These are the rules The Docket Report holds itself to. They apply to every article, every reporter, and every editor.
Sourcing
We report from primary sources first: court filings, transcripts, official records, data releases, and interviews conducted on the record. Where an article rests on a document, we link to it or state where it is filed and how to obtain it.
We use unnamed sources only when the information is important, cannot be obtained on the record, and can be corroborated. When we grant anonymity, we tell readers why the source will not be named and what the source’s vantage point is. A single anonymous source is not enough to carry a factual claim on its own.
We do not publish rumor, and we do not report the existence of an investigation as proof of wrongdoing.
Verification
A claim of fact is checked against a primary source before publication. Quotes are verified against a recording or a transcript where one exists. Numbers are checked against the underlying data. If we cannot verify something in time, we hold it.
Fairness
Anyone accused of wrongdoing is given a real opportunity to respond, and their response is carried in the article. Charges are not convictions, and we do not describe them as such. We name people accused of crimes in accordance with their public charging; we are more cautious with people who have not been charged.
Independence
The Docket Report accepts no payment, favor, or access in exchange for coverage or for withholding it. Reporters do not cover matters in which they have a financial interest, and do not make political donations or take part in partisan political activity. Any unavoidable conflict is disclosed in the article.
Corrections
When we get something wrong, we fix it promptly and add a correction note at the foot of the article stating what was wrong, what is now correct, and the date. Significant corrections are also listed on the Corrections page. We do not silently edit published articles to change their meaning.
Artificial intelligence
Articles are reported and written by people. We do not publish machine-generated copy as editorial content. We may use software for transcription, search, and document handling; the reporting, the judgment, and the words are the staff’s.
Contact
Standards questions and complaints: contact@thedocketreport.com.