Council Cop applies the same standards to officials, employees, speakers, activists, and other members of the public. We may reach conclusions and express opinions, but those conclusions should be tied to identified facts, records, rules, and reasoning rather than party affiliation or personal loyalty.
Source and Fairness Standards
- Locate and review the original or highest-quality meeting recording.
- Review relevant agendas, minutes, rules, policies, ordinances, statutes, and available public records.
- Examine enough surrounding footage to understand what happened before and after the featured event.
- Verify names, titles, jurisdictions, dates, and roles.
- Distinguish confirmed facts, allegations, interpretations, and opinions.
- Avoid editing footage in a way that materially changes its meaning.
- Identify missing records, disputed facts, and meaningful uncertainty.
- Seek comment from people or public bodies facing significant factual criticism when fairness and timing permit.
- Include relevant responses accurately and without deceptive editing.
- Correct material errors and disclose meaningful updates.
- Protect confidential sources when confidentiality has been expressly promised and is justified by the public interest.
- Avoid publishing private personal information that is unnecessary to the story.
- Recognize competent public service and responsible civic participation when supported by the record.
When Council Cop covers the founder’s former town, former colleagues, or decisions in which the founder participated, that connection will be disclosed prominently.