The Advocate’s mission is to expose discriminatory and unfair treatment in both private and public sector markets, and provide information designed to foster awareness, build community and empower all marginalized groups– blacks and other ethnic minorities, immigrants, women, young people, the elderly and the disabled– to more effectively influence law- and policy-makers. We do this through the presentation of timely, relevant and informative news stories, points of view and editorials.
We published our first issue on November 17, 1993, with a firm belief that investigative journalism was critical to the needs of our local community, and that by exposing corruption through the power of investigative journalism we could actually be an impetus for reform. How We Report the News Truth with Context. Journalism with Purpose. At The Orlando Advocate, we believe journalism is a public service. Our responsibility is not simply to report events, but to help our readers understand what happened, why it matters, and how it affects the people and communities of Central Florida. This page explains the principles and standards that guide our reporting. — Our Mission The Orlando Advocate exists to provide timely, accurate, fair, and meaningful journalism that helps the people of Central Florida understand how local, state, national, and international events affect their communities, their families, and their future. We believe readers deserve more than headlines. They deserve context. — Our Editorial Motto Truth with Context. Journalism with Purpose. This motto reflects our commitment to: – Pursuing verified facts. – Providing context that helps readers understand those facts. – Producing journalism that serves our community. – Reporting with integrity, fairness, and transparency. Every story we publish should reflect these principles. — The Advocate Angle Every story published by The Orlando Advocate should answer one essential question: «Why does this matter to Central Florida?» Whether reporting on local government, state policy, national politics, business, education, public safety, health care, or international events, we seek to explain how those developments affect the people we serve. Facts matter. Context matters just as much. — Our Editorial Principles Truth Before Speed Being first is valuable. Being right is essential. When accuracy and speed conflict, we choose accuracy. — Context Creates Understanding Reporting facts alone is not enough. We strive to explain the significance, background, and potential impact of important events. — Fairness Fairness does not require false balance. It requires honest reporting, appropriate attribution, and a sincere effort to present relevant perspectives. When multiple viewpoints are necessary to understand an issue, we will make every reasonable effort to include them. — Respect for Readers We value our readers’ time. Every article should be clear, relevant, understandable, and worth reading. We believe journalism should leave readers more informed than they were before they began reading. — Editorial Independence The Orlando Advocate maintains a strict separation between editorial decision-making and business operations. Advertisers, sponsors, political organizations, advocacy groups, and outside interests do not determine what we report or how we report it. Likewise, editorial decisions are not influenced by advertising relationships. Our responsibility is to our readers and our commitment to accurate, fair, and meaningful journalism. — Verification and Sourcing Whenever practical, information is verified through reliable sources before publication. We distinguish among: – Verified facts – Official statements – Eyewitness accounts – Expert analysis – Opinion – Allegations – Unverified claims When information cannot be independently verified before publication, we will clearly explain what is known, what is not yet known, and where the information originated. — Opinion and News News reporting and opinion serve different purposes. News reporting seeks to inform readers through factual reporting and responsible journalism. Opinion pieces provide analysis, commentary, and viewpoints. Opinion content will be clearly identified so readers can distinguish it from news reporting. — Corrections Policy Accuracy is fundamental to our mission. Despite our best efforts, mistakes can occur. When we discover a factual error: – We will correct it as promptly as practical. – We will avoid silently changing significant factual mistakes. – We will clearly acknowledge corrections when appropriate. – We will continually improve our reporting practices to reduce future errors. Readers who believe a story contains an error are encouraged to contact our editorial team. Transparency strengthens trust. — Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence The Orlando Advocate may use artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies to assist with research, organization, editing, workflow management, headline development, and other newsroom functions. Artificial intelligence may help support the reporting process, but it does not replace editorial judgment. Human editors remain responsible for reviewing, evaluating, and approving content before publication. Technology is used to strengthen journalism—not substitute for it. — Community Commitment The Orlando Advocate is committed to serving the people of Central Florida. Our coverage priorities include: – Local government – Public safety – Education – Business and economic development – Housing and affordability – Transportation – Health – Faith communities – Nonprofit organizations – Arts and culture – Sports – Civic engagement National and international news will be covered when it has meaningful relevance to our readers. — Our Promise to Readers Before publication, we strive to ask: – Is it accurate? – Is it fair? – Is it understandable? – Why should our readers care? – What questions remain unanswered? – Can we make this story better before publication? These questions guide our work every day. Because our goal is not simply to produce content. Our goal is to produce journalism that informs, explains, and serves. Truth with Context. Journalism with Purpose.
We began our online presence in 1995, and we continue to strive to create a visually appealing and content-rich website that chronicles the experiences of being black in America, with all of its challenges and appeals. We urge you to interact with our website– through the ads placed by our advertisers. Your support and comments are appreciated. They let other readers know you stopped by.
