At Connect Live News Network (CLNN), we believe that accuracy is the foundation of credible journalism. We also recognise that journalism is produced in a fast-moving environment where information can change, facts can initially be incomplete and, despite reasonable editorial checks, mistakes can sometimes occur.
Our responsibility does not end when an article is published. When we discover that something we have published is inaccurate, incomplete or materially misleading, we believe the responsible course is to acknowledge the problem, correct the record and provide readers with accurate information as promptly as reasonably possible.
This Corrections Policy explains how Connect Live News Network identifies, reviews and corrects errors in its journalism.
Our Commitment to Accuracy
Every report published by Connect Live News Network is expected to meet our standards of accuracy, fairness and responsible reporting.
Our editorial team makes reasonable efforts to verify facts, confirm important information, identify reliable sources and provide appropriate context before publication. However, no newsroom can guarantee that every published report will be completely free from error.
An error does not become acceptable simply because it was unintentional. When a material mistake is identified, our responsibility is to address it transparently rather than allow inaccurate information to remain uncorrected.
We therefore treat corrections as an integral part of responsible journalism and not as an exception to it.
What May Require a Correction
A correction may be appropriate when a published report contains a factual error that could materially affect a reader’s understanding of the story.
This may include an incorrect name, designation, date, location, figure, quotation, legal provision, court proceeding, election result, government decision or other material fact.
A correction may also be appropriate where an article inaccurately attributes a statement to a person or organisation, incorrectly describes an event, misrepresents the status of a legal proceeding, or contains a material factual error in a headline, caption, photograph description or other prominent element.
Errors involving courts and legal proceedings receive particular attention because an incorrect description of an allegation, judicial observation, order, finding or procedural stage can materially alter the meaning of a report.
Corrections, Clarifications and Updates
Not every change to a published article constitutes a correction.
A correction addresses a factual error or other material inaccuracy in the published report.
A clarification may be used when the underlying information is substantially correct but the wording, context or presentation could reasonably cause confusion or misunderstanding.
An update is used when new and verified information becomes available after publication and changes or adds to the understanding of a developing story.
For example, if an article accurately reports that a court has issued an interim order and the court later delivers a final judgment, the subsequent information may require an update rather than a correction of the original report.
Where a report contains both an error and subsequent developments, we may correct the original error and separately update the story with the new information.
Material and Minor Errors
We assess errors according to their significance and potential effect on readers.
A material error is one that could substantially affect the meaning, accuracy, credibility or fairness of a report. Such errors should ordinarily be corrected promptly once verified.
Examples may include incorrectly identifying a person, falsely stating that a court has issued a particular direction, reporting an incorrect election result, attributing a statement to someone who did not make it, materially misstating a financial figure or incorrectly stating that a person has been arrested, charged or convicted.
A minor typographical, grammatical or formatting error that does not alter the meaning of a report may be corrected directly without a formal correction notice.
However, a seemingly small error may become material depending on its context. For example, an incorrect date, number or name can significantly change the meaning of a legal, financial or political report.
How We Handle Corrections
When a potential error is brought to our attention, the editorial team will review the relevant material and determine whether a correction is warranted.
The review may involve checking the original source, documents, recordings, court orders, official statements, reporter’s notes or other available evidence. Where appropriate, the editor may contact the reporter, source or person concerned to establish the correct information.
We do not automatically change an article simply because a person or organisation disagrees with its contents. A request for correction must be assessed against available evidence and the standards of accuracy and fairness.
If an error is established, the article will be corrected as soon as reasonably practicable.
Transparency in Corrections
We believe readers should not be deliberately left with the impression that an article was originally accurate when a significant factual error has been identified.
Where an error is material, an appropriate correction note may be added to the article explaining what was incorrect and what the correct information is.
The wording of a correction should be clear, factual and proportionate. It should not be written in a defensive manner or designed to obscure the original error.
For example:
Correction: An earlier version of this report incorrectly stated that the hearing took place on Monday. The hearing took place on Tuesday. The article has been corrected.
The exact wording will depend on the nature and significance of the error.
Corrections to Headlines
Headlines are part of the editorial content and must accurately reflect the article.
If a headline contains a material factual error, it will be corrected promptly. Where appropriate, a correction note may also be added to the article if the error was significant enough that readers could have been materially misled by the original headline.
A headline will not be deliberately written in a manner that contradicts or exaggerates the substance of the report merely to attract clicks.
Corrections to Photographs, Captions and Videos
Visual material is subject to the same standards of accuracy as written reporting.
If a photograph is incorrectly identified, a caption contains a material error, or a video is incorrectly described, the relevant material will be corrected when the error is verified.
If an image is illustrative, archival or a file photograph rather than an image of the specific event being reported, we will seek to make that distinction clear where necessary to avoid misleading readers.
Where visual material is found to be manipulated, misrepresented or incorrectly attributed in a material way, appropriate action may include correction, replacement or removal.
Corrections in Legal and Court Reporting
Connect Live News Network takes special care when correcting legal reports.
A report concerning an FIR, arrest, investigation, charge sheet, prosecution, bail proceeding, trial, judgment or appeal can have significant consequences for the individuals involved.
