Crime & Courts

When we do cover crime and courts, we aim to:

• Explain legal processes and provide context
• Follow cases through to resolution, not just the initial arrest
• Avoid sensationalism
• Balance the public’s right to know with the impact on individuals, families and neighborhoods

Our newsroom ethics guide challenges us to be especially careful with sensitive information:

• We are cautious about identifying juveniles.
• We do not name victims of sex crimes.
• We are judicious about naming suspects before charges are formally filed.
• We also work to balance a suspect’s right to a fair trial with the community’s right to be informed.

• If we make mistakes, we correct them promptly and clearly. We welcome feedback from readers who want more clarity or accountability. As an independent, employee-owned newsroom, we welcome feedback and take seriously our role as a trusted source of information for Eastern Iowa.

  To learn more, email newsroom@thegazette.com or call 319-398-8219.

Article Removal Requests

• There are many reasons we write stories about public safety and arrests. While details of many of the stories are gleaned from publicly available records, the passage of time changes how newsworthy the story is.

Using the criteria on our article removal request form, The Gazette will consider requests for removal of non-felony and non-violent criminal offenses. Other cases will be handled on an individual basis.