Editorial Standards Policy
SUNDRG Daily Editorial Standards
Accuracy • Independence • Transparency • Accountability
SUNDRG Daily is committed to publishing accurate, fair, transparent, and useful journalism for its readers.
These editorial standards establish the principles SUNDRG Daily follows when researching, writing, editing, publishing, and updating news and informational content.
Our goal is to provide readers with reliable information while clearly distinguishing reported facts, analysis, opinion, sponsored content, and illustrative material.
1. Accuracy and Factual Reporting
Accuracy is the foundation of SUNDRG Daily journalism.
Writers and editors should verify important factual claims before publication using reliable sources, official records, direct statements, reputable news organizations, academic institutions or other appropriate primary and secondary sources.
SUNDRG Daily does not knowingly publish false information.
Articles should accurately identify:
- People
- Organizations
- Locations
- Dates
- Events
- Statistics
- Financial figures
- Quotes
- Government actions
- Scientific or medical information
When information cannot be independently confirmed, the article should make that limitation clear.
No Invented Information
Writers must not invent:
- Quotes
- Sources
- Statistics
- Events
- Interviews
- Documents
- Government statements
- Expert opinions
- Research findings
- Personal experiences
If information is unavailable, the article should say so rather than fill the gap with speculation.
2. Source Verification Standard
SUNDRG Daily seeks to rely on sources that are appropriate, credible and relevant to the subject being reported.
Preferred sources
Depending on the story, sources may include:
- Government agencies
- Court records
- Public records
- Regulatory filings
- Official company statements
- Academic institutions
- Peer-reviewed research
- Professional organizations
- Direct interviews
- Original documents
- Reputable news organizations
- Named subject-matter experts
Primary sources should generally be preferred when they are available.
Two-source principle
For significant claims, writers should seek confirmation from more than one reliable source whenever reasonably possible.
This does not mean every factual statement requires two sources.
For example, an official government announcement may be adequately sourced to the relevant government agency. However, significant allegations, disputed claims or consequential developments generally require additional verification.
Social media
Social-media posts may be useful leads, but a social-media post alone does not necessarily establish that a claim is true.
Before publishing significant information obtained from social media, writers should consider:
- Who published it?
- Is the account authentic?
- Is the information independently verifiable?
- Is the material current?
- Has the material been altered?
- Are reliable sources reporting the same information?
Search results are not sources
A search engine result, AI response or content aggregator should not be treated as the underlying source.
Writers should whenever possible examine and cite the original source.
3. AI-Assisted Writing Standard
SUNDRG Daily may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with research organization, drafting, editing, summarization, headline development, SEO preparation and other editorial tasks.
However, AI-generated material is not considered automatically factual or publishable.
AI is an editorial assistance tool. Human review remains responsible for the final published article.
AI-generated information must be verified
Writers and editors should independently verify factual claims produced or suggested by AI.
Particular attention should be given to:
- Names
- Dates
- Statistics
- Quotes
- Locations
- Legal claims
- Medical claims
- Financial information
- Scientific claims
- Government policies
- Current events
- References and citations
AI must never be treated as a source simply because it provides an apparently authoritative answer.
AI must not fabricate sources
SUNDRG Daily will not knowingly publish AI-generated:
- Fake citations
- Fake quotations
- Fake experts
- Fake studies
- Fake organizations
- Fake government statements
- Fake interviews
- Fake documents
If an AI system cannot establish the source of a claim, the claim should be independently researched or removed.
Human editorial responsibility
The final published article must be reviewed by a human editor or writer who is responsible for its accuracy, context, tone and sourcing.
AI assistance does not transfer editorial responsibility away from SUNDRG Daily.
4. AI-Generated Illustrative Images
SUNDRG Daily may use AI-generated images as editorial illustrations.
AI-generated images should provide visual context without misleading readers about what actually happened.
The standard disclosure is:
AI-generated illustrative image.
Where appropriate, SUNDRG Daily may use:
Illustration: AI-generated for editorial purposes.
AI images must not be presented as authentic photographs
SUNDRG Daily will not knowingly present an AI-generated image as an authentic photograph of a real event.
Particular caution should be used with images involving:
- Politicians
- Public figures
- Crime
- War
- Protests
- Disasters
- Accidents
- Arrests
- Court proceedings
- Breaking news
- Alleged misconduct
When an authentic photograph is available and appropriately licensed, it may be preferable to an AI-generated illustration.
5. Quotes and Attribution
Quotes must accurately represent what a person said.
SUNDRG Daily will not fabricate or substantially alter quotations.
Minor grammatical or typographical corrections may be made where appropriate, but the meaning of the statement must not be changed.
Attribution
Readers should be able to understand who made a statement and where the information came from.
Examples include:
The Department of Agriculture said Monday that…
According to court records…
In a statement released Tuesday, the company said…
Researchers reported in a study published in…
Anonymous attribution should be used only when justified under this policy.
