Our reporting promise

Editorial standards

Local Gazette reports useful local news from evidence readers can inspect. Technology helps our newsroom find and organise information; it does not remove our responsibility to verify, attribute and review what we publish.

How a story becomes a Local Gazette report

1. We find a possible story through an official source, a first-party announcement, a submitted release or a tip.
2. We check the primary evidence, current dates, location and material claims before drafting.
3. We write an original report in our own words. Other publishers may help us discover a lead, but their reporting is not used as copy to rewrite.
4. We link visibly to the supporting source wherever it is publicly available.
5. A report must pass editorial review before publication. Automated publishing is disabled.

Accuracy, attribution and quotes

• We do not invent people, quotes, figures, places or events.
• Claims and statistics are attributed to the organisation or person responsible for them.
• Direct quotations are limited, exact and clearly attributed. We do not reproduce substantial parts of another publication.
• Allegations, court reporting, public safety and other sensitive subjects receive additional human review.
• Headlines must reflect the evidence and must not overstate what is known.

Images and copyright

We use original Local Gazette graphics, our own photography, submitted images with publication permission, or material covered by a verified licence. Finding an image online does not make it free to republish. Image credits and captions should explain where material came from.

Commercial independence

Advertising does not buy favourable editorial coverage. Paid placements, sponsored material and commercial partnerships are labelled so readers can distinguish them from independently selected news.

Corrections

If you believe a report is inaccurate, email [email protected] with the article URL and the evidence we should review. Material errors are corrected promptly; a serious or irreparable problem may require removal.