Policies
The Alexandria Brief is committed to accurate, ethical, and transparent journalism. This page outlines my standards and policies.
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Journalism Ethics & Standards
I adhere to the professional codes of ethics of the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ), Online News Association (ONA), and Local Independent Online News Publishers (LION).
My Commitments
Accuracy
I strive for accuracy in all reporting. When I make an error, I correct it promptly and transparently.
Independence
I am 100% community-funded with no advertising. I have no conflicts of interest with sources I cover.
Accountability
I am answerable to community members—not advertisers, not corporate owners, just neighbors.
Transparency
I disclose potential conflicts of interest and explain my editorial decisions when relevant.
Fairness
I seek multiple perspectives and give people an opportunity to respond to criticism.
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Corrections Policy
Accuracy is fundamental to journalism. When I make an error, I correct it promptly and transparently.
How I Handle Corrections
When an error is identified, I:
Correct the error in the original post.
Add a note at the bottom explaining what was corrected and when.
Send a correction notice to subscribers if the error was significant.
Update social media posts if the error was shared there.
How to Report an Error
If you believe I’ve made an error, please email me immediately: ryan@alexandriabrief.com
Include:
Link to the post
Description of the error
Correct information (if known)
Your contact information
I review all correction requests and respond within 24 hours.
Types of Corrections
Factual errors: Corrected immediately with a note
Clarifications: Added when context is needed
Updates: New information added with timestamp
Typos/style: Corrected without note (unless changes meaning)
Example Correction Notice
“Correction [Date, Time]: An earlier version of this story incorrectly stated that the vote was 5-2. The vote was 6-1. This has been corrected.”
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Privay Policy
Last updated: November 1, 2025.
Your privacy matters. This policy explains how The Alexandria Brief collects and uses information.
Information I Collect
Email Address: When you subscribe, I collect your email address through Substack.
Usage Data: Substack may collect data about how you interact with emails (opens, clicks).
Voluntary Information: If you email me, I receive whatever information you provide.
How I Use Information
To deliver The Alexandria Brief to your inbox
To communicate about your subscription
To respond to your inquiries
To understand readership (aggregate statistics only)
What I Don’t Do
I don’t sell your email or information to anyone
I don’t share your information with third parties (except Substack for delivery)
I don’t track you across the web
I don’t use your data for advertising
Third-Party Services
The Alexandria Brief uses Substack for email delivery. Substack’s privacy policy applies to data they collect: substack.com/privacy
Your Rights
You can unsubscribe anytime
You can request deletion of your data
You can request a copy of data I have about you
Email: ryan@alexandriabrief.com
Data Retention
I retain your email address as long as you’re subscribed. If you unsubscribe, Substack may retain data per their policies.
Changes to This Policy
I’ll notify subscribers of significant privacy policy changes.
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Terms of Service
Last updated: November 1, 2025
By subscribing to The Alexandria Brief, you agree to these terms.
Subscription Terms
Free Subscriptions: All content is free to read. You can unsubscribe anytime.
Paid Memberships: Memberships are recurring subscriptions. You can cancel anytime through your Substack account.
Refund Policy: I generally don’t offer refunds for paid subscriptions, but if you have an issue, contact me: ryan@alexandriabrief.com
Content License
All content is copyrighted by Ryan Belmore / The Alexandria Brief.
You may:
Read and share links to posts
Quote brief excerpts with attribution
Print for personal use
You may not:
Republish full posts without permission
Use content for commercial purposes without permission
Scrape or automatically download content
Accuracy
I strive for accuracy and correct errors promptly. However, I make no guarantees about the completeness or accuracy of information.
Liability
The Alexandria Brief is provided “as is.” I’m not liable for decisions you make based on information in The Alexandria Brief.
Changes to Terms
I may update these terms. Continued subscription after changes means you accept the new terms.
Termination
I reserve the right to terminate subscriptions for violations of these terms.
Governing Law
These terms are governed by Virginia law.
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Community Guidelines
The Alexandria Brief community values respectful dialogue about Alexandria issues.
Expected Behavior
Be respectful, even in disagreement
Focus on issues, not personal attacks
Use your real name when possible
Stay on topic
No harassment, hate speech, or threats
What I’ll Remove
Personal attacks or insults
Harassment or threats
Hate speech or discriminatory language
Spam or promotional content
Off-topic or disruptive comments
Misinformation presented as fact
Moderation
I reserve the right to remove comments that violate these guidelines or ban repeat offenders.
Disagreement is Welcome
Respectful disagreement and diverse perspectives are encouraged. Constructive criticism of my reporting is welcome.
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Questions
For questions about any of these policies: ryan@alexandriabrief.com