 |
| Editorial standards guiding accuracy, verification, sourcing, corrections and responsible reporting at 21st Century Verified. |
At 21st Century Verified, our editorial policy is built around one principle: readers deserve accurate, useful and responsibly presented information.
As a digital news and information publication covering Nigeria, Africa and international developments, we aim to provide journalism that is factual, transparent, independent and easy to understand.
This policy explains the standards we use when researching, writing, publishing and updating our content.
1. Our Editorial Mission
Our mission is to help readers understand important events and developments by providing:
- Accurate and relevant information
- Clear explanations and context
- Appropriate attribution
- Responsible reporting
- Transparent corrections
- Distinction between facts, claims and analysis
We aim to prioritize information that is meaningful to our readers rather than publishing content simply to generate traffic.
2. Accuracy Comes First
Accuracy is more important than speed.
Before publishing, we make reasonable efforts to verify important details, including:
- Names
- Dates
- Locations
- Numbers and statistics
- Official positions
- Quotes
- Significant claims
- Events and timelines
When information cannot be independently confirmed, we aim to make that clear to readers rather than presenting an unverified claim as established fact.
3. Breaking and Developing News
Breaking news can change quickly.
When reporting on developing events, we may initially have limited information. As additional credible information becomes available, articles may be updated to reflect the latest verified developments.
We aim to distinguish between information that is confirmed and information that remains preliminary.
Where an earlier report becomes inaccurate because circumstances change, we may update the article and provide appropriate clarification.
4. Sources and Attribution
We seek information from credible and relevant sources appropriate to the story.
Sources may include:
- Government agencies
- Official statements
- Courts and legal documents
- Military and security authorities
- International organizations
- Academic and research institutions
- Established news organizations
- Direct interviews or statements
- Public records
- Other credible primary or secondary sources
When a significant claim originates from another source, we aim to identify that source clearly.
We do not present another organization's reporting as our own original reporting.
5. Primary Sources
Whenever practical, we prefer primary sources for important facts.
These can include official documents, court records, government announcements, direct statements, research papers and other original materials.
Secondary reporting may also be used when it provides credible information, context or access to developments that cannot otherwise be independently verified.
6. Verification of Claims
A claim is not automatically a fact simply because it was made by a government, politician, military commander, celebrity, organization or other public figure.
When reporting significant claims, we consider:
- Who made the claim
- What evidence supports it
- Whether independent sources support it
- Whether credible sources dispute it
- When and where the claim was made
- Whether relevant context has been omitted
We aim to give readers enough context to understand the difference between a reported fact, allegation, official claim, disputed statement and analysis.
7. Reporting on Conflict and War
Stories involving war, terrorism, military operations and national security require particular care.
Military claims can be difficult to independently verify, especially during active conflict.
When reporting battlefield claims, casualty figures, territorial changes or military operations, we aim to attribute claims to the relevant source and avoid presenting disputed information as independently confirmed fact.
We also avoid unnecessarily graphic descriptions or imagery when they do not contribute meaningfully to understanding a story.
8. Crime, Allegations and Court Cases
People accused of crimes should not automatically be described as guilty before a lawful determination of guilt.
When reporting criminal cases, we aim to distinguish clearly between:
- Allegations
- Arrests
- Charges
- Court proceedings
- Guilty pleas
- Convictions
- Acquittals
- Sentences
We take care to avoid language that could unfairly prejudge an ongoing case.
Where appropriate, we include the response of the accused, their representatives or relevant authorities.
9. Political Reporting
We aim to report political developments fairly and without presenting partisan opinions as established facts.
When politicians, governments or political organizations make significant claims, we seek to provide relevant context and attribution.
We do not alter factual reporting to favor a particular political party, candidate, government or ideology.
10. Headlines
Our headlines are designed to accurately communicate the central subject of an article.
We aim to make headlines:
- Clear
- Specific
- Informative
- Relevant to the article
- Appropriate for the seriousness of the subject
We avoid deliberately misleading headlines, fabricated quotations and sensational wording that materially misrepresents the story.
Search optimization should never take priority over accuracy.
11. SEO and Answer-Focused Content
We optimize articles so readers can find and understand useful information.
