Editorial Charter

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions at the Lesedi Times are made solely by our newsroom. We maintain full independence from any external influence, including advertisers, political parties, or special interest groups.

Our journalists are free to pursue stories based on their news value and public interest. No individual or entity outside of the Lesedi Times editorial team can dictate our coverage or influence the content we publish.

Accuracy and Sourcing

We are committed to accuracy and verification in all our reporting. Every factual claim is rigorously checked against multiple credible sources.

Sources are granted anonymity only when there is a clear risk to their safety or livelihood, and the information they provide is crucial to the public interest. We always seek to corroborate anonymous information through other means.

• Information from official documents, academic reports, and public statements is always preferred.
• Claims made by individuals are cross-referenced with other sources or data.
• Expert opinions in areas like health, business, or international relations are attributed to named individuals with relevant qualifications.

Reporting, Analysis, and Opinion

The Lesedi Times clearly distinguishes between news reporting, analytical pieces, and opinion columns. Each format serves a distinct purpose and adheres to different editorial guidelines.

News articles present facts objectively, analysis pieces provide context and interpretation based on evidence, and opinion columns reflect the personal views of the author, clearly labeled as 'Opinion & Analysis'.

Corrections and Accountability

The Lesedi Times corrects factual errors promptly and transparently. We believe in accountability for our work.

If you believe an article contains an error, please contact us at contact@leseditimes.com. We will investigate the claim and, if an error is confirmed, issue a correction.

• Corrections are appended to the original article, clearly stating what was corrected and when.
• Significant factual inaccuracies may lead to an editor's note at the top of the article.
• Individuals or organizations criticized in an article may submit a factual rebuttal for consideration, which we may publish or reference.

Handling Sensitive Material

When covering sensitive topics such as health crises, political unrest, or social issues in BW, the Lesedi Times exercises caution and empathy. We aim to inform without causing undue distress or harm.

The privacy of individuals, particularly those not in the public eye, is respected. We avoid publishing details that could identify private citizens involved in sensitive situations unless there is an overriding public interest that cannot be met otherwise.

Funding and commercial content

leseditimes.com is funded by --. Advertising, sponsorship and affiliate arrangements pay for the work.

Commercial content — sponsored articles, partner posts, advertorial — is labelled at the top of the page, before the reader has spent time on it. It is never made to look like an article the newsroom wrote.

An advertiser buys space. It does not buy coverage, favourable treatment, or the removal of a story.

Complaints Procedure

We take all complaints about our editorial content seriously. If you have a concern about an article or our editorial practices, please email us at contact@leseditimes.com.

All complaints are reviewed by the editorial team. We aim to acknowledge receipt of your complaint within a reasonable timeframe and provide a substantive response after due consideration.

Legal notice

Publisher

--

Country of establishment

Botswana

Email

contact@leseditimes.com