Editorial Standards
VTScout publishes original local news for Vermont. Every story we publish is held to the standards below. Readers who spot a violation should email us via the Contact page so we can investigate.
Accuracy
Facts in our stories come from named sources, public records, or documented observation. Where reporting relies on a single source, we say so. When we cannot independently verify a claim, we attribute it directly to the party making it (for example: “police say…”, “according to the affidavit…”). We do not publish rumors or unverified social-media claims.
Sourcing
Public-safety reporting draws on press releases, affidavits filed with the courts, dispatch logs, and on-the-record interviews with officials. We name sources whenever possible. Anonymity is granted only when a source faces a credible risk of retaliation and the information cannot be obtained on the record — and a senior editor must approve.
Presumption of innocence
Defendants in criminal cases are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Our blotter posts include this language. We update posts when charges are dropped, dismissed, or result in acquittal.
Corrections
If we get something wrong, we fix it promptly and label the correction. See the Corrections page for the public log. Significant corrections are noted at the top of the affected article.
Independence
VTScout is independently owned and reader-supported. We do not accept payment for editorial coverage, nor do we let advertisers influence what we publish. Sponsored content, when it appears, is clearly labeled.
AI-assisted workflows
We use AI tools for routine tasks such as drafting headlines from press releases, summarizing public records, and proofreading. Every story is reviewed by a human editor before publication, and we are responsible for everything we publish.
Frequently asked questions.
How does VTScout verify facts?
Every story is verified against named sources, public records, or documented observation. When reporting rests on a single source, we say so. When a claim cannot be independently verified, we attribute it directly — "police say," "according to the affidavit," "the lawsuit alleges."
When does VTScout grant anonymity to sources?
Anonymity is granted only when a source faces a credible professional or physical risk and the information cannot be obtained on the record. A senior editor must approve every unnamed source, and we tell readers as much as we can about why the source is anonymous.
Does VTScout publish mugshots?
No — we do not publish mugshots in routine crime coverage. We name criminal defendants only when charges have been formally filed and update stories when charges are dropped, dismissed, or result in acquittal.
How does VTScout handle the presumption of innocence?
Criminal defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. Our blotter posts include this language explicitly, and we update posts when charges are dropped, dismissed, or end in acquittal. Readers can request an update via the corrections page.
Does VTScout use AI to write stories?
We use AI for routine drafting from press releases, summarizing public records, and proofreading. Every story is reviewed by a human editor before publication. AI-assisted stories carry an "About this report" disclosure on the article page, and we are responsible for everything we publish.
Is VTScout independent of advertisers?
Yes. We do not accept payment, gifts, travel, or favors from anyone we cover, and we do not let advertisers influence editorial decisions. Sponsored content is clearly labeled and excluded from the news feed.