Editorial Code | Newslyfe

Our Purpose

Newslyfe Press exists to make independent, credible publishing accessible. We believe the open web is healthier when more voices can publish with rigour — not just reach.

This Editorial Code is not a legal document. It is a set of principles that define the standard we hold ourselves and our contributors to. It exists to protect readers, contributors, and the integrity of public information.

Accuracy & Verification

Accuracy is non-negotiable. Publishing false information — intentionally or through negligence — damages public trust and real people. Contributors are expected to verify claims before publishing.

Principle

Verify before you publish

Every factual claim should be verifiable. If you cannot confirm something, do not state it as fact — frame it as unverified, attributed to a source, or do not include it at all.

Obligation

Correct the record promptly

If a published piece contains an error, contributors are expected to correct it as soon as they become aware of the inaccuracy, and to note the correction clearly within the content.

Sources & Credibility

The credibility of your content depends on the credibility of your sources. Newslyfe Press contributors are expected to apply journalistic standards to sourcing.

Claims should be supported by credible, verifiable sources where applicable. Anonymous sources must be used sparingly and only where there is a compelling reason to protect the source's identity.

Primary sources — official documents, direct statements, original data — are preferred over secondary reporting.
Where secondary sources are used, the original source should be identified and linked where possible.
Opinion and commentary must be clearly distinguished from reported fact.
Speculative claims must be labelled as such — do not present conjecture as established truth.
AI-generated or synthesised research does not constitute a credible source.

Harmful Content

The following categories of content are prohibited on Newslyfe Press, regardless of framing, satire, or claimed intent:

Hate speech targeting individuals or groups based on race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or similar characteristics.
Content that incites, glorifies, or facilitates violence against any person or group.
Harassment, threats, or coordinated campaigns targeting private individuals.
Content that exploits or endangers minors in any way.
Deliberate disinformation with the potential to cause public harm — including during elections, public health events, or humanitarian crises.
Content designed to facilitate illegal activity.

Manipulation

Trust is built through honesty — including honesty about how content is framed and distributed. The following practices are prohibited:

Clickbait headlines that misrepresent or contradict the content of the article.
Misleading or deceptive framing intended to generate an emotional response not justified by the facts.
Coordinated inauthentic engagement — including using multiple accounts, bots, or third-party services to artificially inflate reach or engagement.
Publishing paid or sponsored content without clear, prominent disclosure.
Creating false impressions of editorial consensus or widespread support for a position.

AI Usage & Disclosure

AI tools can assist in research, drafting, editing, and translation. Their use is not prohibited — but it must be transparent.

Policy

AI-generated content must be disclosed

Any content in which AI was substantially involved in drafting or generating must be labelled at the top of the article. Readers have the right to know when they are reading AI-generated text.

AI-generated — content produced primarily by an AI model, reviewed and published by a human contributor. Full disclosure required.
AI-assisted — content written by a human with AI tools used for research, editing, or structuring. Disclosure strongly recommended.
AI-edited — human-written content that was passed through AI for grammar or style correction only. Disclosure at contributor's discretion.

Editorial Integrity

Contributors are expected to uphold the editorial integrity of the platform through their own conduct and standards:

Do not impersonate other journalists, public figures, or official organisations.
Declare any conflicts of interest that may affect the objectivity of your reporting.
Do not accept undisclosed payment, gifts, or benefits in exchange for editorial coverage.
Do not publish content under a false identity intended to deceive readers about the author.
Do not claim institutional affiliation or credentials you do not hold.

Corrections

Mistakes happen. What matters is how they are handled. Newslyfe Press expects contributors to treat corrections as an act of professional integrity, not an admission of failure.

Contributors are expected to correct or update inaccurate content promptly upon becoming aware of the error, and to note the nature and date of the correction transparently within the published piece.

Corrections should not alter the meaning of the original piece without acknowledgment. Stealth editing — changing published content without disclosure — is a violation of this code. Where a correction substantially changes the original claim, a correction note must appear at the top of the article.

Enforcement

Violations of this Editorial Code are handled by the Newslyfe Press editorial and trust & safety teams. The following escalation framework applies:

Action	Trigger	Appeal
Warning	First or minor violation of editorial standards	Yes — 14 days
Visibility reduced	Repeated minor violations or unresolved correction requests	Yes — 14 days
Suspension	Serious violation or failure to respond to warnings	Yes — 14 days
Permanent ban	Severe violation, deliberate disinformation, or repeated suspensions	Limited — 30 days

All moderation actions may be appealed by contacting support@newslyfe.com within 14 days of the action. We commit to reviewing appeals within 5 business days.