Editorial Standards & Ethics
About The Peak Transparency
Peak Transparency is the investigative and government accountability arm of The Peak Weekly. This is where we focus on zoning decisions, budget votes, public records, development policy, and the processes that shape life in Apex, North Carolina.
The Peak Weekly itself covers the broader Apex community - local businesses, events, and the things that make this town worth paying attention to. When a government story requires deeper investigation, original document analysis, or long-form reporting, it lives here.
Peak Transparency and all Peak Weekly publications are produced by Adam Whitaker, an Apex resident. They are not affiliated with any political party, political campaign, or political organization.
Our Mission
Local government makes decisions every week that affect property values, tax burdens, infrastructure, and quality of life. Most of those decisions receive little or no media coverage. The Peak Transparency exists to change that - to make sure residents have access to the information they need to understand what their government is doing, how it's doing it, and whether the process is working the way it should.
How We Report
Our reporting is built on primary sources:
- Official government documents, agendas, and meeting minutes
- Public records obtained through formal requests under N.C.G.S. § 132-1 (North Carolina Public Records Law)
- Direct review of public meeting recordings and official filings
- Comparative analysis of government documents across jurisdictions
- Interviews with public officials, community members, and subject-matter experts
- Firsthand attendance and observation at public meetings (either in-person or via internet feed)
Whenever possible, we link directly to or embed original source materials so readers can review the evidence themselves and draw their own conclusions.
Fact, Analysis, and Opinion
We clearly distinguish between three categories of content:
- Documented fact: Information that is directly established by public records, official documents, or verifiable sources. We cite or show the source.
- Analysis: Conclusions drawn from documented facts through pattern recognition, comparison, or logical inference. Where we draw analytical conclusions, we disclose the evidence basis and explain our reasoning so readers can evaluate the conclusion independently.
- Opinion and commentary: The publisher's perspective on public issues, clearly identified as such.
When an article contains a mix of fact and analysis - as investigative reporting often does - we include an explicit editorial note distinguishing between documented facts and reasoned inferences drawn from those facts.
Editorial Independence
The Peak Weekly operates with complete editorial independence. Editorial decisions - including what to cover, how to cover it, and when to publish - are made solely by the publisher.
Coverage is not influenced by advertisers, sponsors, political organizations, government officials, or any outside interest. We do not accept payment in exchange for favorable coverage. We do not accept payment to suppress or delay coverage.
We do not sign nondisclosure agreements with government officials or entities we cover.
Funding & Financial Transparency
The Peak Weekly is free to subscribe. We do not sell advertising and do not accept paid promotions or sponsored content.
The publication is funded personally by the publisher. A voluntary "buy me a coffee" donation option is available to readers who wish to support the work. Donors receive no influence over editorial decisions, and donations are not a condition of access to any content.
No government entity, political organization, developer, corporation, or outside interest provides funding to The Peak Weekly.
Right of Response
Any individual or entity referenced in our reporting is given the opportunity to respond prior to publication when circumstances allow. When responses are received, they are published in full or summarized fairly and in context.
Individuals or entities who believe they have been inaccurately represented in our reporting are invited to contact us directly. We will review any response promptly and in good faith.
Corrections Policy
Accuracy is the foundation of this publication. If an error of fact is identified - by our own review or by a reader - it will be corrected promptly and transparently.
- Corrections are noted within the article with a clear description of what was changed and when.
- Original context is preserved. We do not silently delete or alter published content.
- Significant corrections are noted at the top of the affected article.
Readers who believe a correction is needed are encouraged to contact the publisher directly.
Public Records Methodology
Much of our investigative reporting relies on documents obtained through North Carolina's Public Records Law. Our practice:
- All public records requests are submitted in writing and retained for our files.
- Responses from government entities - including denials and partial responses - are documented and, where relevant, reported to readers.
- When records are embedded or referenced in our reporting, we provide sufficient context for readers to understand what the document shows, what it doesn't show, and where our analysis begins.
Contact
For news tips, corrections, questions about coverage, or responses to reporting:
Email: adam@thepeakweekly.com Newsletter: https://thepeakweekly.com/
Community members are encouraged to submit story ideas, tips, public meeting notices, or documentation related to Apex municipal government.
Last updated: February 2026