Editorial Policy

1. Scope

This Editorial Policy applies to editorial content published by Proximity News Network Ltd across all of its regional, local, industry and specialist publications.

It applies to employees, contractors, contributors, editors and automated systems acting on behalf of the Network.

Sponsored and advertising content is additionally governed by our Sponsored Content Policy.

2. Editorial purpose

Our editorial purpose is to publish accurate, relevant and accessible journalism about the communities, industries, organisations and institutions covered by our publications.

We recognise the public interest in:

• freedom of expression;
• informing communities;
• scrutinising public bodies and powerful organisations;
• reporting courts, government and public affairs;
• exposing wrongdoing or serious incompetence;
• promoting public safety;
• enabling informed debate; and
• maintaining an accurate public record.

Public interest does not mean anything that may merely interest the public. The potential benefit of publication must be assessed against foreseeable harm, privacy and other legal or ethical concerns.

3. Accuracy

We take reasonable care not to publish materially inaccurate, misleading or distorted information.

This includes ensuring that:

• headlines are supported by the article;
• quotations are presented accurately and in context;
• figures, names, roles, dates and locations are checked;
• allegations are clearly identified as allegations;
• opinion is not presented as established fact;
• photographs and captions are not used misleadingly; and
• significant uncertainty is disclosed where relevant.

The level of verification required will depend on the seriousness of the claim, reliability of the source, urgency of publication and potential harm.

We do not knowingly publish false information.

4. Sources and verification

We may obtain information from:

• official records and public bodies;
• court proceedings and documents;
• businesses and professional organisations;
• press releases and public statements;
• interviews and eyewitnesses;
• licensed news sources;
• public datasets;
• social-media posts;
• contributors and confidential sources; and
• other lawful sources.

A press release, social-media post or AI-generated summary is not automatically treated as verified fact.

Material claims should be checked against an original or authoritative source wherever reasonably possible.

Where only one source is available, we will consider the source’s reliability, proximity to events, possible motivation and supporting evidence.

5. Attribution

We will attribute information where appropriate and legally possible.

We will not present another publisher’s original reporting as our own.

Where material is based substantially on another source, the source should be identified or linked unless there is a legitimate reason not to do so.

Confidential sources may be protected where confidentiality has been agreed or is justified in the public interest.

6. Anonymous and confidential sources

Anonymous sourcing should be used carefully, particularly for serious allegations.

Before relying on an anonymous source, we will consider:

• how the source knows the information;
• whether supporting evidence exists;
• whether the source may have a personal or commercial motive;
• the seriousness of the allegation;
• whether independent confirmation is available; and
• whether anonymity is necessary.

We will not promise absolute confidentiality where disclosure may be legally compelled. Any confidentiality commitment should be approved by an appropriate editor.

7. Fairness and opportunity to respond

Where we intend to publish a serious allegation about an identifiable person or organisation, we will normally make a reasonable effort to seek comment before publication, unless:

• the allegation is already contained in an authoritative public record;
• the response is already publicly available;
• contact would create a material safety, legal or evidence risk;
• the urgency and public interest justify publication;
• the person cannot reasonably be contacted; or
• another legitimate editorial reason applies.

The time allowed for response will depend on urgency, complexity and seriousness.

A refusal or failure to respond will not prevent publication. Where appropriate, the article may state that comment was sought.

Responses should be represented fairly and not selectively edited in a misleading way.

8. Opinion, analysis and contributed material

Opinion and analysis should be distinguishable from factual news reporting.

Contributors are entitled to express robust opinions, but opinion must not be based on deliberate or material factual misrepresentation.

Guest articles, letters or contributed pieces may be edited for accuracy, clarity, length, legality and style.

Publication does not necessarily mean that Proximity News Network endorses every opinion expressed.

9. Privacy

We respect legitimate expectations of privacy while recognising that privacy rights may be outweighed by the public interest.

We will consider:

• whether the information is already public;
• the nature and sensitivity of the information;
• the person’s role and reasonable expectations;
• how the information was obtained;
• the potential harm from publication;
• whether less intrusive reporting would achieve the same purpose; and
• the public interest in publication.

Private addresses, personal contact details, intimate information and sensitive medical details should not be published without a justified editorial reason.

10. Children and vulnerable people

Particular care should be taken where reporting concerns children, victims, bereaved people, vulnerable adults or people experiencing trauma.

We will consider:

• legal anonymity and reporting restrictions;
• whether identification is necessary;
• the child’s age and understanding;
• consent from an appropriate adult where relevant;
• the risk of harm, stigma or unwanted attention; and
• whether the public interest justifies publication.

