TOP STORIES Editorial and Sponsorship Policy
20 July 2026
About TOP STORIES TOP STORIES is a technology news, analysis and commentary publication independently edited by Barry Neethling. Its purpose is to identify and explain technology developments that may affect individuals, organisations and technology decision-makers, with particular attention to hardware, Microsoft, cloud computing, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, licensing, pricing and product support. TOP STORIES combines factual reporting with analysis, opinion, prediction and occasional humour. These elements should be understood in the context in which they are presented.
TOP STORIES is published by IP Consulting 2008 Ltd, trading as TOP STORIES.
Sponsorship TOP STORIES receives sponsorship and operational support from First Technology Group. This support may include funding, administration, email distribution, technology platforms, domains, systems and other services required to produce and distribute the publication. This sponsorship and support do not give First Technology Group editorial control over TOP STORIES. First Technology Group is not the editor of TOP STORIES and does not routinely approve, select, edit, suppress or direct its editorial content. Sponsorship of the publication does not mean that every story is sponsored content or represents the views of First Technology Group.
Editorial control Barry Neethling retains editorial control over:
- The stories selected for inclusion
- The priority and placement given to stories
- Headlines, commentary and conclusions
- Opinions, predictions and recommendations
- The timing and frequency of publication
- Corrections, updates and responses
- The decision whether or not to publish submitted material
First Technology Group may identify a suspected factual error or raise a legal, confidentiality, privacy, security or reputational concern. Any such concern will be considered, but it does not create a general right of prior approval or editorial control. Final editorial decisions remain with Barry Neethling, subject to applicable law.
Independence from commercial interests Commercial relationships do not determine the editorial position taken by TOP STORIES. Coverage may be positive, neutral or critical. No sponsor, vendor, partner, customer or other organisation is guaranteed favourable coverage or protection from legitimate criticism. No vendor or commercial partner has a right to approve independent editorial content before publication. The inclusion of a company, product, service or link does not automatically constitute an endorsement. The omission of a company, product or response does not imply that it was deliberately excluded or considered unimportant.
First Technology Group and it's partners TOP STORIES may report on First Technology Group, its divisions, services, customers, technology partners, events and commercial offerings. Such coverage may result from editorial relevance, information supplied to TOP STORIES, or a commercial initiative. Where content is primarily supplied, commissioned or promotional, it will be identified where reasonably practical. Editorial commentary about a vendor or product should not be interpreted as an official First Technology Group statement merely because First Technology sponsors or supports the publication. First Technology Group is not responsible for editorial opinions expressed in TOP STORIES unless content is expressly identified as a First Technology Group statement or as material supplied or approved by the Group.
First Technology Group content TOP STORIES may report on First Technology Group, its divisions, capabilities, services, customers, events and marketplace offerings. Where content is primarily promotional, supplied by the Group, or directs readers towards a First Technology commercial engagement, it will be identified as sponsor or Group content where reasonably practical.
Identification of commercial content Material that is primarily promotional, commissioned or supplied by a commercial organisation may be identified using descriptions such as:
- Sponsored content
- Sponsor update
- First Technology Group update
- Partner-supplied content
- Commercial notice
- Sponsor CTA (Call To Action)
The wording used may vary according to the nature and format of the content. Unlabelled editorial content should not be assumed to have been supplied, approved or endorsed by First Technology Group, a vendor or another commercial organisation. Advertising and promotional material will be kept reasonably distinguishable from independent editorial commentary.
Sources and verification
TOP STORIES draws on sources that may include:
- Official vendor announcements
- Product documentation
- Licensing terms and support notices
- Research papers
- Regulatory publications
- Reputable technology publications
- Industry specialists
- First Technology Group and its divisions
- Publicly available reports and commentary
Reasonable efforts are made to verify material facts and use reliable sources. Technology information can change quickly. Product availability, pricing, licensing terms, roadmaps, support dates, security risks and technical requirements may change after publication. A linked source may also be amended, moved, restricted or removed by its publisher. TOP STORIES does not guarantee that every statement will remain complete, current or error-free after publication.
Fact, analysis and opinion TOP STORIES aims to distinguish between verified facts, reported claims, analysis, prediction and opinion. Statements about future products, roadmaps, pricing, releases or commercial strategy may be based on information available at the time and may later prove incorrect. Headlines and commentary may use emphasis or humour to draw attention to a material issue. They should be read together with the underlying story and source information. Opinions expressed by Barry Neethling are his own unless expressly stated otherwise.
Corrections Material factual errors will be reviewed when credible supporting evidence is provided. Where an error is confirmed, TOP STORIES may:
- Correct the relevant text
- Publish an update or clarification
- Correct a linked landing page or archive
- Address the correction in a later edition
- Remove material where necessary
Minor typographical, grammatical or formatting corrections may be made without a separate correction notice. A difference of opinion, interpretation or commercial preference does not automatically constitute a factual error.
Right of reply A person or organisation directly affected by material published in TOP STORIES may submit a concise response or correction request. The submission should identify:
- The relevant issue and story
- The statement being disputed
- The proposed correction
- Supporting evidence
- The name and authority of the person submitting it
TOP STORIES will consider reasonable responses but is not obliged to publish every submission in full or in the form requested. A request for correction or response does not create a right to rewrite, approve or suppress legitimate editorial commentary. Submissions should be sent to editorial@barry.co.za.
Confidential and supplied information Information supplied in confidence will not knowingly be published in breach of an agreed confidentiality obligation. Anyone submitting information to TOP STORIES should clearly identify confidential material before providing it. Unsolicited information should not automatically be assumed to be confidential. TOP STORIES may verify supplied information independently and is not obliged to publish it.
External links TOP STORIES includes links to external publications, vendors, research, videos and other resources. These links are provided for reference and convenience. TOP STORIES does not control external websites and is not responsible for their availability, security, accuracy, privacy practices or subsequent changes. A link does not automatically imply endorsement of every statement, product or opinion on the linked website.
Trademarks and intellectual property Company names, product names, logos and trademarks remain the property of their respective owners. Their inclusion is for identification, reporting, commentary or reference and does not imply ownership, endorsement or affiliation. TOP STORIES respects copyright and generally summarises or comments on third-party reporting rather than reproducing it.
General information only TOP STORIES is provided for general information, analysis and commentary. It does not constitute legal, financial, investment, licensing, procurement, cybersecurity, technical or other professional advice. Readers should verify material information with the relevant vendor, regulator, specialist adviser, technology partner or internal team before making a decision. Technology environments and business requirements differ. A recommendation that is appropriate in one context may not be appropriate in another. To the maximum extent permitted by law, TOP STORIES and Barry Neethling accept no liability for loss, damage, cost or consequence arising from reliance on the publication.
Complaints and enquiries Editorial complaints, correction requests and policy enquiries should be sent to: editorial@barry.co.za Please include sufficient information and supporting evidence for the matter to be assessed properly.
Changes to this policy This policy may be updated as TOP STORIES, its distribution arrangements, commercial relationships or legal obligations change. The effective date at the top of the page will identify the latest material revision. This wording reflects recognised media principles that commercial support should not influence reporting, outside support should be disclosed, and editorial content should remain distinguishable from promotional material.
Send complaints to editorial@barry.co.za. |
