How we do our work
Every story starts with a question.
Research follows the question. Evidence shapes the story. History and context matter. Readers are trusted to think for themselves.
Sunday Dinner is independent, not without values.
Human editorial responsibility is non-negotiable. Evidence may not be subordinated to a predetermined conclusion, partisan demand, sponsor preference, or desired emotional reaction.
Accuracy and evidence
We verify factual claims against appropriate primary records and credible sources. Reporting, analysis, commentary, personal experience, and institutional editorials are labeled so readers know what they are reading.
Sourcing and quotations
Sources must support the claims attached to them. Quotations must preserve meaning. Anonymous sources require a genuine reason, editor knowledge of identity, and appropriate corroboration.
Fact review and context
Names, dates, numbers, documents, historical claims, and potentially harmful allegations receive focused review. Context that materially changes understanding is not withheld.
Fairness and response
People and organizations facing substantial criticism should receive a reasonable opportunity to respond when practical. Fairness does not require false equivalence.
Corrections and updates
Typos may be repaired quietly. Clarifications, material factual corrections, major revisions, developing-story updates, and retractions receive the level of public notice appropriate to what changed.
Independence and conflicts
Contributors disclose relevant financial, political, advocacy, family, or organizational relationships. Sponsors and advertisers do not select independent story conclusions, sources, headlines, or findings.
AI use
AI output is not a source. Routine production assistance does not automatically require disclosure. Material AI-written prose, analysis central to a finding, translation, synthetic media, AI illustration, or photography-like generated imagery is disclosed when a reader could mistake it for human authorship or documentary reality. Confidential source material is not casually sent to outside AI systems.
Originality and image integrity
Plagiarism, invented quotations, deceptive image alteration, and unattributed reuse are prohibited. Photography, archives, illustrations, and generated imagery receive truthful credits and rights records.
Sensitive subjects
We minimize unnecessary harm, protect private information, avoid doxxing, and use particular care with minors, trauma, medical details, and vulnerable people.
Reader corrections
Readers may challenge our evidence or conclusions. Good-faith correction requests are reviewed on their merits, not on whether they are favorable to Sunday Dinner.