These policies and standards are meant as a guide and this is considered to be a “living document” that will be continually updated based on feedback from Switch the Pitch reporters, our readers, and the community. We acknowledge that we cannot cover every scenario, but endeavor to provide broadly applicable guidance.
Ethics
Attribution
We are truthful about the sources of our information and give due credit to other reporters and organizations in our industry. Switch the Pitch has a zero-tolerance policy for plagiarism. Any reporter found to be engaging in plagiarism will be subject to immediate termination.
Conflicts of Interest
Switch the Pitch is committed to avoiding conflicts of interest or the appearance of conflicts of interest. We do not accept gifts, trips, or any other preferential treatment from sources. Likewise, we do not accept payments of any type from organizations in exchange for favorable reporting.
Social Media
Switch the Pitch acknowledges that our reporters directly reflect our reputation and credibility as an outlet. Our reporters are expected to refrain from posting content that could be perceived as racist, sexist, or discriminatory in any manner.
Standards
Verification and Fact-Checking
While Switch the Pitch reporters have the primary responsibility for writing and fact-checking their stories, all stories are subject to review by one or more editors. Switch the Pitch has a dedicated structure for reviewing and editing all stories, including fact-checking against official MLS, NWSL, USMNT, USWNT statistics, rosters, and postgame reports and club sources.
Corrections
Our reputation and credibility are of the utmost importance to Switch the Pitch. While we always strive to be accurate and fair in our reporting, we recognize that occasionally we may present an error of fact. Any significant error of fact will be corrected in a clear and timely manner and indicated with an editor’s note to inform our readers.
Correctable errors are those that involve significant mistakes of fact and/or materially change the implication of reporting. This policy is not intended to cover inconsequential factual errors, such a minor inaccuracy in developing stories, minor statistical mistakes, typos, or other errors that do not impair readers’ understanding of an article.
