Editorial Policy
The standards of accuracy, fairness, sourcing and independence that guide everything Express News Network publishes.
This policy sets out the standards that guide everything Express News Network publishes. It exists so that our readers know what to expect from us, and so that they can hold us to it.
Accuracy
Accuracy is the foundation of our work. We check facts before we publish, rely on the most authoritative sources available, and take particular care with figures, names, dates and quotations. When a situation is still developing, we say what is confirmed and what is not, and we update our reporting as more becomes known.
Sourcing and attribution
We tell readers where our information comes from. Claims are attributed to the people, institutions or documents that made them, and we prefer named, on-the-record sources wherever possible.
A significant share of our daily coverage is based on the reporting of news agencies and other publications, as well as on official statements and public records. When a story is based on or adapted from another organisation's work -- including syndicated agency feeds -- we credit that organisation in the article. We do not present another outlet's original reporting as our own.
Fairness and balance
We aim to treat the people and organisations we write about fairly. Where a story makes serious allegations against a person or organisation, we seek to reflect their response or to note that they did not respond. We report on governments, parties and public figures of every political persuasion by the same standards.
Separating news from opinion
Our news reporting is intended to inform, not to persuade. Analysis that interprets events is written to explain rather than to advocate. Any opinion or commentary we publish will be clearly identified as such.
Independence and conflicts of interest
Our editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors and any political or commercial interest. Sponsored content, if published, will always be labelled. Contributors are expected to disclose any personal or financial interest relevant to what they write about.
Sensitive subjects
We take care when reporting on violence, terrorism, conflict, crime, disasters, suicide and other distressing subjects. We avoid gratuitous detail and imagery, respect the privacy and dignity of victims and their families, and are especially careful in stories involving children.
Images
Some articles are illustrated with licensed or freely licensed stock photography rather than photographs of the events described. Such images are used to illustrate the subject of a story and should not be read as depicting the specific people, places or events in it.
Corrections
When we make a mistake, we correct it promptly and openly. Our approach is described in full in our Corrections Policy.
Contact
Questions about this policy can be sent to [email protected].