Londoner is an independent digital news publication covering London, its boroughs and wider developments relevant to people who live, work, study, travel or do business in the capital.
This Editorial Policy explains the standards Londoner follows when researching, writing, editing, publishing, updating and correcting its content.
Our Editorial Standards
Londoner aims to publish content that is:
- Accurate and based on reliable information
- Fair to the people and organisations involved
- Clearly written and easy to understand
- Transparent about sources and limitations
- Independent from advertising and commercial pressure
- Respectful of privacy and sensitive circumstances
- Updated when significant new information becomes available
Londoner recognises that news stories can develop quickly. Where information is incomplete or subject to change, this will be made clear to readers.
Accuracy and Verification
Reasonable steps are taken to verify material facts before publication.
Writers and editors may check information against:
- Official government publications
- Local authority announcements
- Police and emergency-service statements
- Court records and official legal documents
- Regulatory bodies
- Company statements and public filings
- Direct interviews
- Original reports and research
- Reputable news agencies
- Recognised professional organisations
Names, dates, locations, statistics, quotations and other important details should be checked carefully.
Information that cannot be independently verified must not be presented as confirmed fact.
Confirmed Information and Developing Reports
Londoner aims to distinguish clearly between:
- Confirmed facts
- Allegations or claims
- Estimates and projections
- Proposals that have not yet been implemented
- Developing information
- Analysis and opinion
The language used in an article should reflect the strength of the available evidence.
Words such as “reported”, “alleged”, “expected”, “proposed” or “according to” may be used where information is not yet fully established.
Sources and Attribution
Londoner aims to use authoritative and primary sources wherever reasonably possible.
Information obtained from another publication, organisation or individual should be attributed clearly. Where appropriate, articles may include links to the original source so readers can review the information directly.
Third-party reporting must not be presented as Londoner’s own original reporting.
Quotations must be reproduced accurately and must not be edited in a way that changes their intended meaning.
Anonymous Sources
Londoner may occasionally use information from an unnamed source where:
- The information is important to the public;
- The source is considered credible;
- There is a genuine reason for protecting the source’s identity; and
- The information has been assessed or supported by other evidence.
Anonymous sources should not be used merely to publish unsupported criticism, personal attacks or speculation.
Where possible, the identity of a confidential source should be known to the responsible editor.
Fairness and Right of Reply
People and organisations facing serious criticism or significant allegations should normally be offered a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
Their response should be represented fairly and should not be distorted or taken out of context.
Where a response is not received before publication, the article may state that the relevant person or organisation was approached for comment.
The article may be updated if a meaningful response is received later.
Corrections and Updates
Londoner aims to correct significant factual errors promptly and transparently.
A correction may be required where an article contains:
- An incorrect name, date, figure or location
- A materially inaccurate statement
- A misleading description
- A quotation that has been reported incorrectly
- Information that has been officially corrected
- An important omission that changes the meaning of the article
Minor spelling, grammar, punctuation or formatting changes may be made without a correction notice where they do not alter the meaning of the content.
Where a substantial correction is made, Londoner may add a note explaining what was changed.
Articles may also be updated as new information becomes available. An update does not necessarily mean that the original version contained an error.
Possible inaccuracies can be reported to:
Email: [Insert editorial or corrections email address]
Please include the article URL, the information being challenged and any supporting evidence.
Editorial Independence
Londoner’s editorial decisions are made independently from advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners and other external interests.
Advertising or sponsorship does not provide a person or organisation with the right to:
- Control unrelated news coverage
- Remove accurate reporting
- Prevent legitimate criticism
- Purchase favourable editorial treatment
- Influence the outcome of an independent article
- Publish promotional material without clear disclosure
Commercial relationships must not override Londoner’s responsibility to readers.
Sponsored and Promotional Content
Paid content must be clearly distinguishable from independent editorial coverage.
Depending on the format, commercial content may be labelled as:
- Advertisement
- Sponsored
- Sponsored Content
- Paid Partnership
- Advertorial
Sponsored material must not be presented as independent news reporting.
Londoner reserves the right to edit, reject or remove promotional content that is inaccurate, misleading, unlawful or unsuitable for its audience.
News, Analysis and Opinion
Londoner distinguishes between news reporting, analysis and opinion.
News reporting aims to present verified facts fairly and clearly.
Analysis may explain the background, consequences or wider meaning of a development while remaining grounded in evidence.
Opinion content reflects the views of the named writer or contributor. These views do not necessarily represent the position of Londoner or its wider editorial team.
Opinion articles should be identified clearly where necessary.
Conflicts of Interest
Writers and editors should disclose any personal, professional or financial interest that could reasonably affect their independence.
A contributor should not normally report independently on a business, organisation, campaign or individual where a close relationship or financial interest creates a significant conflict.
Where a potential conflict exists but publication remains appropriate, the relationship may be disclosed to readers.
Editorial contributors must not accept payments, gifts or benefits in exchange for favourable coverage.
Privacy
Londoner considers an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy when deciding whether to publish personal information.
Private information should not be published without a legitimate editorial or public-interest reason.
