Chalo Chatu:Contributor Onboarding Policy
This policy outlines the recruitment, training, and code of conduct for individuals appointed to contribute or assist in the documentation process for Chalo Chatu.
Controlled Access Model
Chalo Chatu operates under a controlled editorial system. It is not open to the general public for editing. Only approved and trained contributors may submit content or participate in documentation activities.
Eligibility Criteria
Candidates must meet at least one of the following requirements:
- Academic or professional background in journalism, history, education, or research
- Field experience in community documentation, heritage preservation, or oral history collection
- Demonstrated knowledge of Zambian culture, geography, or public institutions
- Proven writing, editing, or metadata tagging skills
Application and Approval Process
- Application Submission via the official Chalo Chatu portal or referral
- Screening Interview conducted by the Editorial Board
- Writing Test or trial submission
- Training and Orientation (see below)
- Probation Period of 30–90 days with limited publishing rights
- Final Approval and full contributor rights granted by the Board
Mandatory Training
All new contributors must complete orientation training that covers:
- Editorial Policy and Inclusion Guidelines
- Source evaluation (print, oral, digital, and government social media)
- Neutral tone and encyclopaedic writing
- Metadata tagging, categories, and image licensing
- Procedures for field interviews and oral history documentation
Contributor Roles
Depending on approval, contributors may be assigned one or more roles:
- Article Writer
- Oral Historian / Field Documenter
- Image/Data Archivist
- Content Verifier / Research Assistant
Code of Conduct
Contributors must:
- Adhere to editorial policies at all times
- Maintain neutrality, accuracy, and confidentiality
- Respect community knowledge and traditional authorities
- Declare any conflict of interest
- Never plagiarise, falsify, or fabricate content
Removal or Suspension
Contributors may be suspended or removed if they:
- Violate policy or ethics
- Repeatedly submit low-quality or unverifiable content
- Leak confidential data
- Engage in bias, defamation, or unauthorised publishing
Contributor Registry
All approved contributors will be listed in the Chalo Chatu:Editorial Registry for transparency and accountability. Each contributor will be assigned a contributor ID and area of focus.
Last updated: 31 July 2025
