Zark News is committed to timely, clearly written, responsibly sourced journalism. These standards apply to news articles, video briefings, graphics, social posts, and other editorial work.
Accuracy and verification
Accuracy comes before speed. Material factual claims should be checked against credible evidence, and important assertions should be corroborated when practical. We do not knowingly publish false or misleading information.
Attribution and source quality
Reporting should identify the origin of information clearly enough for readers to understand what is known and how it is known. For consequential stories, Zark News ordinarily seeks a primary source plus at least one credible independent source when reasonably available. A single authoritative primary source may be sufficient for a straightforward factual announcement when independent confirmation would add little. Press releases and official announcements should not be treated as complete reporting when independent context, competing evidence, historical context, or outside reporting would materially help readers.
Story selection
Editorial importance outranks ease of production. Candidate stories are ranked by public consequence, newsworthiness, timeliness, reader impact, relevance to Zark News, source reliability, and the ability to add useful context. On a normal four-to-six story day, the lineup should ordinarily include at least two reports on the dominant consequential U.S. or global developments when such stories exist. Product announcements, institutional press releases, soft features, and minor technology updates should not dominate simply because they are easier to verify.
News, analysis, and opinion
News reporting, analysis, commentary, and sponsored material must be clearly distinguished. Opinion should be labeled. News coverage should not present the publisher’s preference as established fact.
Developing stories
Early information can be incomplete or wrong. Developing coverage should say what remains unconfirmed, attribute changing claims, avoid unwarranted certainty, and be updated as reliable facts emerge. Publication time and meaningful update time should be shown where appropriate.
Corrections
Material factual errors should be corrected promptly and transparently. Significant changes should carry a correction or update note rather than silently replacing a materially incorrect claim. Our Corrections Policy provides additional detail.
Responsible use of artificial intelligence
AI may assist with research organization, transcription, translation review, editing, graphics, and production. Human editorial responsibility remains essential. Factual news claims must be grounded in credible sources and checked before publication. Zark News must never use AI to fabricate quotes, interviews, eyewitness accounts, sources, photographs, video, statistics, reporting locations, reporters, or allegations.
AI-generated visuals must never be presented as authentic documentation of an actual event when they are not. Fake footage of wars, protests, disasters, politicians, crime scenes, arrests, elections, interviews, or press conferences must not be presented as documentary evidence. Illustrations and simulations should be clearly distinguishable and labeled where confusion is possible.
Copyright and visual integrity
Material should be original, licensed, in the public domain, or used only where a valid legal basis exists. Credit requirements must be followed. Images and video must not be altered in ways that materially mislead readers about events.
Conflicts of interest
Contributors should disclose financial, personal, political, or organizational interests that could reasonably affect—or appear to affect—their work. Material conflicts should be avoided or disclosed to readers.
Sponsored content
Paid or sponsored material must be clearly labeled and kept distinct from independent editorial decision-making. Advertising relationships must not determine news conclusions.
Prohibited fabrication
Zark News will not fabricate quotations, interviews, eyewitness accounts, sources, photographs, video, statistics, locations, bylines, allegations, or evidence. Unverified claims must not be presented as established fact.