Editorial Policy
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Sudan Now is an independent Sudanese news website, founded in April 2016 and published in Arabic at sudannow.net and in English at en.sudannow.net. This policy explains the standards our editorial team applies to the news, reports, analysis and reference pages we publish in English, and what readers can expect from us.
Independence
Sudan Now is committed to independent news coverage, free from political or military propaganda. We do not allow political or financial pressure to influence our editorial decisions.
- We do not publish sponsored or paid content presented as editorial material.
- Advertising is shown separately from our journalism and is labelled as advertising. Advertisers have no say in what we cover or how we cover it.
- Decisions about what to publish, update or correct are made by the editorial team.
Accuracy
Accuracy comes first. We check information before publication, using more than one reliable source wherever possible.
- Information from official bodies or from sources on the ground is documented before it is published.
- Breaking news is handled with particular care: we report what is known, make clear what has not been confirmed, and update the story as facts are established.
- When a story develops after publication, we update it and indicate the update where it matters to the reader.
Verification and attribution
Our reporting draws on official sources, our field correspondents and news agencies. We attribute statements, figures, allegations and accusations clearly to their source, so readers can judge the information for themselves.
- When we report information first published by another news organisation or agency, we name that organisation.
- When a claim — for example, a statement by a party to the conflict about military events or casualties — cannot be independently verified, we say so in the story.
- Figures from humanitarian organisations, United Nations agencies and authorities are attributed to the organisation that issued them.
Impartiality and fair reporting
We aim to present the facts clearly and to reflect different points of view fairly. In a conflict in which every side makes competing claims, we report what each party says and attribute it, rather than adopting one side’s account as fact.
- We distinguish clearly between news, analysis and opinion. Opinion articles reflect the views of their authors and do not necessarily represent the position of the editorial team.
- We avoid hate speech and incitement, and we do not publish content that encourages violence against any group.
- We provide a right of reply to everyone mentioned in our reports.
- We pay particular attention to the impact of the war on civilians, displaced people, refugees and the most vulnerable groups, and we cover all regions of Sudan.
- We respect individuals’ privacy and do not publish information that could put people in danger.
Anonymous sources and unverified claims
We prefer named, on-the-record sources. In Sudan’s current conditions, however, some people can only share information safely if their identity is protected.
- We use unnamed sources only when the information is in the public interest and cannot reasonably be obtained on the record, and we handle such sources according to professional standards that protect the credibility of our reporting.
- Where we can, we explain to readers why a source is not named and what position the source is in to know the information.
- The identity of people who send us news tips is kept confidential.
- We do not present rumours, unverified social-media posts or single-source allegations as established fact.
Conflicts of interest
Our coverage must not be influenced by personal, political or financial interests.
- We do not accept payment in exchange for news coverage, and we do not publish paid content disguised as journalism.
- Members of the editorial team should not cover stories in which they have a personal or financial interest, and should raise any potential conflict with the editors before working on a story.
Corrections, clarifications and updates
We correct errors as soon as they are identified and make clear when a correction has been made. Stories may also be updated when new information becomes available. Our Corrections Policy explains what we correct, how corrections are shown and how to request one.
Reader complaints and correction requests
Readers and people mentioned in our reporting can send comments, complaints or correction requests to the editorial team at editor@sudannow.net or through our Contact page. Please include the link to the article and explain the issue. The editorial team reviews every request against these standards.
Republishing our content
Quoting or republishing Sudan Now content is permitted on condition that Sudan Now is named as the source and a direct link to the original article is included. Sudan Now reserves its rights over its exclusive material.