Editorial Ethics & Independence Policy

SportsDesk operates under strict editorial independence. Our reporting is not influenced by advertisers, sponsors, partners, or any external party. This policy outlines the ethical standards every member of our newsroom follows.

Editorial Independence

Our editorial team operates independently of our business and advertising functions. No advertiser or sponsor has editorial input, preview rights, or approval authority over any article, score, or ranking we publish. Sponsored content is clearly labeled and never presented as editorial reporting.

Sourcing & Attribution

Every article attributes its sources. We cite official league data, press releases, interviews, and public records. Anonymous sources are used only when necessary for the safety of the source and when the information can be corroborated. We do not publish unverified rumors as fact.

Conflicts of Interest

Writers and editors must disclose any personal or financial interest in a subject they cover. If a conflict exists, the staff member recuses themselves from that story. Disclosures are noted within the article when relevant.

AI Assistance Disclosure

When AI tools are used to assist in drafting an article, the article includes a visible disclosure noting AI assistance. All AI-assisted content is reviewed, fact-checked, and edited by a human editor before publication. AI tools are never used as the sole source of information; all facts are verified against primary sources.

Corrections

We correct errors promptly and transparently. See our Corrections Policy for details on how we handle factual errors.

Score & Stat Verification

Pro and college scores are verified against official league data providers. High school scores are moderated and may be self-reported by coaches and athletic directors; we label self-reported data accordingly.