The Erie Reader is Erie's only independent, alternative newspaper — and the region's local voice for news, arts, and culture. Our mission centers on long-form journalism and a commitment to provoking thoughtful, necessary conversation. We tell the stories of the people and places shaping Erie, and we dig into the events and issues that define life in northwestern Pennsylvania.
We believe that rigorous, independent local journalism is essential to a healthy community. That belief isn't a slogan — it's the standard we hold ourselves to every time we publish.
Core Journalistic Principles
Everything we publish is guided by five commitments to our readers and our community:
1. Accuracy and Fairness
We report the truth. Our journalists verify what they gather and present it with fairness and context. When we get something wrong, we own it and fix it — promptly and transparently. See our Corrections Policy below.
2. Independence and Integrity
Our loyalty is to Erie, not to any political party, special interest, or advertiser. We make our own editorial decisions. We have a long track record of resisting pressure from powerful figures seeking to alter or suppress coverage, and we'll keep it that way.
3. Community Focus and Civic Engagement
We're more than a newspaper — we're participants in Erie's civic life. We investigate issues of public interest, from the local impact of federal policy to systemic injustice. We platform community leaders, champion local solutions, and aim to help forge a new shared vision for this city.
4. Transparency and Accountability
We are open with our readers about how and why we do what we do.
Distinguishing News and Opinion: Objective reporting and opinion journalism serve different purposes — we clearly label both. Contributed columns and op-eds are marked as such so readers always know the difference between staff work and community perspectives.
Community Submissions: We welcome outside voices. All op-eds and story submissions undergo editorial review and may be edited for grammar, clarity, and content to meet our publication's guidelines.
5. Respect for All Voices
We practice journalism that is inclusive and affords dignity to every subject. We actively work to dismantle stereotypes and pull stories from history's margins into a fuller, truer account of our community — from our "40 Under 40" honorees to the work of local advocacy organizations.
Corrections Policy
Accuracy is the foundation of trust. We understand that errors happen — what matters is how we handle them.
Our Commitment
When we publish a significant factual error, we correct it promptly and clearly, without burying the correction.
How Corrections Work
Online corrections are made directly in the article, with a clearly dated note explaining what changed. For major errors in the print edition, a correction runs in the next issue.
How to Report an Error
If you believe you've found a factual error, email us at Contact@ErieReader.com with the subject line "Correction Request." Please include a link to the article (or the date of the print issue) and any sources or documentation supporting your request.
Our goal is to be Erie's most reliable and thought-provoking source of information. These standards guide us every day.
