Editorial Standards & News Verification Policy

Project CBNews - Where Truth Matters

Last Updated: January 12, 2026

Our Commitment to Accuracy

Project CBNews is committed to delivering truthful, accurate, and fair journalism. As a subscriber member of the Press Council of South Africa, we adhere to the Press Code of Ethics and Conduct for South African Print and Online Media.

News Verification Process

Source Verification

Every story published by Project CBNews undergoes rigorous verification:

Primary Sources:

  • Official statements from legal representatives, government bodies, and institutions
  • Court documents and legal filings
  • Direct interviews with involved parties
  • Press releases from verified organizations

Secondary Sources:

  • Reputable news agencies (AFP, Reuters, SAPA)
  • Established South African media (News24, Daily Maverick, SABC)
  • Academic research and expert commentary
  • Government databases and official records

Multiple Source Rule: For major breaking news, we require:

  • Minimum of two independent sources for factual claims
  • Direct quotes attributed with full context
  • On-the-record statements whenever possible
  • Clear labeling when sources request anonymity

Document Verification

When using official documents, we:

  • Verify authenticity through original sources
  • Cross-reference with public records
  • Consult legal or subject matter experts when needed
  • Publish supporting documents when legally permissible

Image & Video Verification

  • All images credited to photographers or stock sources
  • Original photos watermarked with Photos@Carlett Studio
  • Video footage time-stamped and location-verified
  • No manipulation beyond standard color correction and cropping

Our Editorial Process

Story Development

  1. Pitch & Assignment - Editor reviews story proposals for newsworthiness
  2. Research & Reporting - Journalist gathers information from verified sources
  3. Fact-Checking - Claims verified against multiple sources
  4. Writing & Editing - Story written with clear attribution
  5. Editorial Review - Editor-in-Chief reviews for accuracy, fairness, balance
  6. Legal Review (when needed) - Sensitive stories reviewed for defamation risk
  7. Publication - Story published with proper bylines and source attribution
  8. Post-Publication - Monitoring for corrections and reader feedback

Editorial Independence

Project CBNews maintains editorial independence from:

  • Political parties and movements
  • Commercial advertisers
  • Religious organizations (while covering faith-based news)
  • Personal relationships of staff

Our editorial decisions are made solely based on newsworthiness, public interest, and ethical journalism standards.

Corrections & Accountability

When We Make Mistakes

We acknowledge and correct errors promptly:

Minor Errors (spelling, grammar, minor factual errors):

  • Corrected immediately
  • Note added: "This article was updated to correct [specific error]"

Significant Errors (material facts, misattributions, misleading information):

  • Published correction at top of article
  • Clear explanation of what was incorrect
  • Update timestamp shown
  • Original error acknowledged transparently

Major Errors (defamation, serious factual errors):

  • Prominent correction published
  • Separate correction notice if warranted
  • Editor's note explaining circumstances
  • Press Council notification if complaint filed

How to Report Errors

If you believe we've published inaccurate information:

  • Email: editor@projectcb.online
  • Subject Line: "Correction Request: [Article Title]"
  • Include: Specific claim, why it's incorrect, supporting evidence

We review all correction requests within 48 hours.

Conflicts of Interest

Staff Disclosure

Project CBNews journalists must disclose:

  • Personal relationships with story subjects
  • Financial interests in covered topics
  • Political affiliations relevant to coverage
  • Any circumstance that could bias reporting

Managing Conflicts

When conflicts arise:

  • Story reassigned to different journalist when possible
  • Conflict disclosed in article when reassignment isn't possible
  • Editorial oversight increased for sensitive situations

Anonymous Sources

We use anonymous sources sparingly and only when:

  • Information is of clear public interest
  • Source faces genuine risk (employment, safety, legal jeopardy)
  • Information cannot be obtained on the record
  • Editor-in-Chief approves anonymous sourcing

Our Standards:

  • We know the identity of all anonymous sources
  • At least one editor verifies the source's credibility
  • We explain in the story why anonymity was granted
  • We never grant anonymity to smear individuals or organizations

