Fact-Checking Policy

# Daily Jahan-e-Imroz Quetta

## Fact-Checking and Verification Policy

### For Print Newspaper, Website, Digital News Platforms and Social Media

*Daily Jahan-e-Imroz Quetta* is committed to publishing information that is accurate, verifiable, properly sourced, and presented with appropriate context.

This Fact-Checking and Verification Policy establishes the procedures that journalists, editors, reporters, photographers, video journalists, social media teams, and digital editors must follow before publishing or distributing news content.

The policy applies equally to the *print newspaper, official website, Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, TikTok, X (Twitter), YouTube, and other official digital platforms* operated by Daily Jahan-e-Imroz Quetta.

The fundamental principle is:

> *Accuracy comes before speed. If a story cannot be adequately verified, it should not be presented as confirmed news.*

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## 1. Purpose of Fact-Checking

The purpose of fact-checking is to ensure that published information:

* Is factually accurate.
* Can be supported by reliable evidence or sources.
* Is correctly attributed.
* Is presented in its proper context.
* Does not unnecessarily mislead readers or viewers.
* Distinguishes confirmed facts from allegations, claims, opinions, rumors, and speculation.
* Can be corrected transparently if new or more accurate information becomes available.

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## 2. Basic Verification Rule

Every journalist is responsible for the accuracy of their work.

Before publication, journalists should ask:

1. *What exactly is the claim?*
2. *Who is making the claim?*
3. *What is the original source?*
4. *What evidence supports the claim?*
5. *Can the information be independently verified?*
6. *Is there another reliable source confirming it?*
7. *Has the relevant person or organization been given an opportunity to respond where appropriate?*
8. *Is important context missing?*
9. *Could the wording create a misleading impression?*
10. *Would we be able to explain and defend the verification process if the information were challenged?*

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## 3. Primary and Original Sources

Whenever reasonably possible, journalists should verify information through original or primary sources.

Examples may include:

* Official government documents.
* Court documents.
* Police statements.
* Official notifications.
* Public records.
* Original interviews.
* Direct eyewitness accounts.
* Official statistical data.
* Original photographs or videos.
* Direct statements from organizations or individuals concerned.

A secondary source should not automatically be treated as proof of a claim.

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## 4. Two-Source Verification

For important, disputed, sensitive, or potentially harmful claims, journalists should seek confirmation from more than one reliable source whenever reasonably possible.

Two independent sources are preferable to relying on a single source.

However, two sources repeating the same unverified claim do not automatically make the claim true.

Editors and journalists should consider:

* Whether the sources are genuinely independent.
* Whether they have direct knowledge.
* Their credibility and track record.
* Their possible motives.
* Whether the information can be supported by documentary or physical evidence.

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## 5. Single-Source Reporting

A story based on a single source may be published only when the information is sufficiently important and the source is considered credible and directly informed.

Before publication, the responsible editor should consider:

* The source’s direct knowledge.
* The source’s reliability and previous record.
* Whether the information can be independently confirmed.
* Whether documentary evidence exists.
* Whether the source has a possible motive to mislead.
* The potential harm of publishing incorrect information.

Where appropriate, the existence of a single-source basis should be disclosed to the relevant editorial authority.

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## 6. Anonymous and Confidential Sources

Anonymous sources require additional verification.

A source should not be granted anonymity simply for convenience.

Before using anonymous information, the journalist and editor should consider:

* Why the source requires anonymity.
* Whether the source has direct knowledge.
* Whether the information can be obtained from an attributable source.
* Whether independent evidence supports the claim.
* Whether publication is in the public interest.
* Whether publication could cause unjustified harm.

The organization remains responsible for the accuracy of information obtained from anonymous sources.

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## 7. Verification of Government and Official Statements

Official statements should be accurately attributed but should not automatically be treated as independently verified facts.

For example:

*Preferred:*

> “According to the police, three people were arrested…”

Rather than presenting the official claim as an independently established fact when it has not been independently verified.

Where possible, important official claims should be cross-checked through documents, eyewitnesses, other authorities, or independent reporting.

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## 8. Verification of Political and Public Claims

Statements made by politicians, political parties, government officials, organizations, activists, or public figures should be treated as claims unless independently established.

Journalists should:

* Identify who made the claim.
* Check the original statement.
* Examine relevant documents or records.
* Compare the claim with available evidence.
* Provide relevant context.
* Seek clarification when a claim is ambiguous or misleading.

A political or public statement should not become a factual headline merely because it was made by a prominent person.

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## 9. Verification of Social Media Content

Social media posts, screenshots, videos, photographs, voice notes, and forwarded messages must be treated as *unverified material until properly checked*.

Before publication, journalists should attempt to establish:

* Who originally created or posted the material.
* When and where it was created.
* Whether the account is authentic.
* Whether the content has previously appeared elsewhere.
* Whether the image or video is old or being presented as new.
* Whether the content has been edited or manipulated.
* Whether independent sources support the claim.

