This document sets forth the key principles, standards, and ethical guidelines that guide the editorial staff of *Zakarpattia Herald* in the collection, preparation, verification, and publication of news content. Our goal is to provide the public with high-quality, objective, and timely information about events in the Zakarpattia Oblast, Ukraine, and around the world.

1. Key Standards of Journalism

The editorial staff of *Zakarpattia Herald* strictly adheres to professional standards in its work:

• Objectivity and Impartiality: We present facts without the journalists’ personal opinions. The authors’ views and opinions may be expressed exclusively in analytical or opinion pieces, which are clearly labeled as “Blogs” or “Opinion.”
• Accuracy and fact-checking: Every news story undergoes verification before publication. We rely on official statements, primary sources, reports from state and local government authorities, as well as information from our own correspondents. We do not publish rumors, speculation, or unverified information from anonymous sources.
• Balance of Opinions: When covering conflicts, legal disputes, or controversial social issues, the editorial staff is committed to giving all parties to the conflict a voice or presenting their official positions.
• Separation of Facts from Commentary: The reader must clearly understand where the factual account of an event ends and where expert analysis begins.

2. Sources of Information and Citations

• We always cite the original source of information. If data is taken from other media outlets, press releases, or the social media accounts of officials or government agencies, the text must include a direct link to the original source.
• The editorial staff protects the confidentiality of its sources in accordance with Ukrainian law. The name of a source who wishes to remain anonymous is not disclosed; however, information from such sources undergoes additional thorough verification.

3. Error Correction and Correction Policy

• We acknowledge our mistakes when they occur. If technical, factual, or spelling errors are found in a published article, the editorial staff promptly makes corrections.
• If the correction significantly changes the content of the news item, a note is added to the body of the article (for example: “Updated: Changes have been made to the text regarding…”).
• Individuals or legal entities who believe that information published on the website is inaccurate or damages their business reputation have the right to a response or a retraction. To exercise this right, please submit an official, substantiated request to the editorial staff at info@zakvisnyk.com.ua.

4. Advertising, Sponsorship, and Content Labeling

“Zakarpattia Herald” clearly distinguishes between journalistic materials and commercial content.

• Content published on a commercial basis (advertisements, PR, affiliate projects) is always labeled with the tags “Advertisement, ” “Promotion,” or “Advertorial.”
• The editorial staff does not publish hidden advertising (so-called “sponsored content”).
• We reserve the right to refuse to publish advertising materials if they violate current Ukrainian law, incite violence, undermine the country’s territorial integrity, or contain knowingly false information.

5. Comment Moderation Policy and Interaction with Readers

We respect freedom of speech and our readers’ right to express their opinions on the website and on the official social media accounts of “Zakarpattia Herald.” However, we remove comments that contain:

• Calls to overthrow the constitutional order or wage a war of aggression.
• Profanity, direct insults, threats, or discrimination based on race, nationality, religion, or gender.
• Spam, commercial links, or content unrelated to the topic of discussion.

6. Legal Basis and Scope of the Policy

• This Editorial Policy is the sole and binding policy for the entire editorial staff of *Zakarpattia Herald*—both for journalists of the print publication (newspaper) and for the editors of the online news portal zakvisnyk.com.ua.
• Our activities are based on the Constitution of Ukraine, the Law of Ukraine “On Media,” the Law of Ukraine “On Copyright and Related Rights,” and other regulatory and legal acts of Ukraine.
• The media outlet is an officially registered entity in the field of print and online media pursuant to Decision No. 1739 of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Broadcasting.

Contact Information:

Mailing Address: P .O.Box 100, 4 Poshtova Square, Uzhhorod, 88000, Ukraine

Email address: zakvisnyk@gmail.com

Phone number: +38 044 247 07 38