Fairness & Balance

Right of Reply

When reporting allegations or criticism:

  • Subject is contacted for comment before publication
  • Reasonable time given to respond (minimum 24 hours for non-breaking news)
  • Full response included in article
  • "Declined to comment" or "Did not respond" noted when applicable

Balanced Reporting

  • Multiple perspectives presented on controversial issues
  • Context provided for statistical claims
  • Expert opinion sought for technical subjects
  • Distinction made between news reporting and opinion/analysis

Sensitive Content

Respect for Victims

When covering tragedy, crime, or sensitive topics:

  • Victims and families treated with dignity
  • Graphic details omitted unless essential to public understanding
  • Minors' identities protected (unless legally reported)
  • Trauma-informed interviewing practices

Graphic Content Warnings

Articles containing potentially disturbing content include:

  • Clear content warnings at the beginning
  • Descriptions rather than graphic imagery when possible
  • Consideration of community standards

Press Council Accountability

Project CBNews is a subscriber member of the Press Council of South Africa.

How to Complain

If you believe our coverage violates the Press Code:

Step 1 - Contact Us First:

  • Email: editor@projectcb.online
  • We aim to resolve complaints directly

Step 2 - Press Council Complaint: If unsatisfied with our response:

  • File complaint: https://presscouncil.org.za
  • Phone: 011 484 3618
  • Email: enquiries@ombudsman.org.za

The Press Council provides independent, free adjudication of complaints.

Transparency

Ownership & Funding

  • Founder/Editor-in-Chief: Carlett Badenhorst
  • Funding: Independent revenue through JustGospel Radio, Photos@Carlett Studio, freelance journalism
  • No political party funding
  • No editorial influence from advertisers

Our Mission

Project CBNews tells the story as it is - no filters, no bias, just truth. We focus on:

  • Community-centric news from the Vaal Triangle and Gauteng
  • Humanitarian-focused reporting
  • Educational content (edutainment)
  • Faith-based news
  • Business journalism
  • Stories of hope and upliftment

Contact Our Editorial Team

General Inquiries: editor@projectcb.online

Story Tips: tips@projectcb.online

Corrections: corrections@projectcb.online

Press Council Display: 


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This Editorial Standards policy is reviewed annually and updated as needed to reflect evolving best practices in journalism.

Project CBNews is committed to truth, accuracy, fairness, and accountability in all our journalism.


How Project CBNews Verifies Stories

Our 7-Step Verification Process

Step 1: SOURCE IDENTIFICATION

Who told us this information?

✓ Official statements (legal reps, government, institutions) ✓ Court documents and legal filings ✓ Direct interviews with involved parties ✓ Verified press releases ✓ Reputable news agencies (AFP, Reuters, SAPA) ✓ Expert commentary (academics, specialists)

❌ Anonymous social media posts ❌ Unverified rumors ❌ Single-source claims on major news ❌ Screenshots without verification

Step 2: MULTIPLE SOURCE CONFIRMATION

Can we verify this independently?

For Breaking News:

  • Minimum 2 independent sources required
  • Cross-reference with official records
  • Contact directly involved parties
  • Verify with authorities when applicable

For Investigative Stories:

  • Minimum 3 independent sources required
  • Document verification from original sources
  • Expert consultation for technical claims
  • Legal review for sensitive allegations

Step 3: DOCUMENT VERIFICATION

If using official documents:

✓ Obtain from original/official sources ✓ Verify authenticity with issuing authority ✓ Cross-check against public records ✓ Consult legal/subject matter experts ✓ Publish supporting docs when legal

Example: Thomas Sithole Coverage

  • Official statement from BMH Inc. (legal representative)
  • Verified through law firm contact information
  • Cross-referenced with police statements
  • SAMSA investigation confirmation

Step 4: RIGHT OF REPLY

Giving subjects their say:

Before Publication:

  • Contact all subjects of criticism
  • Provide reasonable response time (min. 24 hours)
  • Include full response in article
  • Note if declined to comment or didn't respond

Fair Representation:

