Introduction
These editorial standards apply to all content published by NewsDefused, whether generated through AI-assisted automation or created through traditional editorial processes. They represent our commitment to accuracy, fairness, and professional journalism.
Every person involved in NewsDefused content - from platform engineers to editorial leadership - shares responsibility for upholding these standards.
Accuracy Requirements
Factual Precision
All content must be factually accurate to the best of our knowledge at publication time.
Required Verification:
- Names: Verify spelling by checking official sources, company websites, or previous reliable coverage
- Titles and roles: Confirm current positions through official sources
- Dates and times: Verify against official announcements or reliable reporting
- Numbers and statistics: Confirm figures against source material or official data
- Technical specifications: Cross-check product details, software versions, technical claims
- Quotes: Verify exact wording against source material; never paraphrase inside quotation marks
- Company information: Confirm headquarters, founding dates, leadership, ownership structure
When Facts Are Uncertain:
- Clearly indicate the nature and degree of uncertainty
- Attribute uncertain information to sources
- Avoid presenting speculation as fact
- Update when better information becomes available
- Flag developing stories where facts may change
Quote Handling
Direct Quotes:
- Must reproduce source wording exactly
- Require clear attribution to speaker
- Cannot be edited except for minor clarity (with ellipses or brackets indicating changes)
- Paraphrasing preferred over extensive block quotes
Quote Fabrication Prohibition:
- Never create, invent, or imagine quotes
- Never attribute unspoken words to individuals
- Never composite multiple quotes into one
- Never reconstruct dialogue from memory or assumption
Source Material Accuracy
When working from source articles:
- Preserve factual claims from original reporting
- Do not introduce errors through summarization
- Cross-reference major claims when possible
- Attribute claims clearly to original source
- Distinguish between source reporting and source opinion
Technical Accuracy
Technology coverage requires special precision:
Cryptocurrency and Blockchain:
- Accurate protocol names and ticker symbols
- Correct technical terminology
- Precise descriptions of functionality
- Accurate market cap and trading volume figures
- Proper distinction between different crypto assets
Software and Hardware:
- Correct version numbers and release dates
- Accurate feature descriptions
- Proper technical specifications
- Appropriate performance claims
- Correct platform compatibility information
Business and Finance:
- Accurate funding amounts and valuations
- Correct investor and stakeholder names
- Precise revenue and user figures
- Appropriate financial terminology
- Accurate stock prices and market data
Attribution and Sourcing
Source Attribution
Every Article Must Include:
- Clear identification of original reporting source (where applicable)
- Link to original external reporting (when applicable)
- Clarity around firsthand reporting and secondary sources
Attribution Format:
- "According to [Source Publication]..."
- "As reported by [Source Publication]..."
- "[Source Publication] reports that..."
- Direct link to source article in article body or metadata
Original Source Priority
When multiple sources report the same story:
- Credit the organization that first broke the news
- Acknowledge exclusive reporting
- Link to original investigation over subsequent coverage
- Recognize reporting that required significant resources or risk
Aggregation Ethics
NewsDefused commits to:
- Always link to source material
- Credit third-party reporting organizations appropriately
- Add value through curation and elaboration, not copying
- Respecting copyright and fair use principles
Data and Statistics
Source Requirements:
- All data cited must include source attribution
- Official sources preferred for government or corporate data
- Research studies cited with author and publication
- Market data attributed to data providers
- Surveys and polls include methodology details when relevant
Fairness and Balance
Impartiality in News Reporting
Straight news coverage should:
- Present relevant facts without editorial opinion
- Include multiple perspectives on contested issues
- Avoid language that favors one side
- Distinguish between reporting and analysis
- Provide context that prevents misleading readers
Due Accuracy and Fairness
"Due" means appropriate to the subject:
- Major debates deserve comprehensive perspective inclusion
- Technical reporting may not require artificial "balance"
- Scientific consensus deserves appropriate weight
- Fringe viewpoints should not receive equal platform to established fact
- Context determines appropriate fairness standards
Right of Reply
When coverage critically examines individuals, companies, or organizations:
- Subjects receive opportunity to respond when possible
- Responses included when substantive and timely
- Refusal to comment noted when relevant
- Follow-up coverage when subjects provide important context
- Fair representation of subject's perspective
Avoiding Misleading Presentations
Content must not:
- Omit essential context that changes meaning
- Emphasize irrelevant details over significant facts
- Use selective quotation to misrepresent position
- Present correlation as causation without evidence
- Imply conclusions unsupported by presented facts
Language and Tone
Professional Standards
NewsDefused maintains professional language:
- Clear, accessible writing appropriate for general audiences
- Technical jargon explained or avoided
- Industry acronyms defined on first use
- Neutral tone in straight news coverage
- Respectful reference to all individuals
Prohibited Language
We avoid:
- Profanity and obscenity (except in direct quotes of clear newsworthiness)
- Sensationalized or inflammatory language
- Sarcasm and snark in news reporting
- Condescending or dismissive tone
- Dehumanizing or disrespectful references
- Racist, sexist, or discriminatory language
Inclusive Language
Our coverage:
- Uses people-first language when appropriate
- Respects individual identity and self-identification
- Avoids unnecessary gender, race, or demographic references
- Treats all individuals with dignity
- Reflects diverse perspectives and voices
Headlines and Presentation
Headline Standards
Headlines must:
- Accurately reflect article content
- Avoid clickbait and sensationalism
- Not overstate claims or findings
- Include appropriate qualifiers (alleged, reported, etc.)
