About Us
The Decatur Daily
Founded February 26, 1912
ISSN: 2998-0895
Publisher
Clint Shelton
Past Publishers
William R. Shelton, 1912-1924
Barrett C. Shelton, 1924-1984
Barrett C. Shelton Jr. 1984-2009
Executive Editor
Eric Fleischauer
News Editor
Franklin Harris
The Decatur Daily is an independent, locally owned newspaper and serves the Tennessee Valley of North Alabama.
201 First Ave. S.E.
P.O. Box 2213
Decatur, AL 35609
(256) 340-2410
EDITORIAL GUIDELINES AND STANDARDS
Journalists who have the honor of holding the position will make it a priority to dutifully observe the principles listed.
1. The top priority for the journalist is a respect for the facts and for the right of the public to know the truth.
2. Journalists will always defend the principles of freedom in the reporting and publication of news. Journalists will also make sure to clearly distinguish factual information from their own commentary and criticism in order to preserve the truth.
3. Journalists will not suppress essential information or falsify any document.
4. Journalists will use only fair methods to obtain information leading to the truth behind a story.
5. Attempting to be the first to report a story shall not take priority over the truth of the story.
6. The Decatur Daily shall do the utmost to rectify any errors or published information which is found to be inaccurate in a timely and transparent manner.
7. Journalists will observe professional secrecy regarding the sources used for published stories.
8. The journalist will respect privacy.
9. Journalists will consider slander, libel, defamation, unfounded accusations and plagiarism as misconduct for the position.
10. Journalists shall not use the freedom of the press to serve their own personal interests or agenda.