PopTopNews.com (hereinafter referred to as “Pop Top News” / “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 of all Our content
The most important thing for any news site is its readers’ trust. True, fair, and balanced reporting is the only way to gain and keep people’s trust. It is important that we stay committed to making sure all of our content is as accurate as possible.
We think that “due accuracy” means that the accuracy is not only up to the required standard but also good enough. In our quest for accuracy, we also consider things like the subject and nature of the information being given, the expectations of the audience, etc.
In every news report, we try to give the most accurate account possible, which is confirmed by the people directly involved in the news. We look into claims with skepticism, question assumptions, and question what is usually thought to be true.
We know there are areas of uncertainty that will always be there, no matter how hard we try to solve them. But the level of fact-checking needed for soft stories and hard stories is different. For example, a positive story about the work of an NGO would need different sources than an investigative story.
We follow the rules below to make sure that our content is accurate: We make sure that any information we share comes from a reliable source and is backed up by facts.
If we don’t have direct sources, we have to give credit to the platform where the story came from.
We try to check out any claims, allegations, or information that comes from public authorities or from someone who we think is doing more than just telling the truth about an event.
So, we qualify and point out any information, such as claims or allegations, that we can’t back up.
We stand behind the information we put out there and think it’s correct. If we find out that something isn’t true, we change the news story or piece of information as soon as we can and make sure that our readers know about the changes.
We know that the trust of our audience is the most important thing. So, We try not to intentionally mislead anyone, and We don’t change information or pass off made-up information as real. Also, when serious factual mistakes come to light, we accept them in public and make sure they are fixed as soon as possible in a clear and appropriate way.
We make sure that the public has a fair chance to report any mistakes or mistakes on Our Website through the “Suggest A Correction” section that is at the end of all of Our reports that are posted on Our Website.
Our journalists’ main job is to report, write, and fact-check the news, information, and stories. In fact, Our stories are looked at from many different angles. We have a thorough internal fact-checking process, and one or more of Our editors look over each piece to make sure it is accurate.
It should be made clear that the seniority of the editors who review the stories before they are posted on the website varies and depends on things like the complexity and sensitivity of the issue and the time pressure.
In the event of a complaint, we make sure to get in touch with everyone involved. Then, we check both the information in question and the information being given by ourselves to get the most accurate result.
Sourcing Information for Our content
We get the most accurate information possible by following the given rules: Check every fact with at least two different sources. When there is only one source, the source’s credibility is made sure by confirming what the person says.
Instead of relying only on what people say, you should always look for written proof.
In the case of a survey, it is our responsibility to explain how the information was gathered and how it was analyzed.
If there’s a chance that Our data won’t lead to correct information, We let the audience know about the problems as soon as we can. The goal is to get correct information right away instead of putting it out there first and then answering any questions that come up.
Always try to get the people who matter about the information or news to talk on the record. Depending on the situation, explain why a source is not named when an anonymous source is used, and figure out a way to give as much information as possible about them to the readers so they can judge how reliable the sources are.
Share information about your sources with our editors so that they (and the reporters) can decide if a piece of information is good to use and how it can be used.
Anonymous quotes must be used to show what the reporter and editor talked about.
Have short conversations with your sources about how to use the information they give you, especially if they haven’t dealt with the media much before. Find out what a source wants to happen to the information that is “off the record,” “on background,” or has another status. These terms can mean different things to different people.
Give people the chance to respond to stories that might paint them in a bad light, and tell readers what we did to try to get a response from sources who didn’t respond. Look for sources that don’t have access to large public platforms on purpose, along with sources that are powerful and influential.
People can always talk to a senior resource or the person in charge of the newsroom at Pop Top News if they are stuck or can’t make a decision on their own. This is to make sure that the audience doesn’t get the wrong information.
User-Generated Content
There are problems that come with user-generated content. We don’t just assume that the information given to us is correct, and depending on how we plan to use it, we take steps to make sure it’s true.
We know how to use information that comes from a lobbyist or someone with a stake in the story, as opposed to someone who is just a bystander.
We make sure that the content made by users is clear about what it is. Also, we stick to the following rules: Even if a source of information on the Internet seems reliable, that doesn’t mean it’s always right.
It may be necessary to find out who is running the website or to check with a person or group to make sure that the information is real. Care is taken to tell the difference between facts and rumors.
This is especially, but not only, true for content on social media, where errors or rumors can spread like wildfire around the world in minutes, while corrections have a hard time getting the same momentum.
When something from a social media site or another internet source is used to back up a fact, it may be necessary to look at it more closely. We sort through the information and point out anything that wasn’t collected by us.