1. Mission
SA Verified News publishes independent, editorially verified news and investigations in the public interest. Our readers should be able to trust that published work has been subjected to a deliberate verification process appropriate to the claim, source, and risk.
2. Independence
Editorial decisions, story selection, framing, headlines, publication timing, and corrections, are made by the newsroom, not by advertisers, donors, political parties, or commercial partners. Sponsored or partner content, if any, will be clearly labelled and separated from independent editorial content.
Staff and contributors must disclose conflicts of interest that could reasonably affect, or appear to affect, their work. They must recuse themselves from coverage where a conflict cannot be managed transparently.
3. Verification and the “verified” standard
Before publication of news articles through our standard workflow, content is expected to pass editorial review and a verification step designed to test factual claims against available evidence. Verification is risk-based:
- Extraordinary claims require stronger evidence and corroboration.
- Allegations of wrongdoing require fair opportunity for response where practicable and legally appropriate.
- Anonymous sources are used only when necessary, with internal knowledge of identity by responsible editors, and with careful assessment of motive and reliability (see Tip Line Policy).
- Documents, data, and multimedia are examined for authenticity and context.
A visible verification status on published articles indicates that the piece completed our verification workflow. It is not a guarantee of absolute perfection; journalism is iterative, and we correct errors under our Corrections Policy.
4. Fairness and harm
We aim to be fair to subjects of reporting, clear about what is known and unknown, and careful with material that could cause unjustified harm. We consider privacy, dignity, and the public interest, especially when covering children, victims of crime, or medical matters.
We distinguish news reporting from opinion, analysis, and satire when those forms are used, and we label them appropriately.
5. Sources
On-the-record sources are preferred. Off-the-record, background, and anonymous arrangements must be agreed in advance and respected. We do not pay sources for information in a way that would compromise independence or credibility. Hospitality or gifts of more than token value that could create a conflict must be declined or disclosed to editors.
6. Watch & Listen and visuals
Video and audio news must meet the same accuracy and fairness standards as written work. Editing must not distort meaning. Archive or file footage must be labelled where necessary to avoid misleading impressions. Generative AI imagery or synthetic media, if used, must be disclosed unless used only for non-editorial illustration clearly identified as such.
7. Artificial intelligence
AI tools may be used to assist research, transcription, or production workflows, but editorial judgment and verification remain human responsibilities. We do not publish automated news without human editorial review under our verification workflow.
8. Social media and UGC
Material from social platforms is treated as a lead, not proof. We authenticate user-generated content before relying on it in news reports and consider consent, safety, and copyright.
9. Hate, discrimination, and graphic content
We do not publish content that constitutes unlawful hate speech under South African law. We minimise gratuitous graphic imagery and warn where sensitive material is editorially necessary.
10. Accountability
Readers may request corrections or raise standards complaints via newsroom@saverifiednews.co.za. Serious concerns may be escalated to senior editors. We engage in good faith and keep records of material complaints and outcomes.
11. Contact
Newsroom: newsroom@saverifiednews.co.za
12. Sponsorship, advertising and outside support
Advertising, sponsorship, grants, affiliate relationships, gifts in kind, or other material support must not determine editorial conclusions. Paid or partner material is prominently labelled, and material interests relevant to a report are disclosed. See our Publication Transparency page.