The University Daily, Est. 2025
Our Policies & Commitments.
How we work, what we stand for, and how we hold ourselves accountable to you.
The Babcock Torch · Babcock University · babcocktorch.com · Version 1.0 · 2025
We cover everything that matters at Babcock — news, ideas, people, and the moments that define campus life. Accurately and without fear or favour.
Independence
No administrator, sponsor, or organisation controls what we publish. Our editorial decisions are made by our editorial team alone. Commercial relationships never purchase editorial outcomes.
What We Cover
Our Standards
We verify facts before publication. We give people a chance to respond before a story about them runs. We never publish rumour as fact, and we never let closeness to a subject soften our reporting.
Opinion is labelled opinion. Sponsored content — if we ever run it — is explicitly marked. We do not blur these lines.
These are not aspirations. They are the commitments we hold ourselves to on every story, with every source, every time.
Sources
We prefer named, on-record sources. When we grant anonymity, that promise is absolute — a source's identity will not be revealed to anyone, for any reason, without their explicit consent.
Sensitive Topics
We report on mental health, trauma, crime, and faith with care. We follow safe messaging guidelines on suicide and self-harm. We will never name a sexual assault survivor without explicit written consent. Students under eighteen receive additional protections in every story.
Conflicts of Interest
Our journalists disclose personal relationships, club memberships, and financial ties before covering a story. Where a conflict exists, the story is reassigned.
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Our readers trust us with their attention. We treat that trust as the most valuable thing we have.
Every publication makes mistakes. What separates credible journalism is how honestly and swiftly those mistakes are fixed.
How to Report an Error
Contact us at editor@babcocktorch.com. We acknowledge within 48 hours and publish a correction within 72 hours if confirmed. You will hear back from us either way.
Right of Reply
If you believe you've been misrepresented, you have the right to submit a response. We will publish a fair reply alongside the original article. Contact the Editor-in-Chief in writing.
We do not delete stories to make problems disappear. Corrections, retractions, and replies are part of the permanent public record.
Money does not buy coverage. Full stop.
What Advertisers Get
Advertisers and sponsors receive clearly marked advertising space. Nothing else. No editorial mention, no favourable coverage, no suppression of criticism.
What They Do Not Get
Disclosure
All paid content — advertisements, sponsored features, branded posts — is labelled clearly and unambiguously as such. If a story involves a commercial partner, we disclose that relationship to our readers.
If we ever receive a complaint that an advertiser has attempted to influence our editorial coverage, that complaint is reported to the Editor-in-Chief immediately and, if substantiated, the commercial relationship ends.
We collect only what we need, use it only for what we say, and protect it with care.
What We Collect
When you submit content, sign up to our newsletter, or contact us, we collect your name, email, and student ID. Our website collects anonymous usage data — page views, session duration, device type, and general location. We do not collect data from anyone under thirteen.
How We Use It
To publish your submissions, send newsletters you opted into, verify contributors, and improve the site. Nothing else. We do not build advertising profiles or sell your data.
Your Rights
You can ask what data we hold, request corrections or deletion, and unsubscribe from our newsletter at any time. Email us at babcocktorch.com and we respond within fourteen days.
Student Privacy
We name students in stories only when necessary and proportionate. We never publish contact details or home addresses. Photos from private events require consent.
Cookies
We use cookies for basic functionality and anonymous analytics. No advertising cookies. No third-party tracking pixels. Opt out anytime via your browser settings.
Our journalism is the product of real work by real people. We take intellectual property seriously in both directions.
Ownership
Everything published on babcocktorch.com belongs to The Babcock Torch unless otherwise credited. Contributors retain ownership of their own work and grant us a licence to publish and archive it.
Using Our Work
You may quote our work for commentary, academic purposes, or personal non-commercial sharing — with clear attribution and a link back to the original. You may not reproduce large portions of our content, or use it commercially, without written permission from the Editor-in-Chief.
How We Use Others' Work
We obtain permission, comply with applicable licences, or rely on fair dealing for news reporting. We always credit the original creator. We do not republish others' work without authorisation.
Copyright Complaints
Contact the Editor-in-Chief at babcocktorch.com with a description of the content and your claim. We investigate and respond within fourteen days.
Defamation
We do not publish false statements of fact about identifiable individuals that would damage their reputation. Before publishing critical claims, we verify the facts, give the subject a chance to respond, and confirm the public interest is real.
Privacy
People have a right to a private life. We only publish private information when there is a compelling and proportionate public interest. The stronger the privacy expectation, the higher the bar.
Active Legal Proceedings
We do not publish content that could prejudice active disciplinary or court proceedings. Such stories are reviewed by the Editor-in-Chief before publication.
Our Relationship with the University
The Torch is an independent student publication. The university is not responsible for our editorial content, and we are not responsible for official university communications. We work respectfully within the institution while protecting our editorial independence absolutely.
Limitation of Liability
Our content is published in good faith for informational purposes — not as professional legal, financial, medical, or academic advice. Opinions expressed by contributors are their own.
The Torch is a platform for the Babcock community. That means we welcome your voice — and we hold it to the same standards we hold our own.
Guest Contributions & Student Blogs
We welcome opinion pieces, essays, and creative writing from Babcock students, faculty, and alumni. Submissions must be original work, not published elsewhere. Contributors must identify themselves with their name, department, and student or staff ID.
All submissions are subject to editorial review. Submission does not guarantee publication, and we reserve the right to edit for length, clarity, and policy compliance.
What We Will Not Publish
AI & Emerging Technology
We do not use AI tools to generate published content. AI may be used internally for research assistance or editing support, but all published work is authored and verified by a human journalist or contributor. Contributors must disclose meaningful AI involvement in their submissions.
Diversity & Representation
We are committed to reflecting the full diversity of the Babcock community in our coverage — across departments, disciplines, backgrounds, and perspectives. We actively seek out voices that are underrepresented in campus media, and we review our coverage regularly to ensure we are living up to that commitment.
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The Torch belongs to Babcock. Every student here has a story worth telling.
Dunmade O. Daniel-Majuyi · Editor-in-Chief
We are a student publication — committed to accountability, not above it. Questions, corrections, complaints, or story tips: we want to hear from you.
FOR CONTACT
The Babcock Torch
Documenting Brilliance. Inspiring the Future.
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Babcock University · Ilishan-Remo, Ogun State · babcocktorch.com
© The Babcock Torch 2025. Content may be shared non-commercially with attribution and a link to babcocktorch.com.