Editorial Policy

Last Updated: 01/10/2026

Our commitment

We are committed to journalism that is accurate, fair, independent, transparent and accountable.

Our editorial purpose is to provide readers with reliable information and journalism that is relevant to their communities and interests. We seek to report facts accurately, provide appropriate context, distinguish fact from opinion, and give people a fair opportunity to respond where they are the subject of significant criticism or allegations.

This policy applies to our editorial content across our websites, publications, social media channels, video, audio, newsletters and other platforms.

Our journalism is guided by professional editorial standards and applicable industry codes.

1. Editorial independence

Editorial decisions are made independently of commercial, political, personal or other external interests.

Advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners and other organisations do not determine our editorial coverage.

Commercial considerations must not influence whether a legitimate editorial story is published, how it is reported or the prominence given to it.

Editorial and commercial content must be clearly distinguishable.

Where content has been commissioned, funded or materially supported by an external organisation, this will be disclosed where appropriate.

2. Accuracy and verification

Accuracy is fundamental to our journalism.

Journalists and editors are responsible for verifying information before publication and for exercising appropriate editorial judgement about the reliability of sources.

The level of verification required will depend on the nature and significance of the story.

We will:

• verify significant factual claims wherever reasonably practicable;
• use reliable and appropriate sources;
• check names, dates, figures, locations, quotations and other material facts;
• distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, claims, estimates, rumours and speculation;
• provide relevant context;
• avoid presenting uncertain information as established fact;
• identify material limitations in the information available to us; and
• update stories when significant new information changes the factual position.

Breaking news may initially be published on the basis of limited verified information. Where this occurs, the limitations will be made clear and the story will be updated as reliable information becomes available.

3. Sources and attribution

We aim to identify the sources of information wherever doing so is appropriate and safe.

Information obtained from third-party publications, documents, research, organisations, databases or other sources should be properly attributed.

Journalists should, where reasonably practicable, seek information from primary or authoritative sources rather than relying solely on secondary reporting.

Sources should be assessed for:

• knowledge of the subject;
• proximity to the information;
• potential bias or conflicts of interest;
• motivation for providing the information;
• previous reliability; and
• whether the information can be independently corroborated.

A source’s seniority or prominence does not, by itself, establish that information is accurate.

4. Anonymous and confidential sources

Anonymous sources may be used where the information is editorially significant and there is a legitimate reason why the source cannot be identified.

Before publication, editors should establish:

• why anonymity is necessary;
• how the source obtained the information;
• whether the source has a potential conflict of interest;
• whether the information can be independently verified; and
• whether publication is justified by the public interest.

Anonymous-source material should normally be corroborated by additional evidence or sources where practicable.

A promise of confidentiality made to a source should be respected.

5. Right of reply

Where a person or organisation is the subject of significant criticism, allegations of wrongdoing or potentially damaging factual claims, we will seek a reasonable opportunity for them to respond before publication where practicable.

A response should be fairly represented and should not be deliberately distorted or selectively quoted.

If a response cannot reasonably be obtained before publication, this may be stated in the article where material to the story.

A reasonable opportunity to respond does not necessarily mean that publication will be delayed indefinitely.

6. Allegations, claims and disputed information

Allegations are not facts.

Where allegations or disputed claims are editorially justified, they must be clearly attributed and presented in a way that does not imply that an unproven allegation has been established.

We will distinguish between:

• established facts;
• allegations;
• opinions;
• predictions;
• claims made by interested parties; and
• information that remains unverified.

Where significant competing factual claims exist, we will seek to explain the relevant evidence and uncertainty.

7. Corrections and amendments

We take responsibility for correcting factual errors.

Readers are encouraged to notify us when they believe an article contains an error.

Corrections will be made promptly once an error has been established.

Material factual errors will not normally be silently changed. Where appropriate, the article will contain a correction or editor’s note explaining what has been changed.

Where an error is serious enough to require a retraction, withdrawal or apology, this will be communicated with appropriate prominence.

Where an online article has been materially corrected, the correction should remain identifiable to readers who access the article subsequently.

Corrections may include:

• Minor corrections – spelling, grammar, formatting or other non-material errors.
• Material corrections – factual errors that affect the meaning or accuracy of the report.
• Retractions or apologies – where a significant part of the published report is materially incorrect or publication requires formal withdrawal or apology.

Corrections should not be used to conceal significant editorial changes.

8. Opinion, analysis and commentary

News reporting, analysis, opinion and commentary should be distinguishable.

Opinion writers are entitled to express views, provided their work complies with applicable editorial standards.

Opinion should not knowingly present false information as fact.

Where analysis relies on factual claims, those claims remain subject to appropriate verification.

9. Conflicts of interest

Journalists, editors and contributors should avoid actual, potential or perceived conflicts of interest that could compromise editorial independence.

Relevant personal, financial, professional or other interests should be disclosed to the appropriate editor.

A journalist should not use confidential information obtained through journalism for personal benefit.

Gifts, hospitality, travel, payments or other benefits that could reasonably be perceived as influencing coverage should be avoided or disclosed in accordance with internal editorial procedures.

