Publication Policy

publication policies

Applies to: Website, newsletters, social media platforms, and all digital publications of Mithila Delights

1. Editorial Independence

Mithila Delights is an independent digital publication committed to documenting the culture, history, language, economy, food traditions, and people of the Mithila region.

  • Editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, donors, sponsors, or funding partners.

  • Financial contributions, reader memberships, or grants do not influence content selection, framing, or conclusions.

  • The newsroom maintains a strict separation between editorial and revenue operations.

This independence is essential for building long-term reader trust and sustaining reader-supported journalism.

2. Mission and Public Interest

Our mission is to:

  • Preserve and document Mithila’s cultural and historical heritage

  • Produce accurate, accessible, and well-researched journalism

  • Serve readers with factual, evergreen, and educational content

  • Amplify underrepresented voices without advocacy or propaganda

All published content must serve the public interest, not private or political agendas.

3. Content Standards

3.1 Accuracy and Verification

  • Facts are verified using credible sources, archival records, field research, or expert interviews.

  • Claims that cannot be verified are clearly identified as oral history, tradition, or opinion.

  • Errors are corrected transparently (see Section 9).

3.2 Originality

  • Content must be original and not plagiarised.

  • Proper attribution is mandatory when referencing books, research papers, archives, or other publications.

  • AI tools, if used, must support research or editing—not replace human editorial judgment.

3.3 Language and Tone

  • Language is clear, neutral, and accessible.

  • Sensationalism, exaggeration, or emotionally manipulative framing is avoided.

  • Hate speech, defamatory content, or discriminatory language is strictly prohibited.

4. News, Features, and Opinion

4.1 News & Reports

  • Must be factual, balanced, and clearly sourced.

  • Personal opinions of writers must not appear in news reports.

4.2 Features & Cultural Essays

  • May include narrative storytelling but must remain fact-based.

  • Folklore and traditions are clearly identified as such.

4.3 Opinion Pieces

  • Clearly labelled as Opinion.

  • Reflect the author’s views, not necessarily those of Mithila Delights.

  • Opinions must still meet standards of accuracy, civility, and responsibility.

5. Reader Revenue & Ethical Funding

Mithila Delights may generate revenue through:

  • Reader memberships or subscriptions

  • Voluntary donations

  • Paid newsletters or special publications

  • Ethical advertising and sponsorships

Key Principles:

  • Readers pay to support journalism, not to influence it.

  • Sponsored content, if any, is clearly labelled and separated from editorial work.

  • No “pay-for-coverage” or undisclosed promotional content is allowed.

6. Advertising and Sponsored Content

  • Advertisements are clearly distinguishable from editorial content.

  • Sponsored articles or partnerships are labelled as Sponsored, Partner Content, or Advertisement.

  • We do not accept advertisements that promote misinformation, hate, or exploitative practices.

7. Community and Reader Engagement

Mithila Delights values its readers as stakeholders.

  • Constructive feedback, corrections, and suggestions are welcomed.

  • Comments and community interactions must follow standards of civility.

  • Abusive, defamatory, or misleading comments may be moderated or removed.

Reader trust is central to our sustainability strategy.

8. Conflicts of Interest

  • Writers and editors must disclose any personal, financial, or professional conflicts related to a story.

  • Contributors must not cover organisations or individuals where a direct conflict exists.

  • Undisclosed conflicts are considered a serious breach of policy.

9. Corrections and Clarifications

  • Errors are corrected promptly once verified.

  • Corrections are clearly noted at the end of the article or in a dedicated corrections section.

  • Readers may report errors via email or contact forms.

Transparency strengthens reader confidence.

10. Archival Integrity

  • Once published, articles remain part of the public record.

  • Updates are timestamped and documented.

  • Content is not altered retroactively to suit political, commercial, or reputational interests.

11. Data Privacy and Reader Trust

  • Reader data (emails, payment details) is protected and never sold.

  • Communications are opt-in and unsubscribe options are always available.

  • Editorial analytics are used to improve content quality—not to manipulate readers.

12. Accountability

Mithila Delights is accountable to:

  • Its readers

  • Its contributors

  • The historical and cultural record of Mithila

Violations of these policies may lead to content removal, contributor review, or editorial action.

13. Policy Review

These publication policies are reviewed periodically to reflect:

  • Changes in journalistic best practices

  • Reader feedback

  • Legal and ethical standards

Final Note to Readers

By supporting Mithila Delights through reading, sharing, or contributing financially, readers become partners in preserving Mithila’s heritage through responsible, independent journalism.