Contributor Policy & Editorial Guidelines

Here’s a professional, Google News–friendly Contributor Policy you can publish on your site ( Plimoth Today ) and also use internally.

? Plimoth Today Contributor Policy & Editorial Guidelines

About Plimoth Today

Plimoth Today is a local news platform covering stories across Plymouth County, with a focus on accurate, timely, and community-driven reporting. We welcome contributions from local writers, photographers, and community members.

? Contributor Roles

Contributors may include:

  • Community reporters
  • Freelance journalists
  • Local residents submitting tips or stories
  • Photographers and media contributors

All contributors must follow the editorial standards outlined below.

⏳ Submission & Approval Policy (IMPORTANT)

  • ALL contributor posts are set to “Pending Review” by default
  • No contributor content is published automatically
  • Every submission is reviewed by the Plimoth Today Editorial Team before going live
  • Editors may:
    • Approve
    • Edit for clarity, grammar, or accuracy
    • Request revisions
    • Reject content that does not meet guidelines

? This ensures accuracy, trust, and compliance with Google News standards

? Content Standards

All submissions must:

  • Be factually accurate and verifiable
  • Be original content (no plagiarism or AI spam)
  • Include clear sources when reporting news
  • Be written in a neutral, non-biased tone
  • Avoid misinformation, rumors, or unverified claims

Prohibited Content:

  • False or misleading information
  • Hate speech or harassment
  • Explicit or inappropriate material
  • Promotional spam or affiliate content disguised as news
  • Copyrighted material without permission

? Local Focus Requirement

Content should be relevant to:

  • Plymouth County
  • Surrounding South Shore communities
  • Regional public safety, events, weather, and local government

✍️ Writing Guidelines

  • Use clear headlines (no clickbait)
  • Include a dateline (e.g., “PLYMOUTH, Mass.”)
  • Keep paragraphs short and readable
  • Use proper grammar and spelling
  • Add context so readers understand the story

? Media & Images

  • Only upload images you own or have permission to use
  • No copyrighted images without rights
  • Graphic or sensitive images may be rejected
  • Editors may replace images to meet publishing standards

⚖️ Ethics & Transparency

Contributors must:

  • Disclose conflicts of interest
  • Not impersonate officials or organizations
  • Clearly separate opinion from factual reporting

?️ Editorial Rights

The Plimoth Today Editorial Team reserves the right to:

  • Edit submissions for SEO, clarity, and accuracy
  • Add headlines, tags, and formatting
  • Remove or update published content
  • Suspend or remove contributor access if guidelines are violated

? Violations & Enforcement

Failure to follow this policy may result in:

  • Content rejection
  • Account suspension
  • Permanent removal from the platform

? Contact & Submissions

For questions, corrections, or to become a contributor:

  • Contact: plimoth@mkmcst.net
  • Website: https://mkmcst.net/Plimoth/]

✅ Agreement

By submitting content to Plimoth Today , contributors agree to follow all policies outlined above and understand that publication is not guaranteed