, gifts, or other interests that a reasonable reader could view as affecting editorial judgment.When a potential conflict cannot reasonably be avoided, it will be disclosed within the article or in an accompanying editor’s note.The Ledger Star does not allow advertisers, sponsors, donors, investors, public officials, companies, or partner organizations to review, approve, or suppress independent editorial coverage before publication.Coverage is not promised in exchange for money, access, sponsorship, membership, advertising, or any other benefit.Reasonable expenses associated with events, travel, meals, or access may occasionally be provided by outside organizations. Any arrangement that could reasonably affect a reader’s assessment of the coverage will be disclosed.

Ownership and Funding Disclosure

The Ledger Star operates on a not-for-profit basis.The publication is owned and operated by The Ledger Star, LLC Additional information about its organizational structure is available upon request.The Ledger Star may be supported through a combination of donations, sponsorships, grants, memberships, advertising, events, and other revenue consistent with its mission.Financial supporters do not receive editorial control. Funding does not guarantee favorable coverage, protection from criticism, access to unpublished material, or influence over editorial conclusions.Material financial support from an organization that is directly discussed in an article will be disclosed when that relationship could reasonably be relevant to the reader.The Ledger Star does not accept funding conditioned on reaching a predetermined editorial conclusion.Questions regarding ownership or funding may be directed to [email protected]

Advertising Policy

The Ledger Star may accept advertising from businesses, institutions, government entities, nonprofit organizations, campaigns, events, and other organizations.Acceptance of advertising does not constitute an endorsement by The Ledger Star.Advertising relationships do not determine which subjects are covered, how stories are framed, or what conclusions are reached. Advertisers may not review or approve independent editorial content.Advertisements will be visually or verbally distinguished from editorial content. Labels may include “Advertisement,” “Paid Advertisement,” or similar language.The Ledger Star reserves the right to reject, remove, or discontinue advertising that is deceptive, inaccurate, discriminatory, unlawful, inconsistent with the publication’s mission, or likely to undermine reader trust.Political and issue advertising, when accepted, will be clearly labeled and will not influence editorial coverage or endorsements.

Sponsored-Content Policy

Sponsored content is material produced or published with financial support from an outside organization.Sponsored content will be clearly labeled using language such as:

• Sponsored

• Paid Content

• Presented By

• Partner Content

• Sponsored by [Organization]

Sponsored content will not be presented as independent reporting.The sponsor may help determine the general subject of sponsored content, but the sponsor may not require The Ledger Star to publish false or misleading claims. Sponsored content must comply with the publication’s standards for accuracy, legality, and transparency.When The Ledger Star writes or edits sponsored content, that involvement will be disclosed. Content provided directly by a sponsor may also be identified as advertiser-provided content.Payment for sponsored content does not guarantee favorable treatment in separate editorial coverage. The Ledger Star may independently report on, question, or criticize a sponsor when warranted.

Artificial Intelligence Use Policy

The Ledger Star uses artificial intelligence tools to support and improve portions of its editorial and business operations.AI may be used to:

• Assist with research and identify potential sources

• Review public records and lengthy documents

• Organize notes and background information

• Generate interview questions or research leads

• Improve grammar, structure, headlines, and readability

• Summarize source material for internal review

• Transcribe interviews or public meetings

• Support data analysis and administrative work

AI is used to enhance articles and streamline research. It does not replace editorial judgment, source verification, or human responsibility for published work.Information produced by AI may be incomplete, biased, outdated, or incorrect. Material facts, quotations, statistics, names, dates, and claims should be checked against reliable sources before publication.The Ledger Star will not knowingly publish fabricated AI-generated quotations, sources, events, people, organizations, or data.The use of AI does not change our correction standards. The Ledger Star remains responsible for everything it publishes, regardless of which tools contributed to the work.When AI plays a substantial role in creating a specific article, graphic, image, analysis, or other published product, The Ledger Star may disclose that use when it would be relevant to a reader’s understanding of the content.

Contact

Questions about these policies, our reporting practices, or a specific article may be sent to: The Ledger Star @ [email protected]