Editorial Standards and Corrections
Montreal Jewish News is committed to accurate, fair and independent journalism. Our responsibility is to report what happened, explain the relevant context and clearly distinguish between verified facts, allegations, analysis and opinion.
Accuracy
Accuracy is our first obligation. We make reasonable efforts to verify names, dates, locations, quotations, statistics and other material facts before publication.
Information obtained from social media, community sources or eyewitnesses is not automatically treated as confirmed. When information cannot be independently verified, we will identify it as reported, alleged, unconfirmed or based on the account of a particular source.
Breaking-news stories may be updated as additional information becomes available.
Sources
Montreal Jewish News relies on public records, official statements, interviews, eyewitness accounts, documents, photographs, video, social media and other credible sources.
Anonymous sources may be used when the information is important, the source is in a position to know it and there is a legitimate reason to protect the source’s identity. The editor must know the identity of any anonymous source relied upon in a published story.
We do not pay sources for information.
Fairness and Right of Reply
People and organizations facing serious criticism or allegations should ordinarily be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
A refusal to comment, failure to respond or inability to reach a person does not prevent publication when the information is sufficiently verified and is in the public interest. Where appropriate, the article will state that a response was requested.
Fairness does not require giving every position equal weight. It requires presenting relevant facts honestly and allowing readers to understand the basis of the reporting.
Independence
Montreal Jewish News is independently owned and is not the official publication of any political party, synagogue, community organization, advocacy group or Jewish institution.
Editorial decisions are made by Montreal Jewish News. Advertisers, donors, sponsors and outside organizations do not determine what we report or how we report it.
Any significant conflict of interest that could reasonably affect a story will be disclosed or addressed before publication.
News, Analysis and Opinion
News reports are intended to present verified information and relevant context.
Analysis may include interpretation based on facts, public information and the writer’s knowledge of the subject.
Opinion articles reflect the views of the author. They do not necessarily represent the views of Montreal Jewish News, its contributors or the organizations mentioned in the article.
Headlines, photographs and captions should accurately reflect the substance of the story and should not materially exaggerate what the reporting establishes.
Quotations
Direct quotations should reflect what a source actually said. Minor changes may be made for spelling, punctuation or clarity when they do not alter the meaning.
We will not knowingly create quotations, combine separate statements into a misleading quotation or attribute words to a person who did not say them.
Photographs and Video
Photographs and video may be cropped, resized or adjusted for clarity, but they should not be altered in a way that changes the meaning of the image or misleads the reader.
Illustrations, recreated scenes and AI-generated images should be identified when there is a reasonable possibility that a reader could mistake them for documentary photographs.
Material submitted by readers may be published only when Montreal Jewish News has a reasonable basis to believe that the person submitting it owns the material or has permission to share it.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial-intelligence tools may be used to assist with research, transcription, translation, editing, organization or image creation. They are not treated as reliable sources.
All facts, quotations and significant claims must be reviewed by a human editor before publication. Montreal Jewish News remains responsible for everything it publishes, regardless of whether technology assisted in producing it.
We will not knowingly use artificial intelligence to invent sources, fabricate quotations, create false evidence or misrepresent fictional events as real reporting.
Privacy and Sensitivity
Montreal Jewish News considers the public interest before publishing private or sensitive personal information.
We generally avoid identifying minors who are victims of crimes, people whose identification could place them at risk and individuals whose personal information is not relevant to the story.
The names of people accused of wrongdoing may be published when the information is verified, legally reportable and relevant to the public interest. An accusation, arrest or charge is not proof of guilt.
Plagiarism and Attribution
We do not knowingly publish plagiarized material.
Reporting, photographs, documents and original information obtained from other publications or creators should be properly attributed. When another news organization first reported a significant fact, Montreal Jewish News will make reasonable efforts to credit that reporting.
Corrections Policy
Montreal Jewish News corrects significant factual errors as soon as reasonably possible after they are confirmed.
Corrections will explain what was wrong and provide the accurate information. Material changes to a published story may be identified through a correction, clarification or editor’s note.
Minor spelling, punctuation, formatting or grammatical changes that do not alter the substance of an article may be corrected without a formal notice.
An article may be clarified when the original wording was factually accurate but could reasonably create a misleading impression.
Removal of an article is rare. Articles will not ordinarily be removed simply because a person no longer likes the information, has changed their position or believes the story is unflattering. Removal may be considered when there are serious legal, ethical, safety or accuracy concerns that cannot be addressed through a correction or update.
Requesting a Correction
Requests for corrections should clearly identify the article, the information believed to be inaccurate and any documents or evidence supporting the request.
Correction requests may be sent to:
Please include Correction Request in the subject line.
Montreal Jewish News will review legitimate correction requests and make the final editorial decision based on the available evidence.
