Editorial Guidelines
The standards every story on Long Island Wave is held to, written down so readers, sources and advertisers all know what to expect from us.
Ownership and responsibility
Long Island Wave is a free digital news and lifestyle publication covering Nassau and Suffolk counties. It is owned and published by Wave Agency, 200 Broadhollow Road, Suite 207, Melville, NY 11747. Stories run under the byline Long Island Wave, and the publication as a whole stands behind every piece it publishes.
You can reach the editors through our contact page.
What every story is held to
Verified against the source
Facts are checked against primary sources: the business itself, the venue or organizer, a government or municipal record, an official announcement. A detail we cannot confirm is cut or clearly qualified, not published as fact. Details that change often, such as hours and prices, carry a line telling readers to confirm directly.
Our own reporting, in our own words
Every story is written for Long Island Wave. We never copy, lightly reword or republish another outlet's article. When a fact comes from someone else, we attribute it and link to it.
Reviewed before it runs
Every piece is reviewed and approved by an editor before it is published. Contributed pieces are edited for clarity and length, and any change to the writer's meaning goes back to them first.
Lists we can stand behind
Every business named in a roundup or "best of" list is checked to be open and operating before it runs. Nothing is placed on a list because it pays us.
Editorial is editorial. Advertising is labeled.
Long Island Wave is free to read and supported by local advertising. Advertisers do not see or approve editorial coverage before it runs, and paying for an ad buys no say over what an independent story says.
Always marked
A story arranged and paid for by a business is labeled as sponsored, clearly and up front, so a reader always knows what they are reading. Ad placements on the site and in the app carry a Sponsored label.
Disclosed, never hidden
If a writer has a financial or personal connection to a subject, or a business provided a visit or a product, that is disclosed in the story. Our advertising is sold directly by us; we run no third-party ad networks.
When we get something wrong
We fix errors of fact promptly. A correction that changes the meaning of a story is noted in the story itself, so readers can see what changed. Minor fixes to spelling or formatting are made without a note.
To report an error, use the support page and choose "A correction to an article", or reach us through the contact page. Include the story's link and what it should say.
Comments and events
Reader comments are moderated. Abusive posts and spam are removed, and members appear publicly by first name and last initial only.
Event listings come from organizers and our own research. Details can change after publication, so every listing asks readers to confirm with the organizer before they go.
Writing for us? The Editorial Resources page covers what we publish, house style and how to submit.