At Samachar Patrika, we understand that factual accuracy is the backbone of credible journalism. In an age of viral misinformation and social media-driven speculation, we take our role seriously in delivering truthful, well-sourced, and verified content to our readers. Our Fact-Checking Policy outlines the procedures, practices, and ethical standards we follow to ensure our news reporting is reliable and trustworthy.
1. Commitment to Truth
Our editorial philosophy prioritizes factual reporting. Every news item, feature, or opinion published undergoes rigorous fact-checking to minimize the possibility of errors, distortions, or misrepresentation. We are committed to correcting mistakes transparently and promptly, as outlined in our Correction Policy.
2. Pre-Publication Verification
Our fact-checking process begins before an article is even published. The assigned journalist or reporter is responsible for verifying all facts, statistics, quotes, and names. This includes:
- Cross-verifying information from multiple credible sources.
- Confirming quotes with public records or direct interviews.
- Reviewing data against official government reports, reputable research papers, or recognized databases.
Each piece is reviewed by an editor or fact-checker for accuracy and adherence to our editorial standards before it goes live.
3. Criteria for Reliable Sources
We use a hierarchy of sources to validate information:
- Primary Sources: Government websites, original documents, official press releases, court filings, and eyewitness interviews.
- Secondary Sources: Credible news organizations, research institutes, academic publications.
- Tertiary Sources: Expert analysis, public opinion, and social media (used cautiously and only when relevant).
We clearly mention the source of each claim and avoid anonymous or unverifiable sources unless the story involves whistleblowers or sensitive disclosures.
4. Flagged Content
If we receive tips, claims, or rumors that may be newsworthy but lack verification, such content is marked as “Under Review” or not published until authenticated. We do not report unverified or speculative content under the guise of breaking news.
We also refrain from publishing stories solely based on social media trends unless the authenticity of the content is thoroughly established.
5. Dedicated Fact-Checking Team
Samachar Patrika has trained fact-checkers who specialize in:
- Analyzing claims related to politics, health, science, and finance.
- Using reverse image search, metadata analysis, and public database lookups to trace the origin of images or videos.
- Cross-referencing AI-generated content with human editorial judgment to prevent manipulation.
These team members receive regular training to stay updated with international standards and digital verification tools.
6. Tagging and Attribution
Articles that involve fact-checking of viral claims or controversial topics are explicitly tagged as “Fact-Check.” These pieces include:
- Clear verdicts such as “True,” “False,” “Partially True,” or “Misleading.”
- Screenshots or links to the original claim.
- Detailed reasoning behind our verdict.
We also cite all external sources so that readers can verify the information independently.
7. Correction Protocol
If a fact-checking error occurs or a claim is later disproven, we update the article with a correction notice explaining the change. Transparency is a key part of our editorial philosophy. We never quietly alter facts without disclosure.
We encourage readers to alert us if they believe an article contains a factual error. Such requests can be sent to: contact@samacharpatrika.in with the subject line “Fact-Check Correction.”
8. Misinformation Policy
We do not publish:
- Conspiracy theories, pseudoscience, or propaganda.
- Health misinformation (especially during pandemics, vaccine rollouts, or disease outbreaks).
- Political disinformation during elections or sensitive national events.
Our team works proactively to identify such content in our coverage areas and debunk it responsibly, if needed.
9. Collaborations with Fact-Checking Networks
Where possible, we collaborate with third-party fact-checking organizations or follow guidelines set by global standards like the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and DNPA. Our internal practices are aligned with their principles of non-partisanship, transparency, and fairness.
10. Public Participation
Fact-checking is not just an internal exercise. We encourage public participation in the form of:
- Reader tips on suspicious content.
- Suggestions for fact-checkable claims.
- Volunteering information or source documents.
This participatory model helps us ensure that journalism remains accountable and responsive to the community.
