Editorial Policy

Our Core Commitment
The mission of Hills Live is to provide a platform for the voices of the indigenous communities of Assam. We are committed to reporting that is accurate, fair, and rooted in the lived realities of our people. We believe in “Journalism for the Grassroots.

Accuracy and Fact-Checking
Verification: We do not publish rumors. Every news story must be verified through multiple sources—including eyewitnesses, community leaders, or official documents—before publication.

Attribution: We clearly state where our information comes from. Anonymous sources are used only when the source’s safety is at risk and the information is of high public interest.

Fact-Checking: Our editorial team cross-checks technical data, historical facts, and legal statements to ensure the highest level of precision.

Fairness and Impartiality

Balance: We strive to present all sides of a story. In cases of conflict (ethnic, political, or social), we provide the affected parties an opportunity to respond.

Neutrality: Hills Live does not take sides in political or ethnic disputes. Our role is to inform the public, not to influence them toward a specific political agenda.

Right to Reply: If an individual or group feels they have been misrepresented, we provide a fair opportunity for them to voice their perspective.

Cultural Sensitivity & Indigenous Protocols

Respect for Heritage: We report on traditional rituals, sacred sites, and customary laws with the utmost respect. We avoid sensationalizing indigenous practices.

Language & Identity: We use the preferred terminology of each community (e.g., using specific tribal names like Tiwa or Rabha rather than generic labels). We reject derogatory language or colonial-era stereotypes.

Visual Dignity: We ensure that photographs and videos of community members, especially during festivals or times of grief, are taken and used with dignity and, where necessary, consent.

Editorial Independence
Firewall: There is a strict “firewall” between our newsroom and our advertisers/sponsors. Editorial decisions are made based on news value, not commercial or political pressure.

No “Paid News”: We do not accept payment for favorable coverage. Any sponsored content or “Advertorials” will be clearly labeled as such to distinguish them from independent journalism.

Conflict of Interest

Staff Integrity: Our journalists must disclose any personal or financial interest in a story they are covering.

Gifts & Favors: Employees are prohibited from accepting gifts, free travel, or favors that could compromise their professional integrity or influence their reporting.

Corrections and Accountability

Transparency: When we make a mistake, we acknowledge it promptly and transparently.

The Process: Errors are corrected within the original article with a clear “Correction Note” at the bottom, detailing what was changed and why.

Reporting Errors: We provide a dedicated channel (contact@thehillslive.com) for readers to report factual inaccuracies.

Handling Sensitive Content
Violence & Conflict: In regions prone to ethnic or communal tension, we report with extreme caution to avoid inciting further violence. We focus on peace-building and factual reporting.

Privacy: We respect the privacy of individuals, especially minors and victims of crime. We do not publish names or identifiable images of survivors of sexual assault or children in distress.