Editorial Policy

1. Mission and Scope

Newz.Africa delivers clear, accurate and authoritative journalism about Africa’s most important developments, with global context and modern editorial precision. Coverage spans breaking news, politics, business, geopolitics, environment, science, technology, cities and culture.

2. Core Principles

• Accuracy first. Publish only what we can verify.
• Independence. Editorial decisions are insulated from commercial, political, or personal influence.
• Transparency. Be open about sources, methods and corrections.
• Public interest. Prioritise stories that matter to readers and communities.
• Respect. Report with dignity and avoid stereotypes or sensationalism.

3. Verification and Sourcing

• Use at least two independent sources for contentious facts where feasible.
• Prefer primary documentation, official data, and on‑the‑record interviews.
• Anonymous sources are allowed only when there is a clear public interest and a credible risk to the source. The editor must approve anonymity and know the source’s identity.
• When using third‑party reports, confirm figures with original statements or data.
• For data and charts, record methodologies, time frames and limitations.

4. Attribution and Plagiarism

• Credit original reporting clearly.
• Quote accurately. Do not alter quotes except for minimal clarity with brackets, ellipses, or minor grammatical corrections, noted transparently.
• Plagiarism, fabrication and image manipulation are grounds for dismissal.

5. Corrections, Clarifications and Updates

• Significant errors require a correction note at the top or bottom of the article with the date and the nature of the change.
• Minor typos may be silently corrected.
• Clarifications explain context without implying fault.
• Maintain a public corrections log.

6. Conflicts of Interest

• Staff must disclose financial, familial or organisational ties related to coverage.
• No gifts or benefits beyond modest value necessary for reporting.
• Travel or access provided by third parties must be disclosed and, where possible, independently funded.

7. Editorial Independence and Governance

• The Editor in Chief sets editorial standards and has final say on publication.
• Section editors manage daily output and quality control.
• An internal standards editor conducts spot checks and audits.

8. Use of AI and Automation

• AI may assist with research, transcription, translation, and drafting, but human editors must review for accuracy, bias and tone.
• Do not publish AI‑generated images in place of real news photography. If illustrative AI graphics are used, label them clearly as such.
• Automated alerts and dashboards can inform coverage but cannot replace reporting.

9. Sensitive Content and Safety

• Avoid graphic detail unless necessary for public interest. Provide content warnings where appropriate.
• Protect vulnerable sources and minors. Obtain guardian consent for interviews with minors.
• Follow ethical guidelines for reporting on crime, conflict, disasters, and public health.

10. Privacy and Legal Compliance

• Comply with South African law and applicable jurisdictions across Africa.
• Adhere to POPIA for personal data, including secure storage and minimal data collection.
• Respect reasonable expectations of privacy. Public figures have reduced privacy where public interest is clear.
• Seek legal review for high‑risk investigations and cross‑border reporting.

11. Visual Standards

• Use authentic photography and video. Avoid misleading edits.
• Captions must identify time, location and source.
• Do not use stock images that distort reality for news stories.
• Graphics must be accurate, legible and labelled with units, sources and dates.

12. Headlines, Intros and Style

• Headlines should be clear, concise and factual. No clickbait.
• Intros establish the key fact and context quickly.
• Use UK English. No em dashes.
• Avoid stereotypes and Afro‑exotic framing. Report Africa as complex and globally connected.

13. SEO and Discoverability

• Write for readers first. SEO supports accessibility, not manipulation.
• Include precise keyphrases, strong metadata and descriptive alt text.
• Use structured data for authorship, dates, location and article type.

14. Social Media and Community

• Apply the same standards on social platforms as on site.
• Attribute breaking information and avoid unverified claims.
• Correct errors promptly across platforms.
• Moderate comments for accuracy, civility and safety.

15. Sponsorship, Advertising and Branded Content

• Advertising and sponsorship do not influence editorial decisions.
• Native content must be clearly labelled as Sponsored or Partner Content.
• Sponsored projects require a written agreement defining editorial independence.

16. Data Journalism and Methodology

• Publish data sources, collection methods and assumptions.
• Share code or methodologies where possible.
• Flag uncertainty, margins of error and data gaps.

17. Geopolitics and Risk Reporting

• Provide causality, context and consequence.
• Use timelines, maps and primary statements.
• Separate analysis from opinion.
• When forecasting risk, state models, inputs and limitations. Avoid definitive predictions.

18. Corrections Workflow

1. Reporter flags issue to editor with evidence.
2. Editor assesses severity and drafts correction text.
3. Standards editor reviews.
4. Publish correction and update social posts if needed.
5. Log the change.

19. Complaints and Right of Reply

• Serious allegations require fair opportunity to respond within a reasonable deadline.
• Publish responses or note attempts to obtain comment.
• Provide a public channel for complaints and commit to timely review.

20. Security and Source Protection

• Use secure communications for sensitive reporting.
• Minimise identifiable metadata in files when necessary.
• Train staff on digital hygiene and physical safety.

21. Archiving and Retention

• Maintain an accessible archive with dates, authorship and version history.
• Retain notes and recordings per legal and ethical requirements.

22. Training and Audits

• Regular training on verification, legal risk, safety, data literacy and bias awareness.
• Annual audit of compliance with this policy, with findings shared in‑house.

23. Policy Review

• Review biannually or when material changes in law, technology or newsroom practice occur.
• Record version numbers and revision dates.