Editorial Policy
Our commitment to credible, responsible and independent journalism guides every story we publish at Everyday Mzansi.
Our Commitment to Responsible Journalism
Everyday Mzansi is committed to producing journalism that is accurate, fair, responsible and relevant to the communities we serve. We believe our readers deserve information they can trust and stories that are presented with care, context and respect.
Our editorial decisions are guided by the public interest, journalistic integrity and a commitment to treating people fairly. We aim to distinguish clearly between journalism, opinion, advertising and sponsored content so that our readers can make informed decisions about what they read.
Editorial Independence
Everyday Mzansi maintains editorial independence from advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners and other external interests. Commercial relationships must not dictate our editorial decisions, reporting or conclusions.
Our editorial team retains responsibility for determining what we publish, how stories are reported and which issues are relevant to our audience. Where commercial content appears on our platforms, we aim to identify it clearly so that readers can distinguish it from independent editorial content.
Editorial integrity comes first.
Accuracy & Fact-Checking
We strive to ensure that information published by Everyday Mzansi is accurate, properly sourced and presented in its appropriate context. Our journalists and contributors are expected to verify significant claims using reliable sources before publication wherever reasonably possible.
For developing or breaking stories, information may change as new facts become available. In such circumstances, we aim to make the status of the information clear, update stories when material new information emerges and correct significant errors promptly.
Verify
We seek to confirm important facts and claims before publication.
Context
We aim to provide enough context for readers to understand the significance of a story.
Correct
When significant errors are identified, we work to correct them promptly and transparently.
Fairness, Balance & Right of Reply
We aim to report fairly and responsibly, particularly when stories involve allegations, disputes, criticism or matters that may affect a person’s reputation. We seek to present relevant perspectives and avoid deliberately misleading or sensational treatment of information.
Where appropriate, individuals, organisations or entities that are the subject of significant criticism or allegations will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond. Responses may be included in the original story or added when they become available.
Everyone deserves a fair opportunity to be heard.
Sources & Attribution
We believe readers should be able to understand where significant information comes from. Where appropriate, Everyday Mzansi identifies and attributes information to its original sources, including individuals, organisations, publications, official records and other credible sources.
We respect the work of other journalists, publishers, photographers, creators and rights holders. We do not knowingly present another person’s work as our own, and we aim to provide appropriate attribution when using or referencing material created by others.
Transparency
We aim to make the origin of important information clear to our readers.
Attribution
We acknowledge the people and sources whose information or work contributes to our reporting.
Respect
We respect intellectual property, original reporting and the rights of content creators.
Corrections & Complaints
We take accuracy seriously. When we become aware of a significant factual error in our published content, we will assess it and, where appropriate, correct the information promptly and transparently.
Corrections may be made directly within an article or, where appropriate, accompanied by a clear correction note. We do not knowingly leave significant factual errors unaddressed once they have been brought to our attention and verified.
Editorial Complaints
Readers who believe that an Everyday Mzansi story contains a significant factual error, serious fairness issue or other editorial concern are encouraged to contact our editorial team with the relevant details and supporting information.
We will review legitimate editorial complaints in good faith and take appropriate action where an issue is identified. Our aim is to respond fairly, transparently and within a reasonable period.
If we get something wrong, we believe our readers deserve to know.
Conflicts of Interest
Everyday Mzansi recognises that journalists, contributors and editorial partners may have personal, professional or financial relationships that could create a potential conflict of interest.
Where a potential conflict could reasonably affect — or appear to affect — editorial independence, it should be disclosed to the appropriate editorial decision-maker and managed responsibly. Where necessary, an individual may be removed from a particular assignment or story.
Advertisers, sponsors and commercial partners do not receive editorial control simply because they have a commercial relationship with Everyday Mzansi. Commercial considerations must remain separate from independent editorial decision-making.
Transparency helps protect editorial trust.
Sponsored & Commercial Content
Everyday Mzansi may publish sponsored content, branded features, advertising, partnerships and other commercially supported material. We aim to ensure that such content is clearly distinguishable from independent editorial coverage.
Sponsored or commercially supported content should be appropriately identified through labels such as “Sponsored”, “Paid Partnership”, “Advertisement”, “Brand Feature” or another clear designation appropriate to the content.
Commercial partners may provide information about their products, services or campaigns, but paid relationships do not automatically give advertisers editorial control over independent reporting.
Clearly Identified
Readers should be able to recognise when content has a commercial relationship.
Editorially Responsible
Commercial content should still meet appropriate standards of accuracy and responsible presentation.
Transparent
We aim to be open about commercial relationships where disclosure is relevant to the reader.
Privacy, Children & Vulnerable People
We respect the privacy and dignity of individuals, particularly in circumstances involving grief, trauma, illness, children or other vulnerable people. We consider the public interest and potential impact of publication when reporting on sensitive matters.
We take particular care when reporting on children and vulnerable individuals. Their identity, personal information or images will not be published irresponsibly where doing so could cause unnecessary harm or place them at risk.
We aim to report sensitive stories with dignity and avoid unnecessary intrusion, humiliation or exploitation. The public’s right to know must be balanced against an individual’s right to privacy and the potential for avoidable harm.
Responsible journalism considers not only what can be published, but what should be published.
Our Commitment to Readers
Trust is earned through consistent actions, not simply promised through words. At Everyday Mzansi, we are committed to listening, learning and continuously improving the way we serve our readers.
We will continue to pursue stories that matter, treat our audience with respect and hold ourselves accountable to the standards outlined in this Editorial Policy.
Inform. Inspire. Connect.
Contact the Editorial Team
If you have an editorial question, wish to raise a concern about published content, request a correction or would like to provide feedback, we welcome you to get in touch.