Editorial Requirements

What is news?
Simple. When you think something is news, it is news. Please post your article or photos to us and we will publish. Or not. Here are some criteria.

News is New
News is has time constraints. Write down the latest news first. Be fast. There is no faster media than the internet. Use it!

News is True
A reporter has great responsibility. When you are not sure of a fact, do not write it down as a fact. When in doubt, leave it out. Check your facts! Double check names. Try to be as informed as you can be. Most common ways of getting informed is through interviews, observation and document/internet research. One anonymous source is not a source. Two sources doesn’t fix the problem either. Be aware of the internet as a valuable –though also dangerous - source of information. Do no believe everything you read on the net!

 A good news article needs to meet the requirements below:
- Sensitive subjects need special approach and handling. Get experts involved in your work when you think you do not have full control of the subject.
 - Don't plagiarise other people’s work.
- Share your sources. How do you know all this, your readers want to know.
- An anonymous source is not a source at all.
- Be very careful with internet sources. Authoritativeness is key.
- Write your news in an objective, neutral tone of voice. Be original and distinctive. Try to write in ‘helicopter view’ style. Keep distance. Do not be arrogant, safe behind a computer screen.
- Start by asking yourself: what has happened? Then continue: When, Who, Where, How and Why. To make your article bright, you add context, history and a future perspective if possible.

Here are some Tips and Trics for better writing
- Simple and direct writing is key. Use short sentences and simple structures. 
- Use an active voice. A good news story is not too long. In 600 words you should be able to do the trick.
- Use the active voice in your sentence construction.
- Use the enter button, please no blocks of text more than five lines. Keep your text readable.
- Use quotes. Quotation brings your article to life. When you do so, make sure you do so accurately. Quote people exactly. Do not rephrase. Write quotes down immediately or tape the conversation.
- Use a spelling check when ever possible. 


IMPORTANT: always keep in mind the AfricaNews' Code of Conduct