A viral post is not automatically a verified news source.

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## 10. WhatsApp and Forwarded Messages

Forwarded WhatsApp messages and similar private messages should not be treated as verified information merely because they have been widely circulated.

The newsroom should identify the original source and independently verify the underlying claim before publication.

Screenshots alone should not normally be treated as sufficient evidence for significant claims.

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## 11. Verification of Photographs

Before publishing a photograph, the newsroom should verify, where reasonably possible:

* Who took the photograph.
* When it was taken.
* Where it was taken.
* What event it actually depicts.
* Whether it has been previously published.
* Whether it has been edited or manipulated.
* Whether the caption accurately describes the image.

Old photographs must not be presented as current events.

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## 12. Verification of Videos

Before publishing a video, journalists should attempt to verify:

* Original source.
* Date and time.
* Location.
* Context.
* Sequence of events.
* Whether the video has been edited.
* Whether audio has been altered.
* Whether the video has been reused from an unrelated event.

Where possible, journalists should compare the video with other available evidence, including location information, public records, eyewitness accounts, and other independent material.

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## 13. User-Generated Content (UGC)

User-generated content may include:

* Social media videos.
* Public submissions.
* Reader photographs.
* Citizen journalism.
* Eyewitness material.
* Messages sent to the newsroom.

UGC must be verified before being presented as authentic.

The newsroom should establish:

1. Who created the material.
2. Whether the creator actually witnessed the event.
3. Where and when it was created.
4. Whether the material has been altered.
5. Whether independent evidence supports it.
6. Whether the organization has appropriate permission or rights to publish it.

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## 14. AI-Generated and Manipulated Content

Artificial intelligence and digital editing can create convincing but false text, images, audio, and video.

The newsroom must exercise particular caution with:

* Deepfakes.
* AI-generated photographs.
* AI-generated audio.
* Manipulated videos.
* Altered screenshots.
* Artificially generated documents.
* AI-generated quotations or statements.

AI-generated content must not be presented as authentic without appropriate verification.

AI tools may assist journalists in research or analysis where authorized, but *AI output itself is not evidence*.

All important factual claims generated or assisted by AI must be independently verified.

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## 15. Verification of Quotes

Quotes must accurately represent what a person said.

Journalists should:

* Check notes or recordings where available.
* Preserve the meaning and context of the statement.
* Avoid altering a quotation in a way that changes its meaning.
* Clearly distinguish direct quotations from paraphrased statements.
* Verify translations where a statement has been translated from another language.

Quotes must never be fabricated.

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## 16. Numbers, Statistics and Data

Special care must be taken with:

* Death tolls.
* Injury figures.
* Election figures.
* Population statistics.
* Financial figures.
* Budgets.
* Employment data.
* Crime statistics.
* Survey results.
* Percentages.

Journalists should identify:

* The original source.
* The relevant date or period.
* The geographical area.
* The population or sample involved.
* Whether the figures are preliminary or final.

Numbers should not be presented without sufficient context when context could materially change their meaning.

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## 17. Breaking News Verification

Breaking news requires particular caution.

The newsroom should distinguish between:

*Confirmed Information*

Information supported by reliable evidence or authoritative confirmation.

*Developing Information*

Information that is still being investigated or verified.

*Unconfirmed Claim*

Information attributed to a source but not independently verified.

Where verification is incomplete, the story should clearly communicate its status.

Speed must never be used as an excuse for publishing false or misleading information.

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## 18. Rumors and Viral Claims

The organization does not treat virality as evidence.

Rumors should generally not be published merely because they are trending.

If a rumor itself has significant public importance, the newsroom may report on it while clearly identifying it as a rumor and explaining what is known, what remains unverified, and what evidence is available.

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## 19. Fact-Checking Headlines

Fact-checking applies to the entire presentation of a story, including:

* Headline.
* Subheadline.
* Caption.
* Thumbnail.
* Push notification.
* Social media post.
* Video title.
* Meta description.
* Search-engine headline.

A factually correct article can still become misleading if its headline or thumbnail makes an unsupported claim.

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## 20. Context and Misleading Information

A statement may be technically true but misleading if important context is removed.

Journalists and editors should consider:

* What happened before the event?
* What happened afterward?
* What does the available evidence actually establish?
* Are important qualifications being omitted?
* Could a reasonable reader misunderstand the claim?

Relevant context should be included when it materially affects the meaning of the story.

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## 21. Right of Response

When a story contains serious allegations or criticism against an individual, organization, or institution, reasonable efforts should be made to obtain their response before publication.

If the relevant party cannot be reached before publication, the story should accurately state that an attempt was made to obtain a response where appropriate.

If a response is subsequently received, it should be considered for inclusion or update according to editorial standards.

