Our Commitment
TheNaijaWide is committed to accuracy, accountability and transparency.
When we publish incorrect, incomplete or misleading information, we aim to correct it promptly and clearly.
This policy explains how we handle corrections, clarifications, updates, editor’s notes and removal requests.
What Counts As A Correction
A correction is required when an article contains a factual error that affects the reader’s understanding of the story.
Examples include:
- Incorrect names
- Wrong dates or locations
- Inaccurate figures
- Misquoted statements
- Incorrect job titles
- Wrong identification of a person or organisation
- Misstated court outcomes
- Incorrect description of an allegation or investigation
- Misleading headline wording
Minor Edits
Minor edits may be made without a formal correction note when they do not materially change the meaning of the article.
These may include:
- Spelling
- Grammar
- Punctuation
- Formatting
- Broken links
- Minor style improvements
Significant Corrections
When an error materially affects the article, we may add a correction note.
A correction note may explain:
- The original error
- The corrected information
- The date of correction
Example:
Correction, August 6, 2026: An earlier version of this report misstated the location of the event. It occurred in Osogbo, not Ibadan. The article has been corrected.
Clarifications
A clarification may be added when the original article was not factually wrong but could have been clearer.
Example:
Clarification: This report has been updated to explain that the proposed policy has not yet taken effect.
Updates
An update adds new information to a developing story.
Updates are not necessarily corrections.
An article may be updated to include:
- A response
- A court decision
- New figures
- Additional context
- A later statement
- A change in official status
Where appropriate, the article displays an updated date.
Editor’S Notes
An editor’s note may be used for significant editorial issues, including:
- Major correction
- Source dispute
- Retraction
- Legal development
- Substantial revision
- Explanation of an editorial decision
Retractions
Retraction is rare.
We may retract content when:
- The central claim is false
- The evidence is fundamentally unreliable
- The article cannot be corrected adequately
- Publication creates serious legal or ethical harm
- The material was fabricated or manipulated
A retracted article may remain accessible with a clear notice where preserving the public record is appropriate.
Removal Requests
TheNaijaWide does not automatically remove accurate articles because they are inconvenient, embarrassing or no longer favourable to the subject.
Removal may be considered where:
- Publication is unlawful
- A court order requires removal
- There is a serious safety risk
- Personal information was published without justification
- The article is substantially inaccurate and cannot be corrected
- The content concerns a minor and continued publication causes unjustified harm
In some cases, correction, anonymisation or updating may be more appropriate than deletion.
How To Request A Correction
Readers may contact us through:
A correction request should include:
- The article title
- The article URL
- The exact statement being challenged
- The reason it is inaccurate
- Supporting evidence
- The requester’s contact details
Requests without enough information may be difficult to assess.
Review Process
When we receive a credible correction request, we may:
- Review the original sources
- Contact the reporter or editor
- Request supporting documents
- Seek a response from relevant parties
- Compare the claim with official records
- Update the article where necessary
We aim to handle genuine corrections fairly and promptly.
Disputes
A person or organisation may disagree with our reporting without proving that it is inaccurate.
A disagreement of opinion is not automatically a factual error.
Where a response is relevant and newsworthy, we may update the article or publish a follow-up.
Headline Corrections
If the headline is misleading, inaccurate or unsupported by the article, it should be corrected even if the body text is accurate.
Social-Media Corrections
Where a serious error was distributed through TheNaijaWide social accounts, we may correct or delete the social post and publish the accurate information.
Archive Integrity
Corrections should preserve the integrity of the public record.
We avoid silently rewriting major factual errors in a way that hides what happened.
Abuse Of The Corrections Process
Correction requests must not be used to:
- Intimidate reporters
- Suppress accurate reporting
- Remove legitimate criticism
- Conceal public records
- Harass the newsroom
Legal threats do not automatically determine editorial decisions.
Our Responsibility
TheNaijaWide accepts responsibility for its published work.
We believe transparent correction strengthens trust and improves journalism.
Publisher: NaijaWide Media
Website: https://thenaijawide.ng