Editorial Standards

These standards govern how The Hong Kong News gathers, verifies, writes, and publishes journalism. Every member of our editorial team is expected to uphold them unconditionally.

Accuracy

Accuracy is the foundation of trustworthy journalism. Before publication, factual claims must be verified through at least one primary source (official documents, data, on-record statements) or two independent corroborating sources. Numerical data, dates, names, and titles must be cross-checked. Headlines must accurately represent the content of the article.

Independence & Impartiality

We approach all stories without political, commercial, or personal bias. When covering contested issues, we seek representative perspectives from multiple sides and clearly distinguish between factual reporting and analysis or opinion. We do not take institutional positions on electoral candidates or political parties.

Sourcing Transparency

We name our sources wherever possible. Anonymous sourcing is used only when a source faces credible risk of harm, legal liability, or professional jeopardy, and when the information is material to the public interest. The use of anonymous sources is approved by a senior editor and disclosed to readers (e.g., "a person with direct knowledge of the matter, speaking anonymously because they were not authorised to speak publicly").

Verification

All images published as news photographs must be unmanipulated. Composite, illustrative, or AI-generated images are clearly labelled. Videos and social media content are verified for authenticity before publication. We use reverse image search, metadata analysis, and source confirmation as standard verification tools.

Anti-Plagiarism

All content must be original. Quotation from other publications is permitted for commentary and must be attributed. Reproducing substantial portions of another publication's work without permission or attribution is prohibited and constitutes grounds for immediate disciplinary action.

AI Assistance Disclosure

Where artificial intelligence tools materially assist in drafting, summarising, or translating content, this is disclosed with an editor's note: "This article was produced with AI assistance and reviewed by [journalist name]." AI-generated content is never published unedited.

Corrections

We correct errors as quickly as possible, using the procedures set out in our Corrections Policy. We do not unpublish articles to conceal errors; corrections are appended to the original.

Reporting Standards for Sensitive Topics

Reporting on suicide follows WHO media guidelines. Reporting on minors, sexual violence, and trauma follows industry best practices prioritising dignity, consent, and minimisation of harm.