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
