Publisher Policies

At Cagle Cartoons, Inc., we are committed to maintaining the highest standards of editorial integrity, transparency, and diversity in our syndicated editorial cartoons and opinion columns. Below are our key publisher policies.

1. Mission Coverage Policy

Cagle Cartoons, Inc. is dedicated to syndicating high-quality editorial cartoons and opinion columns that provoke thought, spark debate, and illuminate the absurdities of politics, society, and culture through satire and visual storytelling.

Our coverage priorities center on timely, diverse perspectives on global and domestic issues—ranging from U.S. elections and international conflicts to environmental challenges and social justice—sourced from a network of independent cartoonists worldwide.

As a non-partisan syndicate, we have no public agenda or institutional stance on issues; instead, we champion a marketplace of ideas by amplifying voices across the ideological spectrum. This ensures balanced representation, fostering informed public discourse without endorsing any political party or ideology.

Cagle Cartoons, Inc. selects content based on artistic merit, relevance, and potential to engage audiences, prioritizing inclusivity in themes that reflect underrepresented viewpoints.

2. Corrections Policy

At Cagle Cartoons, Inc., accuracy and transparency are foundational to our editorial integrity, even in the interpretive realm of satire and opinion. While our cartoons and columns are artistic expressions rather than factual reporting, we strive for factual underpinnings in depictions of events, people, and data. If an error is identified—such as a misattributed quote, incorrect historical reference, or visual inaccuracy—we commit to prompt correction.

Our process:

  • Readers or contributors may submit concerns via email to [email protected].
  • Upon review by President Daryl Cagle or a designated freelance editor, verified errors will be addressed within 48 hours.
  • Corrections appear as prominent updates on the original cartoon pages on Caglecartoons.com (the delivery site for newspaper editors), and Politicalcartoons.com (our archive site and online store for pay-per-use sales), with the word “CORRECTION” clearly accompanying the cartoon as a red button, to be clear to all licensees and publishers. When cartoons and columns corrections are posted, the dates displayed are the dates of the correction.
  • No material alterations are made without the “CORRECTION” disclosure in button or text form. Minor corrections, like spelling or grammar errors, may not include a correction notice.

3. Diversity Policy

Cagle Cartoons, Inc. is committed to fostering diversity in our content, contributors, and perspectives to ensure our satire reflects the multifaceted world we critique. As a small syndicate with only two employees, we rely on a robust and diverse network of over 70 freelance cartoonists and editors from 20+ countries, including underrepresented voices in gender, ethnicity, and ideology.

Our staffing and sourcing practices:

  • Contributors: We actively recruit diverse freelancers. Selections prioritize talent from varied backgrounds to avoid echo chambers and provide a full spectrum of views.
  • Sources and Themes: Cartoons draw from global events and contributors, emphasizing inclusive sourcing.

Diversity strengthens our mission to challenge power through broad, equitable representation.

4. Ethics Policy

Cagle Cartoons, Inc. upholds the highest standards of journalistic ethics, adapted to our focus on satirical opinion and visual commentary. Our personal, organizational, and corporate principles guide all contributors to ensure integrity, independence, and respect:

  • Independence: No content is influenced by advertisers, politicians, or external pressures. Freelancers retain full creative control, with CCI acting as a neutral distributor.
  • Transparency: Conflicts of interest (e.g., personal ties to depicted subjects) are disclosed in columns and cartoons. We avoid undisclosed payments or favors.
  • Fairness and Accountability: Satire targets ideas and institutions, not individuals based on protected characteristics. Plagiarism or fabrication is strictly prohibited; all work is original.
  • Contributor Standards: Freelancers must comply with our standards, including respect for copyrights and avoidance of hate speech.
  • Organizational Practices: Our editorial decisions prioritize ethical curation. Violations trigger content removal and contributor review.

These standards align with the Society of Professional Journalists' code, promoting trust in our role as a platform for bold, honest expression. Questions? Contact [email protected].

5. No Bylines Policy

Cagle Cartoons, Inc. believes in crediting creators to honor their voice and build audience trust. Bylines—typically the cartoonist's or columnist's name, affiliation, and date—are standard on all Cagle.com publications and syndicated content, appearing prominently.

We rarely publish without bylines, but exceptions occur in these limited cases:

  • Anonymous Contributors: Cartoonists may choose to work under a pen name, with editorial vetting by President Daryl Cagle. If an artist chooses to write or draw anonymously, it is disclosed. At this time, no cartoonists are working anonymously.
  • Collaborative Works: Multi-artist pieces credit all involved; however a writer or artist may choose to work anonymously as a ghost writer or editorial assistant to a credited collaborating artist or writer who is named in the byline, if all parties agree, with the editorial vetting of President, Daryl Cagle.

6. Unnamed Sources Policy

As a syndicate of editorial cartoons and opinion columns, Cagle Cartoons, Inc. does not rely on unnamed sources. All of our content is opinion content, originating in the minds of our artists and writers.

Although opinion content typically refers to facts reported in the media and may refer to stories in other media that originated from third party anonymous sources, we do not distribute original news reporting and we do not have our own anonymous sources for news reporting.