The Metropolitan is the independently run student newspaper of Metropolitan State University, located in Saint Paul, Minnesota. Our mission is to produce high-quality, professional, online content across a wide range of topics including breaking news, opinion, arts, finance, politics, technology, science, and lifestyle. Our publication aims to represent and amplify the diverse voices of students throughout Metro State University, and its many communities.

The Metroscope is the official podcast of The Metropolitan and is run and operated by the staff of The Metropolitan. Our goal is to bring a diverse range of views and opinions to our listeners in an engaging and entertaining fashion.

Both The Metropolitan’s office and The Metroscope’s studio are on the second floor of the student center located at 690 E. 7th Street in St. Paul, MN 55106.

If you are interested in submitting a letter to the editor, op/ed, or any other type of communication, we can be reached at TheMetropolitan@MetroState.edu. Alternatively, you may contact the Editor in Chief directly by emailing James.Berreth@my.MetroState.edu.

The Metropolitan’s Artificial Intelligence Use Policy:

Purpose 

The Metropolitan is committed to producing accurate, ethical, transparent, and independent journalism. Artificial intelligence (AI) may be used only as a limited productivity tool and may never replace the reporting, writing, editing, fact-checking, or editorial judgment of our journalists. 

All published work must represent the original work of The Metropolitan’s staff unless otherwise disclosed. 

Guiding Principles 

The Metropolitan believes journalism should be: 

• Accurate 

• Fair 

• Transparent 

• Independently reported 

• Human-directed and human-edited 

• Accountable to readers 

AI systems cannot interview sources, verify facts, evaluate credibility, understand context, or make ethical newsroom decisions. Those responsibilities belong exclusively to our staff. 

Acceptable Uses of AI 

Staff members may use AI tools only for administrative or mechanical tasks that do not generate journalistic content. 

Examples include: 

• Correcting spelling, punctuation, and grammar 

• Identifying typographical errors 

• Improving sentence clarity after a story has already been written by the reporter 

• Formatting documents 

• Organizing notes 

• Generating meeting agendas 

• Creating checklists 

• Summarizing a reporter’s own interview notes for organizational purposes 

• Transcribing interviews, provided the transcription is reviewed against the original recording 

• Assisting with coding or technical troubleshooting for the newspaper’s website 

• Assisting with data formatting or spreadsheet organization 

Every AI-assisted output must be reviewed by the staff member using it. 

Prohibited Uses 

AI may not be used to create, replace, or substantially generate journalistic work. 

This includes, but is not limited to: 

• Writing news stories 

• Writing opinion pieces 

• Writing editorials 

• Writing features 

• Writing reviews 

• Writing headlines 

• Writing captions 

• Writing social media posts 

• Writing newsletters 

• Writing interview questions 

• Conducting interviews 

• Creating quotes 

• Rewriting another person’s work to disguise plagiarism 

• Generating source lists 

• Inventing statistics or data 

• Producing fictional events or sources 

• Creating images, illustrations, or artwork for publication unless specifically approved by the Editor in Chief and clearly labeled 

• Creating audio or video intended to represent real events 

AI may never be used to fabricate reporting or replace original reporting. 

Verification Requirements 

Information produced by AI is not considered a source. 

No fact generated by AI may appear in publication unless independently verified through reliable reporting or credible sources. 

Writers remain responsible for every statement published under their byline. 

Editors remain responsible for ensuring published material meets The Metropolitan’s standards regardless of whether AI was involved during preparation. 

Confidential Information 

Staff members may not upload unpublished reporting, interview recordings, personal information, confidential documents, embargoed materials, or source communications into public AI systems unless specifically authorized by the Editor in Chief. 

Protecting sources and unpublished work is an ethical obligation. 

Transparency 

If AI plays a significant role in a published project outside the uses permitted by this policy, its use must be approved by the Editor in Chief before publication and disclosed to readers when appropriate. 

Accountability 

Using AI does not transfer responsibility for published work. 

The reporter whose name appears on a story is fully responsible for: 

• Accuracy 

• Attribution 

• Fairness 

• Original reporting 

• Ethical conduct 

• Compliance with AP Style 

• Compliance with The Metropolitan’s editorial policies 

Claiming that “AI made the mistake” is not an acceptable defense. 

