Editorial standards
Last updated:
These are the rules our newsroom works to. We publish them so you can check our work against them.
Accuracy and sources
- Every fact, figure, date and quote in a story must come from a source we have read. If we cannot source a sentence, we take it out.
- We prefer primary records: laws, gazette notifications, court orders, official statistics, Parliament’s papers and statements on the record.
- Each story ends with a list of its sources, with links where they exist.
- Where sources disagree, we use the primary record or give both figures and say who says what.
Attribution
We say clearly whether something happened, was announced, was proposed, was alleged or was reported. Claims and allegations are attributed to the person or party making them. When a fact rests on a single media report, we name the outlet.
We do not use anonymous quotes, and we do not invent or tidy up quotes. Quotes appear word for word, with the speaker’s name, role and date.
Fairness
We describe each side’s position in its own terms and avoid loaded words. People and organisations facing serious claims in our reporting are given a chance to respond before we publish, and we say if they did not reply.
News and opinion
Our news reports do not take sides. Opinion appears only in editorials, which are labelled, agreed by the editorial desk after discussion and published under the desk’s name. The desk’s view does not shape what our reporters cover or how.
Data and charts
Charts use the figures from their stated source, with the unit and date. The data behind our trackers is published so anyone can check it.
Photos
We use photos only with permission or under a licence that allows it, and we credit each one. We do not alter news photos beyond cropping and basic correction of light and colour. Illustrations and generated images are never presented as photographs.
AI
AI assists our research, drafting and translation. Editors check and approve everything we publish. Read how we use AI.
Corrections
We correct mistakes openly. A correction is added to the story with the date and what changed, and listed in our corrections log. We do not quietly change facts in a published story.
Fact checks
Our fact checks follow a published method and rating scale.
Independence
Advertisers, funders and owners have no say over what we report. Our ownership and funding are published.
Code of ethics
As a publisher of news and current affairs content in India, we follow the Code of Ethics in the Appendix to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Complaints can be made through our grievance redressal process.
Questions
Write to the editor at puneet@thar.co. See Contact for other ways to reach us.