Particular care should be taken when reporting on:
- Children
- Victims of crime
- Bereaved families
- Vulnerable individuals
- Medical matters
- Personal finances
- Family disputes
- Private addresses
- Personal contact details
- People experiencing distress
The availability of information on social media does not automatically make its republication appropriate.
Reporting on Children
Londoner takes additional care when reporting on people under the age of 18.
Children should not normally be identified in sensitive circumstances unless there is a clear legal and editorial justification.
Where appropriate, consent may be sought from a parent, guardian or responsible authority before publishing an interview, image or personal information involving a child.
The welfare and safety of the child should take priority over unnecessary identification.
Crime and Court Reporting
Crime and court reporting must be handled carefully and based on reliable, legally publishable information.
Londoner aims to:
- Distinguish allegations from proven facts
- Avoid language that assumes guilt
- Attribute claims to the police, courts or other identified sources
- Respect applicable reporting restrictions
- Avoid publishing material that could unfairly prejudice proceedings
- Update reports when charges, verdicts or official findings change
A person who has been arrested, investigated or charged must not be described as guilty unless guilt has been established through the appropriate legal process.
Deaths, Injuries and Sensitive Incidents
Reports involving deaths, serious injuries, disasters or traumatic events should be handled with care and sensitivity.
Londoner aims to avoid:
- Unnecessary graphic detail
- Speculation about a cause of death
- Publishing unconfirmed identities
- Intrusive treatment of grieving families
- Sensational headlines that exaggerate distress
A cause of death should not be stated as confirmed unless supported by an official source, family statement, court finding, inquest or other reliable evidence.
Financial, Legal and Health Information
Articles about money, law, employment, benefits, immigration, health or public services may affect important personal decisions.
Londoner therefore aims to:
- Use authoritative sources
- Explain important rules and exceptions
- Distinguish confirmed changes from proposals
- Make dates and eligibility conditions clear
- Identify estimates as estimates
- Direct readers to official or professional support where appropriate
Such content is provided for general information and should not be treated as personalised financial, legal, medical or other professional advice.
Readers should seek qualified advice where decisions depend on their individual circumstances.
Images and Visual Material
Images should be relevant to the article and must not create a materially misleading impression.
Londoner may use:
- Original photographs
- Licensed photographs
- AI Imges
- Images supplied by official organisations
- Editorial illustrations
- Screenshots used for legitimate reporting purposes
- Stock imagery
Illustrative or representative images should not be presented as photographic evidence of an actual event.
Image credits and captions should be included where appropriate.
Third-party images must only be used where Londoner has permission, a valid licence or another lawful basis.
Originality and Plagiarism
Londoner does not permit plagiarism.
Writers must not copy substantial parts of another publication’s work without permission and appropriate attribution.
Articles should be original in wording and structure, even where they rely on publicly available facts.
Exclusive reporting, research findings, quotations and statistics from third parties should be credited appropriately.
Headlines and Thumbnails
Headlines, summaries and images should accurately reflect the substance of the article.
Londoner aims to avoid headlines that:
- Misrepresent the facts
- Create false certainty
- Exaggerate the available evidence
- Cause unnecessary alarm
- Make claims that are unsupported by the article
- Present speculation as confirmed information
Headlines may be engaging, but they must remain accurate and fair.
External Links
Londoner may link to government websites, official documents, companies, charities, regulators, other publications and relevant third-party resources.
An external link does not automatically mean that Londoner endorses every statement, service or product on the linked website.
Links may be amended or removed where a destination becomes unavailable, misleading, unsafe or unrelated to the original purpose.
Removal and Unpublishing Requests
Londoner does not automatically remove accurate published material because it has become inconvenient or unfavourable to an individual or organisation.
Requests may be considered where there is evidence of:
- A significant factual error
- A legal restriction
- A serious safety concern
- Disproportionate privacy harm
- Identification of a vulnerable individual
- Information that has become materially inaccurate
- Exceptional compassionate circumstances
Depending on the circumstances, Londoner may correct, update, anonymise, restrict or remove content.
Each request will be assessed individually.
Complaints
Anyone who believes Londoner has published inaccurate, unfair or inappropriate material may submit a complaint.
Complaints should include:
- The complainant’s name and contact details
- The URL of the relevant article
- The exact information being challenged
- An explanation of the concern
- Any supporting documents or evidence
- The correction or outcome being requested
For complaints contact here.
Londoner will review genuine complaints in good faith and may request further information before making a decision.
Submitting a complaint does not guarantee that content will be changed or removed.
Editorial Responsibility
Londoner’s Editorial Head has overall responsibility for editorial standards, substantial corrections and serious complaints.
Writers are responsible for the accuracy and integrity of their work. Editors are responsible for applying appropriate review and ensuring that published material meets Londoner’s standards.
Regulatory Status
Londoner will clearly disclose any recognised press-regulatory membership if and when such membership is formally obtained.
Londoner does not claim membership, approval or regulation by any organisation unless that status is current and verifiable.
Changes to This Policy
Londoner may update this Editorial Policy to reflect changes in its publishing practices, editorial standards or legal responsibilities.
The most recent version will remain available on this page.