Our approach to SEO and answer-focused content includes:
- Clear titles and headings
- Natural use of relevant search terms
- Direct answers to important questions
- Useful context
- Logical article structure
- Readable language
- Descriptive image metadata
- Accurate summaries and search descriptions
We do not intentionally create content solely to manipulate search rankings.
Our primary audience is people, not search engines.
12. Originality and Content Quality
We aim to publish original, useful and substantially edited content.
We do not intentionally copy another publication's article and present it as original work.
When information comes from another source, we use appropriate attribution and add meaningful context, explanation or reporting where appropriate.
13. Artificial Intelligence
AI tools may be used to assist with certain aspects of our editorial workflow, such as research organization, drafting assistance, editing, summarization or other production tasks.
However, AI-generated information is not automatically considered accurate.
Content produced or assisted by AI should be reviewed by a human before publication, particularly for names, dates, statistics, quotations, claims and other factual information.
AI tools do not replace editorial judgment or responsibility.
14. Images and Visual Material
We aim to use photographs, illustrations, graphics and other visual material responsibly.
Images should be relevant to the story and should not intentionally mislead readers about the event being reported.
Where appropriate, we identify image sources or provide attribution.
We avoid using manipulated or misleading images in a way that could cause readers to believe that an event occurred when it did not.
15. Corrections and Updates
We believe transparency is essential when mistakes occur.
If we discover a significant factual error, we may correct the article and update relevant information.
Minor spelling, formatting or grammatical corrections may be made without a formal correction notice where they do not alter the meaning of the article.
Material factual corrections should be handled transparently.
Readers can report potential errors through our Contact Us page.
16. Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions should be based on news value, accuracy, relevance and public interest.
Advertising, sponsorships, commercial relationships or other business considerations should not determine the factual content of independent editorial reporting.
Commercial content, where applicable, should be appropriately distinguished from editorial material.
17. Conflicts of Interest
We aim to identify and manage circumstances that could compromise editorial independence.
Where a journalist, contributor or publication has a relevant financial, personal or professional interest that could materially affect coverage, appropriate disclosure or editorial safeguards may be considered.
18. Sources and Confidentiality
We respect legitimate source confidentiality.
However, anonymous or confidential information should be treated carefully and verified to the extent reasonably possible.
We do not claim a source is anonymous merely to make a story appear more authoritative.
19. Privacy and Personal Information
We avoid publishing unnecessary personal information, particularly information that could expose individuals to unreasonable risks.
The fact that information may be publicly available does not automatically mean that publishing it is appropriate.
Additional information about how personal information is handled can be found in our Privacy Policy.
20. Sensitive and Graphic Content
Stories involving death, violence, terrorism, disasters, sexual crimes or other traumatic events are handled with particular care.
We aim to provide readers with the information necessary to understand the story without unnecessarily exploiting victims or using graphic material simply to attract attention.
21. Children and Vulnerable People
We take additional care when reporting on children and vulnerable individuals.
Names, photographs and other identifying information may be withheld where publication could create unnecessary harm or risk, particularly in sensitive criminal or abuse cases.
22. User-Submitted Information
Readers may submit news tips, documents, photographs or other information.
Submission does not guarantee publication.
We may independently evaluate submitted material and seek additional confirmation before using it in an article.
23. Corrections, Complaints and Feedback
Readers are encouraged to contact us if they believe our reporting contains a factual error or requires clarification.
Please provide:
- The article title
- The specific issue
- The information you believe is incorrect
- Supporting evidence or a credible source, where available
We review legitimate concerns and may correct, update or clarify content when appropriate.
24. Continuous Improvement
Journalism is an evolving process.
We regularly review our editorial practices as technology, publishing standards, audience expectations and the information environment change.
Our objective is not simply to publish quickly, but to become a more accurate, transparent and useful source of information for our readers.
25. Contact Us
Questions about this Editorial Policy, corrections, sourcing or our reporting standards can be sent to:
21stcenturyverified@gmail.com
You can also visit our Contact Us page.
---
Our Editorial Promise
21st Century Verified aims to uphold four fundamental standards:
Be accurate.
Verify important information and correct significant errors.
Be transparent.
Tell readers where important information comes from and distinguish facts from claims.
Be responsible.
Treat sensitive subjects, victims, sources and individuals with appropriate care.
Be useful.
Give readers the context they need to understand why a story matters.
Our commitment is simple: publish information responsibly, correct mistakes honestly and put the reader first.