HANZALA Digital Media
Documents & Policies
01
Terms of Use
The HANZALA Digital Media website and its content are provided for general news, media, and informational purposes. Use of or access to the website constitutes acceptance of these terms to the extent permitted by law. The website or its content may not be used for unlawful purposes, to impersonate HANZALA Digital Media, or to falsely suggest an affiliation, accreditation, partnership, or endorsement. These terms may be updated when necessary to reflect legal, technical, or operational changes.
02
Copyright & Fair Dealing
Unless otherwise stated, original content produced by HANZALA Digital Media, including original text, reports, designs, and visual elements, is protected under applicable copyright law. Original content may not be reproduced, republished, or distributed in full for commercial purposes without permission, except where permitted by law. HANZALA Digital Media may use excerpts or third-party material for legitimate journalistic purposes, such as news reporting, criticism, or review, in accordance with applicable Canadian copyright law and fair dealing principles, with attribution where required or appropriate.
03
Privacy & Personal Information
HANZALA Digital Media respects the privacy of website users and individuals who communicate with us. Personal information may be received when voluntarily provided, such as a name, email address, or information contained in correspondence or a news tip. Information provided to us is used for purposes related to communications, journalism, or website administration. Personal information is not sold to advertisers. Some website functions or linked third-party services may operate under their own technologies and privacy policies, and information collected by those services is subject to their applicable terms and policies.
04
External Links & Third-Party Sources
HANZALA Digital Media content may include links to websites, platforms, documents, or sources operated by third parties for sourcing, context, or additional information. An external link does not necessarily constitute endorsement by HANZALA Digital Media of all content, views, or policies of the external service, and HANZALA does not control changes made to third-party content after a link is published. Users should review the applicable terms and privacy policies of third-party services when using them.
05
AI Disclosure
HANZALA Digital Media may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with certain aspects of research, organization, translation, editing, visual production, or technical production. Final editorial responsibility for published content remains with HANZALA Digital Media, and AI-generated output alone is not relied upon as evidence of fact. Where content has been materially generated or altered using artificial intelligence in a manner that could affect the audience's understanding of its nature, appropriate disclosure is provided according to the content and platform.
06
Corrections & Updates
HANZALA Digital Media seeks to correct material errors in published content when they are identified or verified. News reports may be updated as new information becomes available. Where a change concerns a material error, it is addressed in a manner appropriate to the nature of the error and the platform, with due regard for transparency. Correction requests or accuracy concerns may be submitted through HANZALA Digital Media's published official contact channels.
07
Legal Requests & Communications
Legal notices or requests concerning HANZALA Digital Media content should be submitted through the official contact information published on the website and should identify the content concerned, the nature of the request, and sufficient information for review. HANZALA Digital Media reviews legal requests in accordance with applicable law. Receipt of a removal request, objection, or complaint does not constitute automatic acceptance of its validity or an obligation to remove content. Where appropriate, HANZALA Digital Media may request additional information or documentation before determining how to respond.
08
Disclaimer
HANZALA Digital Media content is provided for general news and informational purposes. While professional efforts are made to verify information, facts in breaking or developing stories may change after publication. Published content does not constitute individualized legal, financial, medical, or other professional advice and should not be relied upon as a substitute for advice from an appropriately qualified professional where required. Views or statements attributed to third parties are those of their respective sources and do not necessarily represent the position of HANZALA Digital Media.
09 · Version 1.0
HANZALA DIGITAL MEDIA – EDITORIAL POLICY
This Editorial Policy establishes the standards used by HANZALA Digital Media in selecting, verifying, producing, and publishing editorial content across its digital platforms. It applies to news, reports, field coverage, analysis, interviews, visual journalism, and documentary content produced by HANZALA Digital Media.
Last Updated: July 2026
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
01
Purpose & Scope
This Editorial Policy establishes the standards used by HANZALA Digital Media in selecting, verifying, producing, and publishing editorial content across its digital platforms. It applies to news, reports, field coverage, analysis, interviews, visual journalism, and documentary content produced by HANZALA Digital Media.
02
Editorial Independence
HANZALA Digital Media maintains editorial independence in its journalistic decisions. Commercial, advertising, political, or personal interests must not determine the selection, framing, or outcome of editorial coverage. Editorial decisions are based on newsworthiness, public interest, available evidence, and professional journalistic standards.
03
Accuracy & Verification
We seek to verify information before publication using sources appropriate to the story, including official records and documents, direct sources, credible journalists, open-source evidence, and independent sources where appropriate. When information of legitimate public interest cannot be fully verified, its level of certainty and attribution must be made clear. Unverified information must not be presented as established fact.
