Readers deserve to know where our information comes from.

We believe transparency about sourcing strengthens trust and allows readers to better evaluate our reporting. Whenever possible, we identify our sources by name, explain how we obtained information, and distinguish between firsthand reporting, public records, official documents, data, and information reported by other news organizations.

We place the greatest value on firsthand reporting. Whenever possible, we gather information directly by interviewing sources, attending public meetings and events, reviewing original documents, and examining public records ourselves rather than relying solely on secondhand accounts.

Attribution is a cornerstone of accurate, accountable journalism. We strive to provide readers with enough information to understand not only what we know, but how we know it.

Firsthand reporting

Whenever practical, our reporting is based on firsthand observation and original reporting.

Our journalists regularly attend government meetings, court proceedings, public hearings, community events, press conferences, and other newsworthy events to observe them directly and provide readers with firsthand accounts.

We also rely on original documents, including records obtained through the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), court filings, financial disclosures, audits, contracts, emails, and other public records whenever available.

When we rely on information reported by another news organization, we clearly attribute it and seek to independently verify important facts whenever practical.

Interviews and attribution

Whenever possible, we conduct interviews on the record and identify ourselves as journalists.

Before an interview begins, we seek to establish whether the conversation is:

• On the record: Information may be published and attributed to the speaker by name.
• On background: Information may be published, but the source is not identified by name. Attribution is provided using mutually agreed-upon terms, such as “a state official familiar with the matter” or “a person with direct knowledge of the negotiations.”
• Off the record: Information is provided solely to help inform our reporting and may not be published or attributed.

These ground rules should be established before information is shared. We generally do not agree to change the terms of an interview after the fact.

Our preference is to gather information on the record whenever possible. However, we recognize that some important public-interest reporting depends on conversations conducted on background or off the record, particularly when sources face legitimate concerns about retaliation, safety, employment, or other serious consequences.

Anonymous sources

Whenever possible, we identify sources by name because transparency helps readers evaluate the credibility and motivations of the people providing information.

We grant anonymity only when all of the following conditions are met:

• The information is important to the public.
• The source faces a credible risk of retaliation, physical harm, professional consequences, or other serious repercussions.
• The information cannot reasonably be obtained another way.
• Editors know the identity of the source.
• Editors are satisfied that the source is credible.

Whenever we grant anonymity, we explain why it was necessary whenever doing so will not compromise the source’s identity.

Anonymous sources are never used simply to allow someone to avoid accountability, settle personal disputes, or make unsupported attacks against others.

Whenever possible, information provided on background or by anonymous sources is independently verified through public records, documents, additional sources, or other reporting before publication.

We carefully consider every source’s motivations for providing information. Understanding why someone is speaking with us helps us evaluate the credibility, completeness, and reliability of the information they provide.

Protecting confidential sources

Protecting confidential sources is a fundamental responsibility of journalists.

We do not disclose the identities of confidential or anonymous sources outside our newsroom, whether or not a source specifically requests confidentiality. Editors may know a confidential source’s identity when necessary to evaluate credibility and oversee reporting, but that information is shared only on a need-to-know basis.

Information provided off the record remains off the record. We do not publish it, disclose it to others, or use it in ways that violate the agreement under which it was provided.

However, information shared off the record may guide our reporting. We may independently seek to confirm the same information through public records, documents, or additional sources willing to speak on the record or on background. If we independently verify the information, we may publish it without revealing or relying on the original off-the-record conversation.

Information obtained on background may be shared within the newsroom or, when necessary, with independent experts or other knowledgeable sources to help us verify facts or better understand technical or specialized subjects. When doing so, we do not disclose the identity of the source without the source’s permission.

Verification

We seek to independently verify important information whenever practical, particularly when it comes from anonymous or background sources.

Verification may include reviewing public records, court filings, government documents, data, photographs, video, original source material, or other evidence, as well as confirming information through additional sources.

When we obtain documents through the New Jersey Open Public Records Act (OPRA), the federal Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), court records, or other lawful means, we may share those documents with independent experts or other knowledgeable sources to help verify their authenticity, significance, or technical content before publication.

Authenticating documents

We make every reasonable effort to verify the authenticity of documents before relying on them in our reporting. Depending on the circumstances, this may include confirming their origin, comparing them with public records, consulting knowledgeable sources or independent experts, examining metadata or other identifying information, and seeking comment from the individuals or organizations involved.

We do not publish documents we know, or have reason to believe, are altered, fabricated, or misleading without clearly explaining the concerns to readers.

Story review

We generally do not allow sources to review stories before publication.

In limited circumstances, we may ask a source to review quotations, technical information, data, or other specialized material solely to confirm factual accuracy. Such reviews are not an opportunity to rewrite stories, influence editorial judgments, or negotiate coverage.

Embargoes and exclusives

We may agree to reasonable embargoes that allow journalists time to review reports, research, court filings, government documents, or other materials before a scheduled public release. Embargoes help improve the accuracy and depth of our reporting by providing time for careful review and additional reporting.

We do not agree to embargoes that restrict our editorial independence, prevent us from pursuing additional reporting, or give outside organizations control over our news judgment.

We generally do not enter into exclusive agreements that limit our ability to report independently or fairly. When we receive exclusive information from a source, we verify it using the same standards that apply to all of our reporting. Exclusive access never guarantees favorable coverage or influence over editorial decisions.

Attribution

We clearly distinguish between:

• Original reporting.
• Interviews.
• Public records.
• Court filings.
• Government documents.
• Data.
• Academic research.
• Information reported by other news organizations.

When relying on another organization’s reporting, we provide clear attribution and seek to independently verify important information whenever practical.

We believe readers deserve to know where information comes from.

Recording interviews

We may record interviews to ensure accuracy when permitted by law and, when appropriate, with the knowledge of the source. Recordings are used to verify quotations and reporting and are retained in accordance with our newsroom practices. We do not publish recordings unless they are newsworthy, become part of the public record, or the source has consented to their release.

AI and source materials

We do not use artificial intelligence to create quotations, fabricate interviews, alter source documents, or generate evidence. AI tools may assist with administrative tasks such as transcription or document organization, but journalists remain responsible for verifying all information against original source material before publication.