Editorial Policy

Last Updated: May 12, 2026
Effective for all content published on: https://hindulive.com/

At Hindu LIVE, our editorial policy is the foundation of our journalism. We are committed to reporting news that is accurate, fair, independent, and transparent. This policy applies to all journalists, contributors, freelance writers, and editors associated with our platform.

1. Our Core Principles

• Truth & Accuracy: We verify all information before publication. When errors occur, we correct them promptly and transparently.
• Independence: Our editorial decisions are never influenced by advertisers, sponsors, affiliate partners (including Cloudways), or political interests.
• Fairness & Impartiality: We present all sides of a story when relevant. We avoid biased language and labeling unless factually justified.
• Humanity: We minimize harm. We avoid publishing sensitive details (names of sexual assault victims, minors’ identities) unless legally required or clearly in the public interest.
• Accountability: We welcome reader feedback and criticism. We have a named Grievance Officer and a public corrections process.

2. Sourcing & Verification Standards (2026)

All news articles on Hindu LIVE must rely on:

• Primary sources: Official documents, court orders, government press releases, video evidence, or direct witness interviews.
• Named sources: We prefer on-the-record attribution. Anonymous sources are used only when they face genuine risk (whistleblowers, victims) AND the information is corroborated by a second independent source.
• Social media: Posts from verified accounts may be used as leads but are never published as fact without independent verification.
• AI-generated content: Any content assisted by generative AI is reviewed by a human editor and clearly labeled with a 🧠 symbol. AI is not used as a source.

3. Corrections & Clarifications Policy

We take errors seriously. If you spot an error, email corrections@hindulive.com.

• Minor errors (spelling, grammar): Corrected silently.
• Factual errors (wrong name, date, number): A correction note is added at the bottom of the article with the original error and corrected fact.
• Significant errors (misleading headline, retraction): A full editor’s note is published, and the original article is updated but archived transparently.
• Timeline: Corrections are typically made within 24-48 hours of verification.

4. Headline & Visual Integrity

• Headlines must accurately reflect the article’s content. Clickbait headlines that mislead are forbidden.
• Images are captioned and credited. We never manipulate photos to distort reality (minor cropping/color correction is allowed). Stock photos are labeled.

5. Conflicts of Interest

• Journalists must disclose any financial, political, or personal relationship relevant to their beat.
• Staff cannot report on stories involving close family members or their own business interests.
• Accepting gifts, free travel, or discounts from sources is prohibited beyond nominal value (under ₹2,000).

6. Advertising & Sponsored Content Separation

Hindu LIVE maintains a clear separation between editorial content and paid content:

• Sponsored articles are labeled “Sponsored” or “Paid Post” at the top.
• Affiliate links (e.g., Cloudways promo codes) are disclosed within the article.
• Editorial staff do not write sponsored content.
• Advertisers have zero input on news coverage.

7. Social Media & Personal Opinion

Our journalists may use personal social media accounts. However, they must not:

• Post partisan political views.
• Attack or insult public figures or readers.
• Share unverified rumors.

8. Grievance & Oversight

Any violation of this editorial policy can be reported to our Editorial Ombudsman: ombudsman@hindulive.com. We review all complaints within 7 working days.

This editorial policy is aligned with global news standards (Society of Professional Journalists) and Indian legal frameworks as of 2026.