04
Sources & Attribution
Information should be attributed to its sources whenever reasonably possible and appropriate, with preference given to direct sources and original documentation. Confidential sources may be used when the information serves a legitimate public interest and cannot reasonably be obtained otherwise. The source’s credibility, motives, and information must be carefully assessed.
05
Breaking & Developing News
In breaking and developing news, HANZALA Digital Media balances timely reporting with the need for accuracy. Speed does not justify presenting unverified information as fact. Preliminary information of legitimate news value may be reported when clearly identified as preliminary or under verification, with coverage updated as reliable new information becomes available.
06
News & Opinion
HANZALA Digital Media clearly distinguishes news reporting from content primarily based on opinion, commentary, or personal analysis. Opinions must not be presented as facts. Content primarily expressing opinion or commentary should be identified in a manner that allows audiences to distinguish it from news reporting.
07
Corrections & Updates
When a material error is identified in published content, HANZALA Digital Media seeks to correct it within a reasonable time and in a manner appropriate to the nature of the error and the platform. Stories may be updated as information develops. Updates should not be used to conceal a material correction when acknowledging the previous error is necessary for accuracy and transparency.
08
Allegations & Legal Proceedings
Criminal and civil allegations are reported as allegations unless established through an appropriate legal finding, with clear attribution to the police, court, document, or other responsible source. Coverage respects the presumption of innocence, applicable publication restrictions, publication bans, and other legal requirements in the relevant jurisdiction.
09
Privacy & Public Interest
HANZALA Digital Media respects privacy and balances an individual's reasonable expectation of privacy against the legitimate public interest in reporting information. Greater care is taken with sensitive personal information, private individuals, and victims of crime or traumatic events. Personal details are published only when journalistically justified or lawfully available and their use serves a legitimate editorial purpose.
10
Children & Minors
HANZALA Digital Media exercises particular care when reporting on children and minors, considering their safety, privacy, dignity, and any legal restrictions on identification. A minor's identity will not be disclosed where prohibited by law. Unnecessary details that could effectively identify a protected minor are also avoided when protection is warranted.
11
Images, Video & Sensitive Content
Images and video are used for legitimate journalistic purposes with consideration for accuracy, context, and human dignity. HANZALA Digital Media avoids unnecessary use of highly sensitive or disturbing material. Warnings, blurring, or cropping may be used where appropriate. Visual editing must not materially alter the journalistic meaning of content or mislead the audience.
12
User-Generated & Viral Content
Content circulating on social media is not treated as authentic merely because it is widely shared. HANZALA Digital Media seeks to verify its source, date, location, context, and authenticity using available methods before presenting it as confirmed material. Where verification remains incomplete but the material has legitimate news value, it must be clearly described as circulating, unverified, or under verification as appropriate, without making claims beyond what the available evidence supports.
13
Artificial Intelligence & Synthetic Content
HANZALA Digital Media may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with research, translation, editing, and production, but such tools do not replace human editorial responsibility. Material factual information must be reviewed and verified before publication. When AI is materially used to create or alter visual or audio content in a way that could affect the audience's understanding of its nature, appropriate disclosure should be provided.
14
Official & Independent Sources
HANZALA Digital Media does not treat information as automatically accurate solely because it comes from an official source, nor does it dismiss information solely because it originates from an independent or non-governmental source. Information is assessed according to available evidence, source credibility and track record, proximity to the event, and the possibility of independent verification. Where accounts conflict, coverage seeks to distinguish established facts from disputed or unverified claims.
15
Digital Verification & Open-Source Intelligence
Digital verification and open-source intelligence (OSINT) methods may be used in journalism, including analysis of images, video, geolocation, timing, public data, and other lawfully available evidence. Digital evidence must be assessed in context, and conclusions should not extend beyond what the evidence can reasonably establish. Material uncertainty should be clearly communicated.
16
Conflict, War & Crisis Reporting
HANZALA Digital Media applies additional caution to information emerging during wars, conflicts, and crises, where misinformation, propaganda, and conflicting claims may be especially prevalent. Claims made by parties to a conflict are attributed to those parties and independently verified where reasonably possible. Casualty figures, claims about military outcomes, and disputed battlefield accounts are not presented as established facts without sufficient basis for verification.