10. Sponsored, branded and commercial content

Advertising, sponsored content, branded content and other commercial material must be clearly distinguishable from independent editorial journalism.

Commercial partnerships must not determine editorial conclusions.

Where appropriate, commercial content will be labelled using terms such as “Sponsored”, “Paid Content”, “Advertisement” or another clear designation.

Editorial staff should not present paid promotional material as independent journalism.

11. Plagiarism and originality

We do not knowingly publish plagiarised material.

Material obtained from another publication, journalist, research organisation or other source must be appropriately attributed.

Direct quotations should accurately represent the source.

Where substantial material from another source is used, the source should be clearly identified.

12. User-generated content

User comments, submissions, social media posts, photographs, videos and other user-generated material do not automatically represent our editorial views.

User-generated material may be moderated, edited or removed in accordance with our applicable policies.

Where user-generated material is used in editorial coverage, journalists should take reasonable steps to establish its authenticity and context.

13. Images, video and manipulated media

Visual material must not be presented in a materially misleading manner.

Photographs and videos should accurately represent what they purport to show.

Where an image has been materially altered, digitally generated or substantially reconstructed for illustrative purposes, this should be made clear where the alteration could reasonably affect a reader’s understanding.

Illustrations, file photographs, archive material and recreations should be appropriately identified where necessary.

14. Artificial intelligence and automated tools

Artificial intelligence and automated technologies may be used as editorial or production tools where appropriate.

However, technology does not replace editorial responsibility.

Any AI-assisted material must remain subject to appropriate human review, verification and editorial judgement before publication.

AI-generated information must not be treated as reliable merely because it has been produced by an AI system.

Journalists and editors remain responsible for:

• accuracy;
• originality;
• attribution;
• copyright considerations;
• privacy;
• confidentiality;
• fairness; and
• the final published material.

Confidential, personal or sensitive information should not be entered into external AI systems unless authorised and appropriate safeguards are in place.

15. Privacy and dignity

We respect individuals’ reasonable expectations of privacy.

Privacy may be outweighed by a legitimate public interest in publication, but this should be assessed carefully.

The fact that information is technically available online does not automatically mean that publication or republication is editorially justified.

Particular care should be taken when reporting on children, victims of crime, vulnerable people, bereaved families and individuals facing significant personal distress.

16. Public interest

Public interest should not be confused with material that is merely interesting to the public.

Public-interest considerations may include matters such as:

• public safety;
• serious wrongdoing;
• corruption or abuse of power;
• significant threats to health or safety;
• consumer protection;
• accountability of people or organisations exercising significant power or influence; and
• information necessary for informed public debate.

Where publication involves significant intrusion, harm or risk, editors should consider whether the public-interest justification is sufficient.

17. Legal and court reporting

Journalists must exercise particular care when reporting on legal proceedings, allegations of criminal or civil wrongdoing, investigations and regulatory proceedings.

The existence of an investigation, complaint, arrest, charge or legal proceeding does not by itself establish that wrongdoing occurred.

Reports should accurately distinguish allegations from findings, charges from convictions, and claims from established facts.

18. Headlines, summaries and social media

Headlines, search-engine descriptions, captions, push notifications and social-media posts are editorial content and must accurately reflect the underlying story.

They should not materially exaggerate, distort or misrepresent the content of an article merely to attract attention.

A headline should not turn an allegation into a statement of fact.

19. Links and external material

Links to external sources may be used to provide readers with supporting information, primary documents or additional context.

The inclusion of a link does not necessarily constitute endorsement of the external source.

Where an external source is important to a story, readers should be given sufficient context to understand what the source establishes and what it does not establish.

20. Editorial complaints and feedback

We welcome legitimate complaints and corrections from readers and subjects of our journalism.

Complaints should identify the relevant article or content, the specific concern and, where possible, supporting information.

Complaints will be considered by the appropriate editorial personnel.

Where a published error is established, we will take appropriate corrective action.

Our participation in applicable industry self-regulatory or professional bodies does not prevent readers from contacting us directly in the first instance.

21. Accountability and industry standards

Our editorial standards are informed by recognised principles of professional journalism, including accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency, accountability, protection of sources and respect for individuals.

We recognise the work of professional journalism organisations and industry bodies in promoting ethical journalism and media freedom, including the South African National Editors’ Forum (SANEF).

Where applicable, our journalism is also subject to the standards and requirements of the professional and self-regulatory bodies to which the relevant publication subscribes.

22. Relationship with our Code of Conduct

This Editorial Policy should be read together with our Code of Conduct and other applicable editorial policies.

The Code of Conduct provides the broader ethical framework governing our journalism, while this policy provides practical guidance on how we approach accuracy, sourcing, corrections, independence and editorial accountability.

23. Policy review

This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect developments in journalism, technology, publishing practices and applicable professional standards.

The latest version of this policy will be published on our website.

Contact

Readers wishing to raise an editorial concern, request a correction or provide feedback should contact the editorial team through the published editorial contact channels.

We encourage readers to identify the article concerned and clearly explain the factual or editorial issue they wish us to consider.

Our objective is simple: to earn and maintain the trust of our readers through accurate, responsible, independent and accountable journalism.