Terms, Ethics & Privacy

1. Editorial Standards

We confirm before we publish. Two independent sources for any significant factual claim, documents over rumor, and on-record attribution wherever it's safe. We name names when public officials act in their public capacities. We don't sit on stories because they're inconvenient for advertisers or allies.

2. Corrections

If we get something wrong, we say so. Corrections appear at the bottom of the affected article with the date and a one-sentence summary of the change. Email corrections@themagnoliastandard.news. We respond within one business day.

3. Source Protection

Tips submitted to the tip line are read by an editor and are confidential. We don't share source identities with advertisers, public officials, or anyone else. To the extent permitted by law, we will resist disclosure requests including subpoenas. If anonymity is essential, leave the contact fields blank — we'll still read what you sent.

4. Advertising Policy

Advertising buys advertising. It does not buy editorial coverage, news placement, story angles, source treatment, or any other editorial outcome. Editorial decisions are made by news staff with zero input from sales. We reserve the right to decline advertising for any reason consistent with our ethics policy.

5. Political Advertising Policy

All paid political content is clearly marked "Paid Political Advertisement" and carries the disclaimer required by Texas Election Code §255.001. The Magnolia Standard does not sell editorial coverage, endorsements, or favorable treatment as part of any political advertising package. We reserve the right to decline political advertising that contains material that is factually false, defamatory, or unlawful.

The founder and publisher recuses himself from editorial and advertising decisions in any race in which he is a candidate. A designated editor-of-record handles all political coverage and political-advertising decisions in any such cycle. The editor-of-record's name appears on the masthead.

6. Sponsored Content

Sponsored articles are clearly labeled, hosted under a distinct URL prefix (/sponsored/), and styled distinctly from news. We disclose the sponsor by name at the top of every sponsored piece.

7. Copyright & Reuse

All original content is copyright The Magnolia Standard. Quoting or excerpting for commentary, reporting, or education is fine under fair use. Reposting full articles requires permission. AI training on our content requires a license. Email newsroom@themagnoliastandard.news.

8. User Comments & Submissions

By submitting a tip, letter, obituary, event listing, or other content, you grant us a non-exclusive, royalty-free license to publish that content. You represent that the content is yours to share and that it does not violate anyone else's rights. We may edit for length, clarity, libel risk, or factual accuracy.

9. Privacy Notice

We collect minimal information — typically just your email if you subscribe to a newsletter, and any optional contact details you provide on a tip. We never sell reader data. We never share email lists with advertisers. Site analytics are privacy-respecting (no third-party cookies, no behavioral profiling). We use a privacy-respecting analytics service that does not require a cookie consent banner under GDPR or CCPA.

10. Limitation of Liability

The site and its content are provided "as is" without warranty of any kind. The Magnolia Standard's total liability for any claim arising from the site or its content is capped at $50 or twelve months of paid fees from the claimant to The Magnolia Standard, whichever is greater. We are not liable for indirect, incidental, consequential, or punitive damages. Claims must be brought within one year of the event giving rise to them.

11. Disputes & Arbitration

Any dispute arising from these terms or your use of the site is subject to binding arbitration in Montgomery County, Texas, under the Commercial Arbitration Rules of the American Arbitration Association. No class actions. No jury trial. Each side bears its own costs, except that the prevailing party may recover reasonable attorney's fees in a frivolous claim.

12. Miscellaneous

These terms are the entire agreement between you and The Magnolia Standard. If any provision is held unenforceable, the rest stand. Failure to enforce any provision is not a waiver. These terms are governed by the laws of the State of Texas.