EDITORIAL POLICY

Mission & Principles

Our mission is to deliver fast, accurate, and insightful sports journalism. We value:

• Truth & fairness – reflect facts faithfully and in context.
• Originality – add analysis, reporting, or perspective that creates value.
• Transparency – disclose sources, methods, and limitations where relevant.

Editorial Independence

Editorial decisions are independent from commercial interests. Advertising, sponsorships, and affiliate relationships do not influence coverage (see Advertising Policy). Any paid placements are clearly labeled as "Advertisement" or "Sponsored."

Sourcing & Attribution

We rely on first-hand reporting, official materials (leagues, clubs, governing bodies), on-record interviews, match data, and reputable publications.

• When referencing another outlet's reporting, we credit and link to the original.
• Anonymous sources are used sparingly and only when necessary to protect a source; we seek corroboration before publishing.
• Quotes are accurate and not taken out of context. Translations are faithful to meaning.

Use of News/Data APIs

We use news/data APIs for metadata (e.g., headlines, fixtures, scores, thumbnails) and to discover stories.

We do not republish full articles from third parties via API. Each story on The Goal Times adds original analysis, reporting, or context and links to sources where appropriate.

If a provider's terms require specific attribution/limits, we comply.

Verification & Fact-Checking

Key facts are corroborated with primary sources (official releases, match reports, statistics) or multiple reliable outlets.

Time-sensitive updates (injuries, transfers, suspensions) are clearly timestamped; we update articles as facts evolve.

Distinguishing News, Analysis, and Opinion

• News: fact-led coverage with neutral tone.
• Analysis/Explainers: labeled; includes interpretation, tactics, trends, and data context.
• Opinion: clearly labeled; reflects the author's view and is grounded in verifiable facts.

Corrections & Updates

If we publish an error, we will correct it promptly and add a note indicating what changed and when.

Substantive updates to a live or developing story are timestamped ("Updated: …").

Readers can request corrections at contact@thegoaltimes.com.

Conflicts of Interest

We avoid assignments that present a conflict (financial interests, close relationships).

Any unavoidable potential conflict is disclosed in the piece or the writer recuses from coverage.

Photography, Video, and IP

• We use licensed or original images/video only; credits are provided where required.
• We respect copyrights, trademarks, and image rights.
• User-submitted media must be owned by the submitter or shared with permission.

Live Coverage & Speed vs. Accuracy

In live blogs or breaking news, we prioritize accuracy over speed.

Rumors/early reports are labeled as such and updated as verification arrives.

Social Media & Embeds

Posts embedded from third-party platforms reflect the original context and may be removed if they become unavailable or misleading.

Social media is a tip source, not a substitute for verification.

User-Generated Content (UGC) & Comments (if enabled)

• We may moderate or remove content that is unlawful, defamatory, hateful, or spam.
• Users are responsible for their submissions and must hold rights to share them.

Safety, Minors & Sensitive Topics

Extra care is taken with content involving minors, injuries, or incidents in progress. We avoid gratuitous graphic detail or imagery.

AI-Assisted Tools

We may use AI tools for background tasks (idea generation, transcription assistance, drafting outlines).

All published content is human-edited and fact-checked; AI outputs are reviewed for accuracy and originality before publication.

AI is not used to fabricate quotes or sources.

Sourcing from Leagues & Rights Holders

We honor embargoes and credential rules where applicable.

Official statistics (e.g., from leagues/federations) are cited with context and, if needed, linked.

Editorial Complaints & Right of Reply

Individuals or organizations referenced may request a right of reply. We will consider and, where appropriate, append a response or publish a follow-up.

Formal complaints can be sent to contact@thegoaltimes.com with supporting details.

Changes to This Policy

We may update this policy to reflect new practices or legal requirements. The latest version will be posted with the Effective date above.