Violations 

Improper use of AI may be treated as a violation of The Metropolitan’s editorial ethics policy. 

Examples include: 

• Publishing AI-generated journalism as original work 

• Fabricating quotations or sources 

• Publishing AI-generated misinformation 

• Using AI to commit plagiarism 

• Failing to disclose prohibited AI use when requested by editors 

Violations may result in correction, removal of published material, suspension of writing privileges, removal from staff, or referral to the university if academic misconduct policies apply. 

Policy Review 

Because artificial intelligence continues to evolve, this policy will be reviewed yearly by the editorial board and updated as necessary to maintain The Metropolitan’s commitment to ethical, transparent, and responsible journalism. 

The Metropolitan Editorial Ethics Policy  

The Metropolitan is committed to serving the Metro State University community through accurate, fair, independent, transparent, and responsible journalism. 

As a student newspaper, The Metropolitan recognizes that journalism carries significant responsibilities. Our reporting can influence public understanding, affect individual reputations, shape campus conversations, and contribute to the broader democratic process. Those responsibilities require us to place the public’s right to know above personal, political, institutional, or financial interests. 

This Editorial Ethics Policy establishes the principles and standards that govern the work of The Metropolitan’s editorial staff, reporters, editors, photographers, videographers, podcasters, social media staff, and other contributors engaged in journalistic activities on behalf of the publication. 

The Metropolitan generally follows the principles established by the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, while adapting those principles to the circumstances of student journalism and the Metro State community. 

I. Core Principles 

The Metropolitan’s journalism shall be guided by four fundamental principles: 

1. Seek Truth and Report It 

We will make a diligent effort to gather accurate, relevant, and verifiable information before publication. 

We will: 

• Verify information before reporting it as fact. 

• Seek information from primary sources whenever reasonably possible. 

• Clearly distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, claims, speculation and opinion. 

• Provide sufficient context for readers to understand significant issues. 

• Correct errors promptly and transparently. 

• Avoid deliberately misleading headlines, photographs, captions, quotations, statistics, or other editorial material. 

• Identify information that cannot independently be verified. 

• Attribute information to its original source when appropriate. 

Accuracy takes precedence over speed. 

2. Minimize Harm 

Journalism can cause legitimate harm even when information is accurate and newsworthy. The Metropolitan will therefore consider the foreseeable consequences of publication. 

We will: 

• Treat sources, subjects, victims, witnesses, and members of the public with dignity. 

• Avoid unnecessary sensationalism. 

• Exercise particular care when reporting on minors, victims of violence, sexual misconduct, suicide, mental health, criminal allegations, and other sensitive matters. 

• Avoid publishing personally identifying information when it is not relevant to the public interest. 

• Consider whether publishing graphic photographs, video, or descriptions serves a legitimate journalistic purpose. 

• Avoid exploiting people solely because their circumstances make them vulnerable or newsworthy. 

• Remember that the existence of a public record does not automatically make every piece of information within that record appropriate for publication. 

Minimizing harm does not mean avoiding difficult or uncomfortable journalism. Information that is legitimately in the public interest may warrant publication even when publication causes discomfort, embarrassment, or criticism. 

3. Act Independently 

The Metropolitan’s editorial decisions shall be made independently of outside influence. 

No advertiser, donor, university administrator, student organization, political organization, public official, faculty member, staff member, or other outside party may dictate editorial coverage. 

We will: 

• Disclose significant conflicts of interest. 

• Avoid accepting gifts, favors, payments, or special treatment that could reasonably compromise – or appear to compromise – journalistic independence. 

• Keep advertising and editorial decisions separate. 

• Clearly distinguish advertising, sponsored content, and editorial content. 

• Refuse attempts to purchase favorable coverage. 

• Disclose relevant personal, professional, financial, or organizational relationships when they could affect the credibility of a journalist or the story. 

• Avoid allowing personal political views to influence factual reporting. 

Membership in a campus organization, political organization, or other group does not automatically disqualify a journalist from covering that organization. However, journalists must disclose significant conflicts to their assigning editor. 

4. Be Accountable and Transparent 

The Metropolitan is accountable to its readers. 

We will: 

• Take responsibility for our journalism. 

