Editorial Policy

Last updated: 21 September 2026

VOK Originals publishes news, explainers, and original video for Pakistan and Pakistanis around the world. This policy sets out the standards our journalists and editors follow, so readers know what to expect from us and can hold us to it.

1. Our mission

We explain what is happening in Pakistan and to Pakistanis abroad, clearly and accurately, in words and on video. We aim to serve the public interest, give readers the context behind the headlines, and remain independent of political, government, and commercial influence.

2. Accuracy and verification

Accuracy comes before speed. We would rather publish second and be right than publish first and be wrong.

• We rely on first-hand reporting, official documents, on-record interviews, and credible published sources.
• Significant claims that do not come from an official or on-record source are confirmed with at least two independent sources before publication.
• We attribute information clearly, so readers can see where every important fact came from.
• We link to original sources, such as government notifications, court documents, and official statements, wherever possible.
• We do not publish rumours or unverified claims as fact.

3. Anonymous sources

We name our sources wherever possible. We grant anonymity only when the information is important to the public, cannot be obtained on the record, and the source faces a real risk of harm. When we use an anonymous source, we explain to readers why anonymity was given, and at least one senior editor knows the source’s identity.

4. Video standards

Video is at the centre of VOK’s work, so we hold it to the same standards as our written reporting.

• We verify footage before we use it, including who filmed it, when, and where.
• We never present staged or reconstructed scenes as real events. Reconstructions, dramatisations, and graphics are clearly labelled.
• Archive footage is labelled with its original date when it could be mistaken for recent events.
• Editing never changes the meaning of what someone said or what happened.

5. Images

Photographs are credited to their source. We do not alter news photographs in ways that change what they show. Illustrations and composite images are clearly labelled as such.

6. Social media and user content

Content taken from social media, including viral videos, is checked before publication. We try to identify the original uploader, confirm the date and location, and check whether the material has appeared before in a different context. If we cannot fully verify something but it is important to report, we say clearly what we have and have not been able to confirm.

7. Translation

Many of the people we quote speak Urdu, Punjabi, or other languages. Our translations aim to reflect what the speaker meant, not just the literal words. We do not add to or strengthen a quote in translation.

8. Use of artificial intelligence

We may use AI tools to help with tasks such as transcription, first-draft translation, research, and summarising documents. Every article and video published by VOK is written or reviewed, and approved, by a human journalist or editor, who is responsible for its accuracy.

We do not publish AI-generated images or video presented as real. Any AI-generated illustration is clearly labelled.

9. Fact-checks

Our Fact-check section examines claims circulating in public, chosen for their public importance and how widely they are spreading.

For each fact-check we identify the exact claim, look for the original source, gather evidence, and, where possible, contact the person or organisation that made the claim. We then give one of these verdicts:

• True: The claim is accurate.
• Misleading: The claim contains some truth but leaves out or distorts important context.
• False: The claim is not supported by the evidence.
• Unproven: There is not enough evidence to confirm or disprove the claim.

We show our evidence so readers can judge it for themselves.

10. Corrections and retractions

When we get something wrong, we fix it openly.

• Minor errors, such as spelling or formatting, may be corrected without a note.
• Significant errors, such as a wrong fact, name, figure, or quote, are corrected with a clear note at the end of the article explaining what was changed. For example:

Correction (21 September 2026): An earlier version of this article misspelled the name of the spokesperson quoted. This has been corrected.

• Retractions are published when a story is fundamentally wrong. We explain what went wrong and why the story was withdrawn.

Errors in videos are corrected in the description, and where needed, the video is replaced or removed with an explanation.

11. Developing stories

Breaking and developing stories are updated as new information becomes available. Articles show both the original publication time and the time of the latest update, so readers know how current the information is.

12. Independence from advertisers

Our editorial decisions are made by our journalists and editors, not by advertisers, sponsors, or partners.

• Advertising does not influence what we cover or how we cover it.
• Sponsored content and brand partnerships are always clearly labelled as Sponsored, so readers can tell them apart from our journalism.
• Advertisers never review or approve our reporting before it is published.

13. Conflicts of interest

Our staff do not accept gifts, payments, or favours from people or organisations they cover. Journalists do not report on stories in which they have a personal, family, or financial interest. Any possible conflict must be disclosed to an editor, who decides how to handle it.

14. Politics and opinion

VOK does not support or endorse any political party or candidate. Our political coverage is factual and fair to all sides.

• News reports what happened, based on evidence.
• Analysis explains why it happened and what it means, and is labelled as analysis.
• Opinion reflects the view of the writer, not VOK, and is always clearly labelled.

15. Bylines

Our articles carry the real name of the journalist responsible. In rare cases, where naming a journalist could put them at risk, we may withhold a byline, and we tell readers when we have done so.

16. Ownership and funding

VOK Originals is an independent, privately owned media organisation, with its head office in Sydney, Australia, and a newsroom in Sargodha, Pakistan. We are not affiliated with any political party, government, or state body.

VOK is funded through advertising, clearly labelled sponsored content, and video production partnerships.

17. Contact our editors

We welcome corrections, feedback, and story tips from readers.

Editor-in-Chief: Saad Ali
Email: alisaad11424@gmail.com

Every correction request is reviewed by an editor. If we find an error, we will correct it in line with this policy.