Fact-Checking Standards
Introduction
At Nepal News, accuracy is the cornerstone of credibility. Our reputation, and the trust of our readers, depends on the rigorous verification of every fact, statement, image, and claim we publish. In today’s fast-paced digital environment, misinformation and disinformation can spread instantly, making fact-checking and editorial responsibility more critical than ever.
The Nepal News editorial team is fully committed to upholding the principles of freedom of expression while promoting the public’s access to fact-checked, trustworthy information. Our work also seeks to educate the public on evaluating the veracity of information in the wider media environment.
Nepal News adheres to the highest standards of methodology, ethics, and transparency, ensuring that all published content—including investigative, feature, and magazine-format stories—is thoroughly verified and compliant with professional standards.
Through these practices, Nepal News strives to uphold and promote the highest standards of fact-checking and media literacy, combating misinformation and serving the public interest. Our commitment signifies an organization-wide pledge to provide accurate, ethical, and transparent information, free from bias or prejudice.
The editorial team focuses on issues of broad public significance and maintains a proven track record of excellence, integrity, and accountability, reinforcing Nepal News’ role as Nepal’s leading digital news platform.
We recognize that in today’s fast-paced digital environment, misinformation and disinformation can spread instantly. To counter this, Nepal News enforces multi-layered, transparent, and accountable fact-checking standards that apply to every story, regardless of format, subject, or urgency.
1. Primary Responsibility of Reporters
- Reporters have the first responsibility for fact-checking their work. Every story draft must be accurate, balanced, and well-sourced before submission.
- Reporters must cross-check facts, names, dates, statistics, and direct quotes with primary sources whenever possible.
- All data must be traceable to original sources—government documents, verified datasets, court filings, official press releases, or direct interviews. Reliance on secondary sources (e.g., other media) should be minimized and clearly attributed.
- Reporters must note uncertainties, unresolved discrepancies, or unverifiable claims in their submissions so editors can review them critically.
2. Multi-Level Editorial Review
Nepal News employs a tiered editorial review system:
- Assignment Editors: Guide story development, review initial drafts, and ensure factual and contextual accuracy.
- Copy Editors: Review grammar, clarity, and factual consistency, particularly for breaking news and time-sensitive updates.
- Desk Editors: Oversee final publication for digital and print, with heightened scrutiny for sensitive, investigative, or controversial reports.
- Desk Chief Editors: Review headlines, push alerts, and social media posts to ensure they accurately reflect the story without distortion or sensationalism.
The number of editorial checks depends on complexity, sensitivity, and urgency—but every story must undergo at least two editorial reviews before publication.
3. Verification of Sources
- Reporters and editors must confirm identities and credibility of sources. Anonymous sources are used only when unavoidable and require approval from a senior editor.
- Any claim from a single source must be independently corroborated by additional evidence or testimony.
- Public documents, records, and digital evidence (videos, photos, social media posts) must be authenticated before use.
- If a fact cannot be independently verified, it must be clearly attributed, qualified, or excluded.
4. Data and Statistics
- All numerical claims must cite specific, original sources (e.g., Central Bureau of Statistics, Department of Immigration, Department of Customs, Nepal Rastra Bank, Nepal Tourism Board, UN, World Bank).
- Reporters must provide context for statistics (comparisons, timeframes, methodology).
- Charts, infographics, and data visualizations must be fact-checked for accuracy and clarity.
5. Quotes and Attribution
- Every direct quote must be transcribed accurately and in context.
- Quotes should never be altered, except for minor grammatical adjustments or clarifications in brackets.
- Paraphrasing must faithfully represent the speaker’s intent.
- Attribution must be clear: “according to,” “said,” “confirmed,” rather than vague phrasing.
6. Images, Audio, and Video
- Visual material must be original, licensed, or verified.
- Editors must check metadata, timestamps, and geolocation to confirm authenticity.
- Manipulated, staged, or misleading visuals are strictly prohibited unless for clearly labeled illustrative or satirical purposes.
- AI-generated images or deepfakes must never be used to represent real events.
7. Corrections and Transparency
- If an error is discovered, Nepal News is committed to prompt, transparent corrections.
- Corrections must be clearly labeled on digital and print platforms, never hidden or silently edited.
- Major corrections must explain the nature of the error and the accurate information.
8. Special Standards for Breaking News
- In high-pressure situations (natural disasters, elections, violence, health emergencies), speed must never compromise accuracy.
- All unverified claims must be clearly labeled as such (“unconfirmed,” “according to initial reports”).
- Updates must be time-stamped and tracked, ensuring readers know when new information has replaced earlier versions.
9. Safeguards Against Disinformation
- Reporters must be vigilant against propaganda, staged events, manipulated leaks, or false digital content.
- Information from partisan groups, lobbying entities, or interest organizations must undergo heightened scrutiny and disclosure.
- AI-generated or synthetic media will be flagged and either excluded or explicitly labeled.
10. Accountability
- Reporters and editors are individually accountable for the accuracy of their work.
- Fact-checking notes, source documentation, and verification steps must be preserved in internal records.
- Persistent or deliberate negligence in fact-checking may result in disciplinary action.
11. Our Commitment
At Nepal News, we are committed to providing accurate, verified, and ethically sourced information. Fact-checking is not just a technical step—it is the foundation of editorial integrity.
Nepal News pledges to uphold the highest standards of journalism, serving the public interest above all, and combating misinformation wherever it arises. Fact-checking is the backbone of our journalism, essential not only for maintaining credibility but also for empowering our audience to make informed decisions.
We commit to our readers that every published word, number, and image has undergone rigorous scrutiny, transparent sourcing, and strict professional responsibility. Our pledge is to uphold the highest standards of accuracy, integrity, and accountability in every piece of content we produce.