Last updated: September 2026
1. Introduction
Stonebridge Wire is an independent UK digital news publication committed to accurate, fair, responsible and accessible journalism.
This Editorial Code sets out the principles that guide our journalism and the standards expected of anyone producing editorial content for Stonebridge Wire.
The Code applies to news reports, features, interviews, analysis, reviews, opinion, photographs, video, social media and other editorial material published under the Stonebridge Wire name.
Our fundamental principle is simple: our readers should be able to trust what we publish.
Being first is never more important than being accurate.
As Stonebridge Wire develops, these standards will continue to evolve. However, our commitment to accuracy, editorial independence and responsible journalism will remain central to the publication.
2. Accuracy
Stonebridge Wire aims to publish information that is accurate and supported by appropriate evidence.
Writers and editors should take reasonable steps to verify material before publication, particularly where information could significantly affect an individual or organisation.
We will distinguish between established facts, allegations, claims, estimates, analysis and opinion.
Headlines, photographs, captions and social media posts should fairly represent the underlying story and should not deliberately mislead readers.
Information should not be presented with greater certainty than the available evidence supports.
Where figures or statistics are used, appropriate context should be provided where necessary to prevent a misleading impression.
If significant information remains unverified, this should be made clear to readers.
3. Sources and attribution
Stonebridge Wire uses a wide range of sources when researching and reporting stories.
These may include official statements, press releases, interviews, public records, government publications, company filings, court proceedings, regulatory decisions, academic research, data, eyewitness accounts, social media and reporting by other reputable news organisations.
Where another organisation has produced original reporting that materially contributes to a Stonebridge Wire article, appropriate attribution should be provided.
Stonebridge Wire will not knowingly present another publisher’s original reporting as its own.
Where possible, we prefer to trace significant claims back to their primary source rather than relying solely upon another publication’s interpretation.
For example, if a government announcement generates widespread media coverage, we will seek to examine the original government statement, report or data where reasonably possible.
4. Press releases and PR material
Stonebridge Wire welcomes press releases, statements, research, announcements, media alerts and other editorial material.
Receiving information from a PR agency, company, public body or other organisation does not guarantee coverage.
Press releases are sources of information, not finished Stonebridge Wire articles.
Where we use information supplied through PR material, our editorial team may independently rewrite, contextualise, verify, shorten or expand that information.
We retain complete editorial control over whether a story is published and how it is presented.
Providing Stonebridge Wire with complimentary access, tickets, accommodation, products, services or other benefits does not guarantee positive coverage.
5. Corrections
We recognise that mistakes can occur.
When Stonebridge Wire identifies a significant factual error, we will seek to correct it promptly.
Minor spelling, grammatical, formatting or stylistic changes may be made without a correction notice where they do not materially alter the meaning of an article.
Where a correction materially changes the substance of a story, we will consider adding an appropriate correction or update notice explaining what has changed.
We will not knowingly leave materially inaccurate information online simply because correcting it may be inconvenient or embarrassing.
Requests for corrections can be sent to:
newsdesk@stonebridgewire.co.uk
Please include the article concerned, the information believed to be incorrect and, where possible, evidence supporting the requested correction.
6. Right of reply and fairness
Where a story contains significant criticism, allegations or claims about an identifiable person or organisation, Stonebridge Wire will consider whether they should be offered a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.
The appropriate amount of time allowed for a response will depend upon the circumstances and urgency of the story.
Breaking news may sometimes need to be published before a response has been received. Where appropriate, the article may state that comment has been requested and subsequently be updated if a relevant response is received.
A right of reply does not mean that every response must be reproduced in full.
We may edit responses for length, clarity and relevance while taking reasonable care not to distort their meaning.
7. Independence
Stonebridge Wire maintains editorial independence from advertisers, sponsors, commercial partners, PR agencies, political organisations and other external interests.
Editorial coverage cannot be purchased.
Advertising or sponsorship arrangements should not determine whether Stonebridge Wire reports a story or the conclusions reached in editorial coverage.
Commercial relationships that could reasonably be considered relevant to a particular piece of editorial content should be disclosed where appropriate.
Editorial and commercial material should be distinguishable.
Paid-for or sponsored content must be clearly identified so that readers are not misled into believing advertising is independent journalism.
8. Politics and public affairs
Stonebridge Wire is editorially independent and is not established to campaign on behalf of any political party.
Our news coverage should distinguish between reporting and opinion.
When covering contested political issues, we aim to accurately represent relevant positions and provide appropriate context.
Fairness does not necessarily require every article to give identical space to every possible viewpoint. The weight given to different positions should reflect their relevance, evidence and significance to the story.
Political statements should not automatically be treated as established facts simply because they have been made by a politician, political party or government.
Where appropriate, claims should be checked against available evidence.
