Editorial Policy and Code of Ethics

This policy explains how stories are chosen, checked, written and published at Sateek Bharat. Every member of our team, whether reporter, editor or contributor, follows it. Our Editor-in-Chief is ultimately responsible for making sure it is followed.

Code of Ethics

We follow the Code of Ethics for digital news publishers set out in the Appendix to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021. Under it:

the Norms of Journalistic Conduct of the Press Council of India under the Press Council Act, 1978 are the foundation of our work;
we follow the Programme Code under section 5 of the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995, where it applies;
we do not publish any content that is prohibited under any law in force.

Accuracy and fact-checking

Every fact is checked before publication. To confirm a claim, we rely on original documents, official sources, or more than one independent source.
Rumours, unverified social media posts and viral claims are not published as news. If a claim could not be confirmed, the story says so clearly.
Figures, quotes and names are checked against the original source. No one's statement is twisted or taken out of context.
Photos and videos taken from social media are used only after their date, place and source have been checked.
In fast-moving (breaking) stories, we report only what is confirmed at the time, and update the story, with the time, as new information comes in.

News, opinion and advertising

Facts, estimates and comment are kept apart, so that readers can tell what is a confirmed fact and what is opinion.
Editorials, columns, analysis and opinion pieces are clearly marked. Guest writers' views are their own.
Advertising and sponsored content are never presented as news. See our Advertising Policy.

Fairness and the right to respond

Before publishing a story that makes allegations against a person or organisation, we try to get their side. If we cannot, the story says so.
We do not treat anyone as guilty before guilt is proved, and we avoid "media trials".
If we reported allegations against someone, we report their acquittal, or the dropping of the charges, just as prominently.
Anyone affected by a story has the right of reply. See our Corrections and Right of Reply Policy.

Sources and credit

Wherever possible, sources are named. An anonymous source is used only when the information is in the public interest, cannot be obtained any other way, and the editor knows who the source is and trusts them.
When we promise a source confidentiality, we keep that promise.
Information taken from other news organisations, agencies or writers is credited. Plagiarism, and lifting other people's stories without permission, are not allowed.

Privacy

We respect everyone's privacy. Information about a person's private life is published only when there is a clear public interest in it. Even for public figures, we publish only those private matters that are connected with their public role.

Reporting on sensitive subjects

Sexual offences and children

We never publish the name, address, photograph or any other detail that could identify a victim of a sexual offence (section 72 of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023).
Under section 23 of the POCSO Act, 2012 and section 74 of the Juvenile Justice Act, 2015, we never reveal the identity of a child involved in any case, whether as a victim, a witness or a child in conflict with the law.

Suicide and mental health

Stories about suicide are never sensationalised. We do not publish details of the method, suicide notes or such images.
These stories carry information on where to get help, such as the Government of India's Tele-MANAS helpline, 14416 or 1-800-891-4416.

Religion, caste and community

Stories about religious, caste or community disputes are published only after full verification, with restraint and care. We avoid inflammatory headlines and language that could raise tension.
A person's caste or religion is mentioned only when it is necessary to the story.

National security and defence operations

We do not carry live coverage or real-time reporting of defence operations or the movement of security forces. In line with the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting's advisory of 26 April 2025, such reporting is based on official briefings by authorised officers.
Sensitive stories about the armed forces and security forces are published only after full verification and with great care.

Court cases

We report court proceedings accurately and fairly. In cases that are still being heard, we publish nothing that could prejudice the course of justice.

Violence, crime and disasters

We do not glorify violence. Disturbing photographs and videos are used only when they are necessary to the story, and then with a warning first. We respect the dignity of the dead, the injured and victims.

Health

Stories about health and treatment are based on experts and published research. We do not publish claims of "miracle cures" that have no evidence behind them.

Headlines, images and video

A headline reflects what the story actually says. We do not use misleading "clickbait" headlines.
Photographs carry captions and credits. An old or representative image is labelled "File photo" (फ़ाइल फ़ोटो) or "Representative image" (सांकेतिक तस्वीर).
Photographs and videos are never altered in a way that changes their meaning.

Use of artificial intelligence (AI)

Our journalists use AI tools to help with research, translation, transcription and drafting, and to create illustrative images. An AI tool is never treated as a source of facts.
Every fact in an AI-assisted story must be confirmed, before publication, by at least two independent sources or one official primary source, like any other story. A detail that cannot be confirmed is left out.
An editor reviews and edits every AI-assisted story before it is published, and we take full responsibility for it.
AI-generated images are used only as illustrations. They never show a real, identifiable person or recreate an actual event as if it had been photographed, and they are clearly labelled "AI-generated representative image" (AI जनित सांकेतिक तस्वीर).
When we report on deepfakes or other synthetic content, we say clearly that the content is fake.

Paid news and conflicts of interest

We never publish news in return for money, gifts or any other benefit ("paid news"). During elections, we keep our coverage of candidates and parties balanced.
Members of our editorial team do not accept gifts or favours that could affect their impartiality.
If a writer or Sateek Bharat has a personal or financial interest in a story, the story says so, or that person stays away from it.

Bylines, dates and updates

Every story carries the name of its writer or desk and the date it was published. If a story is later changed in a significant way, the time of the update is shown.

Corrections and accountability

When we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and prominently. See our Corrections and Right of Reply Policy. Complaints that the Code of Ethics has been broken can be made to our Grievance Officer.

Review of this policy

This policy is reviewed and updated from time to time. After every change, the "Last updated" date at the top changes too.