Policies & Procedures

Editorial Governance

The Telescope is an independently produced student newspaper, overseen by an editorial board consisting of all desk and production editors currently serving on staff.

All decisions about the paper’s direction, editorial mission, and responses to claims of impropriety or other issues are handled by the editor-in-chief, acting with the editorial board’s guidance. The editorial board makes decisions by majority vote, ensuring accountability and shared responsibility among student leaders.

Request to Remove Content

Like professional newsrooms, The Telescope sets a high bar when considering requests to remove published content. Student journalists preserve the integrity of the record through timely corrections and clarifications, but take-down requests are weighed carefully by senior editors and the faculty adviser, and may require legal guidance.

In general, The Telescope is not obligated to remove content that was lawful at the time of publication, even if the material later becomes embarrassing or inconvenient. Content does not become improper with the passage of time, and the newsroom cannot be held liable for failing to update past articles. To request removal, please contact Adviser Erin Hiro at [email protected].

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

While generative artificial intelligence has the potential to aid in work throughout industries, The Telescope newspaper staff understands that AI tools can damage the integrity and trust of journalists and their stories.

The Telescope class is designed to help students learn how to be journalists and are therefore generally restricted from using AI to report, write or create their content for the campus publications. If artificial intelligence is used in publication, it is cited like any other source.

Violations:

• All content may be checked for AI use.
• Stories, photos, or videos found to contain prohibited AI use will not be published or will be removed if discovered after publication.
• Violations will be referred to the faculty adviser and may be reported to Palomar’s Office of Student Affairs.

Code of Conduct

All Telescope and IMPACT staff are expected to follow the Society of Professional Journalists’ Code of Ethics:

The four ethical principles are:

• Seek truth and report it
• Minimize harm
• Act independently
• Be accountable and transparent

Submissions – Letters to the Editor

The Telescope is a medium for free expression and community opinion on campus. The Telescope’s opinion section is designed to serve as a digital public forum for the Palomar College community and its individuals or organizations. The opportunity to post letters to the editor is conducted in as fair and responsible a manner as possible.

The Telescope staff accepts all letters addressed to the editor but reserves the right to determine the content of its publication, including letters. Any person other than staff members of The Telescope and Impact Magazine may submit a letter. The decision to publish a letter to the editor is based on the criteria detailed below, with the final decision residing with The Telescope editorial board.

Requirements:

• Exclusive to The Telescope
• 350 words maximum
• Include full name, address, and phone number (only name published)
• Students should list major, year, or relevant role
• Group letters must identify the organization
• No personal attacks or unsubstantiated claims; sources must be cited

Process:

• All letters are reviewed by the editorial board, which decides final publication.
• Letters may be edited or abridged.
• Only one letter per writer every 30 days.
• Allow up to seven business days for review.

Thank you for submitting your letter to the editor. Please copy and paste the text of the letter to this form.