The Holderness & Hornsea Gazette is committed to accurate, fair, responsible and independent local journalism.
The Gazette is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) and adheres to the Editors’ Code of Practice. The Code sets standards covering accuracy, privacy, harassment, reporting involving children, confidential sources, financial journalism, discrimination, reporting of crime and the public interest