9. Opinion, analysis and reviews
Stonebridge Wire may publish opinion, commentary, analysis and reviews.
Such material should be clearly distinguishable from straightforward news reporting where there is a reasonable possibility of confusion.
Writers are entitled to express genuine opinions in reviews and commentary.
Reviews should represent the writer’s genuine assessment and should not be changed simply because an advertiser, PR representative, producer, company or other interested party disagrees with the conclusion.
Factual claims contained within opinion pieces and reviews remain subject to our standards on accuracy.
10. Privacy
Stonebridge Wire recognises that individuals have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
We will consider whether intrusion into someone’s private life is justified by the legitimate public interest in publishing the information.
Being interesting to the public is not necessarily the same as being in the public interest.
Relevant public-interest considerations can include exposing wrongdoing, protecting public health or safety, identifying misleading statements, revealing serious misconduct or contributing meaningfully to an important matter of public debate.
Particular care should be taken when reporting information concerning private homes, medical matters, grief, personal relationships and family life.
11. Children and vulnerable people
Additional care should be taken when reporting about children and vulnerable people.
The potential long-term consequences of identifying a child should be considered before publication.
Stonebridge Wire will comply with applicable legal restrictions concerning the identification of children involved in criminal, family and other legal proceedings.
We will not unnecessarily publish information that could expose a child or vulnerable person to significant harm.
12. Crime, courts and allegations
Crime and court reporting requires particular care.
A person accused of an offence should not be described as guilty unless and until guilt has been established through the appropriate legal process.
Articles must distinguish clearly between an allegation, arrest, charge, trial, conviction and sentence.
Stonebridge Wire will respect applicable reporting restrictions and laws concerning contempt of court.
Headlines and social media posts should not undermine the presumption of innocence.
Where the legal position is uncertain, publication may be delayed while appropriate guidance is obtained.
13. Discrimination
Stonebridge Wire will not make prejudicial or discriminatory references to an individual’s race, ethnicity, nationality, religion, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, disability or other personal characteristics unless genuinely relevant to the story.
When such characteristics are relevant, they should be described accurately and respectfully.
14. Suicide, self-harm and traumatic events
Reporting concerning suicide, self-harm, abuse, serious accidents, disasters and other traumatic events requires additional sensitivity.
We will consider the potential effect that unnecessary graphic or detailed descriptions could have on affected individuals and readers.
Coverage should avoid sensationalising tragedy.
When appropriate, relevant sources of support may be included alongside coverage.
15. Images, video and other media
Photographs and video should be used accurately and responsibly.
Stonebridge Wire will seek to use material that we own, have licensed, have permission to publish, or are otherwise legally entitled to use.
The fact that an image is publicly accessible online does not automatically mean it is free to republish.
Images should not be materially altered in a way that misrepresents events.
Illustrations, composites, AI-generated imagery or other non-documentary images should be identified where there is a reasonable risk that readers could mistake them for genuine documentary photographs.
Captions should accurately explain what an image depicts.
16. Artificial intelligence
Stonebridge Wire may use artificial intelligence and other digital tools to assist aspects of editorial production, research, transcription, data processing, brainstorming, summarisation or administrative work.
However, editorial responsibility remains with Stonebridge Wire and the person responsible for publication.
AI-generated information should not automatically be treated as fact.
We will not knowingly use artificial intelligence to fabricate quotations, interviews, sources, evidence or events.
Material produced with AI assistance should be checked appropriately before publication.
Where AI-generated or substantially altered images are used in circumstances where readers might reasonably believe they depict real events, they should be clearly identified.
AI is a tool. It is not a substitute for editorial responsibility.
17. Anonymous and confidential sources
There may be circumstances where Stonebridge Wire agrees to protect the identity of a source.
Promises of confidentiality should not be made casually.
Where anonymity is necessary, we will consider the source’s access to the information, possible motivations and whether their claims can be independently corroborated.
Where appropriate, readers should be given sufficient information about an anonymous source to understand why their information is considered credible without revealing their identity.
Stonebridge Wire will seek to honour confidentiality commitments made to sources, subject to applicable law and exceptional circumstances.
18. Embargoes, off-the-record information and exclusives
Stonebridge Wire respects clearly agreed embargoes.
Material supplied under embargo should not normally be published before the agreed time unless the embargo has been lifted or the information has legitimately entered the public domain in circumstances that materially change the agreement.
Terms such as off the record, on background and not for publication should ideally be agreed before sensitive information is disclosed.
We will not knowingly agree to a confidentiality arrangement and subsequently ignore it simply to publish a story first.
19. Conflicts of interest
Contributors should disclose any financial, personal, professional or other significant relationship that could reasonably create a conflict of interest in relation to their work.
Having a connection with the subject of an article does not automatically prevent someone from contributing, but the conflict should be considered before publication.
