Editorial Ethics

At Adeeba News Network, we believe that independent, accurate, and fearless journalism is the cornerstone of a functioning democracy. As a primary news source serving West Bengal and beyond, we hold ourselves to the highest standards of journalistic integrity. Our readers rely on us to report the truth, and we do not take that responsibility lightly.

The following guidelines serve as the ethical framework for all reporters, editors, and contributors working under the Adeeba News banner.

1. Truth and Accuracy

Our primary obligation is to the truth. We commit to thorough fact-checking before publication. We do not publish rumors, unverified social media claims, or speculation disguised as fact. If a story is developing and details are unconfirmed, we will clearly state what is known and what remains unclear.

• Headlines must accurately reflect the content of the article. We strictly prohibit "clickbait" that misleads the reader.
• Information gathered from anonymous sources will only be used if the information is vital to the public interest and cannot be obtained through on-the-record channels.

2. Independence and Impartiality

Adeeba News Network operates independently of any political party, government body, or corporate interest. Our editorial decisions are driven solely by news value and public interest.

• Our journalists must avoid conflicts of interest, both real and perceived. Financial investments, political affiliations, or personal relationships that could influence reporting must be disclosed to the managing editor.
• We clearly distinguish between news reporting and opinion pieces. Opinion and editorial (Op-Ed) content will always be clearly labeled to prevent reader confusion.
• Advertisers hold zero influence over our editorial content. "Sponsored Content" will always feature a prominent disclosure.

3. Fairness and Right of Reply

We strive to be fair in our reporting. When our journalism involves allegations of wrongdoing, incompetence, or failure against an individual or organization, we make a genuine effort to give the accused a fair opportunity to respond before publication.

If a subject declines to comment or cannot be reached after multiple attempts, we will explicitly state this in the article.

4. Corrections and Transparency

No news organization is flawless. When we make a factual error, we commit to correcting it swiftly, clearly, and transparently.

We do not quietly "stealth edit" articles to remove mistakes. If a significant factual error is corrected, an editor's note will be appended to the top or bottom of the article detailing what was changed and when.

5. Compassion and Harm Minimization

While we are committed to reporting the harsh realities of the world, we must balance the public's right to know against the potential for undue harm. We exercise strict editorial judgment when reporting on sensitive topics such as:

• Victims of Crime: We generally do not identify victims of sexual assault unless they explicitly request to be named on the record.
• Minors: We exercise extreme caution when naming or photographing children involved in criminal cases or tragedies.
• Graphic Imagery: We will issue clear content warnings before displaying graphic images or video that may be disturbing to audiences, ensuring the imagery serves a vital journalistic purpose and is not used for shock value.