Content Guidelines

All editorial content published by Illuminews adheres to our strict journalistic standards:

Accuracy and Verification

• All facts are verified through reliable sources
• Claims are substantiated with evidence
• Uncertainty is acknowledged when information cannot be confirmed
• Sources are cited and attributed appropriately

Fairness and Balance

• Multiple perspectives are presented on controversial issues
• Bias is minimized through careful language and presentation
• Context and background information are provided
• Opinion content is clearly distinguished from news reporting

Ethical Standards

• Respect for privacy and human dignity
• Protection of vulnerable individuals and groups
• Transparency about conflicts of interest
• Adherence to professional journalism ethics

Encouraged Behavior

• Engage in respectful and constructive dialogue
• Support claims with credible sources when possible
• Ask thoughtful questions and seek clarification
• Share relevant personal experiences and insights
• Acknowledge when you've learned something new

Discussion Etiquette

• Address ideas and arguments, not individuals
• Use clear and respectful language
• Stay on topic and relevant to the article
• Avoid repetitive or spam-like posting
• Respect others' right to disagree

Quality Standards

• Comments should add value to the discussion
• Avoid one-word responses or meaningless content
• Use proper grammar and spelling when possible
• Keep comments concise and focused
• Fact-check information before sharing

The following types of content are not permitted on our platform:

Harmful Content

• Hate speech, discrimination, or harassment
• Threats of violence or harm
• Content promoting illegal activities
• Doxxing or sharing private information
• Content that could endanger individuals or groups

Misleading Information

• Deliberately false or misleading information
• Conspiracy theories without factual basis
• Medical misinformation that could cause harm
• Election misinformation or voter suppression
• Manipulated media presented as authentic

Inappropriate Content

• Spam, promotional content, or excessive self-promotion
• Adult content or sexually explicit material
• Graphic violence or disturbing imagery
• Copyright infringement or plagiarism
• Off-topic or irrelevant content

We employ both automated systems and human moderators to ensure content compliance:

Moderation Process

• Automated screening for obvious violations
• Human review of flagged content
• Community reporting and flagging system
• Regular audits of published content
• Proactive monitoring of high-traffic discussions

Response Times

• Urgent violations (threats, doxxing): Within 1 hour
• Serious violations (hate speech, misinformation): Within 4 hours
• Standard violations (spam, off-topic): Within 24 hours
• Minor violations (formatting, etiquette): Within 48 hours

Transparency

• Clear notification when content is removed
• Explanation of which guideline was violated
• Information about appeals process
• Regular transparency reports on moderation actions

We rely on our community to help identify content that violates our guidelines:

How to Report

• Use the "Report" button on comments and content
• Email moderation@illuminews.com with details
• Contact us through our general contact form
• Direct message on social media platforms

Information to Include

• URL or location of the violating content
• Specific guideline you believe was violated
• Brief explanation of the issue
• Screenshots if the content might be removed quickly

What Happens Next

• Reports are reviewed within 24 hours
• Action is taken if violations are confirmed
• Reporters may receive follow-up communication
• Serious violations are escalated to senior staff

Violations of our content guidelines may result in various consequences:

Progressive Enforcement

• First violation: Warning and content removal
• Repeated violations: Temporary commenting restrictions
• Serious violations: Account suspension
• Severe violations: Permanent account ban

Immediate Actions

Some violations may result in immediate consequences without warning:

• Threats of violence or harm
• Doxxing or sharing private information
• Severe hate speech or harassment
• Illegal content or activities
• Coordinated inauthentic behavior

Account Actions

• Content removal and editing restrictions
• Temporary suspension (1-30 days)
• Permanent account termination
• IP address blocking for severe cases

If you believe your content was incorrectly removed or your account was unfairly restricted:

How to Appeal

• Email appeals@illuminews.com within 30 days
• Include your username and the specific content in question
• Explain why you believe the action was incorrect
• Provide any additional context or evidence

Appeals Review

• Appeals are reviewed by senior moderation staff
• Review process typically takes 3-5 business days
• Decisions are based on guidelines and available evidence
• You will receive a response explaining the decision

Possible Outcomes

• Appeal upheld: Content restored, restrictions lifted
• Appeal partially upheld: Reduced consequences
• Appeal denied: Original decision stands
• Additional violations discovered: Increased consequences