THE HEALTH THREAD: TRANSPARENCY & ETHICS DECLARATION

1. CORPORATE STRUCTURE & OWNERSHIP

TheHealth Thread is an independent, private limited media entity registered in the Office of the Company Registrar, Nepal (Reg. No. 323778-2080/2081).

Ownership Structure: The publication is 100% privately held by the founding management. We are not a subsidiary of any larger conglomerate, hospital group, or pharmaceutical corporation.

Independence: We certify that no external board, political party, or commercial advertiser holds voting rights or influence over our editorial strategy.

Revenue: Our operations are funded through [advertising / internal capital]. To maintain integrity, strictly defined firewalls exist between our commercial operations and our editorial newsroom.

2. EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE

While we collaborate with medical experts, final editorial authority rests with the Managing Director and the Editorial Board. Our reporting is free from external influence by government agencies, corporate actors, or special interest groups.

3. SCIENTIFIC VERIFICATION PROTOCOL

Unlike general news platforms, our medical content undergoes a rigorous pre-publication audit by our Scientific Review Board.

The Process: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and certified clinicians (registered with the Nepal Medical Council) voluntarily verify clinical claims, public health data, and treatment protocols before publication.

The Standard: We align our verification process with the ethical guidelines of the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) to ensure accuracy and patient safety.

4. CORRECTIONS POLICY

We commit to total accuracy. In the event of a factual error, we do not silently delete the content. We issue a transparent [Correction Notice] at the top of the article, stating clearly what was changed and when. Readers can report errors directly to: info@thehealththread.com

5. JOURNALIST SAFETY POLICY

TheHealth Thread considers the safety of its contributors to be a primary concern. No journalist is required to pursue a story that endangers their physical or mental well-being. We maintain strict protocols to protect our staff from digital harassment, legal intimidation, and professional retaliation resulting from their investigative work.

6. EDITORIAL MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission: To bridge the gap between complex medical science and the Nepalese public by providing health news that is accurate, accessible, and actionable. We exist to combat health misinformation with a “Verification First” approach.

Our Core Values:

• Accuracy over Speed: We prioritize clinical validation over breaking news. Every medical claim is verified against standard treatment protocols.
• Public Accountability: We serve the patient, not the provider. Our reporting highlights systemic health issues while strictly adhering to the Code of Journalistic Ethics issued by the Nepal Press Council.
• Constructive Engagement: We do not just report problems; we provide medically sound guidance to help our readers make informed health decisions.
• Diversity & Inclusion: TheHealth Thread is committed to diversity in our team and our sourcing. We believe that health information is most effective when it reflects the diverse communities we serve.

7. Editorial Standards & Processes

Bylines & Authorship: All articles identify the author or contributor. If content is sourced from a news agency or wire service, the source is clearly attributed.

Datelines & Location: We strive to be transparent about where our reporting takes place. If we are reporting on an event remotely due to safety or logistical constraints, we will disclose this context to our readers.

Multimedia Verification & Source Safety: We require that all photos, videos, and audio recordings are verified for authenticity. We ensure the provider has given consent and is properly credited, unless doing so would compromise their safety.

Periodic Review: The Publisher and Editorial team review these guidelines and our internal processes annually to ensure they remain effective and aligned with the Code of Journalistic Ethics of the Nepal Press Council.

Commitment to Transparency

TheHealth Thread is a participant in the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), an international standard for trustworthy journalism. We are committed to transparency in our ownership, funding, and editorial processes.

Confidential Sources: We value transparency and prefer on-the-record sourcing. However, we will grant anonymity to a source if naming them would jeopardize their safety, livelihood, or privacy (e.g., victims of abuse, medical patients, or whistleblowers), provided the information is verified and vital to the public interest.

Relations with Sources: We maintain strict editorial independence from our sources. Interviewees are not permitted to review full articles or dictate the narrative of a story prior to publication.

Diversity of Voices: We strive to ensure our reporting reflects the diversity of society. We actively seek sources from different backgrounds, genders, and regions to provide a balanced and inclusive perspective on health issues.

Advertising & Sponsored Content: We maintain a strict separation between news and advertising. Any content that is paid for by a third party is clearly labeled as “Sponsored,” “Advertisement,” or “Partner Content” so readers can easily distinguish it from our independent journalism.

Corrections & Editorial Complaints: We are committed to accuracy and accountability. If we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and transparently by updating the original article and noting the correction. Readers are encouraged to report errors, or register complaints about our editorial standards, by contacting us directly.

Sensitive Content & Ethical Standards

Violent & Explicit Content: As a health news platform, we strictly limit the use of graphic or explicit imagery (such as medical procedures or injuries). Such content is published only when it serves a clear educational or public health purpose and is accompanied by appropriate content warnings.

Protection of Children & Vulnerable People: We strictly adhere to ethical guidelines regarding the privacy of minors and vulnerable individuals. We do not identify children involved in sensitive cases. For health reporting involving minors, we require explicit informed consent from a legal guardian and prioritize the patient’s dignity.

Live Content: Our ethical standards apply to all forms of publication, including live reporting. We exercise editorial judgment to prevent the real-time dissemination of unverified rumors, hate speech, or content that violates privacy.

Opinion, Guest Contributions & Press Releases: We welcome contributions from subject matter experts and readers. All external submissions are subject to strict editorial review for accuracy and legality. We clearly label these articles—whether opinion pieces, guest columns, or press releases—to distinguish them from our independent news reporting.

8. Contributor Guidelines & Terms of Engagement

To maintain the integrity of our health reporting, all freelance and volunteer contributors must adhere to the following:
Editorial Alignment: All content must comply with TheHealth Thread Editorial Guidelines and Fact-Checking protocols.
Independence: Contributors must disclose any potential conflicts of interest before beginning an assignment.
Copyright: Unless otherwise agreed in writing, authors retain copyright of their work, granting TheHealth Thread a perpetual, non-exclusive license to publish and distribute the content.
Professional Conduct: Contributors are expected to uphold the highest ethical standards in sourcing and reporting.

9. Ethics & Non-Discrimination:

TheHealth Thread is committed to a professional environment free from discrimination and harassment. We ensure that all recruitment and editorial processes are conducted based on merit, without regard to race, gender, religion, national origin, or orientation. We uphold a standard of mutual respect for all contributors and staff.

10. Safety & Protection

Safety Policy: TheHealth Thread is committed to the safety of our contributors. We maintain a zero-tolerance policy for harassment. In the event of digital threats or intimidation arising from reported content, the publication provides active support to the affected journalist, including risk assessment and institutional protection of their professional identity.

Support for Sensitive Reporting: We acknowledge that health reporting can involve material of a sensitive or distressing nature. TheHealth Thread provides institutional support and a debriefing process for contributors working on such topics, prioritizing the mental well-being and professional boundaries of our team.

Post-Incident Support: In cases where a contributor suffers harm—whether physical, legal, or psychological—in the course of their reporting, TheHealth Thread is committed to providing institutional support to facilitate their recovery and protect their professional standing.

11. RECRUTMENT :

Staff Training: All contributors undergo mandatory orientation on our Editorial Guidelines and legal/ethical standards before publication to ensure consistent accuracy and professional integrity.

Refresher Training: We also conduct regular refresher briefings to address changes in media law and health industry regulations.

Responsibility for adherence to these guidelines lies with the Publisher/ Managing Director – Ramesh Adhikari