Fact-Checking Policy
(hereinafter referred to as “Balaghat News” / “We” / “Us” / “Our”) is committed to providing accurate, reliable, and verified news. Our credibility depends on the trust of our audience, and we take great care to ensure that every piece of information we publish is fact-checked and meets the highest journalistic standards.
This Fact-Checking Policy outlines the rigorous measures we take to ensure due accuracy in all our content.
1️⃣ Ensuring Due Accuracy in Our Content
For any journalistic platform, trust is paramount. Trust is built and sustained through accurate, fair, and balanced reporting. We define “due accuracy” as not only factual correctness but also contextual accuracy, considering factors such as:
✔️ The subject matter and nature of the information.
✔️ The expectations of our audience.
✔️ The need for thorough verification before publication.
We investigate claims rigorously, challenge assumptions, and remain skeptical when verifying information. While we strive for absolute accuracy, we acknowledge that certain uncertainties may exist despite our best efforts.
💡 Key Principles We Follow for Accuracy:
🔹 Rely on credible sources, ensuring every report is based on concrete and corroborated evidence.
🔹 Verify claims, allegations, or statements from public authorities, ensuring objectivity.
🔹 Attribute sources whenever direct verification is not possible.
🔹 If any published information is proven inaccurate, we swiftly correct and update it while informing our readers.
🔹 We do not fabricate or mislead our audience. Any serious factual errors are publicly acknowledged and rectified promptly.
🔹 Readers can report inaccuracies via the “Suggest a Correction” section provided at the end of every article.
🔹 Multi-level fact-checking: Every article undergoes rigorous scrutiny, including review by one or more senior editors.
🔍 Investigative Reporting:
- For investigative stories, we cross-verify multiple sources before publishing.
- When reporting allegations, we reach out to all concerned parties for their input before publishing.
2️⃣ Sourcing Information for Our Content
To ensure the highest accuracy, we follow strict guidelines when sourcing information:
✅ Cross-Verification: Every claim is verified with at least two independent sources before publication.
✅ Credibility Check: If only one source is available, we ensure its credibility through corroboration.
✅ Documentary Evidence: We prioritize official documents, data, and primary sources over verbal accounts.
✅ Survey Transparency: For reports based on surveys, we disclose:
- How the information was collected.
- How the data was interpreted.
- Any inconsistencies or limitations in the data.
✅ Anonymous Sources: When using anonymous sources, we: - Provide readers with context about why the source remains unnamed.
- Ensure that the information is verified internally with our editors.
✅ Right to Respond: If a report may portray someone in a negative light, we ensure they have the right to respond before publication.
🔴 Editorial Oversight:
- Our newsroom head or senior editorial staff review any complex or sensitive information before publication.
- When in doubt, our team consults senior editors to prevent misinformation from reaching the public.
3️⃣ Handling User-Generated Content
User-generated content (UGC) poses unique challenges, and we do not assume it to be accurate by default. We take reasonable steps to verify the authenticity of such content before using it.
🛑 Guidelines for Verifying UGC:
✔️ Check the source’s credibility—particularly if the content comes from lobby groups or individuals with vested interests.
✔️ Clearly label UGC to differentiate it from editorial content.
✔️ Verify online sources: A website or social media account that appears reliable may not always be accurate.
✔️ Distinguish fact from rumor: Misinformation spreads quickly, especially on social media. We take extra care before sharing content from digital platforms.
✔️ Additional scrutiny: Any social media-based claim is qualified and called out if not independently verified.
4️⃣ Corrections & Updates
Even with stringent fact-checking, if an error is discovered post-publication, we take immediate steps to correct it.
🔄 Correction Process:
🔹 If a factual error is identified, we promptly update the article and add a [Correction: Updated Info] note at the top.
🔹 If a claim requires clarification, we amend the text and explain the update to readers.
🔹 If an article undergoes a major revision, we issue an editor’s note with a detailed explanation.
📌 Readers can report inaccuracies through:
- The “Suggest a Correction” button at the end of articles.
- Emailing us at [email protected]
Conclusion
At Balaghat News, we are dedicated to delivering news that is factual, transparent, and accountable. Our Fact-Checking Policy ensures that our readers receive information they can trust. We remain committed to maintaining the highest journalistic integrity by continuously improving our verification processes.
🔹 Truth over speed – We prioritize accuracy over being the first to report.
🔹 Transparency & accountability – We acknowledge and correct errors swiftly.
🔹 Commitment to credibility – We stand by the integrity of our journalism.
