Our Editorial Policy

Issuing Authority: Office of the Editor

Purpose and Scope

This Editorial Policy outlines the principles, standards, and practices that govern all journalistic content produced by The Deltagram. It applies to all employees, freelancers, contributors, and editorial partners. This document serves as a public declaration of our commitment to transparency, ethical journalism, and the democratic values that underpin a free press. The policy also acts as an internal guide for editorial integrity, professionalism, and accountability.

1. Editorial Mission and Mandate

We are committed to practicing principled, democratic journalism that serves the public interest. Our mission is to publish content that is accurate, verified, and rooted in truth. We uphold freedom of expression, individual dignity, and accountability, guided by the values of transparency, justice, and human rights.

2. Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are made independently of political, corporate, religious, institutional, or commercial influence. The Editor and the Senior Editors hold final authority over all journalistic content, ensuring that our newsroom remains free from external pressure.

3. Legal and Regulatory Compliance

We strictly comply with all applicable laws of Bangladesh, including:

The Bangladesh Press Council Act and Code of Conduct
The Information and Communication Technology (ICT) Act
The Digital Security Act (with due regard for press freedom)
The Right to Information Act
The Penal and Criminal Procedure Codes
Article 39 of the Constitution of Bangladesh (freedom of speech and press)
Relevant international norms on human rights and media freedom

4. Truth, Verification & Source Transparency

All facts, data, and quotations must be thoroughly verified and sourced from credible evidence. Unverified allegations must be clearly labelled as such. Proper attribution is mandatory. Errors must be corrected transparently and with appropriate prominence. Amend any mistakes at the earliest possible opportunity.

5. Impartiality, Fairness and Balance

News reporting must be accurate, objective, and free from bias. Multiple perspectives should be presented, especially in contentious issues.

False equivalence should be avoided unless editorially justified. All individuals or entities mentioned in critical stories must be given a fair opportunity to respond before publication.

6. Privacy and Intrusion

Intrusions into private life must meet all the following criteria:

Clearly justified by public interest
Proportionate and minimally invasive
Approved by a senior editor
Likely to result in meaningful public benefit
Covert methods (e.g. surveillance, hidden recording) require heightened justification and explicit editorial approval.

7. Subterfuge and Covert Newsgathering

Deceptive or undercover methods may only be used when:

There is no other way to obtain vital information
The story serves a significant public interest
Legal risks have been assessed and mitigated
A senior editor provides prior written approval

8. Anonymous Sources and Confidentiality

Anonymous sources may be used only when:

Personal safety or job security is at serious risk
The information serves a compelling public interest
The claims are corroborated by other evidence
A senior editor approves anonymity and securely records the source’s identity

9. Sensitive Topics and Harm Minimisation

When reporting on topics such as suicide, sexual assault, mental illness, or violence, we will:

Avoid sensationalism and gratuitous detail
Provide warnings where appropriate
Follow internationally recognised ethical reporting standards

10. Editorial Ethics and Professional Conduct

Journalists must not:

Engage in plagiarism, fabrication, or deliberate misinformation
Accept gifts, payments, or benefits that may influence editorial decisions
Violate the dignity, rights, or safety of any individual
Misconduct will result in disciplinary action, including possible termination.

11. Conflicts of Interest and Financial Transparency

Staff must disclose any personal, financial, or familial interests related to subjects they cover.

Journalists must:

Recuse themselves when conflicts exist
Declare relevant interests transparently in published content where appropriate

12. Advertiser and Sponsor Integrity

Editorial and commercial content must remain clearly separate

Advertorials or native advertising must be explicitly labelled (e.g. "Partner Content", "Sponsored")

Sponsors have no influence over editorial content

Editorial integrity will not be compromised by commercial interests

13. Artificial Intelligence and Emerging Technology

Use of AI-generated or AI-assisted content must:

Be approved by a senior editor
Be transparently disclosed to readers
Undergo full editorial review
AI may not be used to fabricate quotes, create deceptive visuals, or spread misinformation.

Internal Use of AI and Automation
The Deltagram may use AI tools for internal purposes such as transcription, research assistance, or language support. These uses must:
- Be non-editorial in nature unless otherwise approved
- Not compromise confidentiality or data protection standards
- Undergo periodic review to assess risks and benefits
AI will not replace editorial judgment or human accountability in any journalistic process.
Open Source Investigations Policy
The Deltagram may use open source intelligence (OSINT) techniques — including social media analysis, satellite imagery, metadata examination, and digital forensics — to verify facts and enhance investigative reporting. All such methods must adhere to the highest ethical standards, respecting privacy, legality, and accuracy.
Verification must be rigorous and transparent, with sources clearly cited unless there are safety or legal risks. Corroboration from a second source or speaking to involved individuals will be prioritised. Use of deceptive identities or digital manipulation is prohibited unless justified by overriding public interest and approved in advance by a senior editor. We are committed to being transparent about our methods where appropriate, and to correcting any errors found in open source findings.

