Our Mission

West African Health Report (WAHR) is an independent digital health news platform dedicated to producing accurate, evidence-based, ethical and public-interest journalism on health across Cameroon and West Africa.

Our reporting seeks to inform the public, amplify credible scientific evidence, hold institutions accountable, and highlight innovations and solutions that improve health outcomes. Editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, donors and political interests.

Editorial Principles

All WAHR journalism is guided by the following principles:

• Accuracy and verification
• Independence
• Fairness and balance
• Transparency
• Accountability
• Respect for human dignity
• Scientific integrity
• Public interest

We strive to verify information before publication and promptly correct significant factual errors when they are identified.

Accuracy and Sources

We rely on multiple credible sources whenever possible. These include:

• Peer-reviewed scientific journals
• Health professionals and researchers
• Government health institutions
• Universities
• International health organizations
• Civil society organizations
• Patients and affected communities

Whenever research findings are reported, we aim to explain them in language that is understandable to the general public without overstating conclusions or certainty.

Anonymous sources are used only when there is a compelling public-interest reason and when their identity is known to the editor.

Editorial Independence

Our editorial decisions are never influenced by advertisers, commercial partners, political actors or sponsors.

Sponsored content, advertising and partnerships will always be clearly identified.

Financial support does not grant any individual or organization the right to review, edit or approve editorial content before publication.

Conflicts of Interest

Editors, reporters and contributors must disclose any personal, financial or professional relationships that could influence—or appear to influence—their reporting.

WAHR may decline or reassign stories where conflicts cannot be adequately managed.

Corrections Policy

We acknowledge that mistakes can occur.

When significant factual errors are identified, we will correct them promptly and transparently.

Where appropriate, correction notes will explain what has changed.

Readers who identify possible errors may contact the editorial team through our published contact information.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) Policy

WAHR recognizes that artificial intelligence can improve newsroom efficiency while also presenting ethical challenges.

AI-assisted writing

Our journalists may use AI tools to assist with:

• Brainstorming story ideas
• Summarizing publicly available information
• Improving grammar and readability
• Translating text
• Generating headlines or alternative wording

AI must never replace original reporting, verification, editorial judgment or fact-checking.

Journalists remain fully responsible for every published word. No article will be published solely because it was generated by AI.

AI-generated information

Facts, quotations, statistics and references produced by AI must always be independently verified using reliable sources before publication.

Fabricated quotations, invented references or unverified claims are strictly prohibited.

AI and photo editing

AI may be used only for minor editorial improvements such as:

• Cropping
• Colour correction
• Brightness and contrast adjustments
• Noise reduction
• Sharpening
• Removing dust or technical imperfections
• Resizing images for publication

AI must never be used to alter the factual content of a news photograph.

We will not:

• Add or remove people
• Add or remove medical equipment
• Change the circumstances of an event
• Manipulate scenes to mislead readers
• Create fictional images presented as documentary photographs

If AI-generated illustrations or conceptual images are used, they will be clearly labelled.

Photography Standards

Images should accurately represent the events, people or situations being reported.

Photo captions should provide context and avoid misleading readers.

Photo credits will be given whenever possible.

Permission will be obtained where required by law or ethical practice.

Patient Privacy and Medical Ethics

Health journalism requires particular sensitivity.

WAHR is committed to respecting the dignity, privacy and rights of patients.

Unless there is an overriding public-interest justification:

• Patients should provide informed consent before being interviewed or photographed.
• Extra care will be taken when reporting on children, survivors of violence and vulnerable populations.
• Confidential medical information will not be published without permission or another lawful and ethical basis.
• Faces or identifying features may be obscured where necessary to protect privacy.
• Hospital wards and clinical settings should be photographed only with appropriate authorization.

We avoid sensationalism, exploitation and unnecessary graphic imagery.

Medical conditions should never be used to stigmatize individuals or communities.

Reporting on Health Research

Scientific findings should be reported responsibly.

Stories should distinguish between:

• Preliminary findings
• Observational studies
• Clinical trials
• Established medical evidence

Whenever possible, we explain limitations, uncertainty and the need for further research.

We avoid claims of “breakthroughs,” “miracle cures” or “100% effective” treatments unless the information is factually and objectively accurate and supported by irrefutable scientific evidence.

Diversity and Inclusion

WAHR seeks voices from across Cameroon and West Africa.

We strive to include perspectives from:

• Women
• Rural communities
• Persons with disabilities
• Minority populations
• Young people
• Frontline healthcare workers
• Patients and caregivers

Our reporting aims to reflect the diversity of the communities we serve.

Letters to the Editor

We welcome respectful letters from readers.

Letters may respond to published stories, raise public health issues or contribute to informed debate.

Submission of a letter does not guarantee publication.

WAHR reserves the right to:

• Edit submissions for clarity, grammar and length
• Verify factual claims
• Decline letters containing misinformation
• Decline abusive, defamatory, discriminatory or threatening language
• Decline commercial promotions or political campaigning

Published letters may be accompanied by an editorial response where appropriate.

Writers should include their full name and location. WAHR may withhold identifying details where publication could create a genuine risk to the author.

Freelance Contributors

WAHR welcomes contributions from freelance journalists, researchers, healthcare professionals and subject experts.

Contributors are expected to follow the same ethical and editorial standards as staff writers. All articles are subject to editing and may then be reviewed by the author for clarity, accuracy and consistency with their intended meaning.

All submissions should:

• Be original work, not AI-generated or plagiarized
• Not have been published elsewhere unless agreed in advance
• Be factually accurate
• Properly attribute quotations and sources
• Disclose any conflicts of interest
• Respect copyright laws

Submission does not guarantee publication.

Editors may request revisions before accepting an article.

Accepted articles may be edited for clarity, style, legal considerations and consistency while preserving the author’s intended meaning.

Freelancers retain copyright unless otherwise agreed in writing, while granting WAHR the right to publish and archive accepted work.

WAHR reserves the right to make final amendments to articles and may remove an article from the website if the content is misleading, inaccurate, false, or intended to harm the reputation of an individual or organization.

Advertising and Sponsored Content

Editorial content is produced independently from advertising.

Advertisements do not constitute endorsements by WAHR.

Sponsored content will be clearly labelled to distinguish it from independent journalism.

Complaints

Readers who believe our journalism falls short of these standards are encouraged to contact the Editor.

We will investigate complaints fairly and respond within a reasonable time.

Where appropriate, corrections, clarifications or apologies will be published.

Updates to this Policy

This Editorial Policy may be revised periodically to reflect developments in journalism, technology, medical ethics and applicable laws.