-5°CColumbusEditorial Policy
At Azaad Digital, credibility and trust are at the heart of our journalism. Our editorial policy explains our mission, how we source and verify information, and how we ensure independence between editorial and commercial content. We are committed to accuracy, transparency, and accountability in every story we publish.
Mission and Values
Our mission is to deliver accurate, timely, and balanced news that informs, engages, and serves the public. We believe journalism should operate in the public interest, hold institutions accountable, and remain free from outside influence.
Sourcing and Verification
Accuracy underpins every report. Our journalists and editors commit to:
- Relying on first-hand reporting and credible documentation whenever possible.
- Verifying claims with at least two independent sources when available.
- Using anonymous sources only when the information is essential and safety or confidentiality is required. If anonymity is granted, readers are given a clear explanation.
- Never publishing rumors or unverified claims.
Fact-Checking
Every article undergoes editorial review before publication. We check facts, figures, quotes, and references against reputable sources. For sensitive or high-impact stories, we require additional review and scrutiny to ensure accuracy.
Corrections and Retractions
We uphold transparency when errors occur:
- Minor errors (such as typographical or formatting issues) may be corrected silently without a note.
- Significant errors (including factual inaccuracies, names, or figures) will be corrected with a visible note at the end of the article.
Example:
Correction (Sept. 20, 2025): An earlier version misstated the number of participants. The correct figure is 1,200.
If a story is found to be fundamentally inaccurate, it will be retracted with a clear explanation of why it was withdrawn.
Conflicts of Interest
Our staff must not accept gifts, payments, or favors from sources, nor cover any story where they have personal or financial interests. Any potential conflict must be disclosed and managed to guarantee impartiality and integrity.
Editorial and Commercial Independence
Azaad Digital’s newsroom operates independently of all advertisers and sponsors. Commercial partnerships do not influence our editorial decisions.
- Sponsored content is always clearly labeled (e.g., “This article is sponsored by [Brand].”).
- Advertising arrangements never impact story selection or coverage.
Political Neutrality
Azaad Digital does not endorse political parties or candidates. All political coverage is fact-based, balanced, and impartial. Opinion pieces are clearly labeled to distinguish them from news reports.
Opinion and Analysis
- News articles are fact-based and neutral.
- Opinion and analysis pieces, including columns, reflect the author’s views and not Azaad Digital’s editorial position.
- Columns represent individual voices and are not official editorial stances.
Authorship and Sources
- Articles are published with bylines for accountability. In exceptional cases, such as sensitive security reporting, bylines may be withheld for the safety of the journalist.
- Sources who face risk may be anonymized, and details will only be withheld when necessary to protect their identity.
Requesting Corrections
Reader feedback is vital to maintaining our standards. If you spot an error or wish to request a correction, please email us at editor@azaaddigital.com with the details. Our editors review all requests and update content as needed.
Our Commitment
This policy is our promise to produce journalism that is accurate, fair, and independent. By operating transparently and upholding high editorial standards, we strive to earn and retain your trust.
If you have questions or concerns about our editorial practices, please contact our editorial team at editor@azaaddigital.com.