1. Introduction and Commitment
Bhopal Ki Surkhiyan is committed to upholding the highest standards of digital journalism and ethical conduct. We voluntarily adhere to the core principles set forth in the Digital News Publishers Association (DNPA) Code of Ethics, ensuring our content is trustworthy, responsible, and compliant with the laws of India.
Our editorial practices are guided by the principles of Accuracy, Transparency, Fairness, and Independence.
2. Accuracy, Fairness, and Transparency
We commit to the following principles in all our reporting:
- Mandatory Pre-Publication Verification: We ensure all news reports, articles, and factual claims are meticulously researched and verified through credible sources before publication. We actively eschew the publication of inaccurate, baseless, or distorted material.
- Avoidance of Defamation: We strictly avoid publishing any content that is defamatory or harmful to the reputation of an individual or entity.
- Right of Reply:
- News reports that carry allegations against a person or party will, wherever possible, incorporate their comments or version.
- If a response is received after publication, it will be incorporated promptly and appropriately.
- We will appropriately update stories when there are significant new developments or if the concerned party requests an update, with the date of the update clearly visible.
- Corrections and Transparency (Take Down, Delete, or Edit):
- If any part of a news report is found to contain false or inaccurate information, we will promptly edit or delete the specific portion upon approach by the concerned party, provided they identify themselves and furnish correct information and necessary documents.
- If an entire news report is found to be false or fundamentally inaccurate, the entire article will be deleted.
3. Compliance with Indian Law
We comply with the laws of the land, including:
- The Constitution of India.
- Relevant provisions of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) and the Code of Criminal Procedure (CrPC).
- The Information Technology Act, 2000 (and its subsequent rules, including the IT (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021), where applicable.
4. Sensitive Reporting and Respect for Privacy
We exercise special care and caution while reporting on sensitive subjects:
- Communal Harmony: News items related to communal or religious disputes will be published only after proper verification and presented with due caution and restraint to promote peace and amity.
- Crime and Sensational Matters: We maintain the presumption of innocence. We avoid speculation on evidence, witnesses, the accused, and the victim. Reporting will be factual and unbiased.
- Vulnerable Groups: We exercise special caution while reporting on sexual harassment, child abuse, rape, or cases involving minors, strictly following legal provisions to protect their identity and dignity.
- Privacy: We respect the privacy of individuals, especially those not in public life, and will not publish private information without consent, except where there is an overriding public interest.
5. Respect for Intellectual Property Rights (IPR)
We respect intellectual property rights and commit to:
- Copyright: Copyright in text, photographs, diagrams, and other materials must be respected. Prior permission must be obtained for copyrighted material, and publication must acknowledge moral and ownership rights.
- Attribution: Proper attribution will be given for all content, images, and data that are not original to Bhopal Ki Surkhiyan.
6. Grievance Redressal Mechanism
In line with the principles of self-regulation and accountability, we maintain a clear grievance redressal process:
- Grievance Officer: We will designate a Grievance Officer to address complaints received regarding content published on the blog.
- Resolution: Complaints will be acknowledged within a specified time frame (as per IT Rules, 2021, currently 24 hours) and resolved within a maximum period (currently 15 days).
By adopting this policy, Bhopal Ki Surkhiyan aligns its editorial operations with the national standards for ethical digital news publishing.