This page exists to answer recurring questions about Columbia Countercurrent directly, clearly, and in one place.
We believe trust is built through consistency, correction, and transparency of process — not through silence, rumor, or personality.
What is Columbia Countercurrent?
Columbia Countercurrent is a community‑driven local news publication focused on the Columbia River region and Southwest Washington.
We publish reporting based on community tips, public records, and third‑party reporting, with an emphasis on stories that are often undercovered, uncomfortable, or risky to report in small communities.
Why are articles published without named authors?
By design.
Local journalism in small towns carries real social, professional, and personal risks. People live where they report. They work where they investigate. They interact daily with the same institutions and individuals they may need to scrutinize.
Anonymity at Columbia Countercurrent is a protective measure — not an attempt to avoid accountability.
Accountability in our model comes from:
- Sourcing and citation
- Independent review before publication
- Clear separation of fact, analysis, and interpretation
- Willingness to issue corrections
Many readers are comfortable attaching their names to their views. Others are not, and should not be excluded from civic participation because of that.
Who is accountable if there is an error?
The publication is.
Columbia Countercurrent takes responsibility for what it publishes. Errors are corrected transparently. Clarifications are added when needed. We do not shift responsibility onto anonymous contributors or tipsters.
If you believe something is factually incorrect, we encourage you to contact us with specifics so it can be reviewed.
Do you use automation or AI?
Yes — intentionally and openly.
Automation is used to:
- Monitor public sources and feeds
- Triage incoming tips
- Assist with summarization and organization
Automation does not replace editorial judgment. All published stories are reviewed, edited, and checked before publication.
Using tools to increase capacity is not the same thing as abandoning standards. It allows a small operation to cover more ground while maintaining review and correction processes.
Why is the volume of content high for a new publication?
Because the project was built with infrastructure before launch.
Columbia Countercurrent did not begin as a blank page. Systems for intake, review, and publishing were developed in advance to handle multiple streams of information efficiently.
High output alone is not evidence of low quality. Accuracy, sourcing, and correction over time are the measures that matter.
Are you affiliated with X/Y/Z politician??
No.
In some articles, stories written by politicians may be cited as a source — just as reporting or commentary from many individuals across the political spectrum may be cited when relevant to a story.
Citation is not affiliation.
Are you partisan or trying to influence elections?
We do not endorse candidates.
We report on actions, votes, policies, and impacts. Readers are encouraged to evaluate the facts and draw their own conclusions.
Scrutiny of elected officials is not the same thing as campaigning, and criticism of specific decisions does not imply allegiance to an opposing candidate.
Why does the name sound similar to other local publications?
The name reflects geography and intent.
“Columbia” refers to the region. “Countercurrent” reflects the mission of examining narratives that flow downstream unchallenged.
Columbia Countercurrent is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or attempting to impersonate any other publication.
Why are anonymous comments or tips sometimes shared?
To protect people.
In small communities, attaching a name to a comment or tip can carry consequences unrelated to the accuracy or value of the information. When material is shared anonymously, it is done to preserve safety, not to misrepresent authorship.
If someone explicitly requests attribution, that preference is respected whenever possible.
What happens when you get something wrong?
We correct it.
Corrections are made as soon as errors are confirmed. Updates and clarifications are added to the original article so readers can see what changed and why.
No publication is perfect. Responsible ones are transparent.
Who funds Columbia Countercurrent?
Columbia Countercurrent is independently operated.
It is not funded by any political parties, campaigns, or outside institutions.
The project is focused on sustainability and community trust rather than rapid growth.
How can I submit a correction or tip?
If you have:
- A factual correction
- Additional context
- Documentation
- A story tip
You are encouraged to submit it through the site, either through our receptionist chat, or via our Contact page.
Specificity and sources help us review material efficiently.
How can I participate or contribute?
Columbia Countercurrent is intentionally open and participatory.
This is not a closed newsroom, a gatekept platform, or a one-way broadcast. It exists to expand who gets to participate in the local narrative, not to narrow it.
We actively welcome:
- Letters to the editor expressing agreement, disagreement, or alternative framing
- Guest essays or op-eds from community members
- First-person accounts of local events or impacts
- Tips and documentation that deserve reporting
- Corrections and clarifications when we get details wrong
You do not need to be a journalist, activist, or insider to contribute. You do not need institutional backing. You only need something relevant to share and a willingness to engage in good faith.
Contributions may be published with a name, a pseudonym, or anonymously, depending on the contributor’s preference and safety considerations. Editorial review focuses on accuracy, clarity, and relevance — not ideology.
If you have something to say, there is space for it here.
Why should I trust this publication?
You shouldn’t trust any publication blindly.
You should watch how it behaves.
Trust is earned over time through:
- Accuracy
- Willingness to correct errors
- Clear sourcing
- Consistent standards
- Openness to challenge
We invite scrutiny. We expect disagreement. We aim to be fair, factual, and accountable — even when that’s uncomfortable.
This page will evolve as the publication does.
Questions that come up repeatedly are added here so they can be answered once, clearly, and publicly.
Columbia Countercurrent is not affiliated with lawsuits, advocacy organizations, or campaigns unless explicitly stated.