01
Accuracyसटीकता
Accuracy is the foundation of everything we publish. Every fact in your story must be something you can show to an editor: a document, a recording, notes from an interview or a published dataset.
Numbers deserve special care. State the source and year of every figure, prefer official or peer-reviewed data, and write out what a figure means for readers. Lakh and crore are our default units for Indian audiences, with a conversion where it helps international readers.
- Spell names exactly as the person spells them, and confirm designations.
- Never round a number in a way that changes its meaning.
- Mark anything you could not verify as unverified, or leave it out.
- Keep your notes, recordings and documents for at least two years.
02
Sourcing and attributionस्रोत
Readers should always know how we know something. Attribute every claim that is not common knowledge, and prefer named, on-the-record sources.
Anonymous sources are allowed only when the person faces a real risk, the information is essential, and your editor knows who the source is. Explain to readers why the source was not named.
- Seek a response from anyone your story criticises, and allow reasonable time, usually 48 hours.
- Quote people accurately. Translations should be faithful and marked as translated.
- Never pay a source for information or an interview.
- Link to primary documents where possible, including RTI replies and court orders.
03
Conflicts of interestहितों का टकराव
You must disclose any relationship that could make a reasonable reader question your independence. This includes family ties, financial interests, past or current employment, political affiliations and activism on the issue you are covering.
Disclosure does not automatically disqualify a story. Your editor will decide whether a note to readers is enough, or whether the story should go to another reporter.
- Do not accept gifts, free travel or hospitality worth more than ₹2,000 from people you cover.
- Do not write about companies whose shares you hold, or report on them only with a disclosure approved by your editor.
- Do not take paid work from organisations you are covering while a story is in progress.
04
Correctionsसुधार
Mistakes happen. What matters is how quickly and openly we fix them. If you learn of an error in your published story, tell your editor the same day.
Corrections are appended to the story with the date and a plain description of what was wrong. We do not silently edit published facts. Repeated or serious errors may lead to a pause in your contributor status while we review.
Report an error in any published story through the corrections page, or write to your editor from the Studio.
05
AI usage policyएआई नीति
Generative AI tools can help with some reporting tasks, but they also invent facts, quotes and sources. Our policy draws a clear line between help with process and the published work itself.
You may use AI for transcription, rough translation, summarising long documents to find leads and checking grammar. Everything that comes out of such tools must be verified by you against the original.
- Never publish AI-generated text, quotes, images, audio or video as your own reporting.
- Never use AI to fabricate or alter a person's words or likeness.
- Do not upload confidential documents or source identities to third-party AI services.
- Declare any AI use in the submission form. Undeclared use is treated as a serious breach.
06
Photo and media rightsचित्र अधिकार
Submit only photos, video and audio that you created or have written permission to use. Credit every image accurately, including the photographer and date.
Photos must not be staged or digitally altered beyond standard adjustments to exposure, colour and cropping. Composites and illustrations must be clearly labelled.
- Get consent before photographing people in private spaces, and avoid identifying minors or survivors of violence.
- Do not use images from social media without the creator's permission.
- Keep original, unedited files for verification.
07
Safety in the fieldसुरक्षा
No story is worth your life or health. Talk to your editor before any reporting trip that involves protests, conflict zones, disasters, or investigations into powerful people.
Our safety desk can help with a risk assessment, check-in schedules, travel advice and, for approved assignments, insurance cover. Digital safety matters too: use strong passwords, two-factor authentication and encrypted messaging with sensitive sources.
- Share your itinerary and check-in times with your editor for field assignments.
- Stop reporting and leave if you feel unsafe. We will never penalise you for it.
- Report any threat or harassment related to your work to the safety desk immediately.
Safety desk helpline: available 24x7 to verified contributors from the Studio Messages page.
Ready to report with us?
Questions about these guidelines? Ask your editor in the Studio, or read our newsroom ethics policy.