Golovne is an information and analytical online publication. Our goal is to provide readers with timely, verifiable, and understandable information about events in Ukraine and around the world, help them understand the context of what is happening, and enable them to independently assess facts and sources.
These Editorial Principles define the core standards for preparing, verifying, publishing, and updating Golovne materials.
1. Accuracy and Verifiability of Information
Accuracy is one of the fundamental principles of Golovne’s work. When preparing materials, the editorial team aims to verify key facts and use sources that make it possible to confirm the information being published.
Whenever possible and appropriate, priority is given to primary and official sources: documents, statements by public authorities and organizations, official statistics, court decisions, legal acts, direct statements by participants in events, and other sources that allow information to be verified.
If information is obtained from another media outlet, news agency, or other external resource, the source should be clearly identified.
In situations where an event is still developing or the available information remains incomplete, we aim to clearly indicate such uncertainty and avoid presenting preliminary information as definitively established fact.
2. Working with Sources
Golovne uses open and verifiable sources, including official documents and resources, Ukrainian and international news agencies, specialized media outlets, expert comments, public statements, databases, and other sources of information.
When selecting a source, the editorial team considers its origin, reputation, direct connection to the event, the possibility of independently verifying the information, and the availability of supporting evidence.
If a material is based on information from another publication or organization, Golovne identifies the relevant source and, where possible and appropriate, provides a direct link to the original or primary publication.
The author of a Golovne material and the source of the information used are different concepts and are identified separately.
3. Context and Added Value
Golovne aims not to limit its work to mechanically retelling information published by other sources.
Depending on the topic, an editorial material may include:
- historical or event-related context;
- previous statements and decisions;
- official data and statistics;
- explanations of terms and processes;
- comparison of information from multiple sources;
- analytical explanations;
- archival facts and related events;
- links to documents and primary sources.
Such additional context should help readers better understand the event rather than artificially increase the length of the publication.
4. Distinguishing Facts, Analysis, and Opinion
The editorial team aims to clearly distinguish factual information, analytical conclusions, and subjective opinions.
In news materials, assessments, assumptions, and allegations concerning specific individuals or organizations should be properly attributed to their sources and should not be presented as facts established by the editorial team.
Analytical materials may contain interpretation of facts, comparison of data, and explanations of the possible consequences of events. At the same time, the factual basis of such analysis should be clearly separated from conclusions and assessments.
Opinion columns and materials expressing a distinct authorial position may contain the author’s subjective judgments. Such views do not necessarily reflect the position of the Golovne editorial team.
5. Coverage of Controversial and Publicly Significant Topics
When covering socially significant, political, economic, and other controversial topics, Golovne aims to present information accurately, without distorting the positions of participants in events and without presenting assumptions as facts.
Where substantial and verifiable disagreements exist regarding an event or issue, the editorial team aims to present the relevant positions to the extent necessary to understand the topic.
At the same time, the editorial principle of balance does not require mechanically giving equal attention to every claim regardless of the strength of the supporting evidence. Verifiable facts, official documents, and reliable evidence carry greater weight than unverified statements.
Golovne news materials must not be used for covert political campaigning or for presenting advertising or commissioned content as independent journalism.
6. Headlines and Presentation of Materials
A headline should correspond to the content of the material and convey its main point.
Golovne aims to avoid headlines that intentionally mislead readers, significantly exaggerate the content of a publication, or promise information that is not actually contained in the material.
Photographs, illustrations, graphics, and their captions should be used in a way that does not create a false impression of the event or the people concerned.
7. Authors and Editorial Responsibility
Where appropriate for the publication format, Golovne identifies the author of the material.
Author pages may include information about professional experience, areas of expertise, and published materials.
If a material is prepared collectively by the editorial team or represents an editorial notice, authorship may be indicated accordingly.
Regardless of how a material is prepared, the Golovne editorial team is responsible for the decision to publish it.
8. Anonymous Sources
Golovne aims to rely primarily on open and identifiable sources of information.
Information from a source whose identity is not disclosed to readers may be used where the information is of public significance, the source has direct knowledge of the matter, and revealing the source’s identity could create reasonable risks for that person or make obtaining the information impossible.
Anonymity should not be granted solely for the convenience of a source or for the publication of unverified allegations.
The editorial team should assess the reliability of such information and, where possible, seek additional confirmation before publication.
9. Corrections and Updates
Golovne aims to correct significant factual errors after they are identified or after reliable information confirming an error is received.
Materials may also be updated after publication when new official information becomes available, an event develops further, or important context needs to be added.
Significant corrections and changes should be made in a way that does not mislead readers about the information previously published.
Detailed rules governing error corrections, updates, and the possible removal of materials are set out in a separate Golovne Corrections Policy.
10. Advertising, Partner Materials, and Press Releases
Editorial and commercial content should be clearly separated from one another.
Materials published on a commercial basis are marked with appropriate labels, such as “Advertisement,” “Promotional Material,” or “Partner Material.”
An advertiser, partner, or other interested party should not determine the content of an independent editorial material solely because of an existing commercial relationship with Golovne.
A press release is a source of information or a format in which material is provided and does not in itself mean that a publication is advertising. If the publication of a press release or a material based on it is carried out on a commercial basis, the relevant material should have clear commercial labeling.
11. Conflicts of Interest
Editorial decisions should be based on the informational value of the material and the interests of the audience, rather than on the personal or commercial interests of the author.
An author or editor should avoid working on a material where a significant personal, financial, or other conflict of interest could affect the objectivity of the publication.
If a potential conflict of interest is relevant to understanding the material and cannot be eliminated, information about it should be disclosed to readers to a reasonably necessary extent.
12. Use of Automated Tools and Artificial Intelligence
Golovne may use digital and automated tools, including artificial intelligence technologies, in its editorial work for searching and structuring information, processing large amounts of data, translation, preparing draft materials, or performing other supporting tasks.
The use of such tools does not relieve the editorial team of responsibility for the accuracy, correctness, and quality of published information.
An automated system or artificial intelligence tool should not be identified as the independent author of a journalistic material.
If the use of automation or artificial intelligence materially affects the way a particular material was created and such information is important for understanding its origin or methodology, Golovne may provide a separate disclosure to readers.
Automated technologies should not be used solely for the mass production of publications that provide no independent informational value to readers.
13. Sensitive Topics
When preparing materials related to health, safety, finance, legal matters, and other topics that may significantly affect a person’s decisions, the editorial team aims to rely on particularly reliable sources, official information, and comments from relevant specialists where necessary.
General informational editorial publications do not replace individual advice from a doctor, lawyer, financial adviser, or other qualified professional.
14. Copyright and Third-Party Materials
Golovne respects copyright and the rights of content owners.
The editorial team aims to use third-party materials only to the extent and in a manner supported by an appropriate legal basis, with source attribution where required.
Photographs, videos, graphics, documents, and other third-party materials are used with due regard for the rights of the relevant authors and rights holders.
15. Reader Feedback
Readers may notify the editorial team about a possible factual error, incorrect attribution, an issue with a source, a copyright concern, or another matter related to a published material.
When submitting a request, readers are encouraged to provide a link to the publication and describe the information that, in their opinion, requires verification or correction.
The editorial team can be contacted by email at: info@golovne.com.
16. Updates to the Editorial Principles
Golovne’s editorial standards may be updated to reflect the development of the publication, changes in legislation, technology, professional journalistic practices, and methods of distributing information.
The current version of the Editorial Principles is published on this page.
Last updated: September 16, 2026.
