The Dunedin Voice & Quill adheres to a defined set of editorial standards and ethical principles. These guidelines inform every aspect of our journalistic practice, from initial reporting to final publication. They reflect our commitment to factual accuracy, impartiality, and public service within the Dunedin community.
Our editorial independence is a core tenet of our operations. While APG owns and operates The Dunedin Voice & Quill, all editorial decisions are made solely by our editorial team in Dunedin. This separation ensures our reporting focuses exclusively on the interests of our readership.
All information published by The Dunedin Voice & Quill undergoes a rigorous verification process. Our journalists are required to confirm facts from multiple credible sources before they are included in any report.
We prioritise primary sources and original documentation whenever possible. Secondary sources are carefully cross-referenced to ensure their reliability.
Statistical data is checked for accuracy, proper context, and correct attribution. We avoid presenting speculation as fact.
Our editorial team reviews all content prior to publication to identify and correct any factual errors, grammatical mistakes, or ambiguities.
The Dunedin Voice & Quill is committed to fair and balanced reporting. We strive to present all relevant viewpoints on issues of public interest.
Individuals or organisations who are the subject of significant allegations or criticism in our reporting are routinely offered an opportunity to respond. This right of reply is extended prior to publication whenever practicable.
Quotes and statements are presented in their proper context. We avoid selective quoting that could misrepresent an individual's or entity's position.
Our reports aim to be objective, avoiding language that expresses personal opinion or bias on the part of the reporter or editorial staff.
The Dunedin Voice & Quill maintains strict independence from all commercial and political pressures. Our reporting is not influenced by advertisers, political parties, special interest groups, or any external entities.
Our journalists do not accept gifts, favours, or payments that could compromise their journalistic integrity or create the appearance of a conflict of interest.
Ownership by APG does not extend to control over editorial content. The editorial staff in Dunedin makes all content decisions autonomously.
We do not endorse political candidates or parties, nor do we promote commercial products or services within our editorial content. Any sponsored content, should it ever be published, would be clearly and unambiguously labelled as such.
The Dunedin Voice & Quill is committed to correcting errors promptly and transparently. Should an error of fact be identified in our published material, we will address it.
Readers who believe they have identified an error are encouraged to notify our editorial team.
Details on how to report a potential error, and our process for reviewing and issuing corrections, can be found on our dedicated corrections page.
This policy is detailed at dvq.co.nz/corrections.
The Dunedin Voice & Quill upholds the principle of protecting confidential sources. Our journalists are committed to shielding the identities of sources who provide information on the understanding that their anonymity will be preserved.
This commitment is essential for encouraging individuals to provide information on matters of public interest, especially when doing so may carry personal or professional risks.
We only enter into confidentiality agreements when the information is of significant public value and cannot be obtained through other means.
Our editorial team maintains secure methods for communicating with and storing information from confidential sources.
Our journalists and editorial staff are required to disclose any potential conflicts of interest that may arise. These include personal relationships, financial interests, or other affiliations that could be perceived to influence their reporting.
When a conflict of interest is identified, appropriate measures are taken. This may involve reassigning a story to another reporter or providing a clear disclosure within the published content.
Journalists are prohibited from reporting on individuals, organisations, or issues where they have a direct personal stake.
These measures ensure that our reporting remains objective and free from undue influence.
The Dunedin Voice & Quill approaches the integration of artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies with caution and transparency. While these tools may assist in research, data analysis, or transcription, they do not replace human journalistic judgment.
Any content generated or substantially assisted by AI will be thoroughly reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by our human journalists. We do not publish AI-generated content without explicit human oversight and verification.
We do not use AI tools to create fabricated content or to misrepresent facts. The ultimate responsibility for accuracy and ethical reporting always rests with our editorial team.
Our use of technology is intended to enhance our reporting capabilities, not to diminish the role of human journalists or journalistic ethics.
The Dunedin Voice & Quill takes all feedback seriously. If you have concerns about our editorial content, believe we have made an error, or wish to provide feedback on our practices, please contact us directly.
Formal complaints regarding our editorial standards or content should be directed to the editor. Please provide specific details, including the article in question and the nature of your concern.
All complaints are reviewed by the editorial team. We strive to respond to all communications in a timely and professional manner.
Please direct all complaints and feedback to editor@dvq.co.nz.