Editorial Policy

The SHO#Dnipro editorial policy explains how we prepare news and other stories for readers in Dnipro and the Dnipropetrovsk region. It helps readers understand our standards and gives the newsroom shared rules for daily work.

1. Why we work

Our task is to report what matters for the city and the region accurately, clearly and without unnecessary noise. In every story, we aim to answer three questions: what happened, why it matters and what may come next.

2. Editorial independence

Decisions about topics, headlines, sources, publication and updates are made by the newsroom. Advertisers, partners, public officials, political groups or other outside parties cannot dictate editorial conclusions or change facts.

If a story is supported by a partner, is advertising or contains a commercial integration, it must be clearly labelled for readers.

3. Topic selection

We prioritise topics that have practical importance for residents of Dnipro and the region: public safety, infrastructure, transport, utilities, decisions by local authorities, education, healthcare, business, culture, sport, social changes and community life.

• We publish news when an event is confirmed and has public interest.
• We do not publish rumours as facts.
• We do not hide important topics because they are inconvenient for officials, businesses or other influential groups.
• We do not present press releases as editorial stories without verification and editorial processing.

4. Sources and verification

We work with official announcements, documents, open data, direct comments, eyewitnesses, experts and our own verification. Where possible, we name the source of information or link to the primary source.

• Important claims are checked through a primary source or several independent sources.
• In urgent news, we may publish the confirmed part of the information and then update the story with clear notes about new details.
• If information cannot be independently confirmed, we explain this in the text.
• Unnamed sources are used only when the information is in the public interest and identifying the source could harm them.

5. Story structure

A news story should be clear from the first paragraphs: what happened, where, when, who is affected and where the information comes from. We avoid exaggeration, clickbait, emotional pressure and vague wording.

For complex topics, we add context: background, possible consequences, positions of the parties and practical information for readers.

6. Separation of formats

• News — facts and verified information without the author’s opinion.
• Explainer or analysis — facts with context, causes and possible consequences.
• Opinion or column — the author’s position, clearly labelled as such.
• Advertising or partner material — commercial content with visible labelling.

7. Headlines, photos and illustrations

Headlines must match the story and must not mislead readers. Photos, videos and illustrations are used with respect for copyright, context and non-manipulative presentation.

8. Conflicts of interest

An author or editor must inform the newsroom about any potential conflict of interest: personal, financial, political or professional ties to the people or topic of a story. In such cases, the newsroom may assign the story to another author or add a disclosure for readers.

9. Corrections and updates

If we make a mistake, we correct it as quickly as possible. Significant corrections or updates are marked in the story. The detailed procedure is described on the Corrections Policy page.

10. Policy review

We review this policy at least once a year or after important changes in newsroom work, legislation or professional standards.