The editorial guidelines and ethics policy are available at the website.
Last Updated: September 11, 2026
Our goal at Muskan.pk is to provide accurate, independent and timely news. We have high standards of journalistic integrity and accountability. This Policy and Principles of Editorial Guidelines and Ethics of the Newsroom is designed to provide an overview of the principles which underpin the daily work of our newsroom and the way we report and make editorial decisions.
1. Accuracy and Verification
We will always adhere to the principles of factual accuracy in our journalism.
Primary Verification: Information must be substantiated with original records, any official documentation, primary datasets and direct witnesses, if possible. Third party media reports must be verified independently before it can be published as secondary reports.
Corroboration: For critical, controversial or sensitive factual statements, verification from two or more independent sources.
All articles go through a Pre-Publication Review, during which the names, dates, quotes, statistics and assertions are cross checked for context and accuracy by desk editors.
2. Fairness, impartiality and right of reply.
We report news in an objective way without any bias or agenda.
The Right of Reply applies if an article makes allegations, criticisms or negative assertions about a person, company or institution, the reporter must make documented good faith attempts to secure a comment from the subject before publication.
Response Windows: They provide an appropriate window for a source to respond based on the urgency of the news being told. When a response comes after being published, the story is updated as soon as possible to include their response.
1) Clear Labeling: There is a clear distinction between factual news reporting and analysis, commentary and opinion. It is clear that any opinion column, op-ed or subjective analysis is clearly labeled as such with the use of prominent labels like “Opinion,” “Editorial” or “Analysis.
3. Sourcing and Attribution
We need transparency about the origins of our information, and that is critical to building reader trust.
On-the-Record Attribution: We aim to source with named individuals, explicit credentials and direct institutional affiliation.
Anonymous Sources: Anonymous sources are used only as a last resort, and then only when there is a vital public interest and information cannot be secured otherwise. Anonymity will be provided only if there is a credible threat to the source’s person, legal action, or job. The reporter shall try to confirm the source’s identity and the arrangement shall be approved by a senior editor.
Proper Attribution: We have a zero tolerance policy on plagiarism. When quoting another outlet’s scoop, investigative reporting, or another outlet’s original quote, we name the outlet and link directly to their primary coverage.
4. Conflicts of Interest and Commercial Independence.
In the editorial independence, there is no compromise.
Commercial Separation: The editorial team of Muskan.pk is completely separate from our commercial, advertising and corporate partnerships. News selection, framing and editorial coverage are independent of the influence of advertisers and commercial partners.
Sponsored Content & Native Advertising: Content that is being sponsored or advertised is clearly marked as such, e.g., Sponsored Content or Paid Advertisement. 100% commercial, promotion or affiliate links strictly follow search engine guidelines with rel=sponsored or rel=nofollow.
Personal Conflicts: Editorial personnel shall inform senior management of any personal, financial, political or familial relationships that may be construed as a conflict of interest with subjects that are covered. Writers are not allowed to write about any organisation, asset or commercial entity in which they have a financial interest.
No personal gifts, paid travel, free lodging or financial favors from sources, PR representatives or entities you are reporting on should be accepted by the journalist/editor.
5. Artificial Intelligence (AI) is used.
We make use of modern technology in the responsible way and have a firm human responsibility at the same time.
Human Accountability: All articles published on Muskan.pk are reviewed, edited and approved by a human journalist/editor. The factual accuracy and tone of the work is the sole responsibility of the bylined writer and the editing desk.
We do not use automated AI software to create and publish unvetted or independent news reports.
Generative AI tools can help with administrative duties in the newsroom, such as transcription, translation support, data parsing, or headline generation. Any output generated using AI assistance is independently verified by staff, based on primary sources before being included in any report.
6. Public Exposure and the Harm of Tone and Sensitivity
Our reporting is intended to enlighten, not to sensationalise or to do harm for its own sake.
The identity and likeness of minors involved in crimes, traumatic events or sensitive legal proceedings will not be published unless there is a clear and overriding legal or critical public safety need.
Graphic Imagery: We try to avoid sensational or gratuitous images of violence, injury or death. If sensitive imagery or descriptions are required in order to convey a critical news event, then clear content warnings precede the imagery and/or description.
We will not publish hate speech, harassment, unsubstantiated rumors or defamatory comments about race, ethnicity, nation of origin, religion, disability, gender or social background.
7. Corrections and Updates
We are quick to fix any errors that occur and do so openly and transparently.
Factual Corrections: Substantive errors of fact are corrected on the spot and a footnote or top note is provided to the reader indicating the date the error appeared, the information that was incorrect, and the information that was correct.
Minor Clarifications: Minor typographic or spelling errors that don’t affect the factual content of the reporting are fixed on the spot in the live text.
Retractions are usually placed when a published article is identified as fundamentally incorrect, fraudulent, or invalid, and will be accompanied by an obvious Editor’s note explaining the circumstances of the retraction.
Editorial Inquiries & Corrections
Contact our editorial team for questions, comments, or a formal request for correction of fact:
- Official Email: Info@Muskan.PK
- Publication: Muskan.pk
- Subject Line for Corrections: Correction Request – [Article Title / URL]