Editorial Guidelines

These Editorial Guidelines set out how 360SportNews reports, verifies, labels and corrects what we publish. They apply to every piece of content we produce across the nine sports we cover, and to every named writer and contributor working under our banner. We publish them openly because trust is earned through consistent, accountable practice — not claimed. If our work ever falls short of the standards below, we want to hear about it, and we want to fix it.

Our Commitment

360SportNews is an independent global sports-news publication. Our purpose is to report sport accurately, fairly and in plain language, and to be transparent about how we work. We make a simple promise to readers: we will tell you what we know, how we know it, and where our knowledge ends. When we get something wrong, we will say so and correct the record. These guidelines are a living document and are reviewed as our practice and the wider media landscape evolve.

Accuracy & Verification

Accuracy is the foundation of everything we publish. We aim to get it right the first time, and to get it right over time.

• Check before we publish. Facts, names, results, dates and quotations are verified against reliable evidence before an article goes live.
• Prefer primary sources. Wherever possible we rely on first-hand and authoritative sources rather than second-hand reports or social-media chatter.
• Distinguish fact from speculation. Confirmed information is reported as fact; anything unconfirmed is clearly framed as a report, rumour or expectation.
• Update as stories develop. Sport moves fast. Where a story changes, we update it and make the nature of significant changes clear.

If we cannot stand a claim up, we do not publish it as fact.

Sourcing & Anonymous Sources

We name our sources whenever we can, because named sourcing lets readers weigh information for themselves. Attribution is given for facts, figures and quotations so their origin is transparent.

Occasionally a source can only speak on condition of anonymity — for example, where being identified could put their position or wellbeing at risk. We grant anonymity sparingly and never casually. When we do, we still satisfy ourselves that the source is credible and well placed, we seek corroboration where possible, and we give readers as much context about the source’s standing as we responsibly can. Anonymity protects the source; it does not lower our burden of verification.

Independence & Conflicts of Interest

Our editorial judgement is ours alone. We do not accept payment for coverage, and no advertiser, sponsor, partner or commercial relationship buys, shapes or vetoes our reporting. Commercial considerations are kept strictly separate from editorial decisions.

• Editorial decisions are made on news value and public interest, never on commercial benefit.
• Writers disclose any personal, financial or professional interest that could create a real or perceived conflict, and step back from coverage where appropriate.
• Gifts, hospitality or access are never a condition of, or a reward for, favourable coverage.

News, Analysis & Opinion

We believe readers should always know what kind of content they are reading. We keep three categories clearly distinct:

• News reports what happened, based on verified facts, presented impartially.
• Analysis interprets and explains the news — the why and the what-next — grounded in evidence while going beyond the bare facts.
• Opinion is the argued viewpoint of the named writer. It is clearly signposted as opinion and represents that writer’s perspective, not a statement of fact.

Mixing these without signalling it would mislead readers, so we label analysis and opinion accordingly.

Sponsored, Native & Affiliate Content

We sometimes carry sponsored content, native advertising and affiliate links to help fund independent journalism. When we do, we label it plainly so it is never mistaken for independent editorial.

• Sponsored and native content is clearly marked as such, so readers can immediately see that a commercial partner is involved.
• Affiliate links may earn us a commission if you click through and act. Where an article contains affiliate links, a clear affiliate disclosure appears above the article so you know before you read on.
• No influence on editorial. The presence of sponsorship or affiliate arrangements does not change what our journalists write or conclude. Commercial content never influences editorial coverage.

Sports Data, Live Scores & Automation

To deliver scores, standings and fixtures across nine sports at speed, we use third-party live sports-data feeds and automated tools to populate and update some content. We are transparent about this because automation has limits.

• Source. Live scores, results, standings and fixtures may be supplied and updated by third-party data providers.
• Possible delays and errors. Automated and feed-driven data can occasionally be delayed, incomplete or incorrect — for example during fast-moving live events or when an upstream provider is wrong. We do not guarantee real-time accuracy of automated data.
• How we respond. Where we are made aware of a data error, we work to correct it. For anything that matters to you, please also check the official source for the competition or event.

Use of AI

AI tools may assist our team with research and production tasks — for example, helping to gather background, organise information or support routine workflows. They do not write the articles we publish. Our published journalism is the work of our people, who remain responsible for the accuracy, fairness and judgement in everything that carries our name. AI assists; it does not author.

Fairness, Diversity & Respect

We report on people and teams fairly and with respect. Where our reporting makes a significant allegation or criticism about an identifiable person or organisation, we seek their response and reflect it fairly. We treat the subjects of our coverage, and our readers, with dignity. We do not traffic in discrimination, harassment or gratuitous cruelty, and we strive to reflect the global, diverse community of sport in who and how we cover.

Imagery & Copyright

We respect intellectual property in the images and material we publish, and we expect the same respect for ours.

• We use imagery and other content we are entitled to use, with appropriate licensing, permission or credit.
• Team and competition names, logos, badges and trademarks belong to their respective owners. Their appearance on 360SportNews is for identification and editorial reporting and does not imply any endorsement or affiliation.
• Limited use of third-party material for the purposes of news reporting and commentary is made in good-faith reliance on fair use and equivalent principles.
• If you believe your copyright has been used incorrectly, contact us and we will review it promptly.

Reader Feedback & Complaints

Reader scrutiny makes our journalism better. We welcome questions, feedback and complaints about our coverage and these standards. We aim to consider every complaint fairly, to look into the substance of what is raised, and to respond. Where a complaint reveals an error, we correct it; where it raises a wider issue, we take it into account in how we work.

Corrections

When we get something wrong, we put it right openly. We do not quietly delete mistakes.

• How to flag an error. Email [email protected] with the article and the specific point you believe is inaccurate. Please include a link and any supporting detail.
• What we do. We review the issue against the evidence. If something is wrong, we correct the article and, where the error is significant, make clear that a correction has been made.
• Speed and proportion. We act as quickly as the facts allow, and the prominence of a correction reflects the seriousness of the error.

How to Raise a Concern

If you have a concern about our journalism, our independence, our labelling of commercial content, our use of data or AI, or anything else in these guidelines, please tell us. For factual corrections, write to [email protected]. When you contact us, the more specific you can be — the article, the passage, and the nature of the concern — the faster and more fully we can respond. We take every concern seriously, because holding ourselves to these standards is how we keep your trust.