1. Identity and Editorial Responsibility

The ‘Dhaka News Times’ is presented as an editorial publication operated on behalf of HRD Media. Its stated aim is to collect, review, analyse and explain information, opinions and documentary material on international issues of legitimate public interest, and to disseminate information, opinions and documentary material on issues of legitimate public interest.

The editor is responsible for establishing and monitoring editorial standards, including procedures for fact-checking, legal review, corrections, right of reply, source protection, data protection checks, and distinguishing between factual reporting, assertions, analyses, opinions, commentary, satire and advertising.

The publisher acknowledges that the appointment of an editor or publisher is not merely a formality. Insofar as applicable law imposes liability on an author, editor, person in charge, publisher, media provider or a company, the person or organisation concerned remains accountable in accordance with that law. A legal notice on a website neither transfers nor removes legal liability. Any independent contributor, syndication partner, guest author, technical operator or third-party provider remains liable to the extent required by law.

2. Scope of This Statement

This statement applies to all editorial services over which Dhaka News Times or HRD Media exercises effective editorial control, including:

• websites, domains and subdomains;
• electronic newspapers and magazines;
• articles, editorials, commentaries and investigative reports;
• translations and localised editions;
• documentation archives and public repositories for records;
• newsletters, RSS feeds and content distribution services;
• photographs, illustrations, graphics, audio and video material;
• podcasts, interviews and live coverage;
• official social media accounts;
• searchable databases and article directories; and
• technically replicated copies or copies intended for disaster recovery that are controlled by the publisher.

This statement does not automatically apply to an independent third party merely because they link to, quote from, archive, embed, republish or comment on material from the ‘Dhaka News Times’.

3. Journalistic and Public-Educational Purposes

All content controlled by the publisher is intended to be created and disseminated in the context of journalism, reporting in the public interest, analysis, commentary, documentary preservation or public education.

The publisher’s stated objectives are:

1. to inform the public about matters concerning civic, political, administrative, judicial, economic, social or cultural life;
2. to explain complex events, laws, public decisions and administrative procedures in an accessible manner;
3. to facilitate informed public debate;
4. to scrutinise the exercise of public authority and the use of public funds;
5. to document statements and conduct relevant to public office or public duties;
6. to preserve records of legitimate public importance;
7. to expose and correct misinformation;
8. to present background information and opposing viewpoints; and
9. to give affected individuals the opportunity to respond to factual claims concerning them.

4. Meaning of the Public Interest

For the purposes of this guideline, ‘public interest’ does not mean everything that might arouse public curiosity. It refers to a legitimate societal interest in obtaining information that contributes to public understanding, democratic accountability, the protection of rights, or the uncovering and discussion of misconduct.

Relevant considerations of public interest may include:

• the exercise of elected or appointed public office;
• the integrity and conduct of the public administration;
• public expenditure and public procurement;
• public safety and public health;
• elections and democratic institutions;
• judicial and regulatory proceedings;
• allegations of corruption, abuse of office or conflicts of interest;
• human rights issues;
• matters that are already part of an official public record;
• statements voluntarily made in public;
• the accuracy of information disseminated by influential individuals or institutions; and
• the need to correct a materially misleading public representation.

5. Fundamental Editorial Standards

Before publishing a materially adverse factual allegation, the editor has taken reasonable steps that are proportionate to the seriousness of the allegation. These measures typically include examining original documents; assessing reliability and motivation of sources; seeking corroboration; distinguishing between first-hand knowledge and hearsay; taking into account contradictory material; and providing a meaningful opportunity to respond.

Headlines, summaries, excerpts, thumbnails, captions, domain names, search metadata and social media previews must fairly represent the underlying article. The publisher clearly distinguishes between established facts, controversial facts, allegations, conclusions, editorial opinions, quotations, predictions, satire, and sponsored communications.

27-29. Source Protection & Minimisation: Confidential source agreements require editor approval. Private addresses, phone numbers, bank details, medical records, or whereabouts are strictly protected under data minimisation rules. Technical and organisational measures safeguard unpublished material and personal data.

30. Final Editorial Commitment: The “Dhaka News Times” and HRD Media undertake to publish material reasonably believed to be supported by sufficient evidence, proportionate to a legitimate journalistic purpose, and consistent with applicable law. Freedom of expression is accompanied by a duty to accuracy, fairness, transparency, and meaningful rights of reply.