Last updated: 3 July 2026
Manchester Courier aims to provide accurate, responsible and accessible journalism covering Manchester, the wider United Kingdom and matters of public interest.
This policy sets out the principles that guide our editorial decisions.
Accuracy
We aim to publish information that is accurate and supported by reliable evidence. Journalists and editors should take reasonable steps to check facts, names, dates, quotations, statistics and other material details before publication.
Where information cannot be independently confirmed, this should be made clear when it is relevant to the reader’s understanding of the story.
Headlines, photographs and captions should fairly reflect the substance of the article and should not materially mislead readers.
Sources and verification
Manchester Courier may obtain information from:
- Direct reporting and interviews.
- Public authorities and official documents.
- Businesses, charities and professional organisations.
- Press releases and authorised representatives.
- Freelance journalists and contributors.
- Publicly available records and data.
- News agencies, editorial partners and other credible publications.
Information received from interested parties is assessed in context and may be edited, supplemented or independently checked before publication.
Anonymous sources may be used where their information is important, there is a legitimate reason to protect their identity and the editorial team is satisfied that the source is credible. Confidentiality will not be promised casually.
Fairness and the right to respond
When an article contains a significant allegation or serious criticism concerning an identifiable person or organisation, we will normally make reasonable efforts to seek a response before publication.
The time allowed for a response will depend on the urgency, seriousness and public interest of the story. A refusal to comment will not necessarily prevent publication.
Relevant responses received after publication may be added to or reported in the article where appropriate.
Independence and conflicts of interest
Editorial decisions are made in the interests of accuracy, relevance and our readers. Contributors should disclose any financial, personal or professional interest that could reasonably be seen as affecting their work.
We aim to maintain a clear distinction between independent editorial judgement and commercial relationships.
Sponsored and commercial content
Manchester Courier may publish sponsored features, partner content, advertisements or articles produced in connection with a commercial arrangement.
Where payment or another material benefit has influenced the commissioning or publication of an article, we aim to identify the content appropriately. Commercial partners do not have the right to alter unrelated editorial coverage or prevent legitimate criticism.
Sponsored publication does not constitute a guarantee or endorsement of any product, service, organisation or claim.
Press releases and contributed material
Press releases and contributed articles may provide valuable information, but they are not automatically treated as independently verified reporting.
Such material may be shortened, rewritten, fact-checked or combined with additional context. Manchester Courier reserves the right to refuse any submission that is misleading, unlawful, excessively promotional or inconsistent with our editorial standards.
Opinion and analysis
Comment, opinion and analysis should be distinguishable from factual news reporting. Opinion writers are entitled to express robust views, but factual claims within opinion pieces should still have a reasonable basis.
The publication of an opinion does not necessarily mean that it represents the views of Manchester Courier or its editorial team.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence tools may be used to support limited production tasks such as transcription, translation, research assistance, formatting or language review.
Responsibility for the published material remains with Manchester Courier. Content should be reviewed by a person before publication, and AI-generated information should not be treated as a verified source.
We will not knowingly use artificial intelligence to fabricate quotations, sources, events, photographs or evidence.
Privacy and public interest
We balance freedom of expression and the public’s right to receive information against the privacy and safety of individuals.
Private information should not be published without a reasonable editorial justification. Relevant considerations may include consent, the seriousness of the subject, the person’s public role, the manner in which the information was obtained and the strength of the public interest.
Children and vulnerable people
Particular care should be taken when reporting on children, victims, bereaved families and people who may be vulnerable.
The identity of a child will not normally be published where doing so could cause unnecessary harm or breach a legal restriction. The consent of a parent or guardian does not automatically remove the need for independent editorial judgement.
Discrimination and harmful language
References to race, nationality, religion, disability, sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, health or other personal characteristics should only be included where they are genuinely relevant.
Manchester Courier does not tolerate content intended to incite hatred, unlawful discrimination, violence or harassment.
Crime and legal proceedings
Reports concerning arrests, allegations, investigations and court proceedings should respect the presumption of innocence and any applicable reporting restrictions.
Care will be taken to distinguish clearly between an allegation, a charge, a conviction and an acquittal.
Photographs and visual material
Images should not be materially altered in a way that misrepresents an event or person. Illustrative, supplied, archive or digitally created images should be identified where failing to do so could mislead readers.
We will consider requests concerning distressing images, personal privacy and the identification of vulnerable people on their individual merits.
Corrections
Significant inaccuracies will be addressed in accordance with our Corrections Policy. We do not normally remove accurate published material simply because it later becomes inconvenient or unfavourable to a person or organisation.
Editorial enquiries
Questions about this policy or the editorial standards of Manchester Courier may be sent to:
editor [at] manchestercourier [dot] co [dot] uk