Editorial Guidelines

Mission Statement

Indian Startup News (ISN) is dedicated to accelerating the growth of India's tech and startup ecosystem by delivering high-quality, unbiased, and impactful journalism. Our mission is to inform, inspire, and support entrepreneurs and stakeholders through comprehensive coverage, data-driven insights, and in-depth analysis. We strive to foster a culture of innovation, transparency, and ethical governance while empowering the next generation of entrepreneurs to navigate the rapidly evolving landscape of technology and business in India.

Scope of the Guidelines

These guidelines apply to all editorial staff, freelancers, and contributors at Indian Startup News (ISN). They are designed to uphold the highest standards of journalism, ensuring that our reporting is fair, accurate, unbiased, and transparent. All members of the ISN team are expected to conduct themselves with integrity and professionalism, fostering a collaborative and respectful newsroom environment. The guidelines are intended to maintain the credibility of ISN and protect the trust of our audience while navigating the dynamic landscape of the startup ecosystem.

Editorial Standards

• ISN commits to reporting facts without bias. Articles should be based on verified information, avoiding personal opinions or biases. Any opinions included in long-form content must be clearly marked and supported by data or expert commentary.

• ISN maintains editorial independence and reports without fear of reprisal, even from its own stakeholders or partners. Coverage decisions are made based on newsworthiness and relevance to the startup ecosystem, not external pressures or influences.

• ISN is committed to transparency regarding any potential conflicts of interest. Any such conflicts will be disclosed to the readers. In cases of errors or misrepresentations, ISN will issue corrections promptly and transparently, ensuring accountability to our audience.

• All reporting must comply with applicable laws and regulations. ISN supports its journalists with legal guidance to ensure their work adheres to the highest legal standards.

• ISN staff, freelancers, and contributors must not exploit their access to information for personal financial gain. Any actions that could suggest insider trading or financial misconduct are strictly prohibited. Investments based on unpublished information are not allowed.

News Gathering Process

• ISN requires double-sourcing when official records are unavailable. This means corroborating information from at least two independent sources to ensure accuracy and prevent misinformation.

• All news gathering must be conducted through legal and ethical means. Journalists should never engage in covert activities or deceptive practices when acquiring information.

• Sources are treated with respect, and anonymity is protected when requested. Information provided by anonymous sources should be corroborated wherever possible to maintain credibility.

• Journalists must maintain a professional distance from sources to avoid conflicts of interest and ensure unbiased reporting. Personal relationships with sources should not influence coverage.

• ISN aims to provide balanced coverage by including multiple viewpoints, especially in investigative or controversial stories. All subjects should be given a fair opportunity to respond to inquiries related to coverage about them.

Fact-Checking Guidelines

• All facts presented in articles must be thoroughly verified against multiple credible sources to ensure accuracy. ISN’s reputation relies on delivering reliable and truthful information.

• When corrections are necessary, they should be made promptly and transparently. ISN is committed to acknowledging and rectifying any errors to maintain trust with its readers.

• ISN encourages the use of data to support claims. Journalists should use statistical evidence, official documents, or expert validation to back up their reporting.

• Direct quotes must be attributed accurately to their sources. Any modifications to quotes for clarity or conciseness should be clearly indicated, without altering the original meaning.

• For stories involving sensitive or controversial topics, subjects should be given sufficient time to respond to requests for comments or clarifications before publication:

  • Investigative stories: 24-48 hours for responses.
  • Feature stories: 12-24 hours for responses.
  • News stories: 4-8 hours for responses.

Duties of Journalists

• Ensure Fair and Balanced Reporting: Journalists must provide fair and balanced coverage based on verified facts. Personal opinions should not be introduced into reporting unless clearly marked as editorial commentary.

• Maintain Ethical Standards: Journalists should conduct all news gathering in a legal and ethical manner. This includes respecting confidentiality agreements, avoiding conflicts of interest, and ensuring that sources are treated with dignity and respect.

• Verify Information Thoroughly: Before publishing, journalists are responsible for verifying all information through reliable sources. Double-check facts, statistics, and quotes to maintain accuracy and credibility in reporting.