6. Anonymous Sources
SUNDRG Daily recognizes that some important information cannot be obtained without protecting a source’s identity.
Anonymous sources should therefore be used sparingly and only when there is a legitimate editorial reason.
A source should not receive anonymity merely because they prefer not to be identified.
When anonymity may be appropriate
An anonymous source may be considered when:
- The information is significant to the public interest.
- The source has direct knowledge of the matter.
- The source could face legitimate professional, legal or personal consequences for speaking publicly.
- The information cannot reasonably be obtained through an identified source.
- The information can be independently corroborated when possible.
Additional verification
Anonymous allegations should receive particularly careful scrutiny.
Writers should seek corroborating evidence, additional sources or documentary records whenever possible.
Transparency
The article should explain why anonymity was granted when doing so does not compromise the source.
For example:
The official spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the negotiations publicly.
SUNDRG Daily should avoid vague descriptions such as simply saying:
“A source said…”
when additional context can safely be provided.
No anonymous sources for convenience
A source should not be anonymous simply because:
- They do not want their name published despite no meaningful risk.
- The writer failed to obtain confirmation.
- The information is embarrassing.
- The writer wants to make an unsupported claim appear authoritative.
7. Corrections and Updates
SUNDRG Daily believes that correcting errors is part of responsible journalism.
When a significant factual error is identified, the article should be corrected promptly.
Corrections
A correction should be made when an article contains a material factual error such as:
- Incorrect names
- Incorrect dates
- Incorrect figures
- Incorrect locations
- Misidentified organizations
- Incorrect quotations
- Materially inaccurate descriptions of events
When appropriate, SUNDRG Daily will include a correction notice explaining what was corrected.
Example
Correction: An earlier version of this article incorrectly identified the date of the announcement. The article has been corrected.
Updates
An update is appropriate when new information changes or expands an existing story.
For example:
Updated September 13, 2026: Added information from the official summit declaration.
Updates should not be used to silently rewrite history when a material factual error requires a correction.
Removing content
Articles should not normally be deleted simply because information becomes unfavorable, inconvenient or controversial.
Corrections, updates or clarifications should generally be preferred.
Content may be removed when there is a legitimate editorial, legal, privacy, safety or technical reason.
8. Sponsored Content and Advertising
SUNDRG Daily may publish advertising, sponsored content, branded content, affiliate content or other commercial material.
Commercial relationships must not mislead readers about the editorial nature of the material.
Clear labeling
Sponsored or paid material should be clearly identified.
Appropriate labels include:
- Sponsored Content
- Paid Partnership
- Advertisement
- Advertiser Content
- Sponsored Article
The label should be visible enough for an ordinary reader to understand that the material is commercial.
Editorial independence
Advertisers and sponsors do not control independent editorial decisions.
Payment for advertising or sponsorship does not guarantee:
- Positive coverage
- Favorable reviews
- Editorial endorsement
- News coverage
- Removal of negative coverage
- A particular search ranking
Affiliate content
When SUNDRG Daily may earn a commission from a purchase or referral, the relationship should be disclosed where appropriate.
Affiliate relationships do not determine editorial conclusions.
A product should not be recommended solely because it generates a commission.
Reviews
If SUNDRG Daily reviews a product, service or business, the editorial conclusion should be based on the publication’s stated evaluation criteria.
Free products or services should not automatically result in favorable coverage.
9. Copyright and Image Licensing
SUNDRG Daily respects copyright and intellectual-property rights.
Writers and editors should use only material that they have permission or a lawful basis to publish.
Images
Before publishing an image, the publication should determine whether it is:
- Original SUNDRG Daily photography
- Properly licensed
- Public domain
- Available under an appropriate Creative Commons or similar license
- Provided by an authorized source
- AI-generated and appropriately disclosed
An image found through Google Images, Bing, social media or another search engine is not automatically free to use.
Image attribution
When a license requires attribution, SUNDRG Daily should provide the required credit.
For example:
Photo: Photographer Name / Organization
The exact credit should follow the applicable license or rights holder’s requirements.
Do not remove copyright information
SUNDRG Daily should not intentionally remove:
- Watermarks
- Copyright notices
- Photographer credits
- Metadata where removal would violate applicable rights or licensing terms
User-submitted material
Images or content submitted by readers should not automatically be treated as freely usable.
Where appropriate, SUNDRG Daily should obtain permission and establish the rights necessary for publication.
10. Fairness and Right of Reply
SUNDRG Daily aims to report significant disputes fairly and accurately.
When an article contains serious allegations about an individual or organization, reasonable efforts should be made to seek a response from the subject before publication when practical.
The article should distinguish between:
- Confirmed facts
- Allegations
- Accusations
- Opinions
- Legal findings
- Official statements
An allegation should not be presented as an established fact.
If a relevant party declines to comment, the article may state:
The company did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The absence of a response should not be interpreted as proof that an allegation is true.
