Journalism Principles

Insight on Business is an independent business journalism organization that operates based on widely recognized journalistic principles and practices. The policies below — covering our publishing principles, ethics, corrections, and reader feedback — reflect our commitment to producing accurate, fair, and useful business journalism for Northeast Wisconsin.

Accuracy

Insight on Business makes every reasonable attempt to verify the accuracy of its news and information before publication. Unless otherwise attributed, all editorial content is original and produced by our staff or contracted contributors.

Balance

We explore issues and events from multiple perspectives, free of bias and stereotypes. We extend a right of reply to key subjects of stories prior to publication. If those sources cannot be reached in a reasonable time, the article will explain what efforts were made to reach them.

Independence

We conduct news gathering and reporting free of censorship and pressure from special interests, including advertisers, sponsors, and public officials. Editorial decisions are made independently of advertising relationships.

Transparency

We clearly identify paid content — including sponsored articles, advertorials, and partner posts — and maintain a strict separation between journalism and advertising. Sponsored content is labeled as such and does not influence editorial coverage.

Quotes and Sourcing

We present information from sources, including direct quotes, without altering their intent or meaning. Quotation marks indicate that what is printed between them is what was said. Exceptions are few and usually relate to differences between written and spoken language that may require minor copy editing for clarity, including the use of ellipses and brackets.

We do not agree to requests from the subject of a story to read the story in advance of publication. On occasion, we may ask one or more experts to review a draft or specific information within it to ensure factual accuracy — typically in the case of complex scientific, medical, legal, or financial matters.

In rare instances, we collect information from sources on the following basis:

Not for attribution

We may quote statements directly, but the source may not be named, although a general description of their position may be given.

On background

We may use the essence of statements and generally describe the source, but we may not use direct quotes.

Off the record

We may not report the information; it is used only to help our own understanding or perspective.

Photography and Images

News images are not manipulated, combined, or distorted either in a camera or on a computer, outside of minor adjustments for color correction, exposure correction, and removal of dust spots or scratches. Photo illustrations and composite images are clearly labeled.

Use of Artificial Intelligence

The use of AI in our newsroom must comply with our core journalistic principles. Generative AI is not used to write stories or create photographs. AI tools will not be used by our journalists without significant human oversight to verify data and information, recognizing the biases and limitations of the technology. Insight on Business is responsible for the content it produces, regardless of how it was produced.

Ethics Policy

Our editorial team holds itself to the highest standards of integrity. Staff members do not accept gifts, fees, free travel, or other benefits from sources or subjects of coverage that could compromise — or appear to compromise — the integrity of our reporting. Modest items of nominal value, such as press meals or trade-show admissions, are evaluated case by case in line with industry norms.

Reporters and editors disclose any personal, financial, or professional relationships that could create real or perceived conflicts of interest with their assignments. When a conflict cannot be avoided, it is disclosed within the story or the assignment is reassigned.

We do not pay sources for information, and we do not provide editorial coverage in exchange for advertising. Awards, honors, and recognition programs are judged on the merits of nominees, and editorial decisions about award recipients are made independently of any commercial relationship between nominees and Insight on Business.

Corrections Policy

When a factual error is made in editorial content — online or in print — we are committed to correcting the error as quickly as possible. Significant factual errors are noted with a clearly labeled correction at the bottom of the article, including a brief description of what was changed and when it was updated. Minor typographical or formatting fixes may be made silently.

In rare cases involving egregious error, legal requirement, or safety concern, we may unpublish content. Apart from those exceptions, we do not remove published material from our public channels, and we do not honor requests to delete or alter accurate, properly reported stories at the request of subjects who are unhappy with coverage.

If you believe we have published an error, please contact us with the article URL and a description of the error so we can review it promptly.

Actionable Feedback Policy

We welcome feedback from readers, sources, and subjects of our coverage. Whether you have a story idea, a tip, a complaint, or a correction request, we read and respond to every reasonable inquiry.

Story ideas, tips, and press releases

These can be submitted using our online form.

Letters to the editor and reader commentary

These are welcome and may be considered for publication. We reserve the right to edit submissions for length, clarity, and civility.

Complaints and concerns

Please contact us with complaints about our reporting. We respond to complaints in a transparent manner and use feedback to improve our work.

Reader comments on stories

Comments submitted directly or through social media are encouraged. Posts that are libelous, inflammatory, used to market a company or product, or otherwise off-topic may be removed at our discretion.