HipHopUntapped Editorial Policies and Standards
Mission and Coverage
HipHopUntapped motivates individuals toward a more equitable, sustainable, and compassionate society through reporting, analysis, and reader involvement. As an independent media organization, our explanatory journalism delivers accurate information without bias or discrimination. We verify all articles for accuracy before publication. Our platform connects fans with their favorite artists and introduces new music lovers to emerging talents they might enjoy. We offer a space for readers to explore hip-hop artists, culture, trends, and issues affecting the hip-hop community through articles and a newsletter. Additionally, we provide a platform for new and upcoming artists to learn, grow, and reach new audiences.
Ownership and Funding
HipHopUntapped, founded in 2019 as an LLC, is an independently owned small business dedicated to artists and their fans. Our revenue streams include donations, foundation support, advertisements, and earned revenue from events. Unlike some companies, we do not charge users to access our content, maintaining a free platform for readers to engage with our work.
Editorial Independence Policy
To safeguard our journalistic and financial interests, we maintain full control over editorial content, ensuring a clear separation between news coverage decisions and sources of revenue. Acceptance of financial support does not influence our editorial content or reflect endorsement of donors’ products, services, or views.
Ethics Policy
HipHopUntapped adheres to the Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics, guided by an internal style guide. Our journalists strive for truth in all aspects of their work, treating everyone with dignity and maintaining independence from conflicts of interest. We are accountable and transparent, taking responsibility for our work and openly discussing our editorial decisions. Reflecting the voices of those often ignored by mainstream media is integral to our mission, but this focus does not compromise our commitment to balanced and factual reporting.
Fairness
Our commitment to accuracy underpins a dedication to fairness. Fairness involves completeness, relevance, honesty, and the opportunity for all sides to respond to claims made about them. We strive for stories that are not only factual but also give a comprehensive view of the subject at hand.
Verification and Fact-checking Standards
HipHopUntapped is committed to factual accuracy across all content. We approach claims with skepticism, validate information with experts and up-to-date data, and strive for independent corroboration of sources’ claims. Our fact-checking process involves rigorous evaluation of complex subjects and timely, accurate reporting.
Corrections Policy
We are committed to correcting errors transparently and promptly, regardless of their magnitude. Corrections are noted at the bottom of articles, clarifying the nature of the error and the correct information.
Use of Veiled Sources
We permit pseudonyms or anonymity only when necessary to protect sources or preserve privacy. Decisions on such matters are strictly at the discretion of our editors.
Byline Policy
Each story features a byline linking to the author’s bio page. In collaborative efforts, a staff byline may be used. We do not publish anonymous pieces, except under specific conditions where anonymity is justified.
Social Media
Our journalists maintain professional ethics on social media, reflecting HipHopUntapped’s commitment to integrity, fairness, and independence. We avoid postings that could be interpreted as biased.
Take-down Requests
We consider take-down requests carefully, opting not to remove content lightly. Instead, we investigate claims of inaccuracy and, where appropriate, publish corrections or updates.
Reader Engagement and Feedback
We value reader contributions, recognizing that engagement can enhance our impact. We are committed to transparency in our reporting and welcome dialogue with our audience.
Diverse Voices Statement
Embracing diversity in our reporting and staffing enriches our content and reflects a broader spectrum of perspectives. We aim to include voices from a wide range of backgrounds, enhancing the depth and nuance of our coverage.
Staffing Diversity
Our staff diversity, encompassing various races, religions, and perspectives, strengthens our content and editorial decisions, reflecting our commitment to inclusivity and fairness.
Masthead
(Updated as of April 1, 2024)
- EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR & SOCIAL MEDIA COORDINATOR: Byron L Frazier Jr.
- EDITORIAL DIRECTOR & EXECUTIVE EDITOR: Queen Suigeneris
- SENIOR EDITOR & ASSOCIATE ART DIRECTOR: Queen Suigeneris
- DIGITAL EDITOR & GRANTS MANAGER: Byron L Frazier Jr.