Why this page exists
ScoreLine exists for the fan who wants more than the final result. That only works if you can trust what you read here. This page sets out where our facts come from, how we separate reporting from opinion, who pays for the journalism, and what happens when we get something wrong.
1. Who publishes ScoreLine
ScoreLine is published by Kuala Publishing, a South African digital media house. The publication is edited in South Africa and writes about South African sport for a South African readership.
| Chief Editor | Lehlohonolo Scheepers |
|---|---|
| Editorial contact | hello@scoreline.co.za |
| Corrections | hello@scoreline.co.za with “Correction” in the subject line |
Every article carries a byline and a publication date. Where an article has been substantially updated after publication, it carries the update date too.
2. How we source
Our sourcing runs in a fixed order of preference:
- Official bodies first. FIFA, CAF, SAFA, the PSL, SA Rugby, Cricket South Africa, clubs and competition organisers, for results, fixtures, squads, disciplinary outcomes and official statements.
- Established news organisations second, for reporting we cannot verify at source.
- Named first-hand sources, where we have spoken to somebody directly.
Two rules follow from that:
- Anything contested, and every transfer report, needs two independent sources before we publish it as fact. Where we have only one, we say so and name it.
- User-generated encyclopaedias and aggregator sites are a starting point for research, never a citation. We follow them back to the primary source or we leave the claim out.
We link to our sources so that you can check us.
3. Reporting, analysis and opinion
These are different things and we label them as such.
- Reporting states what happened and where we know it from.
- Analysis interprets what happened, using evidence we show you.
- Opinion is a writer’s argument. It is labelled at the top of the article and it is the view of the writer, not of the publication.
Rumour and speculation are labelled as such, along with who is reporting it, so you can weigh it yourself.
4. How we handle images
We use photographs we own, photographs we license, and images used with permission from rights holders. Club badges, competition logos and player images belong to their owners and are used for reporting on sport. Where an image is illustrative rather than a record of the moment described, we say so in the caption.
Photorealistic AI imagery must not be presented as documentary imagery of a real match, person or sporting event. Where AI-generated imagery is used editorially, it must be clearly identified as an illustration and must not imply that the depicted moment actually occurred.
5. Artificial intelligence
We use artificial intelligence tools to assist with research, sub-editing and production tasks. Every article is commissioned, directed, fact-checked and approved by an editor before it is published, and a named editor takes responsibility for it. We do not publish articles generated by artificial intelligence without that oversight.
6. Corrections
We get things wrong sometimes. When we do, we fix it in the open.
- Minor errors such as a misspelling or a broken link are corrected silently.
- Errors of fact such as a wrong score, a wrong name or a wrong date are corrected in the article, and a correction note is added at the foot of the article saying what was wrong, what it now says and when it was changed.
- Serious errors that change the meaning of an article carry the correction note at the top as well, and the article is not quietly deleted.
- Withdrawal. Where an article cannot be corrected, we withdraw it and leave a note in its place explaining why. We do not remove articles to avoid embarrassment.
To report an error, email hello@scoreline.co.za with “Correction” in the subject line, the article link and what is wrong. We acknowledge within two working days and correct verified errors promptly.
7. Right of reply and complaints
If we report something critical about a person or an organisation, we approach them for comment before publication wherever it is practical to do so, and we publish their response.
If you believe an article is inaccurate, unfair or unbalanced, email hello@scoreline.co.za. We will respond within seven working days with our finding and what we intend to do about it.
8. Independence
ScoreLine is funded by advertising. Advertisers have no say in what we cover or what we conclude. Sponsored and affiliate content is labelled, and is never written to look like an ordinary article. This is set out in our Disclaimer and Advertising Disclosure.
Where a writer has an interest in something they are covering, such as a club affiliation that could bear on their judgement, we disclose it in the article.
9. Sources and confidentiality
Where we agree to protect a source’s identity, we protect it. We prefer named sources and we say why a source is unnamed when one is.
10. Contact
Editorial: hello@scoreline.co.za
Privacy and data requests: privacy@scoreline.co.za