Chalo Chatu:Editorial Review
This page outlines the editorial review policy of the Chalo Chatu Foundation. All contributions to Chalo Chatu are subject to editorial review before publication. The purpose of this policy is to ensure that every article meets Chalo Chatu’s standards for accuracy, neutrality, relevance, and reliability, while preserving community-informed narratives and verified oral history.
Purpose
The editorial review process exists to:
- Maintain the quality and integrity of information published on Chalo Chatu.
- Uphold encyclopedic standards of neutrality, sourcing, and verifiability.
- Ensure that contributions — whether written, visual, or oral — are factually accurate and appropriately contextualized.
- Support the inclusion of local knowledge, oral accounts, and historical documents within a structured editorial framework.
Scope of Review
All submitted content is subject to editorial review, including:
- New articles
- Article updates or expansions
- File uploads (photographs, scanned documents, audio)
- Oral history submissions
- Suggested edits and factual corrections
Review Team
Editorial reviews are conducted by the **Chalo Chatu Editorial Committee**, a group composed of:
- Foundation-appointed editors
- Verified subject matter experts
- Long-term trusted contributors
- Regional review volunteers (where appropriate)
Reviewers are expected to adhere to Chalo Chatu’s Chalo Chatu:Editorial Guidelines, Chalo Chatu:Verifiability Policy, and Chalo Chatu:Notability Criteria.
Review Criteria
Articles and content submitted for review will be assessed based on the following criteria:
Verifiability
Content must be supported by one or more of the following:
- Reliable secondary sources (books, newspapers, academic journals, official publications)
- Primary sources when used with appropriate context
- Verified oral history (recorded testimony, community interviews)
- Archival materials (photographs, government records, church registries, etc.)
Neutrality
Articles must be written from a neutral point of view. Content should avoid bias, promotional tone, or personal opinions.
Accuracy
Facts presented must be correct and relevant to the subject.
Structure and Format
Submissions must follow Chalo Chatu’s standard formatting for articles:
- Lead section summary
- Subheadings
- References using
<ref></ref>and<references /> - Infoboxes (when applicable)
- Proper use of categories and templates
Relevance
Topics must align with Chalo Chatu’s scope — i.e., topics that document **Zambian history, culture, people, events, institutions**, and **national significance**.
Review Process
Submission
Users may submit content directly through:
- Article drafts in user sandbox
- Upload portals for files
- Email submission (for offline contributors)
- Oral history recordings or transcripts
Preliminary Check
The editorial team performs a preliminary check for:
- Clear vandalism or spam
- Duplicates or out-of-scope topics
Full Editorial Review
Content is then evaluated against all review criteria. Editors may:
- Approve content as submitted
- Request clarifications or sources
- Suggest improvements to structure or style
- Flag for further review if sensitive or disputed
Approval and Publication
Once approved, the content is published in the main article namespace and categorized appropriately.
Rejection
Submissions may be declined if they:
- Do not meet the minimum editorial standards
- Contain unverifiable or false information
- Are outside the scope of Chalo Chatu
The contributor will be notified with reasons and suggestions for improvement.
Appeals and Disputes
If a contributor disagrees with a review decision, they may:
- Request a second review from a different editor
- Submit the issue to the Editorial Committee for resolution
- Provide additional references or clarification
Editorial decisions are guided by consensus, transparency, and fairness.
Editorial Transparency
All approved or rejected contributions are logged in the editorial history. Review notes may be visible on:
- The article talk page
- The editor discussion board
- Contributor notification messages
Living History and Community Voices
Chalo Chatu recognizes the value of **oral traditions, family records, and community memory. While all content must be treated with care and context, oral history is valid and welcomed, provided:
- The source is identified (even if not published)
- The contribution is marked as such (e.g. “According to oral accounts...”)
- Where possible, it is corroborated with existing facts
