FanalMag Editorial Guidelines (2025)

Last updated: 8 September 2025
Tagline: FanalMag – Where AI Meets Everyday Life.

TL;DR

FanalMag is Africa-rooted and globally curious. We report, explain, and review AI and everyday tech with accuracy, fairness, and context. We fact-check sources, label opinions, disclose commercial relationships, and correct mistakes quickly. We utilise AI tools to support our work, but humans ultimately make the final editorial decisions. If you spot an error, email editor@fanalmag.com.

1) Our Mission & Scope

FanalMag explores how AI intersects with daily life—at home, at work, in school, in health, in finance, and in culture—with a special focus on Africa’s people, markets, and ideas. We publish news, explainers, guides, reviews, and opinion pieces that help readers make informed choices.

2) Independence & Ethics

  1. Editorial independence: Our journalism is produced without interference from advertisers, sponsors, or affiliates. Commercial teams do not decide what we cover.
  2. Conflicts of interest: Writers and editors must disclose any financial or personal relationships that could influence coverage. Where a conflict exists, we will either recuse the contributor or clearly disclose it in the piece.
  3. Gifts & loans: We do not accept gifts that could influence our coverage decisions. Loaned review units are returned whenever feasible; if retained for long-term testing, we disclose that.

3) Sourcing & Verification

  1. Attribution: We name our sources and link to primary materials when available (papers, filings, datasets).
  2. Verification: Facts are checked against at least two reliable sources where possible. Quotes are used accurately and in context.
  3. Anonymous sources: Used sparingly, only when necessary to protect individuals from credible risk. Editors must know the source’s identity.

4) Corrections & Updates

  1. Corrections: Substantive errors get a visible correction note at the top or bottom of the article describing what changed and when.
  2. Clarifications & updates: We update articles as stories evolve and timestamp those updates.
  3. How to request a correction: Email editor@fanalmag.com with the URL, the disputed claim, and supporting evidence. We aim to review within 48 hours.

5) Use of AI in Our Workflow

  1. Assistance, not automation: We may use AI for research assistance, transcription, drafting outlines, or image generation.
  2. Human in the loop: A human editor is responsible for verification, context, tone, and final approval.
  3. Labelling: We label AI-generated or AI-edited visuals and clearly mark synthetic media.
  4. Privacy & safety: We do not input sensitive personal data into AI tools without consent.

6) Reviews & Recommendations Methodology

When we recommend products (apps, devices, services), we aim to:

  1. Test honestly: Hands-on testing where feasible, supplemented by expert interviews, public documentation, and long-term use notes.
  2. Reflect context: We prioritise reliability, privacy, accessibility, and value in African markets (power, connectivity, pricing, language support).
  3. Disclose relationships: If affiliate links or sponsorships exist, we disclose them clearly (see “Advertising & Affiliate Policy”).
  4. Ratings language:
    • Recommended: Strong performance for most people.
    • Worth Considering: Good in specific cases or with caveats.
    • Not Recommended: Significant drawbacks or better alternatives exist.
      We may update recommendations as software, prices, or availability change.

7) Advertising, Sponsorships & Affiliate Disclosure

  1. Firewall: Advertisers and sponsors do not control editorial content, headlines, or conclusions.
  2. Labels: Sponsored content is labelled “Sponsored” or “Partner Content” and follows our quality standards.
  3. Affiliate links: We may earn a commission if you buy through our links. This never affects the price you pay or our verdicts. Learn more in our Advertising & Affiliate Policy.

8) Diversity, Inclusion & Harm Reduction

  • Representation: We strive for diverse sources and voices, with a focus on African perspectives and local expertise.
  • Language & imagery: We avoid stigmatising or demeaning language and provide content warnings for sensitive topics where appropriate.
  • Accessibility: We aim for clear writing, descriptive alt text, readable typography, and mobile-friendly layouts.

9) Privacy & Data

We respect reader privacy and comply with applicable laws. For details on cookies, analytics, and data subject rights, see our Privacy Policy.

10) Photos, Illustrations & Synthetic Media

  1. Attribution: We credit photographers, illustrators, and image sources.
  2. Editing: We do not manipulate images in ways that materially alter meaning, except for clearly labelled illustrations, composites, or AI-generated art.
  3. AI visuals: Any synthetic or significantly AI-edited imagery is labelled in the caption.

11) User Contributions & Community Standards

  1. Comments & submissions: By posting on our platforms or submitting tips, you agree not to share unlawful, hateful, or misleading content. We may moderate or remove content at our discretion.
  2. Takedown requests: For copyright or privacy concerns, email editor@fanalmag.com with the URL and details.

12) How to Pitch or Partner

  1. Story tips & op-eds: Send concise pitches to pitches@fanalmag.com with your angle, relevance, and any disclosures.
  2. Partnerships: For events, data collaborations, or sponsorships, contact partners@fanalmag.com (editorial independence still applies).

13) Contact

  1. Corrections & standards: editor@fanalmag.com
  2. General inquiries: hello@fanalmag.com