Editorial Policy
Effective Date: February 1, 2025
Last Updated: March 3, 2025
1. Introduction
At Vanilla News, our editorial philosophy is rooted in journalistic integrity, transparency, and a commitment to delivering factual, unbiased, and impactful news. We operate as a modern, new-age publishing house that values credibility, inclusivity, and forward-thinking journalism. This Editorial Policy serves as the guiding framework for our newsroom, content creators, contributors, and stakeholders to ensure that our editorial standards meet the highest ethical and professional standards.
Our readers expect us to provide clear, factual, and well-researched news that is free from bias and misinformation. This policy outlines how we curate, verify, and publish our content, ensuring trust and accountability in everything we produce.
2. Editorial Independence & Integrity
2.1 Independence from External Influence
Our editorial team operates independently, free from the influence of political entities, corporate sponsors, advertisers, and any external forces that could compromise our journalistic values. We maintain a strict separation between our editorial decision-making and commercial partnerships.
2.2 Unbiased and Fact-Based Journalism
We are committed to delivering balanced news and do not allow personal beliefs, financial interests, or ideological biases to shape our reporting. Our content is driven by facts, multiple credible sources, and thorough investigative processes.
2.3 Transparency in Reporting
We believe in full transparency regarding sources, corrections, and conflicts of interest. Any sponsored content, paid partnerships, or affiliate links are clearly disclosed to maintain reader trust.
3. Ethical Journalism & Accountability
3.1 Accuracy and Verification
We adhere to a strict fact-checking process before publishing any story. All content undergoes multiple layers of review to ensure accuracy, consistency, and adherence to journalistic ethics. If new information arises that contradicts our reports, we correct the record immediately.
3.2 Source Attribution
We credit our sources appropriately and link back to original reports whenever applicable. In cases where confidential sources are used, we ensure their credibility and protect their anonymity as per journalistic ethical guidelines.
3.3 Corrections & Retractions
Mistakes happen in journalism, but how we handle them defines our credibility. When errors are identified, we promptly issue corrections, clarifications, or full retractions if necessary, with an explanation of the mistake.
3.4 Editorial Oversight
Every article published undergoes multiple rounds of scrutiny, involving writers, editors, and fact-checkers. No content is approved unless it meets our internal quality and accuracy standards.
4. Diversity & Inclusion in Content
4.1 Representation in News Coverage
We strive to represent diverse voices, backgrounds, and perspectives in our reporting. Our newsroom is committed to inclusive journalism that highlights underrepresented communities and ensures equal representation.
4.2 Language & Sensitivity
Our editorial team is trained to use language that is respectful, non-discriminatory, and culturally sensitive. We actively avoid stereotypes, derogatory terms, and any form of hate speech.
4.3 Gender & Identity Sensitivity
Our coverage respects gender diversity and identities. We strive to use inclusive language that aligns with the preferences and identities of the individuals we report on.
5. Newsroom Editorial Workflow
5.1 Content Planning & Selection
Our editorial team selects stories based on their relevance, public interest, and social impact. We avoid sensationalism and clickbait, instead prioritizing meaningful journalism.
5.2 Review & Approval Process
Each piece of content undergoes a thorough editorial review to check for factual accuracy, neutrality, clarity, and adherence to our ethical guidelines before being published.
5.3 Reader Engagement & Feedback
We encourage our readers to engage with our content, share their perspectives, and highlight concerns if they spot any inaccuracies. We welcome constructive criticism and actively respond to reader feedback.
6. Editorial Guidelines for Different Content Types
6.1 News Articles
Our news reporting is factual, timely, and based on verified sources. We do not engage in sensationalism or misleading headlines.
6.2 Opinion Pieces & Editorials
Opinion pieces are clearly labeled as such and reflect the views of the author rather than Vanilla News as an organization. We encourage diverse perspectives and civil discourse in our opinion section.
6.3 Investigative Journalism
Our investigative reports adhere to strict research and verification standards. We believe in deep-dive reporting that uncovers important truths and holds power to account.
6.4 Sponsored & Branded Content
Any sponsored or branded content is explicitly labeled to ensure transparency. Advertisers do not influence our editorial decisions or content.
7. Plagiarism & Copyright Policy
7.1 Originality & Attribution
All content published on Vanilla News must be original or properly attributed to its rightful owner. We do not tolerate plagiarism in any form and take immediate action against violations.
7.2 Use of Third-Party Content
We respect intellectual property rights. When we use third-party images, videos, or excerpts, proper credits and permissions are obtained in accordance with copyright laws.
8. Conflict of Interest Policy
8.1 Editorial Independence from Advertisers
Editorial staff do not participate in creating paid content, nor do advertisers have influence over news selection, reporting, or editorial perspectives.
8.2 Disclosure of Relationships
If any writer, editor, or contributor has affiliations or interests that could present a conflict of interest, it must be disclosed within the content.
9. Handling Sensitive & Breaking News
9.1 Reporting on Tragedies & Crisis Situations
We approach crisis reporting with utmost sensitivity, ensuring that victims’ dignity and privacy are respected.
9.2 Verification Before Publishing Breaking News
Breaking news must go through verification processes before being published. We prioritize accuracy over speed to prevent misinformation.
10. Reader Trust & Public Interest Journalism
10.1 Commitment to Ethical Journalism
We believe that journalism is a public service. Our responsibility is to inform, educate, and empower our readers with reliable and meaningful news.
10.2 Engaging with Our Readers
We maintain open channels for feedback, reader tips, and story suggestions. Readers can reach us via email at teamvanillanews@gmail.com to share concerns or provide insights.
11. Policy Amendments & Updates
This Editorial Policy is reviewed periodically and updated as needed to reflect evolving journalistic standards and ethical considerations. Any modifications will be publicly announced and reflected on this page.
For any inquiries related to our editorial standards, please contact:
Digital Democracy LLP
Registered Address: R-791,792, New Rajendra Nagar, New Delhi – 110060
Email: teamvanillanews@gmail.com
We appreciate your trust in Vanilla News and are committed to upholding the highest standards of journalism.