The Gazette News (Nigeria) - Editorial Policy & Standards

About The Gazette News

Mission Statement

Vision: To Inform and Unite Nigeria

Mission: To Lead the National Conversation about Nigeria's Development and Progress

Company Information

Legal Name: The Gazette News Nigeria Limited

Status: Independent Nigerian media company

Registration: Nigerian law

Headquarters: Abuja, Federal Capital Territory, Nigeria

Operating Office: 2 K24 Udi Hill Close, Karewa GRA, Jimeta-Yola, Adamawa State

Editorial Leadership

Editor-in-Chief: Vangawa Bolgent

Managing Editor: Sharon Chivi Ako

Coverage Areas

National Coverage

To be the most trusted and respected source of information on Nigeria for citizens, business leaders, decision-makers and opinion leaders across the country and the diaspora. The platform of choice for constructive, informed and elevated debate on Nigeria's growth and its impact on Africa and the world.

Regional Coverage

To be the trusted and authoritative platform for regional news across Nigeria's six geopolitical zones, offering balanced, insightful coverage to both domestic and international audiences interested in Nigeria's diverse communities and cultures.

Business Coverage

To be the definitive source of news, analysis and insight on all aspects of the Nigerian economy, from macro-economics to policy, companies and markets, while offering unrivalled coverage of Lagos financial markets and Nigeria's emerging sectors.

Africa/International Coverage

Informing our audience on the latest developments in Africa and Nigeria's interactions with the continent and the world, with exclusive content, authoritative analysis and thought-provoking insights. To be the news media of choice for readers interested in understanding Africa from a Nigerian perspective.

Editorial Values

Core Values

Patriotic

• Committed to Nigeria's unity and progress
• Continuously seeks to improve national discourse
• Strives to make a positive difference
• Influences constructive national conversation

Service-Oriented

• Serves readers and the Nigerian public interest
• Exceeds expectations in news delivery
• Builds trust through responsible journalism
• Responsive to reader feedback and needs

Curious and Courageous

• Seeks diverse perspectives across Nigeria
• Not afraid to ask difficult questions about governance
• Maintains strong ethical standards
• Takes bold positions when necessary for public good

Professional and Dynamic

• Fast, effective, and efficient news delivery
• Adaptable to changing media landscape
• Solution-oriented approach to challenges
• Builds toward Nigeria's media future

Trustworthy and Transparent

• Communicates with clarity and purpose
• Team-first approach
• Transparent in methods and corrections
• Protects source confidentiality when necessary

Diverse and Inclusive

• Celebrates Nigeria's diversity
• Respectful of all ethnic and religious groups
• Positive attitude toward national unity
• Recognizes achievements across all communities

Editorial Standards & Ethics

Editorial Code of Conduct

The Gazette News believes:

• Journalists uphold the principle of truth and fairness
• Freedom of speech is a fundamental human right guaranteed by Nigeria's Constitution
• Freedom of the press is an integral part of freedom of speech
• Journalists should strive to uphold freedom of the press, and take public interest as the basis of their work
• Journalists are transparent in all they do
• Owners, executives and senior editors have the responsibility to encourage and require editorial staff to adhere to these principles

Core Editorial Principles

• Accuracy is our top priority
• We correct errors quickly, clearly and openly
• Balance and freedom from bias are essential
• We respect privileged or embargoed information
• We protect sources at all times from any interference or danger
• We never put opinion in a news story
• We never fabricate or plagiarize
• We never alter images beyond basic technical requirements
• We never pay for stories or accept bribes
• We always reveal any conflict of interest to management

General Ethics Guidelines

Operational Policies

Gift Policy

• Journalists will never accept cash gifts from news sources or contacts
• Gifts under ₦50,000 can be accepted rarely, but valuable gifts must be declared and handed to management
• Journalists will not accept "junkets" or free trips that compromise editorial independence
• The Gazette News will fund its own travel and accommodation for reporting assignments

Social Media Guidelines

• Journalists will clarify that opinions expressed on social media are personal and do not represent The Gazette News
• All newsroom discussions and meetings are confidential
• Break news first on Gazette platforms before social media
• Maintain professional standards and avoid content that could inflame ethnic or religious tensions
• Never misrepresent yourself online or hack for information

Sourcing Standards

Information Gathering

Journalists will obtain all information through legal and ethical means. Deceptive methods can only be used in exceptional circumstances with senior management approval and overriding public interest justification.