17
Field Reporting & Eyewitnesses
Information gathered through field reporting, including eyewitness accounts, is treated as important source material that must be assessed according to the circumstances, its verifiability, and other available evidence. A single eyewitness account is not assumed to provide a complete account of an event. Where possible, multiple accounts are compared with images, video, documents, and other relevant information.
18
Fairness & Right of Reply
HANZALA Digital Media seeks to represent relevant facts and perspectives fairly. Fairness does not require giving equal weight to positions that are not equally supported by evidence. Where a report contains significant allegations that may harm the reputation of an identifiable person or organization, reasonable efforts are made to seek a response before publication when circumstances permit. A material response received after publication may be incorporated through an appropriate update.
19
Conflicts of Interest
Interests or relationships that could improperly influence editorial judgment, or reasonably raise material concerns about the independence of coverage, should be avoided. Where a potential conflict is directly relevant to the audience's understanding of the content and cannot reasonably be avoided, appropriate disclosure should be considered.
20
Sponsored Content & Advertising
Independent editorial content must be clearly distinguishable from advertising, sponsorships, and paid content so that commercial material is not presented to audiences as independent journalism. Advertising, sponsorship, or other commercial relationships do not give an outside party the right to control editorial conclusions, alter facts, or prevent legitimate public-interest reporting.
21
Complaints, Corrections & Accountability
HANZALA Digital Media takes complaints concerning accuracy, fairness, or compliance with editorial standards seriously and reviews complaints that have a reasonable basis. When a material error is established, it is corrected in a clear manner appropriate to the nature of the error and the platform on which it appeared. Published content may also be updated to include significant new information or clarification, with transparency maintained where a change is material.
22
Application & Review
This Editorial Policy applies to editorial content published under the HANZALA Digital Media name and should be read alongside the organization's Code of Ethics and applicable legal and regulatory policies. The Editorial Policy is reviewed periodically to reflect developments in journalism, technology, law, and professional standards. It may be amended when necessary, with the version number and date of the latest revision identified.
10 · Version 1.0
HANZALA DIGITAL MEDIA – CODE OF ETHICS
HANZALA Digital Media is committed to journalism guided by accuracy, independence, fairness, transparency, accountability, and the public interest. This Code establishes the professional standards governing the gathering, verification, production, and publication of information across HANZALA Digital Media platforms.
Last Updated: July 2026
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
01
Accuracy & Verification
HANZALA Digital Media makes reasonable professional efforts to verify information before publication. Confirmed facts, probable information, unverified claims, opinion, and analysis should be clearly distinguished. Speed does not justify knowingly publishing inaccurate or inadequately verified information.
02
Fairness & Context
We seek to present information in proper context and avoid omissions or wording that could materially mislead the audience. When coverage contains serious allegations concerning an identifiable person or organization, we seek, where practical and appropriate, to include or obtain the relevant response.
03
Editorial Independence
Editorial decisions at HANZALA Digital Media are made independently. Advertisers, sponsors, and commercial interests may not dictate editorial conclusions or alter reported facts. Paid or sponsored content, when present, must be clearly identified so that it is not confused with independent editorial content.
04
Sources & Attribution
Information should be attributed whenever appropriate and practical, with preference given to primary sources, original documents, and direct records. Confidential sources may be used when there is a legitimate journalistic reason to protect them, subject to careful assessment of the source and the information provided.
05
OSINT & Digital Verification
HANZALA Digital Media may use open-source intelligence and verification methods to support journalism, including image and video analysis, geolocation, public data, flight or maritime tracking, and satellite imagery when relevant and lawfully available. Open-source indicators are not treated as conclusive proof unless supported by the available evidence. The level of confidence and relevant limitations should be made clear when findings are inconclusive.
06
Official & Unofficial Sources
HANZALA Digital Media evaluates information according to the strength of the evidence and the credibility of its source. Confirmation or denial from a single party is not necessarily treated as sufficient to resolve disputed facts. Local journalists, eyewitnesses, independent sources, and circulating material may provide valuable leads, but their claims are assessed and verified before being presented as confirmed facts.
07
News, Opinion & Analysis
HANZALA Digital Media clearly distinguishes factual news reporting from opinion, commentary, and analysis. Personal views must not be presented as facts, and content expressing a viewpoint or commentary should be clearly identified for the audience.
08
Corrections & Updates
HANZALA Digital Media corrects material errors when they are identified and updates developing stories when significant new information changes the understanding of a story. Corrections should be clear and proportionate to the significance of the error. A material error should not simply be concealed through silent deletion or editing when an explanatory correction is warranted.
