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Editorial Guidelines – All PC Download

Effective Date: December 1, 2024
Version: 2.0

Our Editorial Mission

All PC Download is committed to delivering accurate, timely, and unbiased technology news and information. These guidelines ensure our content maintains the highest standards of journalistic integrity and serves our readers’ best interests.

1. Core Editorial Principles

1.1 Accuracy

  • All facts must be verified through at least two independent sources
  • Technical specifications must be confirmed with manufacturers or official documentation
  • Statistics and data must come from credible, cited sources
  • When in doubt, we delay publication until facts are confirmed

1.2 Independence

  • Editorial decisions are made independently of commercial considerations
  • Advertisers have no influence over editorial content
  • We maintain clear separation between editorial and advertising
  • Sponsored content is clearly labeled and distinguished from editorial content

1.3 Impartiality

  • We present balanced coverage of controversial topics
  • Multiple viewpoints are included in complex stories
  • Personal opinions are confined to clearly marked opinion sections
  • We avoid conflicts of interest and disclose any that arise

1.4 Transparency

  • We clearly identify sources unless safety/confidentiality requires protection
  • Corrections are made promptly and transparently
  • We disclose any potential conflicts of interest
  • Our funding and ownership structure are publicly available

2. Content Standards

2.1 News Articles

  • Must contain original reporting or significant added value
  • Headlines must accurately reflect article content
  • Lead paragraph must answer who, what, when, where, why
  • Include relevant context and background
  • Attribute all claims to sources
  • Include publication time and date
  • Include author byline

2.2 Reviews

  • Products must be tested thoroughly before review
  • Testing methodology must be disclosed
  • Both pros and cons must be presented
  • Scoring systems must be consistent and explained
  • Disclose if review units were provided by manufacturers
  • Update reviews if significant issues arise post-publication

2.3 Opinion/Analysis

  • Clearly labeled as “Opinion” or “Analysis”
  • Author’s expertise/credentials disclosed
  • Based on factual foundation
  • Distinguish between fact and interpretation
  • Allow for reader comments and discussion

2.4 Breaking News

  • Verify through at least one credible source
  • Label as “Developing” if information is incomplete
  • Update as new information becomes available
  • Correct any errors immediately
  • Time-stamp all updates

3. Sourcing Guidelines

3.1 Acceptable Sources

  • Company officials and spokespersons
  • Industry experts and analysts
  • Government officials and agencies
  • Academic researchers
  • Official documents and filings
  • Direct observation and testing
  • Other established news organizations (with attribution)

3.2 Source Verification

  • Verify identity of all sources
  • Assess source credibility and potential bias
  • Seek corroboration from additional sources
  • Document all source communications
  • Protect confidential sources

3.3 Anonymous Sources

  • Use only when necessary for important stories
  • Information must be corroborated by at least one other source
  • Editor approval required
  • Explain to readers why anonymity was granted
  • Never grant anonymity for personal attacks or opinion

4. Fact-Checking Procedures

4.1 Pre-Publication

  • Writers fact-check their own work
  • Editors verify key facts and claims
  • Technical details reviewed by subject matter experts
  • Legal review for sensitive content

4.2 Post-Publication

  • Monitor feedback for potential errors
  • Investigate all credible error claims
  • Correct errors promptly
  • Maintain corrections log

5. Corrections Policy

5.1 Minor Corrections

  • Spelling, grammar, formatting errors
  • Corrected immediately without notice

5.2 Significant Corrections

  • Factual errors that don’t change story meaning
  • Add correction note at article bottom
  • Include correction date and description

5.3 Major Corrections

  • Errors that substantially change story meaning
  • Add prominent correction at article top
  • Send correction notice to newsletter subscribers
  • Social media acknowledgment if story was shared

5.4 Retractions

  • For fundamentally flawed articles
  • Requires Editor-in-Chief approval
  • Original article remains with clear retraction notice
  • Detailed explanation provided

6. Conflicts of Interest

6.1 Financial Conflicts

  • Writers cannot cover companies they have financial interest in
  • Stock ownership must be disclosed to editors
  • No trading in companies being covered

6.2 Personal Relationships

  • Cannot cover companies where family/friends work in relevant positions
  • Must disclose personal relationships to editors
  • Reassignment if conflict exists

6.3 Gifts and Benefits

  • Do not accept gifts over $25 value
  • Review units must be returned or purchased
  • Travel for events must be disclosed
  • No acceptance of paid speaking engagements from companies we cover

7. Legal and Ethical Standards

7.1 Copyright and Fair Use

  • Respect intellectual property rights
  • Use only properly licensed images and content
  • Attribute all external content
  • Follow fair use guidelines for quotations

7.2 Privacy

  • Respect individual privacy rights
  • Obtain consent for photographs in private settings
  • Protect vulnerable individuals
  • Handle data breaches responsibly

7.3 Harmful Content

  • No publication of:
    • Deliberately false information
    • Hate speech or discrimination
    • Content that endangers individuals
    • Instructions for illegal activities

8. Social Media Guidelines

8.1 Professional Accounts

  • Maintain professional tone
  • Share accurate information only
  • Correct errors promptly
  • Identify yourself as All PC Download staff

8.2 Personal Accounts

  • Include disclaimer about personal views
  • Avoid compromising editorial independence
  • Don’t share confidential information
  • Maintain professional standards

9. Advertising and Sponsored Content

9.1 Separation

  • Clear visual distinction from editorial content
  • Labeled as “Sponsored” or “Advertisement”
  • Different author bylines for sponsored content
  • No editorial staff involvement in creation

9.2 Native Advertising

  • Must be clearly labeled
  • Cannot mimic editorial content style exactly
  • Subject to truth in advertising standards
  • Reviewed by legal team

10. User-Generated Content

10.1 Comments

  • Moderated for compliance with community guidelines
  • No hate speech, threats, or harassment
  • Factual corrections welcomed
  • Spam removed immediately

10.2 Submissions

  • Verify authenticity
  • Obtain permission for use
  • Credit appropriately
  • Fact-check before publication

11. Review and Updates

These guidelines are reviewed quarterly and updated as needed. All editorial staff must:

  • Read and acknowledge these guidelines
  • Attend regular training sessions
  • Report potential violations
  • Suggest improvements

12. Enforcement

Violations of these guidelines may result in:

  • Additional training requirements
  • Suspension of publishing privileges
  • Termination in severe cases
  • Legal action if laws are violated

Contact for Editorial Issues

Standards Editor:
Email: standards@allpcdownload.com

Reader’s Representative:
Email: readers@allpcdownload.com

Ethics Hotline:
Email: ethics@allpcdownload.com