• Avoid Plagiarism and Attribute Sources Correctly: All content must be original, and any quotes or data must be properly attributed to their sources. Plagiarism, including using unattributed quotes or data, is strictly prohibited and will be subject to disciplinary action.Use Data to Support Reporting: Journalists should rely on data and evidence to support their reporting. Claims should be backed by credible sources, official documents, or expert validation to ensure the integrity of the information provided to the audience.

• Prohibited Words and Language: ISN journalists should avoid using slang, profanity, or any language that is discriminatory or inflammatory. Words that promote bias, are defamatory, or are unsubstantiated should not be used. All content should maintain a professional tone and adhere to inclusive language standards.

• Adherence to Word Count:

  • News stories: Should be concise, ranging from 300 to 600 words, providing quick, factual updates on recent events or developments.
  • Feature stories: Should offer in-depth analysis or a detailed narrative and range from 1,000 to 2,000 words. These stories should explore topics more comprehensively, providing context, background, and multiple viewpoints.
  • Investigative stories: Should be extensive, ranging from 2,000 to 4,000 words, or more if needed, focusing on uncovering new information or providing a deep dive into complex issues. These pieces require rigorous research and sourcing.
  • Startup stories: Should typically range from 800 to 1,200 words. This range allows for a detailed exploration of the startup's journey, covering aspects such as the founding story, business model, market challenges, achievements, and future goals while maintaining reader engagement.

• Use Data to Support Reporting: Journalists should rely on data and evidence to support their reporting. Claims should be backed by credible sources, official documents, or expert validation to ensure the integrity of the information provided to the audience.

Duties of Editors

• Ensure Compliance with Editorial Standards: Editors are responsible for making sure that all content published adheres to ISN’s editorial guidelines, maintaining the highest standards of journalism and ethics throughout the entire publication process.

• Oversee Fact-Checking and Corrections: Editors must oversee the fact-checking process to ensure all information is accurate and well-supported by reliable sources. They are also responsible for promptly correcting any errors in published content and communicating these corrections transparently to readers.

• Maintain Editorial Integrity and Neutrality: Editors should ensure that all reporting is impartial and unbiased, free from external pressures or influences. They must safeguard the independence of the newsroom and uphold the credibility of the publication.

• Manage Content Workflow and Quality: Editors are responsible for managing the content calendar, ensuring timely submission of articles, and maintaining the overall quality of the content. This includes editing for clarity, coherence, and consistency while also making sure that all articles meet ISN’s standards for style and tone.

• Support and Guide Journalists: Editors should provide guidance and support to journalists, fostering a collaborative and ethical newsroom environment. They are responsible for mentoring reporters, helping them develop their skills, and ensuring adherence to ethical journalism practices.

Contributor Guidelines

• Contributors are expected to adhere to the same high standards as ISN’s staff journalists, including maintaining accuracy, fairness, and neutrality in their reporting.

• All content submitted by contributors must be original. Plagiarism, including using unattributed quotes or data, is strictly prohibited. Contributors must ensure all sources are properly credited.

• Contributors should avoid any conflicts of interest in their work. If a potential conflict arises, it must be disclosed to ISN's editorial team before the content is submitted.

• Any gifts, hospitality, or other forms of inducement from sources should be politely declined to maintain professional detachment and avoid any perception of bias.

• Contributors must respect the privacy and confidentiality of their sources. Anonymity should be granted to sources when requested and appropriate, but information provided by anonymous sources should be corroborated wherever possible.

Advertising and Sponsored Content

ISN does not publish advertorial content or articles that are biased due to sponsorship. All sponsored content must undergo the same rigorous editorial review process as regular content to ensure accuracy, transparency, and fairness.

We do not provide misleading or exaggerated coverage in exchange for advertising revenue or partnerships. Claims made by advertisers or partners must be substantiated with credible evidence before being included in any sponsored content. ISN is committed to maintaining editorial independence and will clearly distinguish between editorial and sponsored content to uphold the trust and credibility of our readers.

Grievance Redressal

ISN takes all complaints and concerns regarding content quality or ethical standards very seriously. If readers find any inaccuracies, misrepresentations, or have concerns about the content, they are encouraged to reach out to us for prompt resolution. ISN is committed to addressing valid grievances swiftly and transparently to maintain the trust and credibility of our audience.

Please contact us via email at contact@indianstartupnews.com