This Editorial Policy guides the newsroom standards, ethics, and publishing principles of Indaba News. It is intended to ensure that all reporting published by Indaba News remains accurate, fair, balanced, community-focused, and independent while serving the public interest.
Indaba News is committed to responsible journalism that informs, educates, and empowers communities through credible reporting, ethical newsroom practices, and respect for the principles of transparency, accountability, and freedom of expression within South Africa’s democratic framework.
1. Our Editorial Mission
Indaba News exists to provide trusted, community-driven journalism that informs, educates, and empowers readers.
We focus on:
- Local and Regional community news
- Service delivery issues
- Community development
- Education
- Youth matters
- Business and entrepreneurship
- Health and wellness
- Arts, culture and heritage
- Sport and entertainment
- Public accountability
We believe local journalism plays an important role in strengthening democracy and giving communities a voice.
2. Editorial Independence
Indaba News operates independently from:
- Political parties
- Government influence
- Advertisers
- Sponsors
- Religious organisations
- External pressure groups
Editorial decisions are based on:
- Public interest
- News value
- Accuracy
- Relevance to communities
Advertising or sponsored content does not influence newsroom decisions.
Sponsored or paid-for content will always be clearly marked.
3. Accuracy and Fact Checking
We are committed to publishing accurate and verified information.
Before publication:
- Information must be checked and verified
- Multiple sources should be used where possible
- Quotes must be accurate and properly attributed
- Claims from social media must be verified before use
- Headlines must reflect the actual story content
We do not knowingly publish:
- False information
- Misleading claims
- Manipulated content
- Plagiarised material
If information cannot be independently verified, this will be clearly stated in the article.
4. Fairness and Balance
Indaba News aims to report fairly and without bias.
Where reasonably possible:
- All major sides of a story should be given an opportunity to respond
- Individuals or organisations criticised in a story should be approached for comment
- Stories must include proper context and background
Opinion pieces and commentary must be clearly labelled and separated from factual news reporting.
5. Community Journalism Principles
As a community publication:
- We prioritise stories affecting local residents
- We encourage community voices and participation
- We support constructive public debate
- We promote social cohesion and inclusion
- We respect cultural, language, and community diversity
We aim to report in language that is accessible and easy for readers to understand.
6. Corrections Policy
Mistakes can happen, and we take responsibility for correcting them.
When errors are identified:
- Corrections will be made as quickly as possible
- Significant corrections may include an editor’s note
- Updated articles may indicate the date of correction
Readers may report errors by contacting the editorial team through our contact channels on the website.
7. Use of Sources
Indaba News protects confidential sources where necessary and legally appropriate.
We aim to:
- Use credible and identifiable sources where possible
- Avoid anonymous sources unless there is a strong public interest reason
- Clearly attribute information to its source
Fabricated or misleading sourcing is strictly prohibited.
8. Children and Vulnerable Persons
We exercise extra care when reporting on:
- Children
- Victims of crime
- Survivors of abuse
- Vulnerable individuals
We will avoid publishing:
- Information that could endanger children
- Graphic or harmful material
- Private personal information without public interest justification
9. Crime and Court Reporting
Crime reporting must be responsible and factual.
Indaba News:
- Respects the principle that accused persons are innocent until proven guilty
- Avoids sensationalism
- Will not interfere with ongoing investigations or legal proceedings
- Will comply with South African court reporting laws
10. Digital and Social Media Standards
Content published on:
- WhatsApp Channels
- TikTok
- YouTube
- X (Twitter)
- Other digital platforms
must follow the same editorial standards as content published on our website.
Journalists and contributors are expected to act responsibly online and avoid spreading misinformation.
11. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Use
Indaba News may use AI-assisted tools for:
- Research support
- Headline suggestions
- Transcription
- Language support
- Workflow assistance
However:
- Human editorial oversight remains mandatory
- AI-generated content will be reviewed before publication
- AI may not replace editorial judgement or fact-checking
12. Copyright and Content Use
All original content published by Indaba News, including:
- Articles
- Images
- Videos
- Graphics
- Audio
- Logos
remains the property of Indaba News unless otherwise stated.
Content may not be copied, republished, or redistributed without permission and proper attribution.
We respect the intellectual property rights of others and will investigate legitimate copyright complaints promptly.
13. Archived Content and Removal Requests
Indaba News generally does not remove published articles from its archives unless:
- The content is proven to be false
- There are serious legal or ethical concerns
- A court orders removal
- There is a compelling public interest reason
Where updates or corrections are necessary, articles may instead be amended with a correction notice. This approach supports the integrity of the public record.
14. Complaints Procedure
Readers who wish to raise concerns about published content may contact the editorial team directly through the contact details provided on the website.
Complaints should include:
- The article headline
- Publication date
- Nature of the complaint
- Supporting information where applicable
Complaints will be reviewed fairly and responded to within a reasonable timeframe.
15. Compliance and Ethics
Indaba News supports ethical journalism and aims to operate in line with:
- The South African Press Code
- Applicable South African media laws
- POPIA requirements
- Principles of fairness, dignity, and accountability
Our goal is to maintain public trust through responsible and transparent journalism.
