Wikinews:Correction policy

This is a proposed policy. You can choose to follow it. If it is followed by all, and has wide community support, it may become an official policy. Please comment on the collaboration page of the policy on any changes you would like to make, or just edit the page directly. References or links to this page should not describe it as "policy".

Wikinews observes an ethical imperative of independence, neutrality, truth, and accountability in its news reporting. Central to this ethical imperative is the process of maintaining accurate and relevant information throughout the lifespan of a news story.

While each story is meant to be a snapshot in time, not all information may be available at the time of publication. Some information may change entirely while new information may come to light, materially changing the nature and context of the story. Wikinews should inform readers when a news story significantly changes due to new developments.

Errors in reporting can be made. When they are recognized, Wikinews is obligated to acknowledge and correct these errors in a timely and transparent manner.

Our corrections policy details how we correct mistakes and underscores our commitment to transparency, accountability, and ethical journalism.

What is a reporting error?

Reporting errors deal with inaccuracies in factual data, whether minor or major. A minor error could run the gamut from a typo or misspelling to misattributions. They are usually easy to fix and require minimal re-writing of the story. Major errors could be facts taken out of context, reliance on flawed source materials or incomplete reporting (error of omission) which affects the accuracy of the entire article. With a major error, the entire article may need to be scrapped and re-written from the start.

Reporting errors are not the same as bias

Reporting errors concern facts which are inaccurate regardless of the point-of-view of the reader or writer. Errors resulting from slanted reporting or biased selection of sources should be handled with the Wikinews:Neutral point of view policy.

Reporting errors are not the same as wiki errors

Errors in wiki code should be handled by consulting the Wikinews:Style guide.

Corrections:

Fixing minor errors

Minor, non-content errors such as spelling mistakes, typographical errors, and punctuation issues, should be corrected promptly within the first 24 hours after publication.

Once the article is archived, any modifications to address these minor issues must adhere to the guidelines outlined in Section 'Post-archival edits' of the 'Archive conventions' policy.

Fixing major errors

Major errors are substantive issues, including factual inaccuracies, statistical discrepancies, or breaches of policies and guidelines.

Major errors found within the first 24 hours of publication should be promptly corrected.

After an article has been published for 24 hours, specific issues detailing the errors should be cited and discussed in the article's talk page. Resolving these issues will involve collaborative input from a reviewer to determine the appropriate course of action.

Once an article has been archived, corrections must be considered within the context of Archive conventions.

Justification for policy

A corrections policy is fundamental in a journalism organization to uphold the integrity and accuracy of its reporting. This policy ensures accountability to the public and reinforces the organization’s commitment to truth and transparency. By promptly addressing any inaccuracies or errors in published content, Wikinews maintains trust with its audience, adheres to ethical standards, and fosters access to reliable information. Additionally, such a policy encourages meticulous verification processes and ongoing editorial rigor, which are crucial for maintaining journalistic credibility and fostering a responsible information environment.