Real News Antigua & Barbuda is an independent news organisation committed to serving the public interest through accurate, fair, and accountable journalism. This Editorial Policy sets out the principles and standards that govern how we report, edit, and publish all content on this platform. Every member of our editorial team is expected to uphold these standards without exception.

1. Mission and Editorial Independence

Our mission is to inform the people of Antigua and Barbuda and the wider Caribbean with timely, accurate, and impartial news coverage. We are editorially independent. No advertiser, sponsor, political party, government body, or commercial partner has any influence over our editorial decisions, story selection, or the conclusions we draw from our reporting.

Editorial decisions are made solely by our editorial leadership based on news value, public interest, and journalistic merit. Commercial relationships are kept entirely separate from the newsroom. Advertising revenue does not determine what we cover or how we cover it.

2. Accuracy and Verification

Accuracy is the foundation of credible journalism. We do not publish information unless we are satisfied it is true. Before publication, our journalists are required to:

  • Verify all factual claims with at least one reliable, independent source.
  • Seek primary source documentation where available — official records, statistics, court filings, and official statements.
  • Cross-check information against multiple sources when a claim is contested or sensitive.
  • Challenge assumptions and avoid publishing unverified social media rumours as fact.
  • Attribute all factual claims clearly to their source.

We distinguish clearly between what is known, what is alleged, and what is disputed. Language such as “allegedly,” “reportedly,” and “according to” is used deliberately and precisely, not as a blanket disclaimer.

3. Fairness and Balance

We are committed to presenting news in a way that is fair to all parties concerned. This means:

  • Giving all sides of a dispute, controversy, or allegation a fair opportunity to respond before publication.
  • Reporting multiple perspectives on complex issues without advocating for any particular viewpoint in news articles.
  • Avoiding the selective presentation of facts in a way that creates a misleading impression.
  • Not allowing our own preferences or prejudices to colour news reporting.

Balance does not mean false equivalence. Where scientific or expert consensus is clear — for example on climate change or public health matters — we will not artificially elevate fringe views to create the appearance of a debate that does not exist.

4. Sources and Attribution

We attribute information to its source. Where sources are cited by name and title, readers can assess their credibility and potential bias. We prefer named sources and use anonymous sources only when:

  • The information is of significant public interest and cannot be obtained any other way.
  • The source faces a credible risk of professional or personal harm if identified.
  • The source’s identity and credentials have been verified by the editor.
  • The reason for anonymity is disclosed to readers (e.g. “who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorised to speak publicly”).

We never agree to grant anonymity in exchange for positive coverage, and we do not allow anonymous sources to make personal attacks on named individuals.

5. Right of Reply

Before publishing any article that contains allegations, criticism, or negative characterisations of a named individual or organisation, we will make a genuine and documented effort to contact that party for comment. We will:

  • Contact the subject by the most direct available means (phone, email, or in person).
  • Allow a reasonable time for a response, taking into account the urgency of the story.
  • Accurately report any response received, including “no comment” or declining to respond.
  • Note in the article if a subject could not be reached despite our attempts.

6. Conflicts of Interest

Journalists and editors must not report on individuals, organisations, or issues in which they have a personal, financial, or political interest that could compromise — or appear to compromise — their impartiality. All staff are required to disclose potential conflicts of interest to their editor before beginning any assignment. Where a conflict exists, the journalist will be removed from that assignment.

Staff may not accept gifts, hospitality, payments, or favours from sources, public relations representatives, or organisations they cover, beyond items of nominal value.

7. Privacy and Public Interest

We respect the right to privacy. We will not publish private information about individuals unless there is a clear and compelling public interest that outweighs that privacy right. In making this determination we consider:

  • Whether the individual is a public figure acting in their public capacity.
  • Whether the information reveals hypocrisy, illegality, or a serious abuse of a position of trust.
  • Whether the potential harm to the public of not reporting outweighs the harm to the individual of reporting.

We exercise particular care when reporting on victims of crime, people experiencing mental health crises, minors, and individuals who have not sought public attention. We follow safe reporting guidelines when covering suicide and self-harm.

8. Diversity and Inclusion

Our journalism should reflect the full diversity of Antiguan and Barbudan society. We are committed to seeking out voices and perspectives that are underrepresented in public discourse. We do not use language that stereotypes, degrades, or marginalises people on the basis of race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, disability, religion, age, or social background.

9. News vs. Opinion

We clearly distinguish between factual news reporting and opinion or commentary. Opinion columns and editorials are labelled as such and represent the views of the author, not the newsroom as a whole. News articles do not contain the journalist’s personal opinions or advocacy language. Readers should always be able to tell the difference between what happened and what we think about it.

10. Advertising and Commercial Separation

Advertising content is always clearly identified and visually distinct from editorial content. Sponsored or branded content — where it exists — is labelled prominently as “Sponsored,” “Advertisement,” or “Paid Content.” Advertisers receive no advance knowledge of editorial content and have no right to review, approve, or suppress stories.

The newsroom will not write positive coverage of an advertiser in exchange for advertising revenue, nor will it suppress critical coverage of a paying advertiser.

11. Social Media

Our journalists and editors represent this organisation on social media. Staff are expected to maintain the same standards of accuracy and fairness online as in published articles. Staff must not express partisan political opinions, share unverified information, or engage in online conduct that would undermine public confidence in our impartiality. Social media posts by staff are considered an extension of their professional conduct.

12. User-Generated Content and Comments

Reader comments are moderated. We welcome robust debate but will remove comments that are defamatory, hateful, harassing, misleading, or otherwise in breach of our Terms of Use. We do not endorse the views expressed by readers in comments sections.

Tip-offs, press releases, and reader-submitted information are treated as starting points for independent verification, not as publishable fact. We will not publish reader submissions without editorial review.

13. Corrections and Clarifications

We take errors seriously. When we make a mistake — whether factual, contextual, or in presentation — we correct it promptly and transparently. Our corrections policy:

  • Corrections are published at the top or bottom of the affected article, clearly labelled “Correction” or “Clarification.”
  • The original erroneous text is not silently removed. We note what was wrong and what the correct information is.
  • Significant errors that affected the substance of a story are acknowledged in a separate correction notice.
  • We do not alter published articles to change their meaning without disclosing the change.
  • Cosmetic edits (spelling, formatting) do not require a correction notice.

If you believe we have made an error, please contact us at realnewsantigua@gmail.com with the article link and details of the alleged error.

14. Complaints

We are accountable to our readers. If you believe a piece of our journalism has breached this Editorial Policy, you have the right to make a formal complaint. To do so:

  • Email realnewsantigua@gmail.com with the subject line “Editorial Complaint.”
  • Include the URL of the article, the specific passage you believe is inaccurate or unfair, and your reasons.
  • We will acknowledge your complaint within 5 business days and provide a substantive response within 20 business days.

If you are not satisfied with our response, you may escalate your complaint to the relevant media standards body in your jurisdiction.

15. Updates to This Policy

This Editorial Policy is reviewed periodically and updated to reflect evolving journalistic best practices and the changing media landscape. The “Last updated” date at the top of this page reflects the most recent revision. Questions about this policy may be directed to the Editor-in-Chief at realnewsantigua@gmail.com.