1. Accuracy and verification
Accuracy takes priority over speed. Before publishing a factual claim, writers and editors should assess the reliability of the information and seek confirmation appropriate to the story's importance, sensitivity and urgency.
- Use primary documents, official records, direct statements, datasets and firsthand reporting whenever reasonably available.
- Cross-check important claims against more than one reliable source where practicable, especially when a claim is disputed or could cause harm.
- Check names, dates, locations, figures, quotations and the context in which statements were made.
- Distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, estimates, projections, developing information and analysis.
- Do not knowingly fabricate quotations, sources, events, documents, statistics, images or evidence.
When a story is developing and information remains uncertain, the report should communicate that uncertainty rather than present assumptions as established facts. Official statements are sources to assess, not automatic proof that every claim in them is correct.
2. Fairness, context and right of reply
We aim to represent information in context and avoid misleading readers through selective quotations, exaggerated headlines, omission of material facts or presentation of allegations as proven conclusions.
- Seek comment from a person or organisation facing serious allegations when it is reasonable and possible to do so before publication.
- Represent responses fairly and make clear when a reply was not received by publication time or a request for comment went unanswered.
- Use respectful language and avoid stereotypes based on caste, religion, gender, disability, region, nationality or other personal characteristics.
- Take extra care with minors, victims, people in vulnerable circumstances and subjects who may face avoidable harm from identification.
Fairness does not require giving every claim equal weight. The available evidence, reliability of the sources and relevance of each position should guide the presentation.
3. Sources, attribution and anonymity
Readers should be able to judge where important information comes from. We aim to identify sources clearly and link to original material when it is relevant, accessible and appropriate.
- Attribute statements, documents, research, photographs and other material to their source unless a clear reason prevents attribution.
- Do not present another publication's reporting or a third party's material as original GC News reporting.
- Consider a source's direct knowledge, credibility, possible interests and the availability of independent corroboration.
- Use anonymous sources cautiously. Anonymity should be considered when information is important to the public interest and identification could expose a source to meaningful harm or retaliation.
- Do not promise confidentiality casually. Any promise should be understood by the source and handled with care.
Documents and links should be included where they help readers inspect the evidence for themselves. Linking to a source does not mean GC News endorses every statement it contains.
4. Corrections, clarifications and updates
If we identify a material factual error, we aim to correct it promptly and make the correction clear to readers. Updates should not silently change the meaning of a published report in a way that conceals a significant error.
- Correction: Used when published information was wrong or materially inaccurate.
- Clarification: Used when wording or context needs to be made clearer without necessarily changing a factual claim.
- Update: Used when new, relevant information becomes available after publication.
Where a material factual correction is made, we aim to identify it clearly within the article and explain what was corrected. Minor typographical changes that do not affect meaning may not require a separate correction notice.
To report a possible error, send the article URL, the passage in question, a description of the concern and any reliable supporting evidence to editor@gcnews.in or use our Contact page. We will review submissions, but a request does not guarantee a particular editorial outcome.
5. Headlines, photographs and visual material
Headlines, captions, thumbnails and social previews should accurately represent the linked story. They should not imply that an allegation is proven or omit context in a way that materially misleads readers.
- Images should be authentic and appropriately captioned. File imagery, illustrations, archive photographs and reconstructions should be labelled when readers could otherwise be misled.
- Do not materially alter a documentary photograph or video in a way that changes its meaning.
- Consider privacy, dignity and foreseeable harm before publishing graphic or sensitive material.
- Respect copyright and use material under applicable rights, permissions, licences or another legitimate legal basis.
6. Editorial independence, institutional background and conflicts of interest
Editorial decisions should be guided by evidence, news value and the public interest. Readers also deserve clear information about the institutional background of the publication so they can make informed judgements about its coverage.
