Editorial Guidelines

At SportingBites (sportingbites.com), we adhere to universally accepted Editorial Standards outlined in our “ES Editorial Guidelines” document. These guidelines uphold our vision, values, and commitment to:

  • Freedom of Expression
  • Public Interest

Recognizing our privilege to publish online content, we acknowledge our responsibility to serve the common interest and remain accountable for our actions.

Freedom Of Expression And Public Interest

At SportingBites, we uphold the principles of “Freedom of Expression” and “Public Interest” as enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDFHR) and the Indian Constitution. We recognize that these rights come with responsibilities.

Freedom Of Expression: We value editorial freedom and independence from external influences. However, we balance this right with our responsibilities to our readers and the public, adhering to legal restrictions.

Public Interest: We prioritize public interest by creating content that is significant, accurate, and fair. Our journalism standards ensure:

  1. Truth-seeking and high reporting standards
  2. Impartiality and reflection of diverse opinions
  3. Protection of vulnerable groups and avoidance of harm
  4. Respect for privacy, especially for children and young individuals

Global Accountability: While we operate within a specific jurisdiction, we adhere to universal standards and respect diverse legal and societal dynamics.

Conflict Of Interest And Transparency Policy

At SportingBites, we prioritize transparency and public trust. We recognize that conflicts of interest can compromise our credibility and take steps to prevent them.

Our Commitment:

  1. Disclose any personal or professional interests that may conflict with our allegiance to the public.
  2. Recuse ourselves from related coverage when necessary.
  3. Refrain from twisting reporting for personal gain or unethical purposes.
  4. Regularly review affiliations and take action when necessary.
  5. Disclose apparent conflicts and avoid blatant ones.

Sponsored Content:

When editorial content is supported by sponsors, we clearly mark it as “Affiliated” or feature it in a distinct section on our website.

Awards And Competitions:

We avoid participating in journalism competitions or serving on award committees sponsored by groups with an interest in influencing our coverage.

Sources

At SportingBites, we gather news and content from diverse sources. We rigorously verify information from the internet and social media to ensure accuracy.

Our Sourcing Process:

  1. Stringent verification of information
  2. Internal policies guiding content creation
  3. Selection of credible source providers
  4. Thorough citation and crediting process
  5. Collaboration between Editorial Leadership and content creators

Our goal is to provide authentic, timely, and resourceful content, and we recognize the importance of reliable sources in achieving this goal.

Anti-Plagiarism Policy

At SportingBites, we condemn plagiarism as a serious breach of journalistic ethics. To prevent plagiarism, we:

  1. Enforce strict internal policies
  2. Utilize industry-leading detection tools
  3. Conduct thorough editorial evaluations

Our Editorial team upholds high standards of journalism, ensuring originality and proper attribution through our rigorous Quality Control mechanism.

Social Media Policy

At SportingBites, we recognize the significance of social media in modern journalism. We strive to harness its benefits while maintaining best practices in sourcing, engagement, and content creation.

Our Social Media Guidelines:

  • Respectful and unbiased interactions
  • Responsible and accurate sharing of information
  • There is no tolerance for harassment on social media platforms
  • Adherence to editorial guidelines and industry standards

As representatives of SportingBites, our content creators are expected to uphold these principles, ensuring a positive and professional online presence.

Political, Social & Controversial Issues Policy

At SportingBites, we aim to balance sports coverage with sensitive social and political issues, promoting harmonious societal dynamics. While individual perspectives may vary, we strive for common ground and responsible reporting.

Our Guiding Principles:

  • Uphold universal standards of law and customary practices.
  • Avoid sensationalism and the “Bandwagon Fallacy.”
  • Prioritize nuanced research and careful deliberation.
  • Focus on the accurate portrayal of reality over timely “breaking news.”

By adhering to these principles, we provide balanced and informed coverage of complex issues.

Internal Quality Control Mechanism

We’ve developed a customized Internal Quality Control Mechanism tailored to the modern digital media landscape. Our editorial framework blends timeless journalism standards with the needs of contemporary sports journalism.

Key Features:

  • Timeless journalism standards
  • Stringent compliance frameworks
  • Consideration of advertisement tech and SEO
  • Prioritization of reader experience and stakeholder protection

This mechanism ensures a thoughtful and high-quality reading experience for our audience.

Our Values And Good Practices

At SportingBites, we uphold universally accepted journalistic ethics to remain true to our vision. Our core principles include:

  • Truthful and Genuine Reporting: Accurate and reliable information
  • Independence and Objectivity: Free from bias and external influences
  • Diversity of Perspectives: Encouraging varied viewpoints and opinions
  • Freedom of Thought and Expression: Respecting and promoting open discourse
  • Promoting Harmony: Fostering a positive and respectful environment through our work

What Sets Us Apart

At SportingBites, we prioritize:

  • Privacy and Safety: Protecting individuals’ and entities’ legitimate privacy and avoiding content based on private information.
  • Authenticity: Avoiding “click-bait” content creation and ensuring titles accurately reflect the main content.
  • Fact-based Reporting: Clearly distinguishing between facts and rumors and signifying speculative content.
  • Impartiality: Providing balanced coverage, presenting contrasting opinions, and avoiding partisan agendas.
  • Compassionate Storytelling: Offering “need of the hour” information that informs and reduces radicalization while being compassionate to vulnerable individuals and groups.

These principles guide our unique internal content creation policies, setting us apart in the digital media landscape.

Accountability: Complaints And Rectification

At SportingBites, we prioritize transparency and accountability. We:

  • Publish and periodically update our editorial standards and frameworks.
  • Strive for perfection and accuracy in our content.
  • Promptly respond to correction, update, or deletion requests.
  • Welcome feedback and complaints regarding our content or strategy.

We are committed to providing a seamless and inclusive content experience for all readers, regardless of their caste, religion, color, gender/orientation, ethnicity, or other characteristics.

For Further Information

To learn more about our policies and guidelines, please refer to:

(i) Fact-Checking Policy

(ii) Corrections Policy

(iii) Ethics Policy

Contact Our Team

Your feedback matters! We invite you to share your thoughts and questions about our fact-checking and editorial processes. To reach us, simply email our editorial team at editorial@sportingbites.com.

We’re dedicated to transparency, accountability, and continuous improvement. Your input helps us refine our fact-checking and editorial standards, ensuring the highest quality content for our readers.