• Correct significant errors promptly. 

• Explain substantive corrections when appropriate. 

• Clearly identify news, analysis, opinion, editorial, and advertising content. 

• Explain our journalistic decisions when legitimate questions arise. 

• Respond professionally to credible complaints regarding accuracy or ethics. 

• Never knowingly conceal a significant journalistic error. 

II. Editorial Independence 

The Metropolitan shall maintain editorial independence from Metro State University and all other institutions, organizations, and individuals. 

The university may provide funding, facilities, equipment, or other institutional support to The Metropolitan. Such support does not grant the university editorial control over the publication. 

University administrators, faculty, staff, student government, student organizations, and other campus entities may request coverage, provide information, challenge factual errors, or express disagreement with published material. They may not require or prohibit coverage based solely on their preference. 

The Editor in Chief and Editorial Board are responsible for editorial decisions. 

When appropriate, The Metropolitan may publish criticism of the university, its administration, faculty, staff, student organizations, policies, or practices. The possibility of criticism must never be used as a reason to suppress legitimate reporting. 

III. Accuracy and Verification 

Accuracy is the foundation of The Metropolitan’s credibility. 

Reporters should: 

• Confirm names, titles, dates, locations, and numerical information. 

• Verify quotations whenever reasonably possible. 

• Review original documents rather than relying exclusively on summaries. 

• Identify the source of important claims. 

• Seek corroboration for significant allegations. 

• Clearly identify anonymous or confidential information. 

• Tell editors when information remains unverified. 

A reporter should never knowingly publish information that they believe to be false. 

When information cannot be independently verified but is sufficiently newsworthy to publish, the story should clearly communicate that limitation to the reader. 

IV. Fairness and the Right of Reply 

The Metropolitan does not require artificial balance between fact and falsehood. Fairness means accurately representing the relevant facts and giving significant subjects a reasonable opportunity to respond. 

When reporting allegations of wrongdoing, misconduct, discrimination, criminal activity, or other serious accusations, journalists should make a reasonable effort to contact the person or organization being accused before publication. 

If the subject does not respond, the story may state that an attempt was made to obtain a response. 

A journalist should not deliberately omit relevant information simply because it weakens a preferred narrative.  

V. Sources and Attribution 

Sources are the foundation of credible journalism. 

The Metropolitan will identify sources whenever reasonably possible. 

Anonymous Sources 

Anonymous sources should be used sparingly and only when the information is genuinely newsworthy and cannot reasonably be obtained through an identified source. 

A source should not receive anonymity merely because they prefer not to be identified. 

Before granting anonymity, an editor should determine: 

1. Why does the source require anonymity? 

2. Is the information significant to the public interest? 

3. Can the information be independently verified? 

4. Can the story be reported without using the anonymous information? 

5. What risks does publication create for the source? 

The identity of a confidential source must be protected unless the source gives permission to disclose it or disclosure is required by applicable law and approved by the Editor in Chief. 

A reporter should never promise absolute confidentiality without understanding the limits of that promise. 

VI. Interviews and Quotations 

Journalists should accurately represent what interview subjects say. 

Quotes may be edited for grammar, clarity, or length when doing so does not change the speaker’s meaning. 

Journalists must not: 

• Fabricate quotations. 

• Alter quotations to change their meaning. 

• Combine statements from different portions of an interview in a misleading manner. 

• Present paraphrases as direct quotations. 

• Remove important context in a way that materially changes meaning. 

When recording an interview, journalists should follow applicable law and clearly communicate when recording is taking place when required. 

VII. Corrections 

The Metropolitan will correct significant factual errors promptly. 

Corrections should be: 

• Clear. 

• Accurate. 

• Proportionate to the original error. 

• Visible enough for readers to reasonably discover them. 

Minor typographical or grammatical errors may be corrected without a formal correction notice when they do not materially alter meaning. 

Substantive errors should generally be acknowledged. 

A correction is not an admission that the entire story was improperly reported. It is an indication that The Metropolitan values accuracy enough to publicly acknowledge and repair mistakes. 

When appropriate, digital stories should preserve a correction note rather than silently changing a significant factual error. 

VIII. Plagiarism and Fabrication 

The Metropolitan has zero tolerance for plagiarism and fabrication. 

