Effective Date: Feb 27, 2026
Last Updated: Feb 27, 2026
1. Our Mission
The Waterbury Times exists to serve the residents of Waterbury, Connecticut through accurate, fair, and community-centered journalism.
As a public benefit media organization, our purpose is to:
- Inform the public
- Strengthen civic engagement
- Preserve the historical record of our city
- Provide equitable coverage of all communities in Waterbury
Our work is guided by the ethical principles of the Society of Professional Journalists, including accuracy, fairness, independence, and accountability.
2. Editorial Independence
The Waterbury Times maintains full editorial independence from:
- Government entities
- Political parties or campaigns
- Advertisers or sponsors
- Private business interests
- Community organizations
- The personal activities of its ownership
No outside individual or organization may influence, preview, approve, or suppress editorial content.
All editorial decisions are made solely in the interest of the public.
3. Separation of News, Opinion, and Sponsored Content
To maintain trust and transparency, we clearly distinguish between:
News Reporting
Fact-based, verified, and written without personal bias.
Opinion & Commentary
Columns, editorials, or personal perspectives, which are clearly labeled as Opinion.
Sponsored or Partner Content
Paid or partnered material, clearly labeled as Sponsored or Paid Partnership.
Advertising or sponsorship never guarantees coverage and never influences newsroom decisions.
4. Ownership & Public Figure Disclosure
The owner and publisher of The Waterbury Times is an active and visible member of the Waterbury community and may:
- Engage in civic activity
- Participate in public dialogue
- Maintain relationships with public officials and community leaders
To protect editorial integrity:
If a story involves ownership directly:
The Waterbury Times will:
- Assign coverage to an independent contributor or editor, OR
- Publish a clear disclosure note within the article, OR
- Decline coverage and direct readers to independent external reporting
At no time will ownership influence or alter factual reporting involving themselves.
5. Political Neutrality & Fair Access
The Waterbury Times is nonpartisan.
We provide fair and equal coverage to:
- All political parties
- Elected officials
- Candidates for public office
- Community viewpoints across the political spectrum
We do not endorse candidates unless explicitly stated in a clearly labeled Editorial Endorsement.
6. Accuracy, Corrections, and Accountability
We are committed to accuracy and transparency.
If an error occurs:
- We will correct it promptly
- We will note the correction clearly
- We will update digital archives when necessary
Readers may request corrections by contacting us at:
DMLIVINGSTON@THEWATERBURYTIMES.COM
7. Community Trust & Access
The Waterbury Times believes local journalism should be:
- Accessible
- Responsive
- Accountable to the community it serves
We welcome:
- Press inquiries
- Community tips
- Public records submissions
- Feedback and corrections
8. Our Role in Waterbury
The Waterbury Times is committed to serving as:
Waterbury’s Digital Paper of Record
We aim to preserve a permanent, searchable, and reliable archive of the city’s civic, cultural, and historical life for current and future generations.
9. Updates to This Policy
This policy may be updated periodically to reflect evolving standards, legal requirements, and community needs.
All updates will be posted publicly on this page with a revised effective date.
10. Contact
For questions regarding this policy or editorial practices, contact:
The Waterbury Times
The Waterbury Times- Waterbury,CT Local News 