THE HEALTH THREAD: TRANSPARENCY & ETHICS DECLARATION

1. CORPORATE STRUCTURE & OWNERSHIP

TheHealth Thread is an independent, private limited media entity registered in the Office of the Company Registrar, Nepal (Reg. No. 323778-2080/2081).

Ownership Structure: The publication is 100% privately held by the founding management. We are not a subsidiary of any larger conglomerate, hospital group, or pharmaceutical corporation.

Independence: We certify that no external board, political party, or commercial advertiser holds voting rights or influence over our editorial strategy.

Revenue: Our operations are funded through advertising and internal capital. To maintain integrity, strictly defined firewalls exist between our commercial operations and our editorial newsroom.

2. EDITORIAL INDEPENDENCE

While we collaborate with medical experts, final editorial authority rests with the Managing Director and the Editorial Board. Our reporting is free from external influence by government agencies, corporate actors, or special interest groups.

3. SCIENTIFIC VERIFICATION PROTOCOL

Unlike general news platforms, our medical content undergoes a rigorous pre-publication audit by our Scientific Review Board.

The Process: Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) and certified clinicians (registered with the Nepal Medical Council) voluntarily verify clinical claims, public health data, and treatment protocols before publication.

The Standard: We align our verification process with the ethical guidelines of the Nepal Health Research Council (NHRC) to ensure accuracy and patient safety.

4. CORRECTIONS POLICY

We commit to total accuracy. In the event of a factual error, we do not silently delete the content. We issue a transparent [Correction Notice] at the top of the article, stating clearly what was changed and when. Readers can report errors directly to: info@thehealththread.com

5. JOURNALIST SAFETY POLICY

TheHealth Thread considers the safety of its contributors to be a primary concern. No journalist is required to pursue a story that endangers their physical or mental well-being. We maintain strict protocols to protect our staff from digital harassment and professional retaliation.

6. EDITORIAL MISSION STATEMENT

Our Mission: To bridge the gap between complex medical science and the Nepalese public by providing health news that is accurate, accessible, and actionable. We combat health misinformation with a “Verification First” approach.

Our Core Values:

• Accuracy over Speed: We prioritize clinical validation over breaking news.
• Public Accountability: We serve the patient, not the provider.
• Constructive Engagement: We provide medically sound guidance for informed health decisions.
• Diversity & Inclusion: We are committed to reflecting the diverse communities we serve.

7. Editorial Standards & Processes

Bylines & Authorship: All articles identify the author or contributor. News agency sources are clearly attributed.

Multimedia Verification: All multimedia content is verified for authenticity. Source consent is mandatory unless safety is compromised.

Commitment to Transparency

TheHealth Thread is a participant in the Journalism Trust Initiative (JTI), an international standard for trustworthy journalism. We are committed to transparency in our ownership, funding, and editorial processes.

Advertising & Sponsored Content: We maintain a strict separation between news and advertising. Paid content is clearly labeled as “Sponsored” or “Partner Content.”

Corrections & Editorial Complaints: We are committed to accuracy and accountability. If we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and transparently.

8. Contributor Guidelines

All contributors must adhere to TheHealth Thread Editorial Guidelines and disclose any potential conflicts of interest before beginning an assignment.

9. Ethics & Non-Discrimination

TheHealth Thread is committed to a professional environment free from discrimination and harassment. We ensure all processes are conducted based on merit.

10. Recruitment & Training

Staff Training: All contributors undergo mandatory orientation on our Editorial Guidelines and legal/ethical standards before publication.

Refresher Training: We conduct regular briefings to address changes in media law and health regulations.

Responsibility for adherence to these guidelines lies with the Publisher/ Managing Director – Ramesh Adhikari