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Editorial Standards

Pulborough Post Editorial Standards Policy

Last Updated: 24 July 2026

 

Pulborough Post is an independent, community‑driven news outlet serving Pulborough and the surrounding area. We are committed to ethical journalism, transparent governance, and public accountability. Our policies are aligned with the Impress Standards Code, the UK’s independent press regulator.

 

This page sets out the standards we follow, how we work, and how you can hold us to account.

 

Our Editorial Principles

  1. Editorial decisions are based on factors including:
  • Newsworthiness
  • Public interest
  • Relevance to the local community
  • Accuracy and fairness
  • Compliance with our Editorial Standards Code

No individual, organisation, advertiser, donor, sponsor, or commercial partner has the right to approve, suppress, or influence editorial content.

 

  1. Accuracy

We take reasonable steps to ensure everything we publish is accurate. We:

  • Verify facts before publication
  • Distinguish clearly between fact, analysis, and opinion
  • Correct significant errors promptly and with equal prominence
  • Avoid misleading headlines, framing, or omission of key context

If you spot an error, please contact us via our Corrections & Complaints section

 

  1. Attribution & Use of Third‑Party Material

We credit the originator of any third‑party content we use, including:

  • Quotes
  • Images
  • Data
  • Reports
  • Social media posts

If we fail to credit someone, we correct this with equal prominence.

 

  1. Advertising and Sponsorship

Advertising, sponsorship, and commercial partnerships help support the operation of the Pulborough Post. However, such arrangements do not influence editorial coverage.

We maintain a clear separation between editorial content and advertising.

Any sponsored content, paid promotions, or commercial partnerships will be clearly labelled so readers can distinguish them from independent editorial material.

 

  1. Political Neutrality

The Pulborough Post is not affiliated with any political party or candidate.

We may report on political issues, elections, local government decisions, and public policy matters where they affect our community. In doing so, we aim to provide fair, balanced, and factual coverage.

Opinion pieces may be published from a range of viewpoints, but such content will be clearly identified as comment or opinion.

 

  1. Conflicts of Interest

Editors, contributors, and volunteers are expected to avoid situations that could compromise, or appear to compromise, their editorial independence.

Where a potential conflict of interest exists, it will be disclosed where appropriate, and the individual concerned may be excluded from editorial decision-making on the matter.

 

  1. Community Accountability

As a community publication, we welcome feedback from readers and take concerns about accuracy, fairness, or editorial standards seriously.

Complaints relating to editorial content will be reviewed fairly and in accordance with our Editorial Standards Code.

 

  1. Our Readers Come First

Our primary responsibility is to our readers and the communities we serve.

We believe that editorial independence is essential to maintaining trust, credibility, and the integrity of local journalism. We are committed to protecting that independence in all aspects of our work.

 

  1. Reporting on Children

We take particular care when reporting on anyone under 18. We:

  • Avoid identifying children unless it is safe, relevant, and justified
  • Seek consent from the child and, where appropriate, an adult with responsibility
  • Consider requests for anonymity, including from adults previously identified as children
  • Avoid publishing material that could cause harm, distress, or long‑term impact

 

  1. Discrimination

We do not publish prejudicial or derogatory references to protected characteristics. We only mention such characteristics when genuinely relevant to the story. We do not encourage hatred, abuse, or discrimination against any group.

 

  1. Harassment

Our journalists do not intimidate or harass people. Unless justified by public interest, we:

  • Identify ourselves and our publication
  • Avoid deception
  • Respect requests to stop contact or photography

 

  1. Justice & Legal Compliance

We avoid prejudicing legal proceedings or obstructing investigations. We:

  • Do not identify under‑18s involved in legal processes except as permitted by law
  • Avoid naming people under investigation before charge unless police have released details
  • Preserve the anonymity of sexual‑offence victims unless legally permitted or with consent
  • Do not pay witnesses or defendants

 

  1. Privacy

                We respect people’s reasonable expectations of privacy. We consider:

  • Sensitivity of the information
  • Location and context
  • Age and vulnerability
  • Public profile
  • Communication method (public vs private)

We avoid:

  • Intrusion into grief or shock
  • Covert information‑gathering unless justified by public interest

We consider anonymisation requests fairly and consistently.

 

  1. Sources

We protect confidential sources unless they have been dishonest. We do not fabricate sources. We do not pay public officials except in exceptional public‑interest cases.

 

  1. Transparency

We are open about how we work. We:

  • Clearly label sponsored or paid‑for content
  • Disclose conflicts of interest
  • Present financial information objectively
  • Label AI‑generated or AI‑assisted content
  • Maintain human editorial oversight at all times

 

Contact Us

For corrections, complaints, or general enquiries, please contact: 📧 editor@pulboroughpost.co.uk