If we incorrectly state that a person has been convicted, acquitted, arrested, charged or otherwise involved in a legal proceeding, the error will be treated seriously and corrected promptly once verified.
Where appropriate, the correction will clearly distinguish between the original inaccurate statement and the correct procedural or legal position.
We also recognise the importance of accurately distinguishing between an allegation made by a party, a submission made by an advocate, an observation made by a court and a finding contained in a judicial order or judgment.
Corrections Concerning Individuals and Organisations
Where an error incorrectly identifies or materially mischaracterises an individual, organisation, institution or business, we will review the matter promptly.
If the error is established, appropriate correction will be made without requiring the affected person or organisation to engage in unnecessary correspondence.
Where a person has been wrongly associated with alleged criminal, fraudulent, unethical or otherwise serious conduct, the matter will receive heightened editorial attention because of the potential reputational consequences.
A correction in such circumstances may include a prominent clarification where necessary to ensure that readers who encountered the original report are not left with a materially false impression.
Right to Request a Correction
Any reader, individual, organisation or institution may bring a potential factual error to our attention.
A correction request should identify the specific article or published material and explain clearly what information is believed to be incorrect. Where possible, the request should provide reliable supporting evidence, such as an official document, court order, government record, direct statement or other verifiable source.
Requests should focus on factual accuracy rather than disagreement with editorial judgement, political position or opinion.
A person or organisation does not have an automatic right to have accurate reporting removed merely because it is inconvenient, critical or unfavourable.
Review of Correction Requests
All credible correction requests should be taken seriously.
The editorial team may examine the original article, supporting material and evidence provided by the complainant. Additional verification may be undertaken where necessary.
Where the evidence establishes that the report contains a material error, appropriate correction will be made.
Where the published information is supported by credible evidence and no factual error is established, the article may remain unchanged. In such circumstances, the editorial team may nevertheless provide clarification where it would help resolve a genuine misunderstanding.
Anonymous and Third-Party Correction Requests
Correction requests may be received from people other than the subject of an article.
We may consider information from journalists, lawyers, public institutions, readers, experts, organisations or other sources where the information is relevant and verifiable.
An anonymous correction request may also be considered, particularly where the information provided concerns a significant public-interest matter. However, anonymity does not by itself establish credibility, and claims will be assessed on the evidence available.
Corrections After Publication
If an error is identified after the article has been widely shared on social media, search engines or other platforms, correcting the article on our website remains the primary responsibility of the newsroom.
Where an error was particularly significant and the circumstances reasonably require it, we may also publish or circulate a clarification through the relevant digital channel.
The objective is to ensure that the corrected information reaches readers who may have encountered the original inaccurate information.
Removal and Retraction
A correction does not ordinarily mean that an entire article will be removed.
Where possible, we prefer to correct the specific error while preserving the legitimate journalistic record of the story.
However, in exceptional circumstances, an article may be substantially amended, withdrawn or retracted where it is determined that the material is fundamentally unreliable, fabricated, unlawfully published, seriously misleading or otherwise incapable of being responsibly maintained in its original form.
A retraction is distinct from an ordinary correction and will generally be reserved for serious circumstances.
Corrections to Social Media Posts
When an article containing an error has also been promoted through social media, the newsroom may assess whether the corresponding post requires correction, clarification or removal.
Where a social-media post itself contains a material factual error, the appropriate platform-specific action may include editing where possible, issuing a correction or publishing a clear follow-up clarification.
We will not rely solely on correcting the website article when a separate social-media publication has itself created a materially false impression.
Corrections to Syndicated or Republished Material
Where content has been obtained from a news agency, syndication partner or another external source, Connect Live News Network remains responsible for the accuracy of the material as published on our platform.
If an external source issues a correction affecting material we have published, we will assess the correction and make corresponding changes where appropriate.
Attribution to another organisation does not remove our responsibility to avoid publishing information that we know, or reasonably should know, to be inaccurate.
Editorial Independence and Correction Requests
A correction request will not receive preferential treatment because it comes from a politician, government authority, advertiser, public figure, corporate organisation or other influential person.
Similarly, an individual or organisation cannot prevent a legitimate correction simply because it objects to the underlying subject matter.
Our decision will be based on evidence, journalistic standards, accuracy and the public interest.
Record of Accountability
For significant corrections, the editorial team may maintain an internal record of the original error, the evidence establishing the correct information, the correction made and the editorial decision taken.
Such records help us identify recurring problems, improve newsroom procedures and strengthen the quality of future reporting.
Our Standard
The purpose of this policy is not to suggest that Connect Live News Network will never make a mistake. The purpose is to establish what we will do when a mistake occurs.
We believe a credible newsroom should be willing to say when something was wrong, explain what has been corrected and ensure that readers receive the most accurate information available.
Accuracy is a continuing responsibility, not a one-time process completed at publication.
Connect Live News Network remains committed to correcting material errors promptly, transparently and fairly, while protecting the independence of editorial judgment and the public’s right to reliable information.
Connect Live News Network