Institutional background: GC News was founded by General Janta Party, as described on our About GC News page. We disclose this founding relationship so readers can understand the context in which the publication operates. Our stated editorial standard is to assess reporting on the basis of evidence, news value and public interest. When covering the party, its office-bearers, affiliated initiatives or matters in which it has a direct interest, we aim to verify claims carefully, seek relevant responses, disclose material connections and distinguish factual reporting from opinion or advocacy.
- Writers and editors should disclose material personal, financial or professional interests that could reasonably affect—or appear to affect—their work.
- Gifts, payments, free travel or special treatment should not be accepted where they could compromise editorial judgement or reader trust.
- Commercial relationships should not be allowed to disguise advertising or dictate the conclusions of independent reporting.
- Paid, sponsored or promotional content should be clearly identified so readers can distinguish it from editorial reporting.
If a potential conflict cannot reasonably be managed, the person involved should be removed from that editorial decision or the conflict should be disclosed appropriately. Transparency about institutional ties is part of reader trust; it does not replace the need to verify individual claims and give relevant context.
7. News, analysis and opinion
Readers should be able to understand what kind of content they are reading. News reporting, analysis, opinion, commentary, promotional material and reader submissions should be labelled or presented in a way that makes their nature clear.
- News reports should focus on verifiable information and provide relevant context.
- Analysis may interpret facts and explain likely implications; its reasoning and supporting evidence should be identifiable.
- Opinion articles express an author's viewpoint and should not be mistaken for the institutional position of GC News unless explicitly stated.
- Reader contributions may be edited for clarity, length, legal risk and house style, while taking care not to misrepresent the author's position.
Political, policy and public-affairs coverage should distinguish factual reporting from commentary and clearly attribute opinions or claims to the people or organisations making them.
8. Artificial intelligence and digital tools
GC News may use AI-assisted and other digital tools for tasks such as research organisation, outlining, drafting, rewriting, translation, summarisation, transcription and copy-editing. The use of these tools does not remove the responsibility of authors and editors to check facts, verify quotations and sources, assess context and review the final article before publication.
- AI-generated output must not be treated as a source of truth without independent checking.
- Do not knowingly publish fabricated quotations, invented citations, false claims or synthetic material presented as authentic evidence.
- Check names, dates, figures, quotations, links and references in AI-assisted content against reliable sources.
- Sensitive information, confidential source material and personal data should not be entered into tools unless their use is appropriate and authorised.
- Materially synthetic or altered images, audio or video should be identified when failing to do so could mislead readers.
- Where AI or another tool materially shapes published content in a way readers would reasonably consider relevant, appropriate disclosure should be considered.
AI tools may assist the editorial process, but they do not replace editorial judgement, accountability or the need for reliable sourcing. Authors and the responsible editor remain accountable for the claims in the published article, consistent with the publication's actual review process.
9. Originality, copyright and reader submissions
GC News does not knowingly present another person's work as its own. Quotations, facts, research, images and other third-party material should be attributed where appropriate and used in accordance with applicable rights and permissions.
Contributors should submit original work or clearly identify material from other sources and confirm they have the necessary rights to submit it. We may decline, edit, remove or seek clarification about submitted material that appears to be plagiarised, misleading, unlawful or inconsistent with these standards.
Readers interested in contributing can visit Write for GC News. Submission does not guarantee publication, and submitted articles may be reviewed and edited according to the site's editorial workflow.
10. Reader feedback and editorial complaints
We welcome specific, good-faith feedback about accuracy, fairness, attribution, privacy, conflicts of interest or other editorial concerns. Please include the relevant article URL, a clear description of the issue and supporting information where available.
Send editorial concerns to editor@gcnews.in or visit Contact GC News. We aim to review genuine concerns fairly and respond where reasonably possible. Please do not send passwords or unnecessary sensitive personal data.
11. Review and updates to this policy
Editorial practices, publishing formats and technology evolve. GC News may revise these standards to clarify expectations, respond to lessons learned or reflect changes in our work. The date at the top of this page will be updated when the published policy is revised.
This policy explains the standards GC News aims to apply. Readers should contact the newsroom with specific concerns or questions about how a standard relates to a particular article.