Media Policy Version 2.0

Document Classification: Internal Governance / Public Disclosure Document

This Media Policy constitutes the official editorial, ethical, operational, and compliance framework governing all content created, commissioned, curated, published, distributed, promoted, or monetised by WOW Nagpur Media Network (hereinafter “WOW Nagpur”, “the Organisation”, or “we”). It is designed to be detailed, enforceable, and aligned with applicable Indian law, including the Constitution of India (Articles 19(1)(a) and 19(2)), the Information Technology Act, 2000 (as amended), the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021 (IT Rules 2021), the Norms of Journalistic Conduct issued by the Press Council of India (2022 edition and subsequent updates), the Cable Television Networks (Regulation) Act, 1995 and Programme Code (to the extent applicable by analogy), the Copyright Act, 1957, the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, relevant provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (defamation, obscenity, incitement), data protection principles under emerging frameworks, and self-regulatory standards of the News Broadcasters & Digital Association (where relevant).

This Policy applies to every platform operated or used by WOW Nagpur, including but not limited to websites, mobile applications, social media accounts, podcasts, video content, live streams, digital and print publications, community platforms, advertising materials, and content produced in collaboration with third-party partners.

1. Introduction and Scope

WOW Nagpur is an independent digital media organisation committed to trustworthy, responsible, and community-focused journalism serving Nagpur and the wider region. This Policy establishes binding standards for accuracy, fairness, independence, transparency, accountability, and legal compliance. It binds all employees, editors, journalists, freelancers, contributors, interns, contractors, and third-party content partners.

Nothing in this Policy shall be construed as limiting the Organisation’s right to publish in the public interest within the bounds of law. Editorial decisions remain subject to final authority of designated editorial leadership.

2. Mission

To produce accurate, ethical, and impactful journalism that informs, educates, inspires, and empowers communities through local storytelling, public-interest reporting, civic engagement, educational content, cultural preservation, and responsible business and lifestyle coverage, while upholding the highest professional standards.

3. Core Editorial Values

* Accuracy: All material facts shall be verified against reliable primary or secondary sources before publication.
* Fairness: Coverage shall be balanced; affected parties shall be given reasonable opportunity to respond where practicable.
* Independence: Editorial judgment shall be free from improper influence by advertisers, sponsors, political entities, governments, religious organisations, commercial partners, investors, or personal relationships.
* Transparency: Material errors shall be corrected promptly and visibly. Significant corrections shall carry a clear notice stating the nature of the change and the date.
* Accountability: The Organisation accepts responsibility for published content and maintains accessible channels for public feedback and complaints.
* Integrity: No person associated with WOW Nagpur shall knowingly fabricate, distort, or suppress material facts, or present opinion as fact.

4. Editorial Independence

Editorial content shall not be subject to prior approval or alteration by commercial, political, or external parties except where required by law or court order.

Sponsored, partner, or branded content must be clearly and prominently labelled as such (e.g., “Sponsored”, “Advertisement”, “Partner Content”, or equivalent) and shall not be presented as independent journalism. Editorial and commercial functions shall maintain operational separation.

5. Content Standards

Published content shall be factually accurate (to the best of editorial knowledge after reasonable verification), respectful of human dignity, inclusive, original or properly licensed, and compliant with law.

Content categories include local and breaking news, business and startups, technology, government and civic affairs, education, healthcare, finance, sports, entertainment, lifestyle, food, tourism, culture, religion (handled with particular sensitivity), public safety, events, interviews, podcasts, opinion, and editorials.

Prohibited content includes material that is knowingly false, defamatory, obscene, that incites violence or hatred on grounds of religion, race, caste, sex, place of birth or similar protected characteristics, that violates intellectual property rights, or that contravenes any applicable statute.

