HCAM NEWS

Building Community Through Media

ABOUT HCAM NEWS

HCAM News: The digital journal of Holbrook

HCAM News is the primary source for independent, community-focused journalism in Holbrook. As our town’s local information source, we are dedicated to providing accurate, transparent, and timely reporting on the issues that shape our lives.

Our coverage spans from critical town government and school committee decisions to, HMHS happenings and the local stories that define our neighbors. In an era where local information, once provided by trusted sources like the Holbrook Sun, has gone dormant, a dangerous vacuum has been left behind across many communities. In that silence, the speculation and misinformation of the social media rumor mill often take root.

This is where HCAM News comes in.

Restoring the Standard of Local News

We aren't just filling a gap. We are restoring a standard. Unlike the unverified posts of community message boards, HCAM News is powered by journalists committed to the rigors of the craft.

We provide:

Verified Reporting: We prioritize accuracy over "first-to-post" speculation. Every story is vetted and fact-checked.
Professional Ethics: Our team operates with transparency and independence, ensuring our only loyalty is to the truth and the people of Holbrook.
Context and Clarity: We move beyond the headlines to explain how municipal decisions impact your taxes, your schools, and your neighborhood and our community.

Our Mission: To build community through media by empowering Holbrook residents with vetted, fact-based information. We believe that by providing a reliable record of events, we enable our neighbors to be active, informed participants in our local democracy.

HCAM News: Code of Ethics and Professional Conduct

Accuracy and the Discipline of Verification
1. Verification First (AP Standard): Never introduce rumors or unverified social media information into a story. If it hasn’t been confirmed, it isn't news.
2. Source Rule: For controversial or breaking news, confirm facts with at least two independent sources, when possible. Anonymous sources should be a last resort and require editorial approval.
3. No Material Distortion (USA TODAY Standard): Photos, video, and audio must not be altered to misrepresent events. Re-enactments or staged "news" shots are strictly prohibited.
4. AI Integrity: AI tools may be used for research, transcription, or technical assistance, but never to generate news copy, photos, or video without explicit disclosure. All AI-assisted work must be human-verified for accuracy and tone.
5. Context over Clicks: Resist the urge to oversimplify. Provide the "why" and "how" behind local issues, ensuring the town’s diverse perspectives are represented.
Editorial Independence and "The Firewall"
1. Absolute Autonomy: HCAM News operates with total editorial independence. News staff and student reporters are autonomous from the HCAM Board of Directors, town elected officials, and municipal employees. Editorial decisions, including what to cover and how to report it, are made solely by the news team.
2. Revenue: Deny favored treatment to advertisers, donors, or any other special interests, and resist internal and external pressure to influence coverage
3. Arm's-Length Relationships: Maintain professional distance from those we cover. Avoid political involvement, including signing petitions or displaying campaign signs, as these compromise your perceived neutrality (USA TODAY Standard).
4. Social Media Decorum: Staff and students represent HCAM even on personal accounts. Avoid taking public stances on local issues or candidates that HCAM News covers, as this can create a perception of bias and undermine credibility.
5. Gifts and Favors: Refuse any gift, payment, or "perk" that could be seen as an attempt to influence coverage. HCAM pays for its own reporters' expenses.
6. Distinguish Opinion: Clearly label any non-news content as "Commentary," "Opinion," or "Perspective" to prevent public confusion.
Minimizing Harm and Human Dignity
1. Compassion in Reporting: Treat sources and subjects as human beings deserving of respect. Use special care when reporting on juveniles, victims of tragedy, or people unaccustomed to dealing with the media.
2. The Right of Reply (AP Standard): Whenever a person or organization is portrayed in a negative light, you must make a diligent, good-faith effort to reach them for a response before the story is published.
3. Privacy vs. Public Interest: Respect personal privacy unless the information is vital to the public’s understanding of a civic issue.
Accountability and Radical Transparency
1. Prompt Corrections (AP Standard): When an error is made, it must be corrected quickly, fully, and ungrudgingly. A clear "Editor’s Note" must be attached to the story explaining what was corrected.
2. Small-Town Conflict Disclosure: In our tight-knit community, personal overlaps are inevitable. If a reporter has a personal, family, or financial connection to a story subject or town official, they must disclose this to the editor immediately. We will either reassign the story or include a clear disclosure to the audience.
3. Process Transparency: Be prepared to explain to the community how and why a story was reported.
Standards for Student Reporters & Mentorship
1. Educational Integrity: Students are expected to adhere to this entire code. When conducting interviews, they must clearly identify themselves as student reporters.
2. Editorial Safety Net: While students are responsible for their work, HCAM staff provides an editorial review process to ensure that all professional and ethical standards are met before publication.
3. Teaching Moments: Ethical dilemmas are treated as opportunities for learning. Mentors will guide students through the "why" behind these rules to prepare them for professional careers.