Internal Journalistic Guidelines
For Investigative & Legal Reporting
YIIPPEE® NEWS NETWORK OPC Pvt Ltd
Effective Date: 27 May 2025
These internal protocols are mandatory for all journalists, contributors, interns, and editorial staff working under YIIPPEE® NEWS NETWORK. They are structured to ensure legal safety, editorial integrity, and public trust — especially in high-risk coverage areas like courts, housing laws, civic fraud, redevelopment, and governance.
🔹 I. General Editorial Principles
- Accuracy: All facts must be verified with at least two credible sources, one of which should preferably be documentary (e.g., court order, GR, RTI reply).
- Fairness: Subjects of stories must be given a “Right to Reply”.
- Transparency: Disclose editorial limitations (e.g., lack of access to official records).
- Public Interest: Prioritize societal benefit over sensationalism.
- Conflict of Interest: Disclose any personal, financial, or political affiliations.
- Gifts Policy: Reject all gifts > ₹1,000 in value (as per PCI Norms).
🔹 II. Investigative Reporting Protocol
✅ Pre-Publication Checklist
- Verify every claim using at least two independent sources.
- Conduct reverse image and video verification (tools: InVID, Google Lens, FotoForensics).
- Get pre-publication legal review for stories involving:
- Defamation (BNS, former IPC Sec. 499)
- UAPA, Official Secrets Act, Section 69A of IT Act
- Real estate or builder allegations
🕵️ Undercover or Sensitive Operations
- Allowed only with written approval of the Editor-in-Chief and Legal Head
- No entrapment or manipulation of sources
- Hidden camera use only if:
- Exposing systemic corruption
- Proven public interest
- Legal risk assessment completed
🔐 Whistleblower Protection
- Use encrypted apps (e.g., Signal, ProtonMail) for sensitive communications
- Remove metadata from files/screenshots
- Do not record or publish source identifiers (faces, voice, IP address)
- Inform whistleblowers of legal risks (RTI limits, Official Secrets Act)
🔹 III. Legal Reporting Protocol
📋 Court Coverage
- Use only authenticated documents from official portals (eCourts, High Court, DDRA)
- Do not quote or leak sealed, in-camera, or pending judgments
- Always label the status: “Pending Trial”, “Final Order”, “Interim Direction”
⚖️ Legal Risk Prevention
- Follow Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
- Avoid sub judice opinions
- Avoid naming minors or sexual assault victims (POCSO Sec. 23)
- Use phrases like “The prosecution alleges…”, “The defense has argued…”
🏛 Parliamentary/Legislative Reporting
- Refer to Article 105 of the Constitution on privilege
- Quote only official transcripts; no paraphrasing without context
- Avoid misrepresentation of Assembly/Vidhan Sabha proceedings
🔹 IV. Source Handling & Anonymity
🔒 Use of Anonymous Sources
- Only when crucial and unavoidable
- Must be verified independently with supporting documents or a second source
- Editorial must state why anonymity was granted
- No blind accusations without minimum corroboration
🔹 V. Safety, Security & Digital Hygiene
🧠 Staff Safety Protocol
- Share daily check-ins during risky assignments
- Use buddy protocols for field reporting
- Avoid confrontations without backup or police presence
💻 Digital Security
- Encrypt sensitive documents (e.g., VeraCrypt, AES-256)
- Store only on YIIPPEE’s secured drive; delete raw source data after 6 months (as per DPDP Act)
- Use official @yiippee.com emails for court/police/government correspondence
- Enable 2FA on all journalist devices and platforms
🔹 VI. Editorial Review & Corrections
- All investigative or legal stories must pass through Section Editor + Legal Desk
- Major legal exposés require Editor-in-Chief sign-off
- Corrections protocol:
- Prompt, visible note on top or bottom of the article
- Record retained in editorial logs
- No silent edits after publication
🔹 VII. Penalties for Violations
| Tier | Offense Example | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Minor factual error, unlinked citation | Written warning + retraining |
| 2 | Ethical breach, source mishandling | Suspension + public correction |
| 3 | Fake news, defamation, legal violation | Termination + police/legal action as needed |
🔹 VIII. Templates & Tools
- Pre-Publication Legal Checklist: available via editorial drive
- Legal Review Request Form: Email to legal@yiippee.com
- Whistleblower Contact: tip@yiippee.com (with PGP key)
- Court Report Template: Title | Bench | Case No. | Date | Quote | Order Link
🔹 IX. Legal & Regulatory References
- Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023 (BNS)
- Information Technology (IT) Rules, 2021
- Contempt of Courts Act, 1971
- Digital Personal Data Protection Act, 2023
- Press Council of India – Norms of Journalistic Conduct (2020)
- POCSO Act, 2012
Issued by:
YIIPPEE® NEWS NETWORK OPC Pvt Ltd
Editor-in-Chief: [Insert Name]
📧 editor@yiippee.com | legal@yiippee.com
📍 Mira Road (E), Thane, Maharashtra
📅 27 May 2025
✅ Final Status Checklist: