How we report, and what you can expect from us

1. Our purpose

BCN.media (Bharat Chronicle Network) reports on India and on the global Indian community for readers in India and around the world. Our aim is simple: clear, accurate and fair news that respects the reader's time and intelligence.

2. Independence

• BCN.media is independent. We are not owned or funded by any political party, government body or religious organisation.
• We do not take sides in party politics. We report on all parties and leaders by the same standards.
• Advertisers, sponsors and partners have no say over what we report or how we report it.
• We do not accept payment, gifts or favours in return for coverage.

3. Accuracy and verification

Getting the facts right comes before being first.

• We base our reporting on verifiable information: official records and statements, court documents, published research and data, and reports from established news organisations.
• When a claim cannot be confirmed, we say so, or we do not publish it.
• We work to check names, numbers, dates, quotes and places, and to clearly separate what is known from what is alleged or disputed.
• When a story develops, we update it and make clear what has changed.

4. Sources and attribution

• We tell readers where information comes from, and link to original sources where we can.
• When our reporting draws on another news organisation's work, we credit it.
• We do not copy other publishers' reporting and present it as our own.
• Quotes are reproduced accurately. We do not alter a quote's meaning, and translated quotes are identified as translations when it matters.

5. Confidential sources

We prefer on-the-record sources. We may keep a source's identity confidential only when the information is important, cannot be obtained another way, and the source could face real harm if named.

• We describe confidential sources as precisely as we safely can, and explain why they were not named.
• We try to confirm their information independently.
• We will not identify a confidential source without their permission.

BCN.media does not yet operate dedicated secure channels such as SecureDrop or Signal. Our tip line explains how to contact us and the risks involved.

6. Use of AI and automation

We believe readers deserve to know how our journalism is produced.

• BCN.media uses software tools, including artificial intelligence, in parts of our production. This includes help with drafting, rewriting and summarising stories based on published reports and official information, and assembling our daily e-paper.
• Many of these stories carry the byline BCN on our website and BCN News Desk in the e-paper.
• AI tools can make mistakes. We do not use them to invent facts, quotes, sources or events, and we do not publish AI-generated images as if they were real photographs.
• We are responsible for everything we publish, however it was produced, and we correct errors when we find them or when readers point them out.

7. Fairness and right of reply

• We try to present relevant points of view fairly and in context.
• When we report serious allegations about a person or organisation, we include their response where one is available, and we seek one for our own original reporting.
• We avoid stereotypes and do not refer to a person's religion, caste, ethnicity, gender or sexuality unless it is relevant to the story.

8. Headlines, images and captions

• Headlines must reflect the story. We do not use misleading or sensational headlines to attract clicks.
• Images and videos are not altered in ways that mislead. Illustrations and archive images are identified where it matters.
• We credit photographs and other media and use them only with permission or under applicable licences.

9. Corrections and updates

• When we make a mistake, we correct it and say so.
• Significant corrections are noted on the story and listed on our corrections page.
• Minor fixes, such as spelling, may be made without a note when they do not change the meaning.
• We do not remove published stories because someone dislikes them. Requests to remove content are considered only in exceptional cases, such as legal requirements or a risk to someone's safety.

10. Opinion and analysis

• Opinion pieces are clearly labelled and reflect the views of their authors, not of BCN.media.
• Opinion writers must still rely on accurate facts.
• News reports should not include the reporter's personal opinions.

11. Advertising and sponsored content

• Advertisements are clearly marked and kept separate from our journalism.
• Sponsored stories are labelled SPONSORED and are never presented as independent reporting.
• We may refuse advertising that is misleading, unlawful or harmful. See our advertising page.

12. Conflicts of interest

• Anyone who writes or edits for BCN.media must tell us about personal, financial or political interests connected to their work.
• Where a conflict cannot be avoided, the person steps away from the story or the interest is disclosed to readers.

13. Sensitive topics and harm

• We take extra care when reporting on children, victims of crime, people in distress and communal tensions.
• We do not identify victims of sexual offences, and we follow Indian law and good practice on protecting minors.
• We report on suicide carefully, avoid describing methods, and include information about support where appropriate.
• We do not publish content that promotes hatred or violence.

14. Elections and public affairs

During elections we aim for balanced coverage, clearly label opinion and paid political content, and follow applicable election rules. We do not publish unverified claims about voting or candidates as fact.

15. Complaints

If you believe we have broken these standards, please tell us:

• To report a factual error, use our corrections form.
• For other complaints, email info@bcn.media with "Editorial complaint" in the subject, the story link, and what you believe is wrong.

We review every complaint. If we find we got something wrong, we will correct it.

16. Reviewing these standards

We will review these standards regularly and whenever our newsroom or our use of technology changes. The date at the top shows the latest version.