Etowah Wire's corrections policy is simple: when we get something wrong, we fix it quickly and say so openly. Accuracy is the foundation of our reporting for Etowah County, and owning our mistakes is part of earning your trust.
How we correct errors
When a story contains a factual error, we correct the story and add a dated correction note explaining what was wrong and what we changed. A corrected story also shows "This story has been corrected" near the top, linking to the note. We do not quietly change facts in published stories.
Minor fixes that do not change the meaning of a story, such as spelling, grammar or formatting, may be made without a note.
Updates
When a story is updated with new information rather than corrected, we mark it as updated and show the date and time of the update.
Clarifications
When a story is accurate but could be misunderstood, we add a clarification that explains the context.
Removing stories
We do not remove published stories except in rare cases, such as a legal requirement or a serious risk to someone's safety. If we do, we say so.
Report an error
If you believe we got something wrong, email corrections@etowahwire.com. Include the link to the story, what you believe is incorrect and, if you can, a source that shows the correct information. We review every request and respond as quickly as we can.
Our wider commitments are in our Editorial Standards.