Community Spotlight Editorial Policy
La Verne Daily News is an independent, fiscally sponsored newsroom committed to providing accurate, trustworthy, and community-centered local journalism. In addition to our independent reporting, we offer Community Spotlights as a way for local businesses and organizations to support our work while sharing their stories with the community.
This policy explains how Community Spotlights are produced, reviewed, and clearly distinguished from our news coverage.
What Is a Community Spotlight?
A Community Spotlight is a sponsored feature story that highlights a local business, organization, or owner. These stories focus on the people behind the business, their connection to the community, and the role they play in La Verne.
Community Spotlights help sustain community-powered journalism and allow us to tell a wider range of local stories while maintaining transparency with readers.
Interested in working with us to create a Community Spotlight for your business or organization? Email hello@lavernedaily.org, call or text (909) 450-4227.
How Community Spotlights Are Created
Community Spotlights are developed through:
- An interview or written Q&A with the business owner or representative
- Additional background provided by the sponsor (history, mission, milestones, etc.)
- Editing by La Verne Daily News to ensure clarity, readability, and accuracy
While Community Spotlights are sponsored, they are written and edited by La Verne Daily News staff and must meet basic standards of accuracy, fairness, and relevance to the local community.
Read our Community Spotlights
Review and Approval Process
To ensure accuracy and avoid misunderstandings:
- All Community Spotlight stories are shared with the sponsor at least 48 hours prior to publication for review and factual feedback.
- Sponsors may suggest corrections, clarifications, or updates related to accuracy.
- La Verne Daily News retains final editorial control over wording, structure, headlines, and presentation.
This pre-publication review process applies only to sponsored Community Spotlight content.
Distinction From News Coverage
Community Spotlights are not news stories.
- Independent news reporting by La Verne Daily News follows established journalistic ethics and standards.
- News stories are not shared in full with sources prior to publication.
- Participation in a Community Spotlight does not influence news coverage, story selection, or editorial decisions.
This separation ensures editorial independence and protects the integrity of our reporting.
Transparency With Readers
All Community Spotlights:
- Are clearly labeled as sponsored content
- Include language identifying the story as a sponsorship
- Are visually distinct from news reporting when possible
Transparency is essential to maintaining trust with our readers and community.
Distribution of Community Spotlights
Community Spotlight stories may be distributed through:
- Publication on the La Verne Daily News website
- Featured placement in our In & Around La Verne newsletter
- Promotion on La Verne Daily News social media channels
Once published, Community Spotlights remain accessible online and may be shared by the sponsoring business.
Our Commitment
La Verne Daily News is committed to:
- Ethical, transparent journalism
- Clear separation between sponsored content and independent reporting
- Supporting local businesses while prioritizing reader trust
- Serving the community with integrity
Questions about this policy or Community Spotlights can be directed to:
Staci Baird
Editor & Publisher, La Verne Daily News
staci@lavernedaily.org