Editorial Policy
DemocraX is an independent digital journalism and information portal. The editorial policy at DemocraX is based on accuracy, responsibility, context, independence, transparency and respect for the reader.
We strive to deliver valuable information that will help you make sense of the happenings, events, and topics concerning India and the larger world.
The Editorial Policy gives an insight into the criteria, which guide us in selecting stories, in sourcing and reporting them, in correcting errors and updating our articles, as well as in making distinction between editorial and commercial content.
Our Editorial Principles
Our editorial philosophy is based on six key principles:
These principles apply to all journalistic, explanatory, analytical and guide materials we publish, but the specific approach to applying these principles may differ depending on the type of the content.
Accuracy Takes Priority
The objective is to publish information that is accurate, pertinent and backed up by suitable evidence.
Prior to publishing a factual statement, we endeavor to confirm it through suitable sources. More than one source might be required in cases where the information is important and contentious, developing or potentially significant.
We do not consider information to be accurate merely because it exists online or has been stated in another publication or on social media.
In situations where it is not possible to verify information, we might choose to:
Speed is not an excuse for unnecessary inaccuracies.
Verification and Fact Checking
The extent of verification required will vary depending upon the subject, its importance and the evidence available.
This can include:
- Official documentation or records
- Government and institutional sources
- Information from courts or regulation
- Research sources
- Company/organisational sources
- Direct quotes from individuals
- Information available in public domain
- Documented material, photographs or any other type of proof
- Respected journalism sources, when needed
Secondary journalism will help us understand what’s happening but key information will be verified wherever it is practicable to do so.
In important cases, we take into consideration the source's credibility, proximity to the information, motivation and independent verification of the claim made.
Sources and Attribution
We seek to cite sources clearly and to attribute information to the organization, document, individual or publication from which it is drawn, as appropriate.
Authoritative primary sources are preferred whenever they are accessible and relevant to the topic.
Information sourced from another publication, from social media, from an anonymous source, or an unsourced claim, is not presented as independently verified.
When information is sourced from somewhere else, it should be evident through attribution.
Readers should be in a position to know, to the extent that this is reasonably possible, what we know, how we know it, and where the information comes from.
See Sourcing Policy for more details.
Anonymous Sources
Anonymous sources require special considerations.
We would consider using information obtained from anonymous sources if it is deemed necessary from an editorial perspective to keep the identity of the source secret and the information is significant enough for publication.
Anonymity does not preclude verification of information.
As appropriate, we can seek corroboration from other sources before publishing any information obtained anonymously.
We will not use anonymity for unsupported statements just to give them authority.
Right of Reply and Fairness
In reporting on allegations, arguments, and criticisms of any particular individual or organisation, we will seek to provide a right of reply whenever it is reasonably feasible and suitable to do so.
Where a reply is unavailable does not necessarily mean that the reporting itself was without merit. In such circumstances, this fact can be noted as relevant.
Imparting equal space to all viewpoints in order to give the illusion of impartiality is not guaranteed. The relative strength of an argument depends upon the evidence and its relevance to the matter at hand.
News, Analysis, Opinion, and Guides
Different types of editorial material have different objectives.
News
News articles report developments, facts, and statements that are verifiable or appropriately attributable.
Analysis
Analysis puts information about a subject into perspective and context through examination. Analysis must differentiate between evidence and interpretation and not offer opinion or prediction as fact.
Opinion
Opinion is a particular perspective. It is properly labelled as such when applicable.
Explainers and Guides
Explainers & guides aim to clarify difficult topics, processes or events. They must stay accurate and must highlight any key limits, dates and conditions.
We never purposefully confuse these two types in order to pass off commentary as pure news.
Headlines & Presentation
Headlines, summaries, images, captions and other presentation tools must be fair representations of the underlying content.
We seek to avoid being misleading or exaggerated or sensational in the presentation of content.
A headline shouldn’t offer information not delivered in the article.
We also avoid using emotionally-laden presentation just to get more clicks if it will misrepresent the core of the story.
Dates & Updates
Content can be updated if new information comes to light or if an error is found or if there needs to be some clarification to an old piece.
