HORN REPORTER

Editorial Policy

Last updated: July 28, 2026

Horn Reporter publishes independent news, analysis and perspective from the Horn of Africa. This policy sets out the standards our journalism is held to, how we distinguish reporting from opinion, and what we do when we get something wrong. It applies to every piece we publish and to everyone who writes for us, whether staff or contributor.

1. Independence

Editorial decisions are made by the newsroom alone. No government, political party, advertiser, funder or other outside party has any right of review over what we publish, and none is given advance sight of a story. Where a story concerns an organisation that funds or supplies us, we disclose that relationship in the article itself.

Journalists must not hold a position, financial interest or active political affiliation that would compromise their coverage of a subject. Where a conflict cannot be avoided, the story is reassigned or the interest is disclosed to readers.

2. Our sections, and what they mean

Every article is filed under one of three sections, and the section label is a promise to the reader about what kind of writing they are about to read.

  • News — factual reporting of events. It aims to describe what happened, who was involved and what is known, without advocating a position. Where facts are contested or unverified, the article says so.
  • Analysis — reported explanation. It goes beyond events to argue what they mean, why they happened, or what is likely to follow. Analysis is grounded in reporting and evidence, but it involves the author’s judgement and is labelled accordingly.
  • Perspectives — opinion, argument and commentary, including contributions from writers outside the newsroom. Perspectives pieces represent the views of the named author, not of Horn Reporter, and are always published under a byline.

Articles also carry a topical category — Politics, Business, and so on — which is independent of the section. An analysis piece about an election is filed under both Analysis and Politics.

3. Sourcing and verification

We publish claims we have reason to believe are true, and we tell readers where our information comes from.

  • Factual claims of consequence are confirmed with at least two independent sources, or with a primary document, before publication.
  • Sources are named wherever possible. Documents, data and official statements are described precisely enough that a reader can judge their weight.
  • Material sourced from another news organisation is attributed to it by name, and we say plainly when we have not independently confirmed it.
  • User-generated material — photographs, video, social media posts — is verified for origin and date before use. If we cannot verify it, we do not publish it.
  • Where a claim cannot be verified but is significant enough to report, we say what is known, what is disputed and what remains unconfirmed.

Anonymous sources

Anonymity is granted only where a source faces a credible risk of harm, prosecution or loss of livelihood, and where the information cannot reasonably be obtained on the record. An editor must know the identity of any anonymous source. When we use one, we explain in the article why anonymity was granted and what position the source is in to know what they describe. We do not use anonymous sources to make personal attacks.

A promise of confidentiality is absolute. We will not disclose the identity of a confidential source to any third party.

4. Fairness and right of reply

Any person or organisation facing significant criticism or allegation in our reporting is given a fair and timely opportunity to respond before publication, and their response — or their refusal or failure to give one — is reflected in the article.

We report on individuals’ private lives only where there is a clear public interest. We take particular care with victims of crime, children, and people caught up in conflict or displacement, and we avoid publishing identifying details that could put someone at risk.

5. Corrections and clarifications

We correct our mistakes promptly, visibly, and without waiting to be pressed.

  • Corrections are issued for factual errors. The article is amended and a note is appended stating what was wrong, what it now says, and the date of the correction.
  • Clarifications are added where an article was accurate but open to being misread.
  • We do not silently delete or rewrite published articles to conceal an error. An article is removed entirely only where there is a legal requirement or a genuine risk to someone’s safety, and we note that a removal has taken place.
  • Substantive updates to a developing story are timestamped so readers can see what changed and when.

To report an error, email contact@hornreporter.com with the headline, the URL and the detail you believe is wrong. We aim to respond within three working days.

6. Images, video and audio

Photographs and video are not staged, and are not digitally altered beyond standard cropping and adjustment of tone, colour and contrast. Anything that changes the content of an image is labelled as an illustration or a composite. Archive or file material is captioned as such, with its original date. Graphic imagery is used only where it is necessary to convey the significance of an event, and never gratuitously.

7. Artificial intelligence

We do not publish articles written by generative AI. AI tools may be used internally for transcription, translation drafts, and research assistance, and any output is verified by a journalist before it informs a published piece. Where an image or graphic is AI-generated, it is labelled clearly in the caption.

8. Plagiarism and attribution

Plagiarism and fabrication are grounds for immediate removal of a contributor. All quotations, data and original reporting from other outlets are attributed. Quotations are reproduced accurately; where a quote is condensed or translated, we say so, and translations preserve the speaker’s meaning.

9. Contributors

Perspectives contributors keep their own voice, but are held to the same standards of accuracy and fairness as staff. Contributors must disclose to us any interest — financial, political or personal — relevant to the subject they write about, and material disclosures are published alongside the piece.

10. Complaints

Complaints about our journalism, including breaches of this policy, should be sent to contact@hornreporter.com. Tell us the article, the specific passage at issue and the nature of your complaint. We will acknowledge your complaint and give you a substantive reply, normally within ten working days.

11. Changes to this policy

We may revise this policy as our practice develops. The date at the top of this page always reflects the current version. See also our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.