The Viral Portal (hereinafter referred to as “The Viral Portal” / “We” / “Us” / “Our”)
would like to inform you about the care and caution that We take in order to ensure due accuracy of Our
content, which is addressed by Our Fact-Checking Policy.
Due accuracy in all Our content For any journalistic platform, trust of its audience is the most important
aspect. Trust can only be gained and sustained on the basis of accurate, fair and balanced reporting. It
is essential that We remain committed to attaining due accuracy in all Our content to the extent possible.
Our understanding of ‘due accuracy’ is that accuracy is not just of the requisite standard but also
satisfactory in essence. Factors such as subject and nature of the information being provided, the
expectations of the audience etc. are also taken into consideration by Us in pursuit of due accuracy. We
strive to give most accurate account which is corroborated by the direct stakeholders of the news in
every single news report. We investigate claims with skepticism, question assumptions, and challenge
conventional wisdom.
We acknowledge areas of uncertainty, which will always exist despite Our best efforts to resolve them.
However, the stringency required to fact-check the information on soft and hard stories differ. For
example, sources required for a positive story on an NGO work would differently from an investigative
story. We adhere to the guidance hereinbelow to ensure due accuracy in Our content: We ensure that
any broadcast by Us is derived from a reliable source, based on concrete and corroborated evidence.
In case of lack of direct sources, We are mandated to attribute the stories to the platform from where it is
sourced. We endeavour to verify any claims or allegations or information attributed to public authorities
or from someone, who We believe, has a cause beyond just giving an account of the truthfulness of the
event. Therefore, We qualify and call-out such information, including claims or allegations, which we are
unable to corroborate. We stand by the information We publish and deem it be accurate. If proven
otherwise, We change the news item/information as swiftly as reasonably possible and We ensure that
We duly inform Our readers of the changes made in such news item/information.
We understand that Our audiences’ trust in Us is of utmost significance. Therefore, it is Our endeavour
that We do not consciously misinform anyone, and that We do not tweak any information or present any
made-up information as factual content. Further, where serious factual errors come to the fore, We
publicly accept them and ensure that they are rectified in the shortest time possible in a clear and an
appropriate manner. We ensure that a fair opportunity is given to the public to report any inaccuracies or
errors on Our Website via “Suggest A Correction” segment that is provided at the end of all Our
reportage presented and published on Our Website.
The foremost responsibility of Our journalists’ is to report, write, and fact-check the
news/information/stories. In fact, Our stories are subjected to scrutiny on multiple levels, including a
robust fact-check internal procedure wherein a thorough due diligence is carried out on every piece and
it further reviewed by one or more of Our editors. It needs to be specified that the seniority of editors
who undertake review of the stories preceding their publication on the Website differs and depends on
various factors such as complexity and sensitivity of the issue, and the pressure of time. In case of an
allegation, We ensure to reach out to all the concerned parties. We then independently verify the
information in question and the one being provided so as to achieve the most accurate result.
Sourcing Information for Our content
We source information in the most accurate way by following the given guidelines: Verify each and every
information with at least two sources. In case of a single source, the credibility of the source is ensured
through corroboration with what the person is saying. Look for documentary evidence in every case
possible, instead of solely relying on a human source. In case of a survey, it is Our duty that We provide
the way the information was collected and how the data was interpreted. If there are chances of Our
data not leading to accurate information, We convey the inconsistencies to the audience at the earliest
possible time.
Aim and intent is to get accurate information at the first instance instead of making it public first and then
subsequently addressing any doubts whatsoever. Always put efforts to take and talk on record with the
stakeholders of the information/news. Explain why a source is not named when an anonymous source is
being used depending on the circumstances, and work out a way with such sources to provide the
readers with as much information as possible about them so that readers can assess the sources’
reliability. Share information about sources with Our editors to enable them (editors as well reporters) to
assess whether the concerned piece of information is appropriate for use and the manner it may be
used in.
The conversation between the reporter and editor must be reflected in anonymous quotations. Have
succinct conversations with sources as to how to use the information furnished by them, especially
when the sources do not have significant experience in engaging with the media. Clarify a source’s
expectations of keeping information “off the record”, and/or “on background”, and/or other statuses
because such terms can have different meanings for different people.
Give people the right to respond to reporting that may portray them in a negative light, and explain to
readers the efforts We put in to seek response in cases where sources do not respond. Consciously
seek such sources who are in dearth of any access to wide public platforms in conjunction with those
sources who are influential and powerful. A senior resource or the person who is heading the newsroom
at The Viral Portal can always be consulted in case one is in a dilemma or is unable to make a decision by
themselves in order to avoid any wrong piece of information being presented to the audience.