Effective August 1, 2025
1. Purpose and Scope
This Ethics Policy codifies the standards that guide every journalistic, visual, and editorial decision made by The Adept Traveler. It applies to all staff members, contractors, contributors, and volunteers involved in creating or disseminating content across adept.travel, associated newsletters, social channels, and future mobile applications.
2. Core Values
- Integrity, we publish only what we believe to be true, and we correct errors transparently.
- Independence, editorial choices are never influenced by advertisers, suppliers, or business partners.
- Accuracy, facts are verified against official or primary sources, with corroboration whenever practicable.
- Fairness and Respect, coverage must be free of stereotypes, bigotry, or language that demeans any group.
- Accountability, we own our mistakes, disclose conflicts, and respond promptly to legitimate concerns.
3. Editorial Independence
Advertising is handled exclusively through programmatic networks such as Google AdSense. Advertisers have no contact with our editors, no preview rights, and no ability to shape story selection, timing, or wording. The Adept Traveler does not publish sponsored content.
4. Accuracy and Verification
- Writers must document every factual claim in an internal research log.
- Each news article must cite at least one official primary source, and a corroborating source whenever available.
- Editors cross-check the research log before approving publication. If future growth permits, a separate fact-checking function will be added.
5. Sourcing and Attribution
- We prefer on-record attribution. Anonymous sources are used only when information cannot be obtained otherwise, the source's identity is known to the editor, and the story is clearly in the public interest.
- News articles list sources in an active-link "Sources" section at the end. Research "Insights" use Chicago-style footnotes.
6. Corrections and Accountability
- Factual errors are corrected as soon as they are discovered. A "Last Updated" timestamp and note explain substantive changes.
- Readers may request corrections via https://adept.travel/correction. Once newsletters and the app launch, corrections will be pushed to users who accessed the original article.
7. Conflicts of Interest
- The company still operates a travel-agency division, yet those commercial arrangements do not influence editorial coverage.
- Staff and contributors must disclose complimentary travel, financial holdings, or relationships that could affect objectivity. Press trips or freebies are not accepted at this time. If policy changes, disclosures will be mandatory and prominent.
8. Advertising and Commercial Separation
- All ads are labeled automatically by the ad network, appear in distinct containers, and never interrupt article text.
- We do not permit affiliate links or product-placement deals within editorial content.
9. Use of AI and Automation
- AI is employed for hero-image generation and for mechanical editing functions such as spelling and grammar checks.
- All AI output undergoes full human review and editing before publication.
- If AI contributes substantive text or data visualizations, an editor's note will disclose that fact.
10. Diversity, Inclusion, and Representation
- Coverage must respect all cultures, identities, and abilities. Pejorative terms, stereotypes, or dismissive language are prohibited.
- We give special attention to accessibility issues to help travelers with disabilities navigate the world more easily.
11. Privacy and Data Protection
- We comply with the privacy and defamation laws of Elgin, Kane County, Illinois, and applicable United States statutes.
- Confidential sources, personal data, and sensitive information are safeguarded through encryption and restricted access.
12. Accessibility and Style
- Content strives for WCAG 2.2 AA compliance, including descriptive alt text, keyboard navigability, and readable typography.
- House style adapts the Associated Press Stylebook, mandates the Oxford comma, uses two spaces after each period, and avoids em or en dashes.
13. Legal Compliance
We follow the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, the Trust Project principles, Google News Publisher guidelines, and relevant U.S. law.
14. Governance and Enforcement
- Custodian, Brandon J. Yaniz, Founder and Editor-in-Chief.
- Review Cycle, at least once per calendar year, or immediately after major operational changes.
- Reporting Violations, any individual may report suspected breaches to the Editor-in-Chief, who will investigate and respond within seven business days. If a resolution is not satisfactory, concerns may be escalated to an independent ethics advisor appointed ad hoc.
These standards ensure that The Adept Traveler remains a trusted, independent, and responsible source of travel news and insights, helping every reader travel better.