Editorial Policy

✍️ Issued by the HackerOutlook Editorial Board

We exist to help curious, thinking people understand the world more clearly — without sensationalism, without agenda, and without compromise.

1. Editorial Mission

HackerOutlook was founded on a single belief: that good journalism and good writing deserve readers who think, and readers who think deserve writing that respects their intelligence. Across our six channel publications — HackerWellness, HackerIgnite, HackerPlaybook, HackerWanderlust, HackerNews, and GlamValour — we apply a consistent editorial standard rooted in curiosity, rigour, and honesty.

Our content spans wellness science, philosophy, sports analysis, travel, lifestyle, and current affairs. Each channel has a dedicated editorial team. All teams report to the Chief Editor and are bound by this Policy.

2. Editorial Independence

Our editorial decisions are made entirely independently of our advertising, business development, and commercial teams. Specifically:

• Advertisers have no influence over the topics we cover, the angle we take, or the conclusions we reach.
• No advertiser may request to review, approve, or modify editorial content before publication.
• Our editors do not accept gifts, free products, or paid travel from companies they cover, beyond items under ₹500 in value.
• No editorial staff member may hold equity in a company they regularly cover without full disclosure and prior approval from the Editor-in-Chief.

3. Accuracy & Fact-Checking

We are committed to publishing only what we reasonably believe to be accurate. Our accuracy standards include:

1. Original claims made in our articles are verified against at least two independent, credible sources before publication.
2. Statistics and data are cited with links to primary sources (studies, government data, official reports) wherever possible.
3. Expert quotes are obtained directly from named sources. Anonymous sourcing is used sparingly and only when source safety requires it, with Editor approval.
4. All articles pass through at least one editorial review before publication. Feature articles and investigations pass through two reviews.

4. Sourcing Standards

We prioritise primary sources: peer-reviewed research, official government publications, direct interviews, and on-the-record statements. When citing secondary sources (other media), we link to the original primary source where available.

We do not publish based on anonymous tips alone. Tips serve as starting points for verification, not as publishable claims. We do not use AI-generated sources or fabricated quotations under any circumstances.

5. Corrections Policy

We correct our mistakes. When a factual error is identified in a published article:

• The correction is appended to the bottom of the article within 48 hours of identification, with the date and nature of the correction clearly stated.
• For significant errors that materially misrepresent facts, we publish a dedicated correction notice at the top of the article.
• We do not silently edit published articles. All substantive changes after initial publication are logged in a correction note.
• We do not delete articles to avoid accountability. If an article must be retracted, we replace it with a retraction notice explaining the reason.

To report an error, email corrections@hackeroutlook.com.

6. Commercial Content Standards

We accept advertising, sponsored content, and affiliate arrangements. Our rules:

• Advertising served by Google AdSense and direct partners is clearly separated from editorial content with visible "Advertisement" labels.
• Sponsored articles are clearly labelled "Sponsored Content" or "In partnership with [Brand]" at the top of the page, in the article listing, and in any newsletter promotion.
• Affiliate links are disclosed at the top of any article that contains them. Our reviews and recommendations are based on genuine assessment — affiliate relationships do not influence editorial conclusions.
• We do not accept sponsored content from sectors we consider editorially conflicted for that channel (e.g. HackerWellness does not accept pharma sponsorship that could compromise health coverage).

7. Contributors & Guest Writers

Guest writers and contributing editors must declare all conflicts of interest relevant to their article before submission. All contributor content is reviewed and edited to the same standards as staff-written content before publication. Contributors are identified by name and brief bio. We do not accept anonymous guest contributions.

8. Use of AI in Editorial

We acknowledge AI tools are increasingly part of the media landscape. Our policy:

• AI may be used as a research aid (summarising reports, finding citations) or as a first-draft tool by writers.
• All AI-assisted drafts must be substantially rewritten, fact-checked, and approved by a human editor before publication.
• We do not publish articles that are primarily AI-generated without meaningful human editorial contribution.
• Where AI has materially contributed to an article's research or structure, we disclose this with a note: "Research for this article was assisted by AI tools. All facts were independently verified by our editorial team."
• We do not use AI to generate images of real people, fake quotes, or fabricated events.

9. Editorial Complaints

If you believe we have violated this editorial policy or published inaccurate, unfair, or harmful content, please write to:

• Email: editorial@hackeroutlook.com
• Subject line: "Editorial Complaint — [Article Title]"
• Include the article URL, the specific claim you dispute, and your evidence.

We will acknowledge all editorial complaints within 5 business days and provide a substantive response within 20 business days.