This page describes how The Signal operates editorially: how we select topics, verify analytical claims, use AI tools, and handle corrections.
1. How Topics Are Chosen
We select topics based on analytical value—not traffic trends, virality, or search volume. Every article must provide a specific understanding that a straight news report cannot deliver.
Before approval, each topic must answer:
- What specific understanding does this provide beyond the news itself?
- Why would a reader save or reference this 30 days from now?
- What new connection or implication does it reveal?
We explicitly do not cover events solely because they are trending. We do not publish articles that could be assembled by summarizing 2-3 other outlets' coverage.
2. Fact-Checking Process
All analytical claims are verified before publication:
- Primary Sources: We cite original documents, official data, and direct expert statements.
- Attribution: When referencing another publication's reporting, we name them and link directly.
- Verification: Statistical claims, policy details, and market figures are verified against authoritative databases before publication.
3. AI Usage Policy
We are fully transparent about how AI assists our editorial process.
Allowed
- Initial research aggregation (non-generative)
- Outline drafting and structural suggestions
- Grammar, style, and clarity suggestions after human drafting
Prohibited
- Generating full article drafts
- Rewriting news articles from other sources
- Creating multiple content variations
- Any form of bulk or automated content production
Requirements
- The first draft must be human-authored. AI cannot create the initial analytical angle.
- Editorial review verifies: originality of implication, factual accuracy, and absence of regurgitated phrasing.
- AI usage is logged: e.g., “AI used for outline generation only.”
4. Corrections Procedure
Accuracy is non-negotiable. When we discover an error:
- Factual errors are corrected immediately upon discovery.
- Significant corrections are noted at the top of the article with a timestamp and description of the change.
- A complete log of corrections is maintained on our Corrections page.
- Minor typographical or grammatical fixes are made silently.
Report errors to editorial@thesignal24.com.
5. Article Requirements
Every published article must meet these standards:
- Length: 650-850 words.
- Required sections: Context, What Happened, Why It Matters, and Background or Implications.
- Headline: Must reflect the analytical angle, not merely the event.
- Byline: Full author name with a 1-line expertise credential.
6. Publishing Velocity
We publish a maximum of 4 articles per week. This is enforced at the editorial level. We do not use RSS ingestion, API feeds for auto-publishing, or scheduled bulk uploads. Each article requires individual editorial approval.
7. Conflict of Interest
Our editorial team accepts no payment in exchange for coverage decisions. Authors disclose relevant financial or professional relationships. Any sponsored content is clearly and prominently labeled.