  • Present opposing viewpoints
  • Provide context for allegations
  • Distinguish between verified facts and claims
  • Allow space for denial/explanation

Step 5: FACT-CHECKING REVIEW

Internal verification:

Claims Checked:

  • Names, titles, positions
  • Dates, times, locations
  • Statistics and figures
  • Direct quotes
  • Legal/technical terminology
  • Historical context

Resources Used:

  • Government databases
  • Court records
  • Academic sources
  • Official organization websites
  • Subject matter experts
  • Previous credible reporting

Step 6: EDITORIAL REVIEW

Editor-in-Chief Review:

✓ Accuracy check - Are facts verified? ✓ Balance check - Are all sides represented? ✓ Fairness check - Is tone appropriate? ✓ Attribution check - Are sources clear? ✓ Legal check - Any defamation risk? ✓ Ethics check - Does this serve public interest?

Additional Review When Needed:

  • Legal consultation for sensitive stories
  • Expert review for technical topics
  • Cultural sensitivity review
  • Trauma-informed approach for victims

Step 7: POST-PUBLICATION MONITORING

After the story goes live:

We Monitor For:

  • Reader corrections and feedback
  • New information from sources
  • Official responses or statements
  • Factual errors or clarifications needed

We Commit To:

  • Reviewing correction requests within 48 hours
  • Publishing corrections prominently
  • Updating stories with new verified information
  • Acknowledging errors transparently

RED FLAGS We Avoid

❌ Single Anonymous Source for major claims ❌ Social media as sole source without verification ❌ Unverified documents without authentication ❌ Rushed publication without proper checking ❌ Lack of response time to subjects ❌ Conflicts of interest without disclosure ❌ Sensationalism over accuracy

When We Use Anonymous Sources

Criteria (ALL must be met):

  1. Information is of clear public interest
  2. Source faces genuine risk (employment, safety, legal)
  3. Information cannot be obtained on the record
  4. Editor-in-Chief approves
  5. We know the source's identity
  6. At least one editor verifies credibility
  7. We explain why anonymity was granted

Our Correction Policy

Minor Errors

(spelling, grammar, minor facts)

  • Corrected immediately
  • Note: "Updated to correct [error]"

Significant Errors

(material facts, misattributions)

  • Correction at top of article
  • Clear explanation of error
  • Update timestamp
  • Transparent acknowledgment

Major Errors

(defamation, serious factual errors)

  • Prominent correction published
  • Separate correction notice
  • Editor's note explaining circumstances
  • Press Council notification if complaint filed

Examples of Our Verification in Action

Example 1: Thomas Sithole Vaal River Story

Verification Steps:

  1. ✓ Official statement from BMH Inc. (boat owner's legal rep)
  2. ✓ Verified law firm contact details
  3. ✓ Cross-referenced with News24 reporting
  4. ✓ SAPS investigation confirmed
  5. ✓ SAMSA investigation noted
  6. ✓ Family concerns acknowledged
  7. ✓ Community call against speculation included

Result: Balanced, fact-based reporting with proper attribution

Example 2: CRC Pastor Divorce Investigation

Verification Steps:

  1. ✓ Obtained court documents
  2. ✓ Verified divorce decree authenticity
  3. ✓ Multiple News24 sources cited
  4. ✓ Theological expert consultation
  5. ✓ Church Facebook posts documented
  6. ✓ Timeline cross-checked
  7. ✓ Legal review for defamation risk

Result: Investigative story with documentary evidence

Accountability & Oversight

Press Council of South Africa: Project CBNews is accountable to the Press Council and the Press Code of Ethics.

File a Complaint:

Independent Review:

  • Press Ombudsman adjudication
  • Public complaints mechanism
  • Transparent corrections
  • Appeals process available

Our Promise to Readers

✓ We verify before we publish ✓ We use multiple sources for major claims ✓ We give subjects right of reply ✓ We correct errors promptly and transparently ✓ We submit to independent oversight ✓ We serve the public interest, not powerful interests

Project CBNews - Verified. Vetted. Trusted.

Questions about our verification process? Email: editor@projectcb.online