Editorial standards

Our promise

We document Sierra Leone through its people, stories, places, ideas and moments, with particular attention to people and communities that receive little sustained coverage. We aim to be accurate, fair, useful and visually honest.

Accuracy and verification

Before a story is approved, an editor confirms that:

• the original source of each key claim is identified and, where possible, independently corroborated by a document, record, image or second source;

• names, titles, ages, places, dates and numbers have been checked;

• quotations are accurate and in context, and translations or paraphrases are handled transparently;

• photographs are authentic, accurately captioned, credited and cleared for publication;

• anyone facing a serious allegation has been offered a fair opportunity to respond;

• the headline reflects the evidence and does not claim more certainty than we have.

We distinguish fact from allegation, and we say what we do not know.

Independence and conflicts of interest

Reporters disclose conflicts of interest to their editor. Sponsors, advertisers and paying clients have no say over independent editorial decisions.

Protecting people

We consider whether publication could put a source or a vulnerable person at risk, and we minimise identifying details where necessary. We never publish exact locations that could endanger people. We do not exploit trauma for attention.

People profiles

Before a People profile is published we record informed consent for the interview and photographs, check the spelling of names and the key facts of a person's biography, and have an editor approve it. Consent does not replace verification. Featuring someone is not an endorsement, and we distinguish a person's own statements from facts we have independently confirmed.

Photography

Every photograph carries an accurate caption and the name of the person who made it. We do not manipulate news photographs beyond standard adjustments to exposure and colour. We do not use AI-generated imagery as documentary photography. Where we use archive photographs made by others, we credit them and follow their licences.

Corrections, updates and clarifications

We correct material errors promptly and openly, and we keep a record of every published version of a story. A correction fixes an error; an update adds significant new information; a clarification makes wording clearer. Each is noted on the story and listed on our corrections page. We never silently rewrite a material error.

Reader comments

Comments are read by a moderator before they appear. We publish a wide range of views, but we remove abuse, harassment, hate, threats, spam, personal information about others and claims that could put people at risk. Moderation decisions are recorded.

Labels you can rely on

Opinion is argument from a named writer and is always labelled. Explained pieces set out sourced context. Investigations are evidence-led public-interest reporting. Sponsored content is paid for, labelled in high contrast, and never written by our newsroom.

Artificial intelligence

People report, verify, edit and publish our journalism. We may use software to help with transcription, translation drafts, organising notes or suggesting alt text — always reviewed by a journalist. AI output is never treated as a source. We never publish AI-invented quotations, facts, people or documentary images, and we do not share confidential sources or private submissions with external AI services.

Accountability

The editor is accountable for everything we publish. If you believe we have got something wrong, tell us.