Effective January 2026
Our Commitment to Accuracy and Transparency
Since 1977, the Observer Group Newspapers — the Bakersfield News Observer, Los Angeles News Observer, and Valley’s News Observer — have served Southern and Central California communities with original, fact-based reporting on local matters of public interest. We hold ourselves to the standards of ethical journalism reflected in the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics and the traditions of the Black Press of America.
Accuracy. Our reporters and editors verify information before publication. We rely on firsthand reporting, public records, named sources, and direct attribution. Claims of fact are checked against original documents and knowledgeable sources whenever possible. Headlines, photos, and captions must fairly reflect the substance of the story.
Independence. Our news coverage is produced independently of advertisers, sponsors, and political interests. Editorial decisions are made solely by our newsroom. Opinion and commentary are clearly labeled and kept distinct from news reporting.
Transparency. We identify ourselves as journalists when gathering news, attribute information to its source, and disclose any relevant relationships between the newspaper and the subjects of our coverage.
Fairness. We seek comment from those who are the subject of critical reporting and give them a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
Correction of Errors
We take errors seriously and correct them promptly and transparently.
If we publish an error of fact, we will correct it as soon as it is verified. Corrections to stories on our website are made directly in the article, with an editor’s note describing what was changed and when. Significant errors in our print editions are corrected in the next available print issue in a clearly labeled correction notice.
Readers who believe we have published an error are encouraged to contact us:
Observer Group Newspapers of Southern California, Inc.
1219 20th Street, Bakersfield, CA 93301
Email: jamesluckey@ognsc.com
Phone: (661) 472-9190
Requests for correction are reviewed by the Publisher/Editor. If a correction is warranted, it will be made promptly. If we determine no error occurred, we will explain our decision to the person who raised the concern.