6. Fact-Checking and Verification

Prior to publication of factual claims of significance:

* Prefer primary sources (official documents, public records, direct interviews, verified audiovisual evidence).
* Corroborate with at least two independent credible sources wherever reasonably practicable.
* Exercise heightened scrutiny for breaking news, allegations of wrongdoing, statistical claims, and matters involving public figures or institutions.

Rumours, speculation, anonymous social-media claims, and unverified information shall not be presented as established fact. Where provisional or developing information is reported, it shall be clearly labelled as such.

7. Sources

Sources shall be credible, relevant, and, wherever possible, on-the-record.

Anonymous sources may be used only when:

* There is a clear and overriding public interest;
* The source faces a demonstrable risk of harm or retaliation; and
* Editorial leadership has assessed the source’s reliability and the information has been subjected to enhanced verification.

The Organisation shall protect confidential sources consistent with law and professional ethics, while recognising that absolute privilege is not available under Indian law in all circumstances.

8. Corrections and Retractions

Upon identification or receipt of a credible complaint regarding an error:

The matter shall be investigated promptly by editorial staff.

Verified factual errors shall be corrected without undue delay.

Significant corrections shall include a notice identifying the original error, the correction, and the date.

Material that is found to be deliberately false or that poses ongoing legal risk may be removed or archived with appropriate notice.

Readers may submit correction requests through officially designated channels. A record of material corrections shall be maintained.

9. Opinion, Editorial, and Commentary Content

Opinion pieces express the views of the named author and do not necessarily reflect the institutional position of WOW Nagpur.

Such content must:

* Be clearly labelled as opinion, editorial, or commentary;
* Distinguish factual assertions from expressions of opinion;
* Avoid knowingly false statements of fact; and
* Not amount to incitement to violence, hatred, or any offence under applicable criminal law.

10. Sponsored and Commercial Content

All sponsored, advertorial, or partner content shall be unambiguously labelled. It must comply with the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, advertising standards, and any sector-specific regulations. Sponsors shall have no authority over non-sponsored editorial content.

WOW Nagpur reserves the right to decline any advertisement or sponsorship that promotes illegal activity, violence, hate speech, discrimination, fraud, obscenity, or misleading claims, or that would compromise editorial independence or legal compliance.

11. Social Media and Digital Platforms

Official accounts shall disseminate only verified information, maintain professional standards, correct errors promptly, and avoid inflammatory or discriminatory language.

Personnel using personal accounts shall clearly distinguish personal views from official positions of the Organisation and shall not disclose confidential editorial information.

12. User-Generated Content and Comment Moderation

WOW Nagpur may accept user submissions (photographs, videos, comments, community reports, etc.) subject to editorial discretion. The Organisation reserves the right to edit for length or clarity, decline publication, or remove content that is unlawful, abusive, defamatory, spam, obscene, or that infringes intellectual property or privacy rights.

Users remain solely responsible for the legality and originality of their submissions. Repeated or serious violations may result in restriction or permanent exclusion from community features.

13. Copyright and Intellectual Property

WOW Nagpur respects the Copyright Act, 1957 and related laws. Unauthorised reproduction, plagiarism, or distribution of third-party content is prohibited. Third-party material shall be used only with permission, under licence, under applicable statutory exceptions (including fair dealing), or with proper attribution where required.

Original content produced by or for WOW Nagpur is protected; unauthorised commercial exploitation is not permitted.

14. Artificial Intelligence and Synthetic Media

AI tools may be used for research assistance, drafting support, language refinement, translation, data analysis, and non-deceptive image enhancement, subject to mandatory human editorial oversight.

AI-generated or AI-assisted content that reaches the public must be reviewed by a human editor before publication. Fabrication of facts, quotations, or sources by AI is strictly prohibited. Synthetic or significantly altered media capable of misleading audiences shall be clearly disclosed.

15. Visual Content Ethics

Photographs and video shall not be manipulated in a manner that materially misrepresents the underlying reality of events. Acceptable technical adjustments are limited to brightness, contrast, colour correction, cropping, and noise reduction that do not alter substantive meaning. Staging or digital fabrication that deceives the audience is prohibited.