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## 22. Fact-Checking of External News

Information obtained from:

* Other newspapers.
* News websites.
* Television channels.
* News agencies.
* Blogs.
* Social media.
* Other digital publications.

must not automatically be treated as verified.

The newsroom remains responsible for the accuracy of information it publishes, even when the information originated from another media organization.

Proper attribution should be provided where material from another source is used.

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## 23. Fact-Checking Before Publication

Before a significant story is published, the reporter and editor should verify, where applicable:

### Basic Verification Checklist

*□ Names verified*

*□ Titles and positions verified*

*□ Date and time verified*

*□ Location verified*

*□ Numbers and statistics verified*

*□ Quotes verified*

*□ Source identified*

*□ Original source checked*

*□ Relevant documents checked*

*□ Second source sought where appropriate*

*□ Opposing/relevant response sought*

*□ Images verified*

*□ Videos verified*

*□ Social media material verified*

*□ Context checked*

*□ Headline checked*

*□ Caption checked*

*□ Legal/sensitivity concerns considered*

*□ AI-generated information independently verified*

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## 24. Editorial Fact-Checking Levels

For internal newsroom use, stories may be categorized as follows:

### Level 1 — Routine News

Routine information that can be verified through reliable official or direct sources.

Examples:

* Official announcements.
* Scheduled events.
* Routine public information.

### Level 2 — Important News

Stories requiring additional verification because they contain significant public information.

Examples:

* Government decisions.
* Major economic announcements.
* Important institutional developments.

### Level 3 — Sensitive or High-Risk News

Stories requiring enhanced editorial review.

Examples:

* Serious allegations.
* Criminal accusations.
* Major political claims.
* Security-related incidents.
* Large casualty figures.
* Claims that could seriously damage a person’s reputation.
* Information likely to cause public fear or confusion.

Such stories should receive appropriate senior editorial review before publication.

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## 25. Correction and Updating Policy

Fact-checking continues after publication.

If new evidence shows that published information is incomplete, inaccurate, or misleading:

* The story should be reviewed promptly.
* The correction should be made clearly.
* Significant errors should not be silently changed where transparency requires an explanation.
* Material corrections should be appropriately identified.
* Updated information should be added when it materially changes the story.

The organization should never knowingly leave a significant factual error uncorrected.

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## 26. Fact-Check Record

For significant or sensitive stories, the newsroom may maintain an internal verification record containing:

* Reporter name.
* Editor name.
* Date and time of verification.
* Original source.
* Additional sources.
* Documents reviewed.
* Relevant interviews.
* Verification steps.
* Image/video verification details.
* Response attempts.
* Final editorial decision.

This record may be retained for internal accountability and future review.

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## 27. Responsibility of Reporters

Every reporter is responsible for:

* Verifying information before submitting a story.
* Clearly identifying sources.
* Distinguishing facts from claims.
* Informing the editor about uncertainties.
* Providing supporting documents where available.
* Immediately reporting any suspected error discovered after submission or publication.

A reporter must never knowingly submit false or fabricated information.

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## 28. Responsibility of Editors

Editors are responsible for maintaining the organization’s verification standards.

Editors should:

* Review significant claims.
* Question unclear or unsupported information.
* Request additional evidence where necessary.
* Ensure appropriate attribution.
* Check headlines and captions.
* Require corrections when errors are identified.
* Apply additional scrutiny to sensitive or high-risk stories.

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## 29. Digital and Social Media Verification

The same verification standards apply to:

* Website articles.
* Facebook posts.
* Instagram posts.
* WhatsApp updates.
* TikTok videos.
* X posts.
* YouTube videos.
* Push notifications.
* Short-form videos.
* Live updates.

A shorter format does not reduce the organization’s responsibility for accuracy.

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## 30. Final Editorial Principle

Daily Jahan-e-Imroz Quetta follows the principle:

> *“Verify Before You Publish.”*

When information is uncertain:

> *“When in doubt, verify further.”*

When verification cannot reasonably be completed:

> *“Do not present an unverified claim as confirmed fact.”*

When an error is discovered:

> *“Correct it promptly, clearly, and transparently.”*

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# Our Fact-Checking Commitment

*Daily Jahan-e-Imroz Quetta* is committed to maintaining a newsroom culture in which accuracy is more important than speed, verification is more important than virality, evidence is more important than rumor, and transparency is more important than concealing mistakes.

Our commitment applies equally to our *print newspaper, website, digital news platforms, social media pages, videos, photographs, headlines, captions, and other forms of published content.*

> *Accuracy First. Verify the Source. Check the Evidence. Provide Context. Correct Mistakes.*

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*Organization:* Daily Jahan-e-Imroz Quetta
*Policy:* Fact-Checking and Verification Policy
*Scope:* Print, Website, Digital Media and Social Media
*Responsible Authority:* Editor / Chief Editor
*Applies To:* All Editorial and Digital Media Personnel