AN INDEPENDENT VOICE OF PUBLIC.
EDITORIAL POLICY
Last updated: 20 September 2026
Nepal News is committed to accurate, independent, responsible and public-interest journalism. This policy explains the principles that guide our reporting, editing, publication and correction processes.
Our editorial work is guided by applicable Nepalese law and the professional standards reflected in the Journalists’ Code of Conduct issued by the Press Council Nepal and the Federation of Nepali Journalists.
1. ACCURACY AND VERIFICATION
We aim to publish information that has been reasonably verified before publication.
Our journalists and contributors should:
• Verify names, dates, locations, quotations, figures and material claims;
• Prefer primary, official and directly attributable sources;
• Seek corroboration when allegations or facts are disputed;
• Clearly distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, estimates or opinion;
• Avoid misleading headlines, images, captions and edited media; and
• Identify the source of statistics, documents and significant factual claims whenever appropriate.
Speed does not take priority over accuracy. During developing events, we may update a report as verified information becomes available.
2. FAIRNESS AND RIGHT OF REPLY
People and organizations facing significant criticism or allegations should ordinarily be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
If a response is unavailable before a time-sensitive report is published, we may explain that an attempt was made to obtain comment and update the article if a relevant response is later received.
We do not treat an allegation as proof of guilt. Crime and court reporting will respect the presumption of innocence and applicable restrictions on publication.
3. INDEPENDENCE
Editorial decisions are made on the basis of newsworthiness, public interest, accuracy and relevance.
Advertisers, sponsors, political parties, government agencies, business interests and outside organizations are not permitted to purchase favourable news coverage or suppress legitimate reporting.
Journalists and editors should disclose significant conflicts of interest. Where a conflict cannot be appropriately managed, the person concerned should not participate in the relevant editorial decision.
4. NEWS, OPINION AND SPONSORED CONTENT
News reports, analysis, opinion, satire and commercial content must be distinguishable from one another.
Opinion articles represent the views of their identified authors and do not necessarily represent the institutional position of Nepal News.
Paid or sponsored material will be prominently identified as “Advertisement,” “Sponsored,” “Partner Content,” “Paid Promotion” or a similarly clear description.
5. SOURCES AND CONFIDENTIALITY
We normally identify sources so readers can evaluate the reliability of the information.
Anonymous sources may be used when:
• The information serves a legitimate public interest;
• The source could face a credible risk from being identified;
• The source is in a position to know the information; and
• The information cannot reasonably be obtained on the record.
The responsible editor should know the identity of a confidential source. A promise of confidentiality will be respected except where disclosure is required by law or is necessary to prevent an immediate and serious threat, subject to appropriate editorial and legal review.
We do not pay sources for ordinary news information. Any exceptional arrangement must be approved and disclosed when necessary to preserve transparency.
6. PRIVACY, DIGNITY AND SENSITIVE REPORTING
We balance the public’s right to information with individual privacy, dignity and safety.
We exercise particular care when reporting on:
• Children and young people;
• Survivors of sexual violence;
• Victims of trafficking or exploitation;
• Patients and people experiencing medical emergencies;
• Bereaved families;
• People at risk of retaliation; and
• Graphic scenes involving injury or death.
We will not ordinarily identify a survivor of sexual violence or publish information that could reveal the survivor’s identity unless legally permitted, justified by an overriding public interest and supported by properly informed consent.
Children should not be unnecessarily identified in sensitive reporting. Consent from a parent or guardian does not automatically remove our responsibility to consider the child’s welfare.
Graphic images and distressing details will be used only when editorially justified, with appropriate warnings where necessary.
7. DISCRIMINATION AND HARM
Nepal News does not publish material intended to encourage hatred, violence or unlawful discrimination.
References to ethnicity, caste, religion, nationality, gender, disability, sexual orientation, health or other personal characteristics will be included only when relevant to the story and presented in an accurate, respectful context.
8. SUICIDE AND SELF-HARM
Reporting on suicide and self-harm will avoid sensational language, unnecessary descriptions of methods and content likely to encourage imitation. When appropriate, reports may include information about available support services.
9. PHOTOGRAPHS, VIDEO AND DIGITAL MEDIA
Images, audio and video must not be manipulated in a way that materially misleads readers.
Illustrations, archive images, staged photographs, reconstructions and AI-generated or materially altered media should be clearly labelled when their nature may not otherwise be apparent.
We respect copyright and seek permission or rely on a lawful basis before using third-party material. Credits will be provided where required.
10. USER-GENERATED CONTENT
Information obtained from social media or members of the public will be verified before being treated as established fact.
The fact that an image, video or statement is publicly available online does not automatically mean that it is accurate, authentic or free to republish.
11. CORRECTIONS AND UPDATES
We correct material errors promptly and transparently.
Depending on the circumstances, we may:
• Correct the text;
• Add an editor’s note;
• Update a developing report;
• Clarify language that could mislead readers;
• Publish a correction, clarification or response; or
• Remove content when continued publication would be unlawful or cause unjustifiable harm.
Significant corrections should explain what was changed. Minor spelling, grammar and formatting changes may be made without a correction note when they do not alter the meaning.
Requests should include the article URL, disputed statement, supporting evidence and the requester’s contact information.
Send correction requests to: info@nepalnews.online
11. PLAGIARISM AND ATTRIBUTION
Nepal News does not tolerate plagiarism. Information, quotations, photographs and other material obtained from another publication or creator must be appropriately attributed and used in accordance with copyright law.
12. ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE
Automated tools may assist with research, transcription, translation, formatting or editing, but they must not replace responsible human editorial review.
Material facts, quotations and sources must be independently checked before publication. We will not knowingly publish fabricated AI-generated information or media as genuine news.
13. COMPLAINTS
Readers may submit complaints concerning accuracy, fairness, privacy, discrimination, copyright or other editorial issues.
Please contact:
Editorial Team
Nepal News
Biratnagar, Morang, Nepal
Email: info@nepalnews.online
We will review genuine complaints and take appropriate action based on the available evidence, applicable law and professional journalistic standards.