Our publication standards
ZaxNews aims to publish clear, useful content that lets readers understand both a subject and the evidence behind it. These standards guide reporting, analysis, opinion and contributed work.
Distinguishing formats
- Reporting: distinguish verified information from allegations and unresolved claims.
- Analysis: explain how evidence supports an interpretation.
- Opinion: make personal judgement and argument identifiable.
- Research proposals: distinguish a hypothesis or proposed test from a demonstrated result.
- Commercial content: identify sponsorship or other material support clearly.
Sources and accuracy
Prefer original documents, research publications, datasets and direct statements where practical. Sources should support the particular claim being made, not merely discuss the same subject.
Check names, dates, quotations and numerical claims. Explain relevant uncertainty and avoid headlines that exaggerate what the evidence establishes.
Attribution alone does not make a claim reliable. Anonymous-source material requires a justified reason and an assessment of credibility.
Science and research
Distinguish peer-reviewed research from preprints, commentary and unpublished proposals. Publication on this website is not itself a claim of independent peer review.
Original work should explain assumptions, methods, limitations and the evidence needed to evaluate its conclusions. Claims of preregistration should link to a verifiable dated record and disclose relevant changes to the planned method.
Illustrative images and simulations should not be presented as direct observations when they are not.
Conflicts and commercial interests
Disclose relationships that could materially affect how readers assess an article, including ownership, financial interests, sponsorship, affiliate benefits or involvement in the research discussed.
Paid placements must not be presented as undisclosed independent recommendations.
AI-assisted work
Authors and publishers remain responsible for content prepared with AI assistance. Sources, quotations and factual claims must be checked; invented references or unsupported assertions are not acceptable.
Disclose material AI involvement where it affects readers’ assessment of the work. Identify synthetic images or reconstructions where they could be mistaken for a real event or observation.
Confidential material and personal information should not be supplied to external tools without an appropriate basis and safeguards.
Fairness and privacy
Distinguish allegations from established facts. Seek a meaningful response to serious allegations where practical and fair.
Avoid publishing unnecessary personal information, particularly about children or vulnerable people.
Dates and corrections
Preserve original publication dates when updating articles. Significant revisions should carry an update date and, where useful, an explanation.
Material errors should receive visible corrections. Serious unresolved concerns may require an editor’s note or retraction.
See our Corrections & Complaints Policy.
Editorial enquiries: [email protected].