Plagiarism includes: 

• Presenting another person’s words as one’s own. 

• Presenting another person’s reporting or ideas as original without appropriate attribution. 

• Copying material from another publication without attribution. 

• Submitting previously published material as original work without disclosure when originality is expected. 

Fabrication includes: 

• Inventing sources. 

• Inventing quotations. 

• Inventing facts, statistics or events. 

• Falsifying documents. 

• Falsifying photographs, audio or video in a manner that misrepresents reality. 

• Claiming to have conducted an interview or performed reporting that did not occur. 

Plagiarism or fabrication may constitute grounds for removal from an editorial position or termination of a contributor relationship, subject to applicable university policies and procedures. 

IX. Artificial Intelligence 

For information regarding acceptable use cases for AI, please refer to our AI Use Policy.  

X. Photography, Video, and Audio 

Visual journalism is subject to the same standards of accuracy and honesty as written journalism. 

Photographs, video, and audio must not be manipulated in ways that materially misrepresent reality. 

Routine technical adjustments such as exposure, color correction, cropping, or audio cleanup are generally acceptable when they do not alter the factual meaning of the material. 

Staged photographs should be identified as staged when that distinction could reasonably affect a reader’s understanding. 

Composite images, AI-generated images, significant digital alterations, and other manipulated material must be clearly identified. 

Photographers and videographers should not unnecessarily place subjects in danger merely to obtain compelling imagery. 

XI. Social Media 

The Metropolitan’s social media accounts are extensions of the publication and are subject to the same ethical standards as its website and e-newsletter publications. 

Journalists should: 

• Verify information before posting breaking news. 

• Clearly distinguish reporting from personal commentary. 

• Avoid posting material that could compromise an ongoing investigation. 

• Correct inaccurate social media posts promptly. 

• Avoid sensationalizing breaking news. 

• Remember that deleting a post does not necessarily eliminate its impact. 

Personal social media activity generally falls outside the editorial control of The Metropolitan. However, journalists should recognize that public conduct can affect perceptions of their professional credibility and should disclose significant conflicts to editors. 

XII. Opinion, Editorials, and Commentary 

The Metropolitan recognizes the distinction between journalism and opinion. 

News 

News reporting should be factual, evidence-based, and independently reported. 

Analysis 

Analysis may interpret facts and provide context but should clearly distinguish analysis from straight news reporting. 

Opinion 

Opinion pieces express the views of the author and should be identified as such. 

Editorials 

Editorials represent the institutional position of The Metropolitan when explicitly identified as an editorial. 

Opinions expressed by individual writers should not automatically be interpreted as the views of The Metropolitan, Metro State University, or the Editorial Board. 

Opinion writers are still responsible for factual accuracy. 

XIII. Political Coverage 

The Metropolitan may cover political candidates, elected officials, political organizations, campaigns, ballot initiatives, and political controversies. 

Political coverage must not be influenced by the personal political views of individual journalists. 

The Metropolitan will distinguish between: 

• Reporting on political activity. 

• Analysis of political issues. 

• Editorial positions. 

• Personal commentary. 

A journalist’s personal political affiliation does not automatically prevent them from covering politics. However, significant conflicts of interest must be disclosed to the appropriate editor. 

The Metropolitan will not knowingly provide preferential journalistic treatment in exchange for political access, favors, or other benefits. 

XIV. Gifts, Favors, and Conflicts of Interest 

Journalists should avoid situations that create actual or perceived conflicts of interest. 

Generally, journalists should not accept: 

• Cash payments. 

• Significant gifts. 

• Free services of substantial value. 

• Special discounts unavailable to the general public. 

• Travel or lodging provided by a source unless specifically authorized for legitimate reporting purposes. 

• Other benefits that could reasonably influence coverage. 

Nominal items of little value may be accepted when refusal would be impractical and acceptance would not reasonably affect editorial independence. 

Any significant potential conflict should be disclosed to an editor before publication. 

XV. Source Relationships and Personal Conduct 

Journalists should maintain professional boundaries with sources. 

A journalist should not: 

• Threaten a source with negative coverage for refusing an interview. 

• Promise favorable coverage in exchange for cooperation. 