Consent does not remove the need for independent editorial judgement.

11. Crime, courts and legal proceedings

Court and crime reporting must distinguish between:

• suspicion;
• arrest;
• charge;
• prosecution;
• conviction;
• acquittal; and
• appeal.

We will comply with court orders, statutory anonymity, reporting restrictions and the law of contempt.

Reports of active proceedings must not create a substantial risk of serious prejudice to the administration of justice.

The responsibility for checking applicable reporting restrictions rests with the publication before publication. Official guidance confirms that reporting restrictions may protect fair trials, vulnerable witnesses and privacy, and that publishers remain responsible for compliance.

12. Discrimination and protected characteristics

We will not make prejudicial or irrelevant references to a person’s race, colour, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability, illness, nationality or other protected or sensitive characteristic.

Relevant characteristics may be reported where materially connected to the story and publication is justified.

13. Harassment and newsgathering

Journalists and contributors must not engage in intimidation, persistent unwanted contact or unlawful intrusion.

Where a person has clearly requested that contact stop, further approaches should require a legitimate editorial reason and appropriate approval.

Deception, covert recording or other intrusive methods should be used only where lawful, necessary and proportionate to a strong public interest and where the information cannot reasonably be obtained by less intrusive means.

14. Images, audio and video

Images must not be altered in a way that materially misleads readers.

Illustrations, composites, reconstructions and materially AI-generated or altered images should be labelled where there is a realistic risk that readers could mistake them for documentary evidence.

Images of distressing events, children, private locations or vulnerable people require careful editorial assessment.

Copyright and licensing must be checked before use.

15. Conflicts of interest

Editors, journalists and contributors should disclose relevant financial, personal or professional conflicts.

A person should not normally control coverage in which they have an undisclosed material interest.

Gifts, hospitality or commercial relationships must not determine editorial conclusions.

16. Commercial and editorial separation

Advertising revenue does not give an advertiser a right to:

• approve independent editorial coverage;
• prevent legitimate reporting;
• require favourable treatment;
• suppress a correction; or
• disguise advertising as independent journalism.

Paid or commercially controlled content must be clearly identified under our Sponsored Content Policy.

Editorial staff should be informed where knowledge of a commercial arrangement is necessary to ensure transparent labelling or manage a conflict, but editorial decisions should remain independent.

17. Press releases and supplied material

Press releases and supplied copy may be used as a source but should not be treated as independently verified merely because they were issued by a professional organisation.

Material claims should be checked where proportionate to their seriousness.

Promotional language may be edited or removed.

Publication of submitted material is always at our discretion.

18. Artificial intelligence and automation

AI and automated tools may assist our editorial process but are not treated as authoritative sources.

Material produced with technological assistance remains subject to our accuracy, fairness, copyright, privacy and corrections standards.

Further details are contained in our AI Notice.

19. Corrections

Significant inaccuracies should be corrected promptly and with prominence appropriate to:

• the seriousness of the error;
• the prominence and reach of the original material;
• how long it was available;
• whether it remains accessible;
• the potential harm caused; and
• whether an apology or clarification is appropriate.

Minor typographical or presentational amendments may be made without a formal correction note where they do not alter the substance.

Our approach follows the widely recognised editorial principle that significant inaccuracies should be corrected promptly and with due prominence.

20. Complaints

Editorial concerns should be submitted through our Contact page or via email at contact@proximitynewsnetwork.com.

Complaints will be assessed on their substance, not solely on the terminology used by the complainant.

We may ask for evidence, identification or confirmation of the complainant’s relationship to the subject matter.

Abusive, threatening, repetitive or manifestly unfounded correspondence may be restricted, but legitimate concerns will not be rejected merely because they are critical.

21. Removal and unpublishing

Content will not normally be removed simply because it is unfavourable, embarrassing or no longer current.

Removal, anonymisation or indexing restrictions may be considered where:

• the content is materially inaccurate;
• publication is unlawful;
• a reporting restriction applies;
• continued identification creates disproportionate harm;
• the original public interest has materially diminished;
• there is a serious safety concern; or
• another exceptional reason justifies action.

Where possible, correction or updating will be preferred to deleting an accurate historical record.

22. Accountability

Editors are responsible for applying this Policy proportionately.

Higher-risk stories involving serious allegations, children, criminal proceedings, confidential sources, health information or significant privacy concerns should receive additional editorial or legal review where appropriate.