Our Principles of Journalism
The Sentinel Report is committed to journalism that serves the public interest through independence, integrity, fairness, and accountability.
As an independent monthly review of Nigerian and West African politics, economics, and security, we recognise the responsibility that comes with reporting on issues that affect public institutions, communities, businesses, and individual lives.
Our editorial decisions are guided by facts, public interest, and professional responsibility — never by political allegiance, personal interests, or external pressure.
1. Editorial Independence
We maintain editorial independence in the selection, investigation, preparation, and publication of our content.
Our reporting and editorial positions are not determined by political parties, government institutions, corporate interests, advertisers, sponsors, or private individuals.
Financial or commercial relationships must never dictate our editorial conclusions.
2. Accuracy and Verification
We strive to ensure that all published information is accurate, relevant, and supported by credible evidence.
Our journalists and contributors are expected to:
- Verify information before publication.
- Consult reliable primary and secondary sources.
- Distinguish confirmed facts from allegations, opinions, and speculation.
- Provide context when reporting complex political, economic, and security developments.
- Avoid misleading headlines, fabricated quotations, and unsupported claims.
Where information cannot be independently verified, we will make that limitation clear.
3. Fairness and Right of Response
We believe responsible journalism requires fairness, especially when reporting allegations of misconduct, corruption, abuse of office, or other matters that may affect an individual's or organisation's reputation.
Where appropriate, individuals and organisations named in critical reporting will be given a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
Responses received may be included or fairly summarised in the relevant report.
4. Sources and Confidentiality
We respect the importance of credible sources and responsible information gathering.
We may protect the identity of confidential sources where disclosure could expose them to intimidation, retaliation, professional consequences, or personal danger.
However, anonymous sourcing must be justified by the public interest, and information obtained through confidential sources must still be assessed for credibility.
5. Conflicts of Interest
Our editorial personnel and contributors must disclose any personal, professional, political, or financial interests that could reasonably influence their work.
No journalist or contributor should use their position at The Sentinel Report to obtain improper personal benefits, promote undisclosed interests, or influence coverage for private gain.
6. Gifts, Payments and Bribery
We do not accept bribes, inducements, or personal benefits in exchange for favourable coverage, suppression of information, or alteration of editorial decisions.
Any gifts, hospitality, sponsorships, or other benefits that could compromise, or appear to compromise, editorial independence must be disclosed and appropriately reviewed.
7. Political and Commercial Neutrality
We cover political parties, public officials, institutions, businesses, and civil society organisations based on their relevance to matters of public interest.
Our coverage does not constitute an endorsement of any political party, candidate, government, business, or ideological movement.
Advertisers and commercial partners are not entitled to influence independent editorial decisions.
8. Respect, Privacy and Human Dignity
We recognise the importance of human dignity, personal privacy, and responsible reporting.
We avoid unnecessary intrusion into private lives, sensationalism, discriminatory language, and the exploitation of victims or vulnerable individuals.
Particular care is taken when reporting on violence, insecurity, conflict, children, and other sensitive matters.
9. Images, Multimedia and Artificial Intelligence
Photographs, videos, graphics, and other multimedia materials must be presented honestly and in appropriate context.
We do not knowingly manipulate documentary images or media in ways that misrepresent events.
Artificial intelligence may be used as an editorial support tool, but it must not replace human editorial judgment, factual verification, or accountability. AI-generated or materially altered media will be appropriately identified where its presentation could otherwise mislead readers.
10. Accountability and Public Trust
We welcome constructive criticism, responsible feedback, and legitimate concerns about our journalism.
Where our reporting falls short of these standards, we will investigate the matter and take appropriate corrective action.
Our commitment is to remain independent, transparent, and accountable to the public.
The Sentinel Report believes that journalism earns credibility not through the absence of criticism, but through the integrity with which it responds to it.