Our editorial standards

Our promise: interesting, enlightening, evidence-based health news. Here is how we keep it.

1. Accuracy before speed

• We never publish on one weak source. Every story needs an official or peer-reviewed source, or two independent established outlets.
• Every number, name, date and quote is checked against its source before publication.
• Research that has not yet been peer-reviewed (a "preprint") is always labelled.

2. We always show how strong the evidence is

From weakest to strongest: expert opinion, case report, observational study, randomised trial, review of many trials. We tell you which one a story is based on, how many people were studied, where, and who paid for it. Animal and lab studies are labelled "early research: not yet tested in people".

3. Plain words, then how it affects you

• Medical words are explained the first time they appear.
• "How this affects you" estimates use official figures (WHO, NDHS, NBS, World Bank) and show their assumptions. They are estimates, not facts.
• "What you need to do" gives safe, affordable steps. We never tell anyone to stop prescribed treatment.

4. Attention-grabbing, never clickbait

A headline's promise is delivered in the first two lines. No fake questions, no miracle cures, no fear without facts, no exaggerated numbers. We lead with progress and solutions, and when news is truly bad we say so plainly.

5. Analysis is labelled

Our "TellyDoc Perspective" pieces are labelled Analysis. They give the strongest evidence on each side, make no prediction without data, and every prediction is recorded so we can publicly check later how we did.

6. Respect and fairness

• African voices, data and experts first.
• We describe health risks and solutions without blaming or shaming any group.
• We respect all faiths and traditions while being clear about the science.
• We report only health facts that public figures or their families have shared on the record. No rumours about anyone's health.

7. A doctor signs off

Every health story is reviewed and approved by Dr Folajimi Adebowale, a licensed clinician. Stories with legal risk get an extra review.

8. Corrections

If we get something wrong, we fix it quickly and add a visible correction note to the story saying what changed. Spotted a mistake? Email hello@tellydoc.com.

9. Your data

Poll and survey results are reported as "our followers", never as "all Nigerians". We never publish anyone's personal details without their consent. See our privacy notice.