A few times a month we get requests from people to preview stories they are part of. We’ve even had sources tell us they won’t participate in a story unless they can read what we’re reporting before we publish it.

We deny those requests, even if it means missing out on something.

Rather than letting a source read the whole story, reporters can allow sources to fact check the quotes and information they provided. We won’t alter a quote to make it sound “better,” for example, but a source can tell us he or she said $10,000 and not $12,000 so the information is correct.

If Bob Smith wants to be sure we are accurate about what he said and information he provided, we’re more than happy to do that.

But we don’t allow Bob to fact check what Sally Jones said or provided. And we’re not so appreciative of sources or organizations threatening to bar us from an event or an interview if we don’t concede to their demand of reading an entire story before we publish.

Would a football coach reveal their game plan to an outsider before the game? Would a dentist let a patient come up with their own treatment plan? We bet not.

The too long, didn’t read version of this: We don’t give up editorial control of our work — full stop.

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As always, if you have comments or questions about the Hermiston Herald, or want to pass along a story idea, send me an email at this address: acutler@eomediagroup.com.

Finally, let me take this opportunity to once again thank the Hermiston Herald subscribers: We simply would be unable to do this vital work without your support.

Andrew Cutler is the publisher of the Hermiston Herald.