Research and Production Standards

All TAM editorial content is grounded in original, independent research. Our editorial team is required to:

• Verify all factual claims against at least two independent primary or credible secondary sources before publication.
• Clearly distinguish between verified facts, reported assertions, and editorial analysis or commentary.
• Document and retain source materials, correspondence, and supporting evidence for a minimum of two years post-publication.
• Conduct original reporting, interviews, or field research for all investigative and long-form pieces.
• Use publicly available data, official records, and expert testimony to corroborate statistical claims and quantitative arguments.

TAM applies a layered verification process before attributing any claim to a named or unnamed source:

• Named sources: Individuals quoted by name must consent to attribution. Their identity, role, and relevance to the story must be independently confirmed.
• Anonymous sources: Anonymous sourcing is used only when a source faces credible risk of harm and the information is essential and verifiable through other means. The reasons for granting anonymity must be approved by a senior editor.
• Documentary evidence: Official documents, photographs, and records cited in our reporting are authenticated before use and, where possible, published or linked in full.
• Digital content: All third-party images, video clips, and social media posts are verified for authenticity, provenance, and date using reverse-image search, metadata inspection, and cross-platform corroboration.

TAM produces original video journalism and documentary content in accordance with the following production standards:

• All interview subjects are informed of the nature, scope, and intended publication of the content in which they appear. Written or recorded consent is obtained before broadcast.
• Archival footage, stock material, and third-party clips are licensed, credited, and used only in a manner consistent with their original context.
• Reconstructed or dramatized scenes are clearly labeled as such and are never used to misrepresent real events.
• Voice-overs, on-screen text, and visual graphics must reflect only verified information and must not editorialize without clear indication.
• All video productions go through editorial review before publication or broadcast. Significant factual disputes identified during editing must be resolved before release.

TAM's research and production processes are entirely independent of commercial, sponsorship, or advertising interests. Sponsored content is produced and clearly labeled separately from editorial content and does not influence editorial decisions, sourcing, or conclusions.

Contributors and staff must disclose any real or potential conflict of interest relevant to a story to their editor before proceeding. Work affected by a conflict of interest is reassigned to an unaffected journalist.

TAM may use artificial intelligence tools to assist with transcription, translation, data analysis, and research. However:

• AI-generated text is never published without full human editorial review and verification.
• AI tools are not used to fabricate quotes, construct fictional scenarios, or misrepresent real events.
• Where AI tools contribute meaningfully to a piece (beyond routine editing), this is disclosed within the article.

When an error is identified in published research or production output, TAM corrects it promptly and transparently in accordance with our Corrections Policy. Significant factual corrections are appended to the original article or video with a clear date stamp.

External contributors to TAM are required to adhere to these research and production standards as a condition of publication. Contributors must submit supporting sources with their work. TAM editors review all submitted content for factual accuracy, proper attribution, and compliance with this policy before publication.

TAM reserves the right to request revisions, add editorial notes, or decline to publish any content that does not meet these standards.

Questions about TAM's research and production practices may be directed to our editorial team at editorial@theafricanmail.com or via our contact page.