- Avoid misleading implications
Prohibited Headline Practices:
- Question headlines implying unsupported claims
- Misleading use of quotes or quote fragments
- Sensationalizing routine developments
- Omitting crucial context or qualifiers
- Suggesting certainty where uncertainty exists
Visual Elements
Image Standards:
- Photos properly attributed to source
- No manipulation except technical enhancement (lighting, cropping)
- Altered images clearly labeled as illustrations or composites
- Stock photos appropriate to content
- No misleading visual representations
Charts and Graphics:
- Data visualizations accurately represent underlying data
- Scales and axes not manipulated to mislead
- Sources clearly cited
- Methodology noted when relevant
- Updates reflected in visual elements
Content Types and Treatment
News Reporting
Straight news coverage:
- Focuses on factual developments
- Attributes claims to sources
- Avoids editorial opinion
- Provides relevant context
- Updates as stories develop
Analysis and Explanation
When providing analysis:
- Clearly distinguished from straight news
- Expert analysis attributed to qualified sources
- Speculation clearly identified as such
- Multiple analytical perspectives included when appropriate
- Transparent about analytical framework
Commentary and Opinion
If NewsDefused publishes opinion content:
- Clearly labeled as commentary or opinion
- Attributed to individual authors
- Distinguished from institutional position
- Subject to fact-checking for factual claims
- Marked as separate from news coverage
Breaking News
During developing stories:
- Speed balanced against accuracy
- Uncertain information clearly qualified
- Updates published as facts emerge
- Corrections made as understanding improves
- Archive of updates maintained for transparency
Technology-Specific Standards
AI-Generated Content
Content created through Defused.io automation:
- Clearly attributed to "Defused News Writer"
- Subject to all editorial standards
- Reviewed against quality thresholds
- Monitored for accuracy and fairness
- Human oversight maintained
Platform Limitations
We acknowledge:
- AI summarization may introduce errors
- Automation cannot replace human editorial judgment
- Technical failures may occur
- Continuous improvement necessary
- Human accountability paramount
Updates and Living Content
Update Protocol
When articles require updates:
- Significant new information added with timestamp
- Material changes noted in update language
- Original content preserved with context
- Version history maintained
- Major revisions may warrant new article
Distinction from Corrections
Updates add new information to developing stories
Corrections fix errors in published content
Updates do not require correction notices unless they change material facts previously reported incorrectly.
Coverage Areas and Expertise
Subject Matter Standards
Technology Coverage:
- Accurate technical terminology
- Appropriate context for developments
- Distinction between hype and substance
- Critical evaluation of claims
- Long-term perspective on trends
Cryptocurrency Coverage:
- Clear risk disclosures where appropriate
- Distinction between different asset types
- Accurate market information
- Critical analysis of projects and claims
- Regulatory and legal context
Business Coverage:
- Accurate financial information
- Appropriate context for business decisions
- Fair treatment of companies and executives
- Critical evaluation of corporate claims
- Competitive landscape context
AI and Machine Learning:
- Accurate technical descriptions
- Distinction between capability and hype
- Ethical implications consideration
- Appropriate expert sourcing
- Long-term impact perspective
Special Situations
Embargoed Information
If NewsDefused receives embargoed information:
- Embargo terms respected when agreed to
- No agreement without editorial approval
- Transparency about embargo arrangements when relevant
Conflicts in Source Material
When sources contradict:
- Present multiple perspectives fairly
- Assess source credibility and track records
- Provide context for conflicting claims
- Avoid false equivalence between reliable and unreliable sources
- Update as better information emerges
Coverage of Competitors
NewsDefused covers other news organizations and media platforms:
- Same standards applied as to other coverage subjects
- No favoritism based on relationships
- No retaliation for critical coverage of NewsDefused
- Professional courtesy maintained
- Fair representation of competitor work
Enforcement and Accountability
Standards Oversight
Editorial Leadership Responsibilities:
- Maintaining and updating these standards
- Training team on standards application
- Reviewing content for standards compliance
- Addressing standards violations
- Continuous improvement of standards and processes
Violation Responses
When standards are violated:
- Immediate assessment of error severity
- Correction published per Corrections Policy
- Root cause analysis conducted
- Process improvements implemented
- Accountability measures as appropriate
Reader Role
Readers help maintain standards by:
- Reporting errors or concerns
- Providing feedback on coverage
- Questioning accuracy or fairness
- Holding NewsDefused accountable
- Engaging constructively with editorial team
Contact for Standards Issues
Questions about editorial standards or concerns about content failing to meet these standards:
Editorial Standards Inquiries:
editorial@newsdefused.com
Specific Content Concerns:
corrections@newsdefused.com
All substantive inquiries receive thoughtful responses.
These Editorial Standards are part of NewsDefused's broader editorial policy framework. See also: Authenticity, Technology & AI Policy, Trust, Corrections.