# Editorial Policy
**Effective Date:** 15 October 2025
**Last Updated:** 15 October 2025
At **NewscrackersNG**, we are committed to upholding the highest journalistic standards. Our mission is to deliver timely, factual, and impactful news and analysis to our readers. This Editorial Policy outlines the principles that guide our journalism and the practices we follow to ensure accuracy, fairness, and transparency.
## Independence and Integrity
NewscrackersNG maintains full editorial independence. Our newsroom operates free of undue external influence – whether political, commercial, or personal. We do not allow advertisers, sponsors, or owners to dictate our content. If we publish sponsored content or advertorials, it will be clearly labeled to distinguish it from editorial content.
Our journalists and contributors are required to disclose any personal or financial interests in the topics they cover. We avoid conflicts of interest and will refrain from coverage or clearly assign stories if such conflicts exist.
## Sourcing and Accuracy
We strive for accuracy in every story. Our reporters double-check facts, statistics, and names before publication. We use multiple sources whenever possible and give preference to primary sources (official documents, direct interviews, on-the-ground reporting).
– **Attribution:** We attribute information to its source. If we aggregate a report from another media outlet or news agency, we credit them (e.g., “according to _Premium Times_” or “told **NAN**”).
– **Anonymous Sources:** We generally avoid using unnamed sources. In rare cases, if a source’s identity must be withheld (for safety or security reasons), we will describe the source in general terms and only publish the information if it is deemed essential and credible. Any use of anonymous sources is subject to approval by a senior editor.
– **Quotes:** Quotes are reproduced exactly as given (with minor grammatical edits if needed for clarity, denoted by brackets or ellipses). We do not alter the meaning of a quote. Dialect or profanity may be gently edited or explained in brackets if necessary for reader understanding.
– **Fact-Checking:** Major facts and claims in our articles are verified via reputable sources. We use fact-checkers for complex investigative pieces. If we cannot independently verify a piece of information, we will either omit it or clearly state it as unverified or as an allegation/opinion.
## Fairness and Balance
We believe in covering stories with fairness. This means:
– **Right of Reply:** If our story contains allegations or criticism of an individual, organization, or community, we seek their comment and perspective within the story (or at least indicate that we attempted to reach them). See our “Right of Reply” policy for more on how we handle responses【**link to Right-of-Reply page**】.
– **Context:** We provide context and background to issues so readers can understand the full picture. Historical background, relevant data, or preceding events are included where appropriate.
– **Diversity of Views:** For contentious issues, we aim to present all major sides of the debate. Our Editorial section (labeled as Opinion or Analysis) may advocate a viewpoint, but news reports will strive for impartial tone and complete information.
Our journalists treat sources, subjects, and colleagues with respect. We do not engage in hate speech, and we refrain from tribalistic or inflammatory language. Sensitive content (graphic images, etc.) is published sparingly and with warnings if needed, in line with public interest.
## Plagiarism and Originality
Plagiarism is strictly prohibited at NewscrackersNG. We expect original content creation. If we ever reference another outlet’s exclusive reporting, we credit and/or link to them. Our writers are trained to **never copy-paste** content from elsewhere without attribution. All submissions (including freelance pieces) are checked for originality.
For transparency: we do utilize wire services like **NAN (News Agency of Nigeria)** or press releases for some routine news, but even in those cases we often rewrite or summarize in our own words and always credit the source. Our value-add is to provide original reporting or local context on top of syndicated information.
Any staff found plagiarizing content or images will face disciplinary action, including potential termination. Our reputation depends on fresh, credible journalism.
## Corrections and Updates
Despite our best efforts, mistakes can occur. When NewscrackersNG discovers a factual error or receives a valid correction request, we act swiftly:
– Minor factual errors (names misspelled, dates, figures) are corrected within the article text, and a **Correction note** is added at the bottom explaining the change (e.g., “*Correction (15 Oct 2025): Updated the minister’s name spelling.*”).
– Significant errors that alter the understanding of the story result in a prominent correction or editor’s note at the top of the article, and we may also publish a standalone correction article if warranted.
– If a story is updated with new information (e.g., developing news), we label it **“UPDATE”** in the headline or at the top and include the time/date of the update. We do not delete content unless absolutely necessary (such as legal takedown demands or if content was published by mistake); instead, we correct it.
We maintain a **Corrections & Updates page**【**link to Corrections page**】 listing significant corrections for transparency. Readers are encouraged to report any error they spot via our Contact channels, and we will investigate promptly.
## Editorial Structure and Responsibility
**Editor-in-Chief:** [Name], who can be reached at [editor@newscrackersng.com], oversees all content and ensures compliance with this policy. They have final sign-off on sensitive stories.
**Section Editors:** Our news sections (Politics, Business, etc.) have editors who review reporters’ copy for accuracy, clarity, and fairness. They check that headlines are accurate representations of content (no clickbait or misleading titles).
**Opinion/Editorials:** Opinion pieces are clearly marked and do not necessarily reflect the view of NewscrackersNG. We vet opinion submissions for factual accuracy and balance (we won’t publish demonstrably false claims). However, opinion writers are given latitude to express their argument. Any potential conflicts of interest for opinion contributors will be disclosed in the article or in a tagline.
## Transparency and Corrections in Practice
– Every article page on our site includes the author’s name and the publication date/time. If any edits are made post-publication (aside from minor typos), we will note the update at the bottom (e.g., “Updated to add comments from XYZ” or “This article was updated on [Date] to reflect new information”).
– If we receive external funding or grants for specific reporting projects, we will disclose it within the relevant content.
– Our *Advertise with Us* page details how we handle sponsored content and ads, ensuring editorial content is not influenced by advertisers.
## Engagement and Feedback
We value feedback from our readers and sources. If you believe we have gotten something wrong or been unfair, please contact us at **editor@newscrackersng.com** or via our **Contact Us** page. Senior editorial staff review all feedback. For formal complaints, please see our [Corrections & Updates] page for the process, and our [Right of Reply] page if you are a subject of our reporting seeking to respond.
By adhering to this Editorial Policy, NewscrackersNG aims to maintain trust with our audience. We believe that accuracy, accountability, and transparency are the cornerstones of credible journalism. Our team renews this commitment daily, and we publicly hold ourselves to these standards.
_This policy is subject to periodic review and will be updated as our practices evolve or standards are raised. Significant changes will be noted on this page with a new “Last Updated” date._
