Editorial Policy

Editorial Policy

Last updated: June 2026

This Editorial Policy governs all journalistic work published by El Gazettario. It applies to all editorial team members, freelance contributors, and guest authors. These guidelines are modelled on the Society of Professional Journalists (SPJ) Code of Ethics, the International Federation of Journalists (IFJ) global charter, the Reuters Institute for the Study of Journalism standards, and UNESCO's Journalism, "Fake News" & Disinformation handbook.

1. Mission and Editorial Independence

El Gazettario is an independent English-language digital news portal committed to global journalism: providing accurate, fair, and contextually rich coverage of world affairs — politics, economics, society, technology, science, and culture — for an international English-speaking readership. The name pays homage to the tradition of independent gazette journalism that has informed democratic societies since the 17th century.

Editorial independence is unconditional. No article, topic, framing, or headline is shaped by advertisers, sponsors, political actors, governments, investors, or any external party. All editorial decisions are made exclusively by the editorial team. A clear and unambiguous separation between editorial and any commercial content is always maintained.

2. Core Journalistic Values

El Gazettario's journalism is anchored in four core values: Truth — we seek verifiable facts and report them accurately; Independence — we are beholden to no external interest; Fairness — all subjects of reporting are treated fairly, and affected parties are offered an opportunity to respond; Minimising Harm — we are conscious of the potential impact of our reporting on individuals, communities, and societies.

3. Truth, Accuracy, and Verification

Source verification standards:

• Two-source principle: All material claims are supported by at least two independent, credible sources.
• Primary source priority: Statistics and data are verified against primary sources (original studies, official statistics, international bodies). Aggregated secondary source data is cross-checked.
• Unconfirmed information: Clearly labelled as unconfirmed, alleged, or unverified — never presented as fact.
• PR and press releases: Never reproduced without independent editorial verification and contextualisation.
• Breaking news: Accuracy prioritised over speed. Erroneous breaking news items corrected promptly and prominently.
• Social media content: Independently verified before use as a factual basis.
• Document verification: Leaked or pre-publication documents authenticated as thoroughly as possible before publication.
• Misinformation vigilance: The editorial team actively monitors for viral misinformation and will publish corrections or debunks where warranted.

4. Source Transparency and Anonymous Sources

Sources cited as completely and transparently as possible. Anonymous sources restricted to cases where: a demonstrable public interest overrides identification; the source faces credible risk; editorial management knows the identity; the decision is internally documented; the source is adequately characterised; and information is corroborated where possible.

5. Separation of News and Opinion

News articles: objective, factual, no personal judgements. Opinion pieces: clearly labelled, represent the named author's view. Analysis pieces: labelled "Analysis," combining fact with contextualisation. Editorials representing institutional positions: identified accordingly. El Gazettario does not issue editorial endorsements of political candidates or parties.

6. Global Reporting Standards

El Gazettario's global scope requires additional sensitivities: (a) avoiding ethnocentric or Western-centric framing when reporting on non-Western societies; (b) seeking local and regional voices as primary sources, not only institutional or Western expert commentary; (c) providing historical and geopolitical context, recognising that many international stories cannot be understood without it; (d) applying heightened care in conflict reporting — verifying casualty figures, territorial claims, and official statements from all parties; (e) not reproducing propaganda, disinformation, or manipulation from any governmental or non-governmental actor uncritically; (f) protecting the safety of reporters and sources in high-risk environments.

7. Corrections, Updates, and Right of Reply

Errors are corrected promptly, fully, and transparently. Corrections carry a dated note at the article end. No silent alterations after initial publication. Retraction of wholly erroneous articles possible, with transparent explanation. Right of reply available to affected parties: support@harbingerpressmedia.com. Error reports reviewed within 48 hours.

8. Personality Rights and Human Dignity

Private-life information only when overriding public interest established. Heightened care for crime, conflict, and disaster victims. No identifying details for minors without guardian consent. No discrimination. Presumption of innocence in criminal coverage. Particular sensitivity for refugees, detainees, marginalised communities, and persons in conflict zones.

9. Conflicts of Interest

Journalists do not report on topics in which they have a personal interest. Conflicts proactively disclosed to editorial management. No gifts from reporting subjects. Press trips require approval and disclosure in the article. No reporter may have undisclosed financial or contractual relationships with governments, political organisations, or companies they cover.

10. Source Protection

Confidential source identities never disclosed — to third parties, authorities, or any other party — to the extent legally permissible. Digital security practices applied to protect communications with sources in high-risk environments. The safety of sources and contributors takes precedence over any editorial consideration.

11. Use of Artificial Intelligence

AI tools may support journalistic work under strict conditions: all AI-generated content reviewed by a human editor; AI may not fabricate quotes, sources, events, or persons; substantial AI assistance disclosed; AI may not generate deceptive or manipulated images; human editors bear all responsibility for published content. El Gazettario will periodically review and update its AI policy as the technology evolves.

12. Diversity, Inclusion, and Global Representation

El Gazettario actively seeks to reflect the full diversity of the world in its coverage. This means geographic breadth beyond the Global North; diversity of sources including underrepresented voices, women, minorities, indigenous communities, and youth; avoidance of stereotypes and reductive narratives about any region, country, or community; and conscious representation of perspectives from the Global South in analyses of international affairs.

13. Complaints and Feedback

Readers with complaints or feedback: support@harbingerpressmedia.com. We aim to respond within five working days.

14. Scope and Updates

These guidelines apply to all content on elgazettario.com and all El Gazettario social media presences. Updated as necessary.