16. Privacy and Data Protection

WOW Nagpur shall not publish personal addresses, financial details, government identity numbers, medical records, or other sensitive personal information without lawful basis or compelling public interest, and shall handle personal data in accordance with applicable privacy and data-protection principles. Content that unnecessarily endangers individuals shall be avoided.

17. Coverage Involving Minors

Heightened care is required. Identifying information of minors shall not be published without appropriate consent or clear public-interest justification. Exploitative, sensationalised, or harmful coverage of children is prohibited.

18. Diversity, Inclusion, and Non-Discrimination

Coverage shall strive for fair representation regardless of gender, age, religion, language, ethnicity, disability, economic background, profession, or community. Stereotypes and discriminatory language shall be avoided.

19. Conflicts of Interest

All personnel and contributors must disclose any personal, financial, familial, or professional interest that could reasonably be perceived to influence their work. Acceptance of gifts, payments, or favours that could compromise independence is prohibited. Disclosed conflicts shall be managed by reassignment, disclosure in the content, or other appropriate measures.

20. Crisis, Emergency, and Sensitive Reporting

In emergencies or situations involving violence, accidents, or communal tension, priority shall be given to verified information. Rumours shall not be amplified. Graphic or distressing imagery shall be used with restraint and only where journalistically necessary. The dignity of victims and families shall be respected. Cooperation with lawful authorities shall occur where appropriate and consistent with editorial independence.

21. Legal Compliance

All content and practices shall comply with applicable Indian law, including but not limited to:

* Defamation and related provisions of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023;
* Copyright Act, 1957;
* Information Technology Act, 2000 and IT Rules 2021 (Code of Ethics for digital news publishers);
* Consumer Protection Act, 2019;
* Election-related restrictions and model code of conduct where applicable;
* Privacy and data-protection norms;
* Any court orders or statutory directions.

The Organisation shall maintain mechanisms to respond to legal notices, takedown requests under applicable rules, and court processes in a timely and lawful manner.

22. Governance and Ethics Oversight

WOW Nagpur may constitute or designate an Editorial & Ethics Committee (or equivalent internal mechanism) to review complaints, investigate alleged breaches, monitor compliance, recommend corrective action, and propose updates to this Policy.

Complaints regarding this Policy or specific content may be directed to the designated Editorial Team through official channels published on WOW Nagpur platforms.

23. Enforcement

Breaches of this Policy may result in:

* Correction or removal of content;
* Internal disciplinary measures (warning, suspension, termination of engagement);
* Withdrawal of contributor privileges or partnership termination;
* Referral for legal action where warranted.

Serious or repeated violations will be treated with corresponding severity.

24. Policy Review and Amendment

This Policy shall be reviewed periodically (at least annually, or earlier upon material changes in law, technology, or operational experience). Updated versions supersede prior editions. Material amendments shall be communicated internally and, where appropriate, publicly noted.

25. Contact

Questions, correction requests, complaints, or notices concerning this Policy or published content should be addressed to the Editorial Team via the official contact channels maintained on WOW Nagpur’s primary digital platforms.

Policy Statement WOW Nagpur is committed to journalism and media content that serves the public interest with integrity, accuracy, fairness, independence, and accountability. We strive to foster informed communities, respect human dignity, uphold constitutional values of free speech within lawful bounds, and maintain professional ethical standards across every platform. This Media Policy embodies that commitment and constitutes a binding internal standard subject to applicable law.

Document Control Prepared for WOW Nagpur Media Network. This version is intended for internal adoption and public transparency. It is not legal advice; specific legal questions should be referred to qualified counsel familiar with Indian media and technology law.

This rewritten Policy is more detailed, uses precise legal language, incorporates key Indian regulatory references (especially IT Rules 2021 and Press Council Norms), strengthens enforceability, and maintains the original intent and structure while elevating professional and compliance standards.