To maintain consistency in our reporting, we adhere to a formal editorial style for our news stories, articles and columns.
Due to its ever-changing nature, we do not adhere to the Associated Press Stylebook rules, but have franchised some of its core principles in our own editorial style guidance. Additionally, our writing employs several unique conventions, which are found throughout our written articles and works:
- We spell out the word “percent,” instead of using the symbol, to ensure our written content is fully accessible (i.e., to those who use screen readers or similar software for the visually-impaired, etc.)
- We make exceptions for information presented as part of a table, database or list, in which case the symbol is preferred.
- We spell out the word “plus,” instead of using the symbol, to ensure our written content is fully accessible. Additionally, we add a space between the word “plus” and the preceding word, and capitalize the word “Plus” if it is part of a brand.
- We reference Disney’s streaming services as “Disney Plus” and “ESPN Plus.”
- We reference Vizio’s free streaming television service as “WatchFree Plus.”
- We reference Verizon’s streaming marketplace as “Verizon Plus-Play.”
- We may divert from preferred branding out of consideration for consistency and/or accessibility tools used by some of our readers:
- We avoid the use of branding that combines two or more words, as it may interfere with accessibility tools.
- We reference the German entertainment conglomerate as “ProSieben Sat.1 Media.”
- We reference the technology company VIZIO as “Vizio” out of consideration to readers who use accessibility tools like screen readers.
- When referring to a broadcast station, we avoid using the station’s on-air branding. Instead, on first reference, we write out the station’s licensed call letters, followed by the channel number (except if the station’s call letters are mentioned in the first paragraph of an article, in which case only the call letters are reference, and the channel number is included on second reference).
- We reference “Philly 57” as “WPSG (Channel 57).”
- For radio stations, we write “KZZO (100.5 FM).”
- In cases where the station’s virtual channel number differs from the number of its assigned analog or digital frequency, we use the virtual channel number.
- For TV stations with major network affiliation or ownership, we refer to the network immediately after the channel number, if the network is not earlier referenced in the article. For example, “KCPQ (Channel 13, Fox).”
- For radio stations that simulcast on both AM and FM frequencies, we include the AM frequency first, then the FM frequency. We write, “KCBS (740 AM, 106.9 FM).”
- For television stations, we only use the word “affiliate” when the broadcast outlet is not owned by the network. We refer to network owned-and-operated broadcast outlets as “stations.”
- KPIX (Channel 5) is a CBS station, while KPHO (Channel 5) is a CBS affiliate.
- Some articles in our archive pre-date certain financial transactions, and may reference affiliates that are now stations, and vice versa. We typically do not update these articles, as they were correct when they were first published.
- We typically only write out a brand or company name in all capital letters if the brand or name is an initialism.
- We write “ABC” when referring to the network, because it is an initialism (American Broadcasting Company).
- We write “Vizio” when referring to the electronics company, even though the company’s preferred branding is to have the name in all capital letters.
- For all other initialisms, we will generally use full stops in between letters (e.g.,: A.I., U.S., etc.), with some exceptions.
- We may truncate a brand or company name into an initialism, even if the initialism is not used by the brand itself or otherwise widely accepted.
- When referring to Warner Bros Discovery, we truncate the name of the company to “WBD” on all but first reference. (In the case of that specific company, we also do not include the full stop at the end of “Bros,” even though it is an abbreviation, because it can be viewed by some screen readers as the end of a sentence.)
- When referring to government officials, including politicians, we avoid referencing their political party affiliation. While the typical convention among news organizations is to reference a politician’s represented state and party affiliation, we feel the divisive nature of politics can unduly influence readers to form uninformed opinions about a representative’s action, plans or beliefs based solely on their party affiliation. We believe information and perspective should take center stage in all of our work, and that, in most cases, references to political parties can inhibit this mission.
- For political figures and other elected officials, we refer to their represented state, if it is germane to their position. (Example: We refer to an elected official’s state when they are a Member of Congress, but not a county judge.)
- We do not avoid references to political ideologies entirely. For instance, some television channels are referenced as “conservative,” “right-of-center” or “progressive” when it is reflected in their programming (or when the network itself affirms it). However, we avoid labeling a channel as “Republican” or “Democrat,” and avoid using terms like “Liberal” or “Right-Wing,” which could be viewed as disparaging.
Readers, advertisers, partners or sources who have questions about our standards of practice, our ethics or our editorial style can send us a message here.