Source Protection

• Single source stories require senior manager approval
• Anonymous sources should be used rarely and only with management permission
• Journalists will protect source identity when disclosure could cause harm
• Clear attribution is required, explaining why sources are qualified to provide information

Anonymous Sources Policy

Anonymous sources are permitted only with management approval when necessary to protect individuals from danger, intimidation, or adverse effects on livelihood or family. We avoid generic terms like "source" and instead provide context: "a person present at the meeting" or "a senior official with direct knowledge."

Plagiarism and Attribution

All information from other media will be clearly attributed. Plagiarism is strictly forbidden.

Content Standards

Content Classification

News Types:

• News: Fact-based reporting without author opinion
• Analysis: Factual reporting with expert interpretation
• Opinion: Author's views and conclusions
• Explainer: Background and context on complex issues
• Review: Assessment of services, products, or cultural works

Advertising Content:

• Paid Content: Created by or for advertisers without editorial input
• Branded Content: Created by The Gazette News in partnership with clients
• Supported Content: Editorial content with financial support but no client influence

Visual Journalism Guidelines

Photography and Video Standards:

• Visual journalists report truth from actual news scenes
• Never stage, direct, or re-enact news events
• Show respect for victims and families in sensitive situations
• Process images based on actual scenes only
• Any image manipulation beyond basic enhancement must be clearly labeled
• All external images must be properly attributed

Geographic Coverage Indicators

Dateline Policy

We indicate reporter locations for all stories outside Abuja. Bureau stories carry appropriate datelines (Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, etc.). Travel reporting includes location datelines showing where reporting occurred.

Verification & Fact-Checking

Accuracy Standards

The Gazette News holds accuracy as paramount. We authenticate all data and material through:

• Respected publications and organizations
• Subject-matter expert confirmation
• Official data verification
• Double-checking all sources
• Clear explanation of technical terms and statistics

Source Identification

Sources are clearly identified with full titles to establish credibility. Single-sourced stories require senior editorial approval.

Anti-Hoax Guidelines

Verification Protocols:

• Treat unfamiliar sources as suspect
• Verify caller/source identity through official channels
• Confirm corporate statements through main company numbers
• Be extra cautious during sensitive periods
• Take screenshots of social media content for reference
• Verify video authenticity through multiple methods
• Check photo sources and flag suspicious images immediately

Social Media Verification:

• Look for platform verification badges
• Contact organizations to verify posts from official accounts
• Check timestamp accuracy and editing histories
• Treat messaging app content with extreme caution

Corrections & Retractions

Digital Corrections

On digital platforms, we correct errors transparently on the original story. Corrected stories clearly indicate they were corrected, with timestamps and detailed explanations.

Format for Digital Corrections:

• "Corrected" field displayed prominently below headline
• Note at story beginning: "(This story has been corrected. For details, see the note at the end of this story)"
• Full correction details at story end, specifying location and nature of correction

Print Corrections

Corrections are published prominently in the newspaper, including the original headline, page number, incorrect information, and correction.

Story Withdrawals

If a story's basis is factually incorrect or contains multiple errors requiring correction, it must be withdrawn. The decision involves the Editor-in-Chief consultation.

Digital Withdrawals:

• Story replaced with withdrawal notice
• Headline edited to include "WITHDRAWN"
• Clear explanation of withdrawal reason
• Removal from all distribution channels

Diversity & Inclusion

Mission Statement

The Gazette News is committed to reflecting Nigeria's rich diversity in our coverage and staffing. We believe that including voices from all six geopolitical zones, various ethnic groups, religions, and socioeconomic backgrounds serves our readers and improves our journalism.

Editorial Commitment

From an editorial standpoint, we believe diverse representation in our coverage serves our readers and improves balance in our journalism. Our newsroom motto is "Credibility is not just an option."

Hiring Practices

We hire based on merit while promoting diversity and equality. We do not discriminate based on tribe, religion, gender, age, disability, state of origin, or other personal characteristics. We measure diversity by geographic origin, believing this enhances our content's authenticity.

Reader Engagement

Comments Policy

We encourage polite, constructive debate while maintaining civility. We prohibit:

• Defamatory statements
• Hate speech based on tribe, religion, or ethnicity
• Personal attacks on authors
• Content that threatens Nigeria's unity and peace

Reader Feedback

We welcome reader feedback and thoroughly investigate all accuracy concerns.

Funding & Independence

Ownership Structure

The Gazette News Nigeria Limited is an independent Nigerian media company, registered under Nigerian law and headquartered in Abuja, Federal Capital Territory.

Editorial Independence

The Gazette News maintains complete editorial independence. All editorial decisions are made within the newsroom without external interference.

Funding Sources

The Gazette News is primarily funded through:

• Advertising and marketing solutions
• Branded content partnerships
• Circulation and syndication
• Events and conferences
• Digital subscriptions
• Print production services

Contact Information