This policy governs how Afo News gathers, verifies, writes, edits, and publishes journalism. It applies to all editorial staff, contributors, and AI-assisted workflows.
Our editorial standards
Afo News is committed to accuracy, fairness, independence, and accountability. These are not aspirations. They are operational standards every piece of content must meet before publication.
Accuracy means we verify facts before publishing them. We use primary sources wherever possible. We do not publish a claim because it is widely circulating. We publish it when we can confirm it is true.
Fairness means we represent all sides of a story proportionally. We do not misrepresent a person’s position, take quotes out of context, or allow our own views to distort the reporting.
Independence means our editorial decisions are made by our journalists and editors, not by advertisers, sponsors, political contacts, or platform algorithms.
Accountability means when we get something wrong, we say so. We publish corrections prominently and promptly.
Source standards
We rely on primary sources: official documents, direct interviews, verified data, and on-the-record statements. We use anonymous sources only when the information is in the public interest, cannot be obtained on the record, and the source’s identity and reliability can be verified by our editors internally.
We do not base stories on a single source. Significant claims require at least two independent sources or documentary evidence.
Use of Artificial Intelligence
Afo News uses artificial intelligence tools to assist in researching, drafting, and producing some of our journalism. Every article, regardless of how it is produced, is reviewed and approved by a named member of our editorial team before publication. Our journalists are responsible for the accuracy, fairness, and integrity of the work published under their names. AI is a tool that supports our reporting; editorial judgment and accountability always rest with our human journalists. We are committed to transparency about our methods and to maintaining the highest standards of trust with our readers.
Conflicts of interest
Editorial staff and contributors must disclose any personal, financial, or professional interest in stories they cover. Where a conflict exists, the journalist is removed from that story.
Afo News does not accept gifts, hospitality, or payments from sources, companies, or public relations firms in connection with editorial coverage.
Fact Check desk
Our Fact Check desk investigates specific claims made by public figures, institutions, viral social media posts, and widely circulating information. Our methodology:
We identify the original claim and record it exactly. We gather all available evidence for and against the claim. We rate the claim using one of five verdicts: True, Partly True, Misleading, False, or Unverified. We publish our sources, methodology, and reasoning alongside the verdict so readers can evaluate our work.
We do not retract fact checks because the subject objects to the verdict. We correct fact checks if new evidence materially changes the conclusion, and we note the correction prominently.
Sponsored content
Sponsored content and branded articles are clearly labelled “Sponsored” at the top of the page. Sponsors have no editorial input into the content they sponsor. Sponsored content does not appear on our news, fact check, or opinion pages without clear labelling.
Corrections and updates
If we publish incorrect information, we correct it as quickly as possible. Corrections are published on the original article with a note indicating what was corrected and when. We do not silently edit published articles. Significant errors affecting the substance of a story are noted at the top of the article, not buried at the bottom.
To report an error, email us at info@afonews.com with the article URL, the error, and the correct information.
Opinion content
Opinion pieces represent the views of the named author, not the editorial position of Afo News. Opinion is clearly labelled and kept separate from news reporting. Opinion authors are identified by name and role.
External links
Links to external websites are provided for context and reader convenience. Afo News does not endorse the content of external sites and is not responsible for their accuracy.