EDITORIAL GUIDELINES & FACT-CHECK POLICY — THE TRENDING PEOPLE
Effective Date: January 01, 2026
Last Updated: January 01, 2026
At The Trending People, we believe accurate, transparent, and responsible journalism is essential for a well-informed society. These Editorial Guidelines outline how our newsroom gathers, verifies, publishes, and corrects information. They combine our Editorial Standards, Fact-Checking Policy, Corrections Policy, and Ethics Policy into one unified document.
Our mission is to deliver credible, independent, and impactful journalism that earns and maintains the trust of our readers.
1. Core Editorial Principles
Every story published on The Trending People is guided by these values:
- Accuracy above all else
- Truthfulness and fairness
- Editorial independence from political or commercial influence
- Transparency in reporting and corrections
- Respect for individuals and communities
- Accountability for errors
- Integrity in all journalistic practices
These principles define our identity as a responsible digital news organisation.
2. Accuracy, Verification & Fact-Checking
Accuracy is the foundation of our newsroom. Before publishing any content, we:
- Verify claims using multiple credible sources
- Review official documents, government releases, and public records
- Confirm statistics and data through original sources
- Cross-check all facts, quotes, and statements
- Ensure headlines accurately reflect the content
- Avoid sensationalism, exaggeration, or misleading interpretation
We DO rely on:
- Government departments and public authorities
- Research institutions and academic bodies
- Peer-reviewed studies
- Reputable organisations and verified institutions
- Experts and analysts with proven credibility
- Trusted news agencies (ANI, PTI, IANS, Reuters, AP)
We DO NOT rely on:
- Rumours or hearsay
- Unverified social media posts
- Anonymous claims without corroboration
A story is not published unless the information is thoroughly checked.
3. Use of Sources
We follow strict criteria for source selection:
Acceptable sources:
- Government documents, RTI replies, court filings
- Official reports and press releases
- First-hand interviews
- Verified eyewitness accounts
- Primary datasets (NCRB, WHO, Census, etc.)
Anonymous sources:
Anonymous sources may be used only when:
- The information is essential and cannot be obtained otherwise
- The source has first-hand knowledge
- The editor knows the identity of the source
- Anonymity is granted for safety or confidentiality
We always explain why a source is anonymous.
4. Fact-Checking Ratings
For fact-check articles, we classify claims into the following categories:
- True
- Partly True
- False
- Misleading
- Unverified
- Satire / Not Intended to Be Factual
Each rating is supported by transparent evidence and citations.
5. Corrections, Updates & Transparency
Despite rigorous verification, errors can occur. When they do, we respond immediately.
Our Correction Policy:
- Corrections are made promptly after verification
- A correction note explains what was changed and why
- Major errors receive a Correction Notice
- Minor factual additions receive an Updated On timestamp
- We do not delete articles to hide mistakes unless legally required
Readers may report errors at:
Info@thetrendingpeople.com
6. Editorial Independence
The Trending People maintains complete editorial independence.
Our journalism is free from:
- Political affiliations
- Government influence
- Corporate pressure
- Advertisers, sponsors, or brand involvement
Sponsored or branded content never influences our newsroom decisions and is clearly labeled as:
- Sponsored
- Advertisement
- Partner Content
News and commercial content always remain separate.
7. Use of AI & Automated Tools
AI is used responsibly and strictly under human supervision.
AI tools may support:
- Grammar refinement
- Transcription
- Background research
- Image checks and metadata analysis
AI does NOT:
- Generate entire news articles
- Replace human fact-checking
- Publish content without editorial approval
Every article is reviewed and verified by a human editor before publication.
8. Sensitive Content Standards
When covering crime, violence, death, or sensitive topics, we ensure:
- Avoidance of graphic imagery unless essential
- Protection of identities, especially minors and victims
- Ethical reporting that does not encourage stigma or harm
- Contextual explanation without sensationalism
- Responsible treatment of vulnerable communities
9. Opinion, Editorial & Analysis Content
We clearly differentiate:
- News — Objective factual reporting
- Analysis — Contextual interpretation by experts
- Opinion — Personal viewpoints
Opinion pieces represent the author’s views, not the organisation’s.
10. Diversity, Fairness & Representation
We strive for:
- Fair reporting without stereotypes
- Inclusive representation of communities
- Respectful and accurate terminology
- Balanced coverage of all sides of an issue
11. User-Generated Content Policy
Reader submissions, photos, or reports are:
- Verified for authenticity
- Reviewed for accuracy and appropriateness
- Labeled clearly when used in stories
We remove content that constitutes hate, misinformation, or harassment.
12. Sponsored, Affiliate & Branded Content
Sponsored content must:
- Be clearly labeled
- Not influence editorial decisions
- Follow ethical guidelines
Affiliate links may appear but do not affect editorial judgment.
13. Plagiarism & Copyright Compliance
We maintain zero tolerance toward plagiarism.
We do NOT:
- Copy content from other publishers
- Use copyrighted material without permission
- Reproduce quotes, research, or images without attribution
Every contributor must credit original sources.
14. Visual Media Policy
All images, videos, and graphics:
- Must be original, licensed, or used with permission
- Must be credited appropriately
- Must not be digitally altered in a misleading way
- Are clearly marked as “Representative Image” when not from the actual event
15. Legal & Regulatory Compliance
We comply with:
- Indian media and IT laws
- Copyright & DMCA processes
- Defamation laws
- Data protection and privacy regulations
- Court-ordered content removal
When legally required, articles may be revised or removed.
16. Reader Participation & Feedback
Readers are invited to submit claims for verification or corrections via:
Every legitimate request is reviewed promptly by the editorial team.
These unified Editorial Guidelines and Fact-Check Policies reflect our commitment to truthful, responsible journalism. At The Trending People, we strive to maintain the highest standards of accuracy, fairness, independence, and public accountability in everything we publish.