Where a relationship is materially relevant to a reader’s assessment of the coverage, appropriate disclosure should be considered.
Writers should not use Stonebridge Wire coverage primarily to advance undisclosed personal or commercial interests.
20. Gifts, hospitality and complimentary access
Journalists and reviewers may sometimes receive complimentary tickets, review access, travel, products or hospitality as part of normal media activity.
Acceptance of such access does not create an obligation to provide coverage or positive coverage.
Where the value or nature of complimentary access could reasonably affect readers’ interpretation of an article, disclosure should be considered.
Stonebridge Wire contributors should not request inappropriate personal benefits in exchange for editorial coverage.
21. Financial and business journalism
Business and financial reporting can influence reputations and financial decisions and should therefore be handled carefully.
Stonebridge Wire will distinguish between factual reporting, analysis and speculation.
Where reporting on company accounts, insolvencies, investments, acquisitions or other financial matters, figures should be presented with appropriate context.
Stonebridge Wire does not provide personalised financial or investment advice unless expressly stated otherwise by a suitably authorised person.
Contributors should disclose relevant financial interests where they could reasonably create a conflict with their reporting.
22. Reporting from public documents
Stonebridge Wire believes that public records can be an important source of journalism.
Our reporting may draw upon Companies House filings, council papers, government reports, Freedom of Information disclosures, regulatory decisions, court records, insolvency documents and other legitimately available material.
The fact that information appears in a public document does not remove the need for context or responsible reporting.
Where documents are complex, we should take reasonable care to represent their contents accurately and avoid drawing conclusions that the evidence does not support.
23. Social media and user-generated content
Information appearing on social media should not automatically be considered verified.
Where social media material is important to a story, reasonable steps should be taken to establish authenticity, context and original source.
Deleted posts may still be reportable where there is a legitimate editorial reason for doing so, but the circumstances should be considered carefully.
User-generated photographs and videos should be appropriately verified and permission or licensing obtained where required.
24. Developing and breaking news
Information can change rapidly during breaking news events.
Stonebridge Wire may publish developing stories where some details remain uncertain, provided this uncertainty is made clear.
Articles should be updated as reliable new information becomes available.
Material developments should not be silently incorporated in circumstances where doing so would materially alter the original meaning of the report.
Speed does not override our obligation to take reasonable steps to establish accuracy.
25. Headlines and social media
Headlines should attract readers without materially misrepresenting the underlying article.
Stonebridge Wire does not prohibit strong, engaging or creative headlines, but we seek to avoid deliberately misleading clickbait.
The same editorial standards apply to material published through Stonebridge Wire’s social media accounts.
A misleading social media post is not acceptable simply because the linked article contains the necessary qualification.
26. Copyright and plagiarism
Stonebridge Wire respects intellectual property rights.
Our journalism should be written originally.
Information can be gathered from numerous sources, but another publication’s wording, distinctive structure or substantial original work should not simply be reproduced.
Quotations should be appropriately attributed.
Where another news organisation has broken a story that Stonebridge Wire cannot independently confirm, we should make the source clear rather than implying that Stonebridge Wire obtained the information independently.
27. Sponsored and commercial content
Any paid editorial-style material must be clearly labelled.
Suitable descriptions may include Advertisement, Sponsored, Partner Content or another sufficiently clear designation depending upon the circumstances.
Commercial partners cannot purchase the right to alter unrelated independent editorial coverage.
Stonebridge Wire reserves the right to refuse advertising or commercial partnerships that we consider inappropriate for the publication.
28. Editorial complaints
We welcome legitimate concerns about our journalism.
Complaints should identify the relevant article or content, explain the concern and, where applicable, identify the specific information believed to be inaccurate.
Complaints can be submitted to:
newsdesk@stonebridgewire.co.uk
We will seek to review substantive editorial complaints fairly and within a reasonable period.
Where a complaint identifies an error, our corrections policy will apply.
Disagreement with a review, analysis or genuinely held opinion does not by itself establish a factual error.
29. Responsibility of contributors
Anyone writing or producing material for Stonebridge Wire is expected to follow this Code.
Contributors should raise potential legal, ethical or accuracy concerns before publication rather than assuming another person will identify them.
Serious or repeated breaches of these standards may result in material being amended or removed and may affect whether a contributor continues to work with Stonebridge Wire.
The Founder & Editor retains ultimate editorial responsibility for material published by Stonebridge Wire.
30. Updating this Code
Journalism, technology and the law continue to change.
Stonebridge Wire may therefore amend this Editorial Code as the publication develops.
Significant changes will be reflected by the Last updated date displayed at the beginning of this page.
The Code is intended to establish meaningful standards rather than simply provide a statement of good intentions.
Our readers should be entitled to expect us to follow them.