Editorial Standards

Effective Date: Jul 31, 2026

Our Commitment

Kamloops Critic exists to inform the public through evidence-based reporting, document analysis, and editorial commentary focused on municipal government, accountability, and transparency.

Artificial intelligence is one of many tools used during our research and publishing process. Like search engines, grammar checkers, or photo editing software, AI can improve efficiency and assist with presentation. It does not replace human judgment, editorial oversight, or responsibility.

Every article published by Kamloops Critic remains the responsibility of its editor.

AI-Assisted Writing

Artificial intelligence may be used to assist with:

• • proofreading and grammar
  • improving readability and sentence structure
  • brainstorming headlines and article organization
  • identifying inconsistencies or missing information in research
  • summarizing lengthy public documents
  • suggesting questions for further investigation

AI assistance does not replace original reporting or editorial analysis.

Before publication, every article is reviewed by a human editor. Facts, quotations, dates, references, and contextual information are verified against original sources whenever possible.

Kamloops Critic does not knowingly publish AI-generated information as fact without independent verification.

Original Research

Kamloops Critic places primary importance on original source material whenever it is available. Our reporting is based primarily on evidence such as:

• • City of Kamloops agendas, minutes, and reports
  • council meeting recordings and transcripts
  • court filings and judicial decisions
  • publicly available government documents
  • freedom of information records when available
  • municipal bylaws and provincial legislation
  • interviews and direct correspondence

Artificial intelligence is never treated as a primary source. Factual claims are based on original documents, recordings, legislation, or other independently verifiable evidence. AI may assist with organizing or summarizing information, but the original source material always remains authoritative.

AI-Generated Images

Kamloops Critic occasionally uses AI-generated illustrations.

These images may be used when:

• • no suitable original photograph is available;
  • an illustration better communicates the subject than a photograph;
  • creating a conceptual image for an editorial or opinion piece; or
  • producing artwork that would otherwise require commissioned illustration.

AI-generated images are intended as illustrations, not documentary evidence.

Kamloops Critic does not intentionally use AI to create images that fabricate events, alter documentary evidence, or mislead readers about what actually occurred.

When photographs of actual events are available and appropriate, they are generally preferred.

Where practical, AI-generated illustrations will be identified in the image caption, alt text, or labeled as "AI by Kamloops Critic" on the image itself.

Image Editing

Photographs may also be edited using traditional or AI-assisted software for routine publishing purposes, including:

• • cropping
  • resizing
  • colour correction
  • exposure adjustments
  • sharpening
  • background cleanup
  • removal of minor distractions that do not alter the factual content of the image

Images will not be materially altered in a manner that changes the events or circumstances being reported.

Opinion and Editorial Content

Many articles published by Kamloops Critic contain analysis, commentary, or opinion.

Artificial intelligence may assist with editing or improving the clarity of these articles, but the opinions expressed are those of Kamloops Critic alone.

AI does not determine our editorial positions or conclusions.

Human Accountability

Every article published by Kamloops Critic is reviewed and approved by a human editor before publication.

Editorial decisions—including what to investigate, which sources to rely upon, how evidence should be interpreted, what conclusions are supported by that evidence, and what opinions are expressed—are made by people, not artificial intelligence.

The use of AI does not diminish Kamloops Critic's responsibility for the accuracy, fairness, independence, or integrity of its reporting. We remain fully accountable for everything we publish.

Accuracy and Corrections

Accuracy is fundamental to our work. Despite careful review, errors can occur.

If you believe an article contains a factual error or misleading information, we encourage you to contact us. Verified errors will be corrected as appropriate, and significant corrections may be acknowledged within the article.

Constructive feedback is always welcome.

Transparency

Artificial intelligence is a publishing tool—not an editor, reporter, investigator, or source.

Readers should judge Kamloops Critic by the quality of its evidence, the accuracy of its reporting, the fairness of its analysis, and its willingness to correct mistakes—not by whether modern editorial tools were used during the publishing process.

Our commitment remains unchanged regardless of the technology we use: to publish accurate, well-supported reporting and clearly identified opinion pieces that contribute to informed public discussion through transparency, accountability, and evidence-based journalism.