• Misrepresent themselves to obtain information except in extraordinary circumstances involving an overriding public interest and approval from the Editor in Chief. 

• Use information obtained through journalistic access for personal, financial, or political advantage. 

A source is not entitled to editorial control merely because they provided information. 

XVI. Privacy and Public Interest 

The Metropolitan recognizes a distinction between information that is interesting to the public and information that is genuinely in the public interest. 

Before publishing private information, editors should consider: 

• Is the information relevant to a legitimate public concern? 

• Is the person a public figure or private individual? 

• How was the information obtained? 

• What potential harm could publication cause? 

• Is the information already legitimately public? 

• Can the public interest be served without identifying the individual? 

Public figures do not automatically surrender all claims to privacy. 

Private individuals generally deserve greater protection from unnecessary exposure. 

XVII. Crime, Allegations, and Presumption of Innocence 

The Metropolitan will distinguish between an allegation, an arrest, a criminal charge, a conviction, and an established fact. 

Being arrested or accused does not establish guilt. 

Journalists should use precise language and avoid unnecessarily prejudicial descriptions. 

The Metropolitan will consider whether identifying a person accused of wrongdoing is necessary for the public to understand the story. 

When reporting on criminal proceedings, journalists should rely on verified public records, court documents, and credible sources. 

XVIII. Reporting on Tragedy, Trauma, and Death 

Journalists covering deaths, accidents, disasters, violence, or other traumatic events should exercise particular care. 

We will: 

• Avoid unnecessary graphic details. 

• Respect grieving individuals. 

• Avoid intruding upon private moments without compelling journalistic justification. 

• Verify death reports before publication. 

• Avoid publishing rumors surrounding deaths. 

• Consider the impact of photographs, video, and personal information on family members. 

The desire to publish first does not outweigh the obligation to publish accurately and responsibly. 

XIX. Complaints and Ethical Concerns 

Readers, sources, and members of the Metro State community may raise concerns about the accuracy or ethics of The Metropolitan’s journalism. 

Complaints should identify: 

• The specific story or content involved. 

• The factual or ethical concern. 

• Supporting evidence when available. 

The Metropolitan will evaluate credible complaints in good faith. 

Complaints do not automatically require a correction or retraction. Editorial decisions will be based on evidence and journalistic standards rather than pressure from individuals or organizations. 

XX. Retractions 

A retraction should be considered when a published story contains fundamental inaccuracies that cannot reasonably be corrected through an ordinary correction. 

Retractions should be rare and reserved for substantial failures of accuracy or journalistic integrity. 

The Editor in Chief, in consultation with the Editorial Board when appropriate, shall determine whether a retraction is warranted. 

XXI. Editorial Accountability 

The Editor in Chief is ultimately responsible for ensuring that The Metropolitan’s editorial operations adhere to this policy. 

Section editors are responsible for maintaining ethical standards within their areas of responsibility. 

All members of the editorial staff share responsibility for identifying potential ethical problems. 

When a journalist is uncertain about an ethical decision, they should consult an editor before publication whenever reasonably possible. 

The absence of a specific rule in this policy does not eliminate the obligation to act ethically. Journalists should consider the fundamental question: 

Does this decision serve the public’s legitimate interest in accurate information while preserving our independence, credibility, and responsibility to the people we cover? 

XXII. Editorial Board Review 

This policy should be reviewed periodically by the Editor in Chief and Editorial Board. 

The policy may be amended as journalistic practices, technology, law, and the needs of the Metro State community evolve. 

Changes to this policy should be documented, noted prior to the preamble, and communicated to staff. 

Statement of Commitment 

The Metropolitan believes journalism is a public trust. 

Our responsibility is not to please the university, our sources, our advertisers, our readers, our political allies, or our critics. Our responsibility is to seek the truth, report it accurately, minimize unnecessary harm, maintain editorial independence, and remain accountable to our readers. 

We will make mistakes. Ethical journalism does not require perfection. It requires the willingness to recognize mistakes, correct them, and learn from them. 

The Metropolitan therefore commits itself to journalism that is accurate, independent, fair, transparent, courageous, and accountable. 

James Berreth, Editor in Chief and The Metropolitan Editorial Board 
Metro State University 
St. Paul, Minnesota