According to Annenberg Media's ethics policy, stories could only be altered post-publication or airing due to factual errors or serious inaccuracies. We also had a no deletion policy. We’re now expanding our approach in a way that will allow Annenberg Media’s student editors and producers to revisit stories on a case-by-case basis at the request of a source.
As a student media outlet, we routinely evaluate the impact of our coverage on the USC student body and surrounding community.
One of our core journalistic principles is to minimize harm. We believe our coverage should provide accountability, but not at the expense of a victim. Since Annenberg Media publishes digital stories on the internet, searchable by anyone at any point in time, the need for a centralized process for reviewing stories has become apparent.
Annenberg Media believes the integrity of the newsroom and a source’s right to have a voice in their own story are not mutually exclusive. By introducing a clear process for potential changes to archival material, our newsroom can facilitate its breaking news coverage while enabling survivors and others to hold a level of autonomy over their stories after they have been published.
In an effort to be as transparent as possible about this process, any material that is altered will have an editor’s note indicating the changes made and why.
Fill out the form below to request an editorial review of a story in which you are named. You cannot fill out this form on behalf of someone else.
Find our FAQ on this policy at
https://bit.ly/AMEditorialReviewPolicy.
This form may be shared using
https://bit.ly/AMEditorialReview. You may direct questions to
christina.bellantoni@usc.edu