HPL is an independent, nonpartisan publication dedicated to accuracy and fairness. We cover this neighborhood without favor, agenda, or outside influence. Our credibility is the only thing that makes this worth reading.
Independence
HPL is independently owned and operated by a Hunters Point South resident. We have no political affiliation, and no organizational agenda. We plan to accept advertising from residents, readers, and local businesses. Advertising relationships have no influence on editorial decisions. Advertisers do not receive favorable coverage, story placement, advance notice, or any ability to review content before publication.
Reader Support
HPL is supported by voluntary reader contributions. Supporters receive no editorial influence, no advance access to reporting, and no ability to shape coverage. Contribution tiers reflect only the amount given, not any tier of access or say in editorial decisions.
Accuracy
We verify before we publish. Dates, names, addresses, permit numbers, vote counts. We check them against primary sources. If we cannot verify something, we say so or we do not publish it.
When we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and transparently. Corrections appear in the same format and prominence as the original error. We do not quietly edit published content without noting the change. To report an error: corrections@hpl.nyc
Sources
We identify sources by name wherever possible. When a source requests anonymity, we explain why in the story. We do not grant anonymity for convenience. We seek to identify any bias or interest a source has in the outcome of a story.
Conflicts of interest
If HPL has a financial, personal, or civic relationship with a subject we are covering, we disclose it. The publisher is a member of Queens Community Board 2. That membership is disclosed in any story where it is relevant. If a conflict prevents fair coverage, we say so and either recuse or decline the story.
Community Board Service
HPL’s founder and editor serves as an unpaid and volunteer member of Queens Community Board 2, including its Transportation Committee. This is a disclosed conflict of interest. Coverage of land use, street design, and transportation topics may involve matters the editor has weighed in on, or will weigh in on, in that capacity. We disclose membership on relevant articles in addition to this page.
Scope
HPL focuses on LIC and Hunters Point South. We cover stories because they are relevant to people who live here, not simply because they are interesting. When we venture outside the neighborhood, we explain the local connection.
AI & LLM’s
We use tools such as Claude, Grammarly, and Google Docs/Sheets to assist in gather information, check existing work, and to mechanically support infrastructure. We independently fact check anything which comes from these tools, like any other claim. We treat generated content the same as secondary sources, and rely on primary sources for truth. We treat them like they are an overeager graduate student who makes mistakes.
- AI as infrastructure tool
We build a lot of custom maps and charts to present data clearly, which requires JavaScript and CSS. We use AI tools to help write and troubleshoot that code, the same way we’d otherwise search Stack Overflow. This tooling never touches editorial content; it renders how chart or a map is displayed. - AI as gathering tool
When we have large PDFs or blocks of text, we use generative tools to search for key topics, strings, queries etc. so we can read and understand the content. We also use tools to gather data, which looks like asking AI to generate a JSON query from an open data source to download data for analysis. This then gets fact checked in other tools (such as Google Sheets, Excel, etc.). We do not publish anything without independently checking and reproducing the report from the primary source. Anything generated is treated as a secondary source which must be fact checked. - AI as review
We ask AI to spellcheck and to make sure that tenses line up, etc. along with having it show where the article is lacking such as unclear phrasing, logic jumps, or unsupported claims. This allows us to manually edit and review the article for accuracy.
Advertising and sponsored content
Advertisements are clearly labeled. We do not publish native advertising or sponsored editorial. We do not sell story placement. Ad inventory is kept limited per issue to maintain a clear separation between editorial and commercial content.
Photography and visuals
We do not alter the substance of photographs. Technical adjustments such as cropping and exposure correction are acceptable. Manipulations that misrepresent what was photographed are not. Photo illustrations and composites are labeled as such.
Tips and submissions
We welcome tips, event submissions, and story ideas from readers and community organizations. We exercise editorial judgment on all submitted content.
Corrections and challenges
We take reader challenges seriously. If you believe something we published is inaccurate or unfair, contact us at corrections@hpl.nyc. We will investigate and respond. To report a broader concern about our standards: news@hpl.nyc