Shalom Dhwani is a Christian newspaper in the Pentecostal tradition. This Editorial & Content Policy sets out the values, standards, and ethical commitments that guide everything we publish — our reporting, the testimonies we carry, the opinions we host, and the advertising we accept. It applies to staff, contributors, and every guest writer who submits through our online editor. For practical writing help, see our How to Write an Article guide and the News Writing Guide.
1. Our Mission & Identity
Shalom Dhwani exists to report the news of the Church and society truthfully, and to read the events of our time in the light of the Gospel. We are rooted in the Pentecostal faith, yet we serve the whole body of Christ. Our aim is to inform, build up, and give hope — never to deceive, inflame, or tear down. We believe good journalism and Christian witness share the same foundation: a love of the truth.
2. Guiding Principles
- Truthfulness — “Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully” (Ephesians 4:25). Accuracy is non-negotiable.
- Fairness & charity — we report even hard truths without malice, and we give people a fair hearing.
- Independence — our news judgement is not for sale and is not dictated by advertisers or interest groups.
- Accountability — when we get something wrong, we correct it openly.
- Respect for human dignity — every person in our pages is made in the image of God.
- Hope over sensation — we do not chase outrage or fear; we tell the truth in a spirit of hope.
3. What We Publish
- Church, ministry, convention, and retreat news.
- Missions, evangelism, and outreach — including charitable and social work.
- Faith testimonies, clearly framed as the experience of the person sharing them.
- Christian living, devotional pieces, and opinion — clearly labelled as such.
- Community announcements: meetings, obituaries, prayer requests, and notices.
- Reporting on social issues from a thoughtful Christian viewpoint.
4. What We Do Not Publish
- Unverified rumour or gossip presented as news.
- Defamation or personal attacks on individuals or families.
- Content that incites hatred or contempt against any denomination, religion, caste, or community.
- Obscene, exploitative, or degrading material.
- Miracle, healing, or prophecy claims stated as established fact (see Section 6).
- Partisan political propaganda dressed up as news.
- Paid promotion disguised as editorial content.
5. Accuracy & Verification
We verify before we publish. Names, titles, dates, places, and numbers are checked carefully. Contested or serious claims are corroborated — ideally with more than one independent source — before they appear. We quote people accurately and in context, and we clearly distinguish established fact from opinion, testimony, or interpretation. Where we can name a source, we do.
6. Reporting Miracles, Healings & Testimonies
As a faith publication we carry many accounts of God’s work in people’s lives. A news report, however, is not a sermon. We attribute such accounts to the person or source — for example, “____ testified that they received healing” — rather than asserting them as proven fact. We treat those who share their stories, especially the sick and the vulnerable, with dignity and only with their consent. We are especially careful with health and medical claims, and we never exploit a person’s suffering for effect.
7. Fairness, Denominational & Interfaith Sensitivity
We hold our Pentecostal identity gladly, but without hostility toward others. We report doctrinal differences factually, not as polemics, and we extend respect to other Christian traditions and to people of other faiths. Where a report makes a serious allegation against a person or group, we offer a fair right of reply. We will not publish content that incites hatred against any community.
8. Sources & Confidentiality
We protect the identity of confidential sources who would be put at risk by disclosure, and we honour clear “off the record” agreements. We do not pay people for stories or interviews, as payment can distort the truth.
9. Opinion, Editorials & Devotionals
Opinion, editorial, and devotional writing is clearly labelled and kept separate from news reporting, so readers always know whether they are reading a fact-based report or a viewpoint. Scripture is cited accurately — book, chapter, and verse (e.g. John 3:16) — and we note the translation used (Sathyavedapusthakam, POC Bible, etc.).
10. Plagiarism, Copyright & AI
We publish original work only. Quotes, data, and excerpts from others are attributed; we respect the copyright of photographs, images, and articles and obtain permission for reprints. Plagiarism is grounds for rejecting a submission and ending a contributor relationship. Where artificial-intelligence tools are used to substantially help produce content, that assistance is disclosed, and the writer remains responsible for the accuracy of every fact.
11. Advertising & Sponsored Content
Advertising and sponsored content are clearly labelled and kept visibly separate from editorial content. The presence of an advertisement does not imply our endorsement. We reserve the right to refuse advertising that is misleading, unethical, or contrary to Christian values.
12. Standards Every Article Must Meet
Before an article is accepted for publication, it must satisfy this checklist:
- Accurate & verified — facts checked; no rumour or guesswork.
- Properly sourced — major claims attributed; quotes accurate.
- Original — the writer’s own work; no plagiarism.
- Balanced & charitable — fair in tone; all sides of a dispute fairly represented.
- Scripture cited correctly — exact book, chapter, and verse.
- Complete — required fields filled in: title, permalink, category, and a featured image.
- Lawful — free of defamation, hate speech, and privacy violations.
- Correctly placed — filed under a suitable published category.
13. Contributor Responsibilities
Contributors agree to submit truthful, original work, to stand behind the facts they report, and to respond promptly to editor queries. Please note that every submission is reviewed and held for editorial approval before it is published, and reader comments are moderated. Approval is at the editor’s discretion and is guided by this policy.
14. Corrections & Right of Reply
If we publish a material error, we correct it promptly and transparently. If you believe a report about you is inaccurate or unfair, you may request a correction or a right of reply by contacting the editorial desk (Section 16). We take such requests seriously.
15. Privacy, Minors & Consent
We obtain consent before publishing identifiable photographs, and we take special care with minors and vulnerable persons — including victims of abuse, whose privacy we protect. For how we handle personal data, please see our Privacy Policy.
16. Contact & Editorial Responsibility
Editorial responsibility for the content of Shalom Dhwani rests with the editor. To raise a concern, request a correction, or offer a story, please contact the editorial desk through our Contact page.
Shalom Dhwani — rooted in faith, committed to truth.
Also read: the Malayalam version of this policy — എഡിറ്റോറിയൽ / ഉള്ളടക്ക നയം.