14. Diversity, Inclusion and Non-Discrimination

Our reporting and newsroom practices reflect the diverse social, cultural, and linguistic fabric of Bangladesh.

We will:

Avoid discriminatory or disparaging references to race, religion, gender identity, disability, or other protected characteristics
Highlight underrepresented voices and perspectives wherever relevant
Foster equity and inclusion in both staffing and coverage
We are committed to avoiding erasure, misrepresentation, or tokenism in our storytelling.

15. Opinion, Commentary and Editorial Distinction

Opinion content must be clearly distinguished from news reporting

Editorials reflect the institutional stance of The Deltagram

Columns reflect the views of the individual writer

All opinion content must remain factual, respectful, and free of defamatory or hateful language

Election and Political Coverage Standards
During elections and politically sensitive periods, The Deltagram will:
- Ensure equal opportunity for all parties and candidates to be covered fairly and proportionately
- Refrain from endorsing political candidates in news reporting
- Prohibit political party membership or affiliations among newsroom staff covering elections
- Label any election-related opinion content clearly

16. Social Media Standards

Staff and contributors must:

Avoid partisan or inflammatory behaviour on social platforms
Protect confidential and embargoed information
Clearly separate personal views from the official voice of The Deltagram
Staff and contributors are referred to our Social Media Guidelines for full policy details.

17. Accountability, Complaints and Redress

We maintain a transparent and accessible complaints process:

All formal complaints will be acknowledged within 10 business days
Serious or unresolved concerns will be reviewed by the Editor or designated committee
Outcomes will be documented and communicated in a timely manner

Editorial Corrections and Retractions
We are committed to correcting mistakes transparently:
- Minor factual errors will be corrected promptly in the original article
- Major corrections or retractions will be clearly labelled and timestamped
- Retractions will include an editorial explanation
- A record of corrections and retractions will be maintained publicly on our website
Internal Whistleblower Protection
All editorial staff and contributors are encouraged to report any unethical, unlawful, or unsafe practices within the newsroom.
- Whistleblowers will be protected from retaliation
- Reports will be treated confidentially and investigated by a designated ethics officer or editor
- Corrective actions will follow due process

18. Editorial Governance and Oversight

Editorial oversight is provided by:

Section Editors
Editorial Committee
The Editor

This policy is reviewed annually, and any amendments must be formally approved.

19. Transparency and Ethics Training

This policy will be published publicly on our website

Annual ethics training is mandatory for all editorial staff and freelancers

A central record of ethical breaches or complaints will be maintained to monitor trends and ensure corrective action

Appendix

Public interest:

Any matter that affects the rights, safety, welfare, or well-being of the public or a significant segment of society. Public curiosity alone does not justify public interest.

Senior editor:

An editor with delegated decision-making authority over content, ethics approvals, or legal risk assessments.

Anonymous source:

A source whose identity is known to the newsroom but is withheld from publication to protect their safety, privacy, or livelihood.

Fair opportunity to respond:

Providing sufficient time and effort for an individual or institution to reply to allegations or criticisms before publication, unless urgent public interest overrides this.

Correction:

A statement acknowledging and clarifying an error in a published piece. It should be visible, timely, and linked to the original content.

Retraction:

A formal withdrawal of published material found to be substantially false, unethical, or legally problematic, accompanied by an editorial explanation.

AI-generated content:

Text, images, audio, or video created wholly or partly by artificial intelligence tools, whether for editorial, illustrative, or assistive purposes.

AI-assisted content:

Editorial content produced with the support of AI tools (e.g., transcription, summarisation, language enhancement), but ultimately reviewed and approved by human editors.

Open Source Intelligence (OSINT):

Publicly available information gathered and verified using digital tools and techniques, such as satellite imagery, social media posts, online databases, or metadata.

Digital manipulation:

The alteration of images, video, or other content in a way that could mislead audiences, particularly when such alterations are not disclosed.

Whistleblower:

An individual within or connected to the organisation who reports misconduct, ethical breaches, or legal violations, and is protected from retaliation.

Advertorial / Native Advertising:

Paid content presented in the style of editorial content but clearly labelled as sponsored or partner content to maintain transparency.

Trauma-informed reporting:

Journalistic practices that minimise harm when reporting on victims or survivors of violence, trauma, or distress, following ethical and psychological best practices.

Effective Date:

August 1, 2025

To be reviewed again:

March 30, 2026

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