CHIANG RAI TIMES · CTN NEWS

Editorial Policy

Our standards for accuracy, independence, fairness, and transparency in reporting — and how we hold ourselves accountable to readers, sources, and the communities we serve.

Effective: January 1, 2024 · Last reviewed: June 2026

1. Mission and Purpose

The Chiang Rai Times (CTN News) is a non-profit, independent English-language news organization founded in 2007 and based in Chiang Rai Province, northern Thailand. Our mission is to provide accurate, fair, and timely reporting on matters affecting the communities of Chiang Rai, northern Thailand, and the broader Southeast Asian region.

We serve English-speaking residents, expatriates, tourists, and international readers with an interest in Thailand. We operate as a public service, not for commercial gain, and our editorial decisions are made solely on journalistic merit.

2. Editorial Independence

CTN News maintains strict separation between its editorial and commercial operations. Advertisers, sponsors, and partners do not influence the topics we cover, the stories we publish, or the editorial judgements we make.

What this means in practice

• No advertiser may request coverage, suppress a story, or review an article before publication.
• Sponsored content and native advertising are always clearly labelled as such and kept separate from editorial content.
• Journalists do not accept gifts, payments, or benefits from sources or subjects of coverage.
• Commercial partnerships with tourism, hospitality, or business organizations do not influence news coverage of those sectors.

Our non-profit operating model supports this independence. We are not beholden to shareholders or commercial pressure to generate traffic at the expense of accuracy.

3. Accuracy and Verification

Accuracy is the foundation of our credibility. Before publication, all staff-produced news articles must meet the following standards:

• Primary sourcing. Where possible, information is sourced directly from officials, organizations, witnesses, or primary documents rather than from secondary reports alone.
• Minimum two sources. Significant factual claims are confirmed by at least two independent sources before publication. Single-source claims that cannot be corroborated are attributed clearly and identified as unconfirmed.
• Official records. Data cited in articles — including statistics, government figures, and research findings — must reference the originating institution or publication.
• Balance and right of reply. Individuals or organizations who are the subject of critical coverage are contacted for comment before publication. Their response, or their decision not to respond, is included in the article.

Wire and contributed content.

CTN News publishes stories from Thai news agencies, international wire services, and community contributors. Wire content is attributed to its originating source. Contributed articles are reviewed by an editor before publication, though CTN News acknowledges it cannot independently verify all facts in community-submitted material and labels such content accordingly.

4. Use of Artificial Intelligence

CTN News is transparent about the role of artificial intelligence in our editorial workflow. AI tools may be used to assist with:

• Transcription of interviews and official statements
• Translation of Thai-language source material into English
• Summarisation of lengthy documents such as government reports
• Grammar and style editing
• Research assistance and background fact-gathering

AI tools are not used to autonomously generate news articles or to fabricate quotes, sources, or facts. All AI-assisted content is reviewed, edited, and verified by a human journalist before publication. Final editorial responsibility rests with the named author and the editor.

5. Fairness and Impartiality

CTN News reports the news; we do not take sides. Our journalists are expected to approach stories without personal, political, or commercial bias, and to present competing perspectives fairly when covering contested topics.

Sensitive topics

Coverage of politically sensitive issues in Thailand — including matters touching on the monarchy, the military, national security, and religious institutions — is handled with care and in strict accordance with Thai law. We do not publish content intended to incite ethnic, religious, or political division.

Crime and vulnerable persons

CTN News follows established best practices for reporting on crime, mental health, suicide, and vulnerable individuals. We do not identify crime victims without their consent, and take particular care when reporting on cases involving minors, trafficking, and sexual violence.

Opinion and commentary

Opinion articles, columns, and editorials are clearly labelled and distinguished from news reporting. The views expressed in opinion pieces are those of the named author and do not represent the editorial position of CTN News.

6. Corrections and Updates

CTN News is committed to correcting errors promptly and transparently. We do not silently delete or alter published articles. When a factual error is identified:

• A correction is appended to the article,e noting what was wrong and what the correct information is, along with the date of the correction.
• Significant errors that affect the substance of an article are disclosed in a prominent correction note at the top of the piece.
• If an article must be substantially revised or withdrawn, we publish a transparent notice explaining why.

Readers who identify inaccuracies or have concerns about our reporting are encouraged to contact us. We will investigate promptly and respond within five working days.

To report an error: Email info@chiangraitimes.com with the subject line “Correction Request”. Please include the article URL, the specific claim in question, and any supporting sources.

7. Sources and Confidentiality

CTN News publishes named sources wherever possible. Anonymous sourcing is permitted only when a source faces a credible risk of personal or professional harm if identified, and when the information they provide cannot be obtained any other way. In such cases, the reason for anonymity is disclosed to readers.

We do not reveal the identity of confidential sources without their explicit consent. Press releases and official communications are identified as such and are not republished without independent editorial review.

8. Conflicts of Interest

Journalists and editors at CTN News must disclose any personal, financial, or professional relationship with the subjects they cover. Where a conflict of interest exists, the journalist is recused from that coverage.

• Staff do not hold financial interests in companies or organizations they regularly cover.
• Staff do not accept free travel, accommodation, or hospitality that may influence coverage — except in clearly disclosed press-trip contexts, which are labelled accordingly.
• CTN News discloses any organizational relationships, funding sources, or partnerships that could reasonably be perceived to affect editorial decisions.

9. Advertising and Commercial Content

CTN News accepts advertising to help sustain its operations. All paid advertising is visually and editorially separated from news content. We do not accept advertising from sources that would compromise our editorial independence.

Sponsored content — articles or features produced in partnership with a commercial client — is always labelled clearly as “Sponsored” or “Paid Partnership.” The production of sponsored content does not affect our coverage of the commissioning organization in news contexts.

10. Privacy and Newsgathering

CTN News respects the privacy of individuals while recognising that public accountability and freedom of the press may require reporting on private matters when there is a clear public interest.

We do not publish private information about individuals unless there is a proportionate public interest in doing so. In reporting on tragedy, grief, or personal crisis, our journalists approach subjects with compassion and do not pry beyond what is necessary for the story.

11. Digital and Social Media Standards

The same editorial standards that apply to our published articles apply to our social media activity. CTN News social media accounts are used to share our reporting and engage with readers, not to express editorial opinions or endorse political positions.

Headlines and links

Headlines and social media descriptions must accurately represent the content of the article. We do not use misleading or sensationalist headlines that exaggerate, distort, or contradict the reporting in the body of the article.

12. Editorial Contact

Readers, sources, and public figures with questions about our editorial standards or who wish to submit a correction are welcome to contact the editorial desk.

This Editorial Policy was last reviewed in June 2026 and is subject to periodic revision. Substantive changes will be noted at the top of this page.