Chalo Chatu:Editorial Policy

Approved by the Editorial Board of Chalo Chatu

Chalo Chatu is an encyclopedia preserving the History and Pride of Zambia. This editorial policy outlines the standards, responsibilities, and procedures that guide content creation, verification, and publication on the platform.

Mission and Purpose

Chalo Chatu exists to:

• Document and preserve Zambia’s historical, cultural, political, and social developments.
• Make accessible both written and oral knowledge of the Zambian people.
• Provide a curated, reliable, and freely accessible reference for citizens, researchers, students, and the global community.

Controlled Access and Editorial Authority

Chalo Chatu is not an open editing platform. All articles and entries are written, reviewed, and approved by a dedicated editorial team consisting of:

• Historians, researchers, journalists, and documentation experts.
• Trained contributors vetted and appointed by the Editorial Board.
• Field researchers and oral historians with assigned credentials.

External contributions may be submitted for review, but only the editorial team may publish or approve content for the platform.

Editorial Principles

Accuracy

All content must be factually correct. Contributors are expected to:

• Use verified and traceable sources where available.
• Clearly label oral history or first-hand accounts and follow internal guidelines for vetting.
• Provide contextual depth to ensure clarity and avoid misrepresentation.

Neutrality

Articles must be written from a neutral, encyclopedic point of view. Team members must:

• Avoid any form of bias or promotional language.
• Present facts without personal opinion or political leanings.

Verifiability and Sources

• Every factual claim must be backed by a reliable source.
• Accepted sources include: newspapers, government records, books, archival materials, peer-reviewed journals, and approved oral accounts.
• Official information shared on social media platforms (e.g., Facebook, X, WhatsApp broadcasts) by verified government institutions or officials is considered valid and citable.
• Oral history is acceptable if:

• Recorded and verified through internal protocols.
• Reviewed by cultural authorities, community leaders, or subject-matter experts.
• Logged and archived for transparency.

Source Categories

• Primary Sources: First-hand records or interviews.
• Secondary Sources: Published works and expert analysis.
• Oral History: Must pass internal community validation and editorial approval.
• Official Social Media Sources: Government institutions and verified officials' statements on platforms like Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and WhatsApp.
• Developing Events: Entries created in real time must be clearly marked and updated regularly.

Review and Oversight

All published articles are subject to:

• Mandatory peer review by senior editors.
• Scheduled updates to maintain accuracy.
• Internal audits to detect and correct misinformation.

Article Labelling System

Each article may display one of the following labels:

Note: This article is supported by published, traceable sources.

— Fully referenced and verified with established sources.

Note: This article is based on oral tradition, interviews, and community memory. It has been reviewed according to Chalo Chatu's oral history guidelines.

— Based on authorised oral records, properly vetted.

Notice: This article covers an ongoing or developing event. Information may change as updates are made. It may not yet reflect the most current developments.

— Covers unfolding events or stories in progress.

Ethical Conduct

• All editorial staff must operate with integrity, respect for sources, and cultural sensitivity.
• No personal attacks, defamatory content, or unverified claims are tolerated.
• Articles on living persons must be factual, respectful, and privacy-aware.

Governance and Accountability

Chalo Chatu operates under the oversight of the Editorial Board. The Board:

• Appoints contributors, editors, and researchers.
• Resolves content disputes or ethical violations.
• Logs and publishes all policy changes on the Chalo Chatu:Policy Updates page.

Policy Enforcement

This policy is binding on all Chalo Chatu personnel. Breaches may result in:

• Suspension of editorial access
• Revocation of contributor privileges
• Legal or organisational action where appropriate

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Last updated: 31 July 2025