09
Breaking News & Developing Stories
In breaking or developing stories, HANZALA Digital Media makes clear when information is preliminary or subject to change and updates coverage as reliable new information becomes available. Unconfirmed information must not be presented as established fact, and inaccurate details should be corrected as promptly as practical.
10
Crime, Courts & Allegations
HANZALA Digital Media uses legally precise language when reporting crime, investigations, and court proceedings, clearly distinguishing suspicion, allegations, charges, convictions, and sentencing. An accused person is treated as innocent unless proven guilty according to law. Allegations are attributed to the police, courts, or other responsible source, and applicable publication bans and legal restrictions are respected.
11
Privacy, Dignity & Minimizing Harm
HANZALA Digital Media balances the public's right to know with individuals' legitimate interests in privacy, dignity, and safety. We avoid publishing personal details, images, or sensitive information that do not add meaningful journalistic value, particularly when children, victims, or vulnerable individuals are involved.
12
Images, Video & User-Generated Content
Images and videos circulating online should be verified as far as reasonably possible before being used in news coverage, including examination of their source, context, date, and location when relevant. Old or out-of-context material must not be presented as documenting a new event, and the verification status should be disclosed when independent confirmation is not possible.
13
Artificial Intelligence & Synthetic Content
HANZALA Digital Media may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with research, organization, translation, editing, and production, while final editorial responsibility remains with humans. Material information must be verified before publication, and AI output alone must not be relied upon as evidence of fact. When AI-generated or materially AI-altered content could affect the audience's understanding of its nature, appropriate disclosure should be provided.
14
Copyright & Fair Dealing
HANZALA Digital Media respects intellectual property and the rights of content owners and seeks to use material that it owns, is licensed to use, or may lawfully use. When excerpts or other material are used for journalistic purposes such as news reporting, criticism, or review, applicable Canadian copyright law and fair dealing principles are considered, including appropriate attribution where legally or professionally required.
15
Visual, Audio & Editing Integrity
Images, video, and audio must not be manipulated in a way that changes the journalistic meaning of an event or causes the audience to believe that something occurred when it did not. Routine editorial adjustments such as cropping, clarity enhancement, or audio adjustment may be used provided they do not materially misrepresent the content. Simulations, reconstructions, or material alterations should be identified when necessary to avoid misleading the audience.
16
Conflicts of Interest & Gifts
HANZALA Digital Media seeks to avoid financial, personal, or professional interests that could improperly influence editorial decisions or create a material conflict of interest. Material conflicts that cannot reasonably be avoided should be disclosed when relevant to the audience's understanding of editorial independence. Gifts or benefits must not be accepted in exchange for favourable coverage or for suppressing or altering journalistic content.
17
Source Protection & Confidentiality
HANZALA Digital Media respects the confidentiality of sources who have been promised protection and does not voluntarily disclose a confidential source's identity without consent, except in exceptional circumstances involving applicable legal obligations. Before granting confidentiality, the need for protection, the source's credibility, and the value of the information should be assessed, and promises that cannot responsibly be kept should be avoided.
18
Children & Vulnerable Persons
HANZALA Digital Media exercises additional care when reporting on children and vulnerable persons, considering their privacy, safety, and ability to understand the consequences of media participation. A child's identity or identifying information is not published where prohibited by law, and unnecessary identification is avoided when the risk of harm outweighs the legitimate journalistic interest.
19
Sensitive and Disturbing Content
HANZALA Digital Media considers public interest and journalistic necessity when publishing images, video, or details that may be disturbing. Unnecessarily graphic or highly sensitive material is avoided, and warnings, blurring, or editing may be used when they allow information to be reported without causing unnecessary harm to the audience or those involved.
20
Discrimination & Hate Content
HANZALA Digital Media avoids references to race, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sex, disability, or other personal characteristics unless genuinely relevant to the story. When reporting on hateful, extremist, or inflammatory material, appropriate journalistic context should be provided while avoiding unnecessary amplification of propaganda or incitement.
21
Accountability & Complaints
HANZALA Digital Media accepts responsibility for its published content and takes complaints concerning accuracy, fairness, or professional standards seriously. Complaints with a reasonable basis are reviewed, and when a material error or other issue requiring correction is established, appropriate editorial action is taken according to the circumstances.
22
Application & Review
This Code applies to editorial work published under the HANZALA Digital Media name and provides a general framework for professional decision-making, subject to applicable law and the journalistic circumstances of each case. The Code is reviewed periodically to reflect developments in journalism, technology, law, and professional standards. It may be updated when necessary, with the version number and date of the latest revision identified.