11. News vs. Opinion
SUNDRG Daily should clearly distinguish factual reporting from opinion and commentary.
News
News articles should use objective language and report verified information.
Analysis
Analysis may explain context, implications and competing interpretations while clearly distinguishing analysis from established facts.
Opinion
Opinion pieces represent the views of the author and should be labeled appropriately.
Readers should not have to guess whether an article is reporting facts or expressing an opinion.
12. Headlines and SEO
SUNDRG Daily uses SEO to help readers discover its journalism.
Search optimization must not compromise accuracy.
Headlines should:
- Accurately reflect the article
- Clearly communicate the main development
- Avoid unsupported claims
- Avoid misleading exaggeration
- Avoid unnecessary sensationalism
- Use relevant search terms naturally
SUNDRG Daily will not intentionally use clickbait that promises information the article does not provide.
Search keywords should never be inserted in a way that makes the article inaccurate or difficult to read.
13. Health, Medical and Scientific Information
Health information requires additional care because inaccurate information can potentially cause harm.
SUNDRG Daily should rely on appropriate sources such as:
- Government health agencies
- Medical institutions
- Peer-reviewed research
- Established professional medical organizations
- Qualified experts
Health articles should avoid presenting unproven treatments as established medical facts.
Writers should distinguish between:
- Evidence
- Early research
- Association
- Clinical evidence
- Expert opinion
- Established medical guidance
SUNDRG Daily should not promise that a food, supplement, herb, treatment or lifestyle practice will diagnose, cure or prevent a medical condition without adequate evidence.
Where appropriate, health content should encourage readers to consult qualified healthcare professionals for individual medical decisions.
14. Financial and Business Information
Financial content should be presented carefully because readers may make decisions based on published information.
SUNDRG Daily should clearly distinguish:
- Facts
- Estimates
- Forecasts
- Analyst opinions
- Company projections
- Editorial analysis
Investment-related content should not present uncertain outcomes as guaranteed results.
Financial figures should be checked against reliable sources such as company filings, regulatory records, official market information or reputable financial reporting.
15. Breaking News
Breaking news may develop rapidly.
When information is incomplete, SUNDRG Daily should communicate what is known and what remains unconfirmed.
Writers should avoid publishing rumors simply because they are circulating widely.
Articles should be updated as reliable information becomes available.
Important updates should include a date or time when appropriate.
16. Editorial Independence
SUNDRG Daily’s editorial decisions should be based on newsworthiness, public interest, accuracy and reader value.
Editorial coverage should not be purchased.
Advertisers, sponsors, affiliate relationships, personal relationships or commercial interests should not determine factual reporting.
Where a potential conflict of interest exists, it should be disclosed or the assignment should be reassigned when appropriate.
17. Conflicts of Interest
Writers and contributors should disclose relevant conflicts of interest to editors.
A conflict may arise when a writer:
- Owns a financial interest in a company being covered
- Works for an organization being reviewed
- Has a significant personal relationship with a subject
- Receives compensation connected to the subject
- Has another interest that could reasonably affect perceived impartiality
SUNDRG Daily may decide that disclosure is sufficient or that the writer should not participate in the article.
18. Reader Trust and Transparency
SUNDRG Daily welcomes legitimate corrections, questions and feedback from readers.
Readers who identify a potential factual error may contact the publication through its designated contact channel.
When a correction is warranted, SUNDRG Daily will make the appropriate change.
The objective is not to claim that every published article is perfect.
The objective is to maintain a transparent process for finding, correcting and preventing errors.
19. Editorial Use of Third-Party Content
SUNDRG Daily may reference information published by other news organizations and publishers.
Third-party reporting should be accurately attributed.
Where possible, significant claims should be checked against the original source rather than relying solely on another publication’s interpretation.
SUNDRG Daily will not reproduce substantial portions of another publication’s copyrighted article.
20. Editorial Standard for AI, Sources and Images
When AI-assisted journalism is combined with AI-generated imagery, the same fundamental principle applies:
Technology may assist the newsroom, but it does not replace editorial responsibility.
AI-generated text must be checked.
AI-generated images must be identified appropriately.
Sources must be verified.
Quotes must be authentic.
Images must have appropriate rights or permissions.
Corrections must be made when errors are discovered.
Sponsored material must be clearly identified.
The final responsibility for published material remains with SUNDRG Daily.
Our Editorial Commitment
SUNDRG Daily is committed to journalism that readers can understand, evaluate and trust.
We strive to:
Report accurately.
Verify important claims.
Identify our sources.
Protect legitimate confidential sources.
Correct errors.
Clearly label advertising and sponsored material.
Respect copyright.
Disclose AI-generated illustrations.
Use AI responsibly.
Separate reporting from opinion.
Maintain editorial independence.
Above all, SUNDRG Daily believes that reader trust is earned through accuracy, transparency and accountability.
Last updated: September 2026
Editorial Standards: SUNDRG Daily