Last Updated: May 24, 2026
At SA Shares, our editorial integrity is the foundation of everything we publish. This Ethics Policy outlines the principles, standards, and processes that govern our content creation, ensuring accuracy, transparency, and accountability across all platforms.
Core Editorial Principles
Our journalism is guided by five non-negotiable principles that inform every decision, from story selection to publication.
| Principle | Definition | Implementation |
|---|---|---|
| Accuracy | All factual claims must be verified through primary sources or authoritative secondary sources | Minimum two-source verification for breaking news; three-source verification for investigative content |
| Independence | Editorial decisions are free from commercial, political, or personal influence | Physical separation between editorial and commercial teams; no advertiser approval of content |
| Transparency | Readers have the right to understand our processes, sources, and potential conflicts | Public disclosure of methodology, limitations, and funding sources in all articles |
| Accountability | We take responsibility for errors and address them promptly and prominently | Corrections published within 24 hours; annual ethics audit published publicly |
| Fairness | All perspectives are represented proportionally to their evidentiary support | Right of response offered to subjects of critical coverage before publication |
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Editorial Independence
We maintain editorial independence through organisational design, not just policy statements. Our newsroom operates under a structure that prevents conflicts of interest at the institutional level.
Separation of Editorial and Commercial Functions: Our editorial team has zero reporting relationship to commercial departments. Advertising sales staff are prohibited from accessing draft articles or influencing editorial calendars.
Sponsored Content Firewall: When we publish sponsored or partner content, it is created by a separate branded content team, clearly labeled with persistent visual indicators, and never written by staff journalists. Sponsors cannot purchase editorial coverage, request story angles, review articles pre-publication, or influence editorial hiring.
Source Verification Standards
Every factual claim in our content must meet verification thresholds before publication. We do not publish unverified information, even with attribution disclaimers.
For breaking news: Minimum two independent primary sources (eyewitnesses, official statements, verified documents).
For investigations: Minimum three independent sources, with at least one documentary evidence (court records, leaked documents, data analysis).
For expert claims: Subject-matter experts must have relevant credentials, no undisclosed conflicts of interest, and verifiable expertise through publication history or institutional affiliation.
Conflicts of Interest Policy
We disclose all potential conflicts of interest and prohibit coverage where conflicts cannot be adequately managed through disclosure alone.
| Conflict Type | Policy | Disclosure Requirement |
|---|---|---|
| Financial | Staff may not hold stock in companies they cover; must divest within 30 days of assignment | Author bio must disclose all financial relationships with covered entities |
| Personal | Staff may not cover family members, romantic partners, or close friends | Reassignment mandatory; if unavoidable, full relationship disclosure in article |
| Professional | Staff may not cover former employers within 2 years of departure | Disclosure in author bio for 2-year period |
| Political | Staff may not hold elected office or paid political positions | Disclosure of party affiliation if covering partisan politics |
| Gifts/Hospitality | Maximum value R1,000; must be disclosed for R500+; prohibited for staff covering gift-giver | Published quarterly gift register for all gifts over R500 |
Fact-Checking Process
Every article undergoes a multi-stage verification process before publication, with review intensity scaled to content risk and complexity.
Standard Review (All Content)
- Author self-check: Writer verifies all claims, links sources, confirms quotes
- Editor review: Assigned editor checks factual accuracy, source quality, structural integrity
- Copy edit: Grammar, style, consistency review
- Final approval: Senior editor approval for publication
Enhanced Review (High-Risk Content): For investigations, legal claims, financial advice, or content with significant harm potential, we add independent fact-checking, subject-matter expert review, and legal review.
Corrections Policy
We correct errors promptly, transparently, and prominently. See our full Corrections Policy for detailed standards and procedures.
Plagiarism and Attribution
We have zero tolerance for plagiarism. All external ideas, data, quotes, or creative work must be properly attributed with hyperlinks to original sources, quotation marks for direct quotes, and credit lines for data and images.
Use of AI Tools
We embrace AI tools for efficiency but maintain human accountability for all published content. AI can assist with research, transcription, translation, and drafting, but all published articles must be fully rewritten, fact-checked, and verified by human journalists. AI-generated imagery is always labeled "AI-generated image."
Anonymous Sources
We grant anonymity only when information is in the public interest, the source faces genuine risk of harm, and information cannot be obtained any other way. Editor-in-Chief approval is required, and articles must explain why anonymity was granted.
Diversity in Coverage
Our journalism must reflect the diversity of South African communities. For every article with 3+ sources, we aim for gender balance (40% minimum for underrepresented gender) and include perspectives from affected communities, not just institutional voices.
Reader Accountability
Contact Ethics Team: madelien@sashares.co.za
Readers can raise ethical concerns via email or our online complaint form. All complaints are reviewed within 5 business days, with findings communicated within 30 days.
Annual Ethics Report: Published every January, includes correction statistics, ethics complaint summary, diversity sourcing data, and policy updates.
FAQ: Editorial Ethics
How do you verify information from social media?
Social media posts are treated as unverified unless we can confirm account authenticity through verification badges, content accuracy through reverse image search and metadata analysis, and source reliability through history and expertise.
Do you pay sources for information?
No. We do not pay sources for interviews, documents, or information. Payment creates conflicts of interest and incentivises fabrication.
What is your policy on conflicts of interest for freelance contributors?
Freelancers must disclose all financial, personal, and professional conflicts before accepting assignments. They are held to the same standards as staff journalists.
How can I report an ethics violation?
Contact madelien@sashares.co.za with details. Anonymous reports are accepted. All complaints are reviewed within 5 business days.
Can I request removal of my name from an article?
We rarely remove names from published articles. Requests are considered only if inclusion creates ongoing safety risk, the information is no longer newsworthy and causes disproportionate harm, or legal requirements mandate removal.
How do you handle sponsored content?
Sponsored content is clearly labeled, created by a separate team (not newsroom staff), and visually distinguished with background colors or header badges. Sponsors cannot influence editorial coverage.
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