How we earn trust
Rockland Connected is built to help neighbors make local decisions. These are the rules we use to keep that information useful, attributable, and honest about what we know.
Published August 5, 2026 · Updated August 25, 2026 · Applies to public site, newsletter, social, and video content.
The working rules
We prefer a smaller, well-sourced answer to a comprehensive-looking page padded with assumptions. Local detail only helps when it is true and relevant.
Non-obvious facts should trace to an official page, public notice, named organization, original event listing, or another identifiable source. Directory records can support basic listing facts; outside claims need outside support.
For government, schools, public safety, elections, roads, utilities, and emergency information, we prefer the responsible public institution. Social posts are treated as leads unless they come from an official account and the claim is low-risk.
Near-term events and other time-sensitive details require more frequent checks than durable place information. A published listing does not automatically mean every field was independently verified, so detail pages disclose source and freshness information when available.
We do not turn cautious source language into certainty. When reliable sources disagree, we resolve the conflict before publication or state what remains unclear. If a source is thin, we say less instead of filling gaps.
Automation may surface leads, organize a checked reporting packet, suggest prose, or detect conflicts. It may not assign itself a story, manufacture facts or firsthand experience, or publish an article. Important claims remain grounded in recorded evidence and a human editor approves the exact final copy.
Sponsored content must be clearly labeled. Sponsors do not choose civic or news topics, sources, headlines, framing, or rankings. Paid placements are not presented as independent editorial picks.
Corrections
If a listing, event, source, attribution, or article is inaccurate, send the URL and the specific fact that needs review. An official source is helpful but not required to report a concern.
We review corrections for the underlying public record. Fixing accurate information does not depend on whether an organization links to, advertises with, or otherwise supports Rockland Connected.
Material Read corrections keep the same URL, preserve the previous copy in our revision history, and display an under-review notice while we recheck the evidence. A correction publishes only after the complete replacement packet and exact wording pass again; each dated note remains visible rather than replacing earlier notes.
Reported Reads
Our Reads begin with a question, a reason it matters now, and a promise to the reader. Automated feeds may suggest a lead, but an editor must assign it and build the reporting packet.
Before drafting, included sources are checked against the live record and every factual claim is linked to evidence. Profiles require a permitted interview and independent corroboration. Event previews and explainers must add reporting beyond the announcement. Reviews and directory copy can suggest a question; they cannot carry a reported feature.
A separate fact-and-quality review checks the draft, then a human editor reviews sources, attribution, geography, fairness, volatile details, and the exact final wording. Published Reads show only the sources used by the final claim map, including permitted on-record interviews when used. Factual image alt text, captions, credits, and correction notes go through the same evidence check; images also require a recorded rights basis. Background, off-record, private, and unpublished material remain private. If the reporting is too thin, we publish a brief—or nothing.
A public listing is not an endorsement, ranking, award, or guarantee of quality.
“Published” and “verified” are different states; source and freshness details explain what is known when available.
Directory counts describe Rockland Connected's coverage, not the full county economy or every organization operating here.