Our readers trust us to tell them the truth. These standards explain how we earn and keep that trust. Every journalist and contributor at The African Chronicle works to them.
We follow the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media. Complaints are handled by our editors as set out below.
Our focus
African accountability reporting, with particular strength in governance, public money, infrastructure and the consequences for ordinary people.
Accuracy and evidence
We verify facts before we publish. We say where figures come from, separate what is established from what is claimed, and give the date of data that may have changed. We take particular care with financial figures, health claims, election statistics and allegations. Where a story relies on documents, we check their authenticity and describe them fairly, and we publish them where that is safe and lawful.
Fairness and the right of reply
Before we publish serious allegations, we put them in writing to the people and organisations concerned and give a reasonable deadline to respond: normally at least 24 hours, and longer for complex matters. We report their response, or say that they did not respond. If a response arrives after publication, we add it and show the update.
Independence
Our editors alone decide what we cover and how. TK Ngoepe Group, advertisers, sponsors and partners have no say over our journalism and do not see stories before publication.
Advertising and sponsored content
Every advert is labelled Advertisement. Content paid for by a sponsor is labelled Sponsored, names the sponsor, and is kept separate from our journalism. Our journalists do not write advertising.
Conflicts of interest and disclosure
Journalists declare any personal, financial, professional or political interest in a story they work on. Some of our team have worked in communications, consulting and business. Where a story involves an organisation or person a journalist or editor has worked for or with, or a company within TK Ngoepe Group, another editor reviews it and the story carries a disclosure note telling readers about the connection.
We do not accept gifts or payment in exchange for coverage. Travel or hospitality provided for reporting is disclosed in the story.
Sources
We name our sources wherever we can. We grant anonymity only when a source faces a real risk of harm, the information is important, and it cannot be obtained another way. An editor knows the identity of every anonymous source. We never reveal a confidential source. How to send us information securely.
Pictures
Every picture carries a caption and a credit. We use pictures we have taken, licensed or been given permission to use. We do not alter news pictures beyond normal cropping and colour correction, and we never present an illustration or computer-generated image as a real photograph.
Artificial intelligence
Our journalism is reported and written by people. We use AI tools to suggest copy edits, proofreading corrections, headlines and teasers, to file stories into sections, and to list claims that need checking. A journalist reviews every suggestion, and an editor decides what is published and is responsible for it. AI is not used to invent quotes, sources or pictures.
Opinion and analysis
Opinion pieces are published in Voices, labelled Opinion, and carry the writer's name and a short description of who they are. The views are the writer's own. Opinion writers must declare relevant interests.
Complaints and corrections
Email support@theafricanchronicle.com. We acknowledge every complaint and aim to reply within 2 working days. Read how we correct mistakes.
