Last updated: January 2026
1. Purpose and Editorial Mission
SurgeZirc SA is committed to producing accurate, fair, independent, and high-quality journalism across politics, business, lifestyle, entertainment, sports, and general news. This policy exists to:
- Uphold public trust
- Ensure transparency, accountability, and consistency across all editorial content
Our mission is to inform, educate, and engage audiences with credible reporting that reflects ethical journalism and South African media best practices.
2. Core Editorial Principles
All SurgeZirc SA content must adhere to the following principles:
2.1 Accuracy
- Information must be factually correct, verified, and presented in proper context.
- Headlines, summaries, and images must accurately reflect the content.
2.2 Independence & Integrity
- Editorial decisions are free from political, commercial, or personal influence.
- Sponsored or paid content is clearly labelled.
2.3 Fairness & Balance
- All relevant perspectives are considered, especially in controversial or sensitive stories.
- Individuals or organisations criticised are given a reasonable right of reply.
2.4 Accountability
- Errors are corrected promptly and transparently.
- Editorial staff are accountable for their work.
2.5 Originality
- Content must be original or clearly attributed when referencing external sources.
- Plagiarism is strictly prohibited.
3. Author Standards & Transparency (E-E-A-T Compliance)
To meet Google’s E-E-A-T guidelines:
- Every article must have a clearly identified author.
- Each author must have a detailed author bio page, including:
- Full name
- Role/title
- Area of expertise
- Professional background or experience
Editors are responsible for assigning stories to writers with appropriate subject-matter expertise.
4. Fact-Checking Policy
4.1 Verification Requirements
All factual claims must be verified before publication using:
- Primary sources (official documents, direct interviews, court records, financial reports)
- Credible secondary sources (reputable news organisations, academic institutions, government websites)
Anonymous or unverified sources must be used sparingly and approved by a senior editor.
4.2 Source Evaluation
Editors and writers must assess:
- Source credibility and expertise
- Possible bias or conflicts of interest
- Timeliness and relevance of information
Rumours, social media posts, and viral content must not be published as fact without independent verification.
4.3 Attribution Standards
- All sourced information must be clearly attributed.
- Quotes must be accurate and not taken out of context.
- Statistics must include the source and date.
5. Editorial Review & Approval Process
Before publication, content must pass through the following checks:
- Writer self-check – accuracy, sourcing, grammar, and balance
- Editor review – factual verification, clarity, SEO compliance, and ethical standards
- Senior editor approval (for sensitive, legal, or high-impact stories)
Breaking news may be published with limited confirmed facts but must be updated as more information becomes available.
6. Corrections, Clarifications & Updates
SurgeZirc SA maintains a transparent corrections policy:
- Errors are corrected as soon as they are identified.
- Significant corrections include a visible correction note at the end of the article.
- Updates are timestamped.
- Readers may report errors via the newsroom contact page.
We do not silently change material facts.
7. Use of AI & Automated Tools
AI tools may be used to assist with research, transcription, grammar, or summarisation, but:
- AI-generated content must be reviewed and verified by a human editor.
- AI tools may not replace original reporting or fact-checking.
- Responsibility for accuracy always lies with the assigned editor.
8. Sensitive Content & Ethical Reporting
8.1 Legal & Crime Reporting
- We try to avoid speculation.
- We respect the presumption of innocence.
- We protect identities where legally required.
8.2 Health, Finance & Advice Content (YMYL)
- Must be written or reviewed by qualified editors.
- Include disclaimers where appropriate.
- Rely on authoritative and up-to-date sources.
8.3 Privacy & Harm Minimisation
- Respect personal privacy.
- Avoid unnecessary graphic detail.
- Consider the potential harm of publication.
9. Sponsored Content & Conflicts of Interest
- Sponsored, affiliate, or advertorial content must be clearly labelled.
- Editorial staff must disclose any conflicts of interest.
- Advertisers have no control over editorial decisions.
10. SEO & Google Compliance Standards
SurgeZirc SA follows Google Search Essentials by:
- Avoiding clickbait, keyword stuffing, or misleading headlines
- Publishing people-first, helpful content
- Maintaining clear site ownership, contact pages, and editorial policies
- Ensuring fast-loading, mobile-friendly pages
11. Policy Enforcement & Updates
Failure to comply with this policy may result in content removal, revision, or disciplinary action.
This policy is reviewed regularly and updated to align with changes in Google guidelines, media law, and editorial best practices.
SurgeZirc SA Editorial Team