When appropriate we note when the content was originally published and when it was updated.
We don’t use an update to change the date without updating the content.
Similarly, Google’s current guidelines suggest using accurate and visible publish or update dates and maintaining consistent dates throughout the life of the content.
Corrections & Retractions
Those engaged in editorial processes should not enter into personal, financial, professional or any other kinds of relationships which might jeopardize—or be perceived as such—the editorial independence.
Potential conflicts should be disclosed to the responsible editorial decision-maker.
If a conflict of interest is unavoidable, the respective situation may be revealed to the readers if it is material to understanding the coverage.
We do not have undisclosed relationships with sources, subjects or commercial interests in return for favorable coverage.
Advertising and Sponsored Content
Editorial and commercial materials should be separated from one another.
Advertisements, sponsorships, business alliances and any other paid material should not be mistaken for independent editorial reports.
Sponsored or commercially motivated content should be clearly labeled as such to allow readers to understand its true nature.
Commercial ties do not imply favorable coverage, good reviews or publication of editorial content.
See our Advertising Policy for more details.
Press Releases and Third Party Materials
Third-party materials including press releases, corporate statements, government communication or other types of third party material may be considered as sources or inspiration for our reports.
Publication or use of third-party material in no way implies that DemocraX implicitly endorses all claims contained in them.
If relevant, claims from the third-party material must be attributed to the organization or source which published them.
Social Media and User-Generated Content
Social media posts, videos, photos, messages and other user-generated content may serve as valuable hints, but they may be incomplete, manipulated, have inaccurate captions or be out of context.
We may verify the following:
- The original source
- Relevant date and location
- Whether the material has been tampered with
- Whether the person/organization portrayed in the material is authentic
- Whether there is independent evidence for the claim made
Viral nature of a post is in no way a guarantee of the authenticity.
User-generated content may be edited, contextualized and/or withheld from publishing based on their reliability, relevance and potential impact.
Images, Videos and other Visual Content
The visual material is intended to be shown with accuracy and proper context.
We do not tamper with photographs, videos, graphics, or illustrations in a manner that distorts reality.
Re-enacted scenes, composite or AI generated visuals shall not be passed off as authentic documentary photographs.
Captions are supposed to give the right context when need be.
In case any visual materials have been sourced from another party, rights and permissions must first be sorted out before publishing.
Crimes, Allegations and Legal Issues
A defendant in a case should not necessarily be referred to as guilty.
Where issues related to crimes or law are covered, we strive to draw a clear line between allegations, charges, court decisions, convictions, statements of the parties concerned and factual information.
Legal terms are to be used cautiously and within the context of the appropriate jurisdiction.
If the issue is under investigation, further developments might necessitate updates of the article for accuracy.
Politics and Public Affairs
DemocraX may cover elections, political parties, governments, political figures, legislation, public policies, and other important political issues.
Our political coverage is expected to be fact-based and sourced from reliable sources, rather than biased towards any party’s preferences.
We may cover the claims of politicians, but covering a claim doesn’t imply endorsement of the claim.
Fact, analysis, opinion and prediction must be clearly separated where needed.
Finance, Immigration, Education, Health and Other Impactful Issues
Some topics may have real significance in relation to someone's finances, education, immigration, health, legal situation or other crucial decisions.
Coverage of such topics requires special attention.
Our goal is to provide you with accurate and appropriately referenced general information, to point out any relevant limitations and to include dates, if rules, policies, fees or eligibility criteria may change over time.
Unless specifically indicated otherwise, informational content on these topics should not be considered individual professional advice.
In case an individual decision needs professional advice, one should contact a qualified professional or the relevant official body.
Sources, Links and External Information
We may include links to official documents, research, organizations and other sources, which may be useful for verifying or understanding the information we provide.
Links are chosen based on their relevance and usefulness and not just to artificially raise our site's search rankings.
The inclusion of a link to an organization or its website does not necessarily mean that we endorse the organization itself or everything it says.
Policy Updates
Editorial standards may change over time as DemocraX grows, as technology advances, and new editorial issues arise.
An updated version of this page may reflect any material changes made to this policy.