ABC Live is committed to accuracy, transparency and accountability. Therefore, every report goes through research and editorial review before publication. Even so, errors, omissions or important new facts may emerge later.
When that happens, ABC Live will examine the issue promptly. After verification, we will publish an appropriate correction, clarification or update.
Purpose of This Policy
This policy explains how ABC Live handles:
- Factual errors
- Incorrect figures or quotations
- Missing or misleading context
- Legal and editorial clarifications
- Important post-publication developments
- Reader complaints and correction requests
- Updates to continuing stories
Our objective goes beyond changing inaccurate material. We also explain what changed, why we changed it and whether the revision affects the report’s findings or conclusions.
Types of Post-Publication Changes
Corrections
ABC Live issues a correction when a published report contains a verified factual, legal, statistical, attributional or contextual error.
For example, corrections may relate to:
- Names, dates or locations
- Quotations or source attribution
- Numerical or statistical information
- Descriptions of laws, judgments or regulatory orders
- Institutional titles or official designations
- Headlines, captions or summaries
- Material context that affects the reader’s understanding
When an error is significant, ABC Live will add a correction note. Moreover, the note will explain the mistake and describe the change.
Clarifications
ABC Live may add a clarification when the original report remains factually accurate but could cause misunderstanding. Likewise, we may clarify material that lacks necessary context or requires more precise wording.
A clarification does not always mean that the original report was wrong. Instead, it helps readers understand the information more accurately.
Updates
ABC Live may update a report when new and verified information becomes available after publication.
For instance, an update may include:
- A subsequent court order or judgment
- A new government notification
- An official response
- Additional documents
- Fresh data
- A correction issued by an original source
- A new development in an ongoing matter
- A change that affects the report’s analysis
Where appropriate, ABC Live will mention the date and nature of the update.
Editorial Improvements
ABC Live may also make minor editorial changes that do not alter the substance of a report.
These changes may include:
- Correcting spelling or grammar
- Repairing hyperlinks
- Improving formatting
- Revising headings
- Adjusting image captions
- Improving readability
Generally, minor editorial changes do not require a formal correction note. However, ABC Live will add a note when a change affects meaning or accuracy.
How ABC Live Displays Corrections and Updates
When ABC Live makes a material correction, clarification or update, we will endeavour to:
- State the date of the change
- Identify the type of change
- Explain the revision clearly
- Preserve the original publication date
- Display an updated date where appropriate
- Place the correction or update note in a visible location
Depending on the seriousness of the issue, the note may appear at the beginning or end of the report.
Importantly, ABC Live will not silently remove or substantially rewrite material when doing so could mislead readers about the original publication.
Significant Corrections
Sometimes, a correction may substantially change the meaning, findings or implications of a report. In such cases, ABC Live may also:
- Revise the headline or summary
- Notify relevant stakeholders
- Publish a separate clarification
- Update related reports
- Correct associated social-media posts
- Add the matter to the Corrections Archive
In exceptional circumstances, ABC Live may withdraw a report when its central findings can no longer be supported.
Nevertheless, the original web address should ordinarily remain accessible. In addition, ABC Live should publish an explanatory withdrawal notice at that address.
Corrections Archive
ABC Live aims to maintain a public Corrections Archive for material corrections, clarifications and withdrawals.
The archive may include:
- The date of the correction
- The title and link of the affected report
- The type of change
- A brief description of the error or omission
- The corrective action taken
However, the archive may not include minor spelling, formatting or hyperlink changes.
Reader Disagreements and Factual Errors
ABC Live recognises that readers may disagree with an interpretation, argument, analysis or editorial conclusion.
However, disagreement alone does not prove that a correction is necessary. Ordinarily, ABC Live will consider a correction when a complaint identifies:
- A verifiable factual error
- An inaccurate quotation
- An incorrect legal or statistical claim
- A material omission
- Misleading context
- An unsupported allegation
- A failure to disclose a relevant conflict of interest
On the other hand, a reader may raise a reasonable counterview without establishing an error. In that situation, ABC Live may consider publishing the alternative perspective separately.
Counterviews and Responses
ABC Live supports fair and respectful public discussion. Therefore, readers, experts, institutions and affected parties may submit:
- Letters to the editor
- Factual responses
- Opinion articles
- Rebuttals
- Expert commentary
- Requests for a right of reply
Submission does not guarantee publication. Nevertheless, ABC Live will assess every submission on its merits.
Where necessary, the editorial team may edit a published response for accuracy, clarity, relevance, length and legal compliance.
How ABC Live Reviews Correction Requests
When ABC Live receives a correction request, the editorial team may take the following steps:
- Identify the disputed statement.
- Examine the original sources.
- Review the evidence supplied by the complainant.
- Consult the writer, researcher or relevant expert.
- Obtain legal or technical input where necessary.
- Seek a response from an affected party.
- Decide whether to issue a correction, clarification or update.
- Communicate the outcome where appropriate.
Some complaints may involve complex legal, technical or statistical questions. Consequently, ABC Live may need additional time to verify the relevant documents and evidence.
Information Required From Complainants
To help ABC Live assess a correction request, the complainant should provide:
- The title or link of the report
- The precise statement being challenged
- An explanation of the alleged error
- Reliable supporting records
- The correction being requested
- The sender’s name and contact details
Where possible, complainants should provide primary documents or independently verifiable evidence. As a result, ABC Live can assess the request more accurately and efficiently.
ABC Live may give greater weight to official records, primary documents and reliable evidence than to unsupported assertions.
Anonymous Complaints
ABC Live may consider anonymous information when it raises a serious and verifiable concern.
However, anonymity can limit our ability to assess credibility or seek further clarification. Therefore, a complainant should provide contact information whenever possible.
When a source requests confidentiality, ABC Live will consider the request alongside the public interest, legal obligations and verification requirements.
Complaints Involving Legal Proceedings
ABC Live will review complaints involving pending litigation, investigations or regulatory proceedings with particular care.
A party’s disagreement with an allegation, submission or judicial observation does not automatically establish an error. Therefore, ABC Live will clearly distinguish among:
- Allegations
- Arguments made by parties
- Official findings
- Interim observations
- Investigative directions
- Final legal determinations
Moreover, ABC Live will avoid presenting an interim order, notice or investigation as a final finding of liability.
Notification of Material Changes
When a correction significantly alters the meaning or implications of a report, ABC Live may notify relevant stakeholders.
For example, we may contact:
- A person directly affected by the report
- An institution whose statement requires revision
- A contributor or research partner
- A person who submitted the correction request
However, ABC Live may decide not to issue an individual notification when a visible correction note provides sufficient transparency.
Our Commitment
ABC Live is committed to:
- Acknowledging mistakes
- Correcting errors promptly
- Explaining material changes transparently
- Reviewing complaints fairly
- Creating space for respectful disagreement
- Learning from credible feedback
- Protecting the integrity of the public record
- Upholding accountability in public-interest journalism
We do not regard informed feedback as a burden. Instead, we see it as evidence that readers are examining, questioning and taking our journalism seriously.
Therefore, ABC Live will treat genuine correction requests with fairness, care and professional responsibility.
Contact ABC Live
To submit feedback, request a correction or raise an editorial complaint, contact:
Email: editor@abclive.in
Please include the relevant report link, identify the disputed material and provide supporting evidence wherever possible.
Additionally, readers may review the ABC Live Publishing Principles, Research Methodology and Funding at ABC Live pages for further information about our editorial standards.
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