Correction Policy

1. Our Commitment to Accuracy

"Truth shall be pursued with both courage and humility. We acknowledge that our understanding is limited and that sincere work does not make us incapable of error. When new evidence changes what is true or reveals that we were wrong, correction shall be welcomed rather than resisted."— The Good Fruit Constitution, Article IV: Truth and Humility

The Good Fruit is committed to accuracy in everything we publish. We verify claims before publishing them, represent sources faithfully, and distinguish what we know from what we suspect. We do not present confidence we do not possess.

But we are not infallible. Errors happen — in facts, in context, in framing, in understanding. When they do, we do not hide them. We correct them.

This Correction Policy explains how we handle errors, how corrections are classified and displayed, how readers and subjects may submit correction requests, and what standards govern our review process.

We hold ourselves to the same standards we ask of others. A standard that cannot correct us is not a standard. It is decoration.

2. Correction Levels

Not all errors are equal. The Good Fruit classifies corrections into four levels based on the significance of the error and its effect on the reader's understanding. The level of a correction determines how it is displayed and what action is taken.

3. How Corrections Are Displayed

The Good Fruit's correction display standards are designed to ensure that corrections are visible in proportion to the significance of the error. The following principles govern how corrections appear:

• No silent edits. We do not make substantive changes to published work without disclosing that a change was made. Fixing a typo without notice is acceptable; changing a fact, claim, or conclusion without notice is not.
• Corrections are dated. Every correction notice includes the date the correction was made, so readers can understand the timeline.
• Corrections are specific. A correction notice identifies what was wrong and what the correct information is. Vague notices ("this article has been updated") are not sufficient for material corrections.
• Corrections are proportionate. Minor corrections are noted at the bottom of the piece. Material corrections and status changes are noted prominently at the top. Retractions replace the piece entirely.
• Corrections are permanent. Once a correction is issued, the correction notice remains part of the record. We do not remove correction notices after the fact.

4. How to Submit a Correction Request

The Good Fruit welcomes good-faith correction requests from readers, subjects of coverage, and anyone who believes we have published inaccurate information. Correction requests are received without hostility. We understand that pointing out an error takes effort, and we are grateful for it.

Who May Submit

Anyone may submit a correction request — readers, subjects of coverage, sources, experts, or members of the public. You do not need to be personally affected by the error to submit a request.

What to Include

A helpful correction request includes:

• The title or URL of the piece you believe contains an error;
• A description of the specific error — what was stated and what you believe is incorrect;
• The correct information, if you know it; and
• Any supporting evidence, sources, or documentation you can provide.

You do not need to provide all of this information to submit a request. We will review what you send and follow up if we need more.

How to Submit

We read every correction request. We may not be able to respond to every submission individually, but we will review each one and take appropriate action if a correction is warranted.

5. Our Review Process

When we receive a correction request, we follow a consistent review process:

• Acknowledgment. We aim to acknowledge receipt of correction requests within a reasonable time. For time-sensitive matters, we prioritize accordingly.
• Independent review. The correction request is reviewed against the original source material, the evidence cited in the piece, and any new evidence provided by the requester. We do not simply accept or reject claims — we investigate them.
• Classification. If a correction is warranted, we determine the appropriate correction level (see Section 2) based on the significance of the error.
• Action. We make the correction, issue the appropriate notice, and update the piece. For material corrections, status changes, and retractions, we document the change internally.
• Response. Where possible, we notify the person who submitted the correction request of the outcome.

What Qualifies as a Valid Correction

A valid correction addresses a factual error — something that is objectively wrong, verifiably incorrect, or materially misleading. Valid corrections include:

• Incorrect facts, figures, dates, names, or attributions;
• Misrepresentation of a source's position or statement;
• Missing context that materially changes the meaning of a claim;
• Errors in methodology that affect the reliability of a conclusion; and
• Changed circumstances that make a previously accurate statement no longer accurate.

Timeline Expectations

We aim to review and act on correction requests as promptly as the complexity of the matter allows. Simple factual corrections may be resolved within days. Complex matters requiring investigation may take longer. We will not delay corrections indefinitely — if a correction is warranted, we will make it.

6. No Revision of Editorial Conclusions Without Evidence

The Good Fruit distinguishes between factual errors and editorial disagreements. Our correction process exists to address the former — not to provide a mechanism for subjects, sponsors, or interested parties to pressure us into changing conclusions they dislike.

Corrections address factual errors. They do not address disagreements with editorial judgment.

If we concluded that a product is overpriced, a company's practices are harmful, or a claim is unsupported by evidence — and you disagree with that conclusion — that is not a correction request. That is a disagreement. We welcome disagreement. We will not revise editorial conclusions simply because a subject, sponsor, or reader objects to them.

We will revise editorial conclusions when new evidence warrants it. Evidence is the standard. Pressure is not.

This distinction is not a shield against accountability — it is the condition that makes accountability meaningful. If we could be pressured into changing conclusions without evidence, our conclusions would be worthless. The integrity of our correction process depends on this line being clear and firm.

Subjects of coverage who believe our editorial conclusions are wrong are welcome to provide evidence. We will review it. If it changes what is true, we will say so. If it does not, we will say that too.

7. Accountability to Readers

"The Good Fruit shall hold itself to the standards it asks others to meet. The institution shall not use its mission, faith, reputation, or good intentions as protection from honest criticism. When we fail, we will not hide behind silence, legal language, public relations, or the claim that our motives were good."— The Good Fruit Constitution, Article X: Accountability

The Good Fruit is accountable to its readers — not to advertisers, sponsors, affiliate partners, or subjects of coverage. Our correction process reflects that accountability.

We do not correct errors only when it is convenient. We do not delay corrections to protect relationships. We do not issue vague notices designed to satisfy legal requirements without actually informing readers. We do not treat accountability as a threat to our reputation — we treat it as one of the means by which our reputation is earned.

Readers who trust us enough to point out our errors are doing us a service. We receive that service with gratitude, not defensiveness.

Our commitment is simple: when we are wrong, we will say so. When we are corrected, we will show our work. When we cannot stand behind something we published, we will say that too.

"A standard that cannot correct us is not a standard. It is decoration."— The Good Fruit Constitution, Article X: Accountability

8. Contact

To submit a correction request, ask a question about this policy, or raise a concern about our editorial practices, please contact us:

When submitting a correction request by email, please use the subject line: Correction Request — [Title or URL of piece]

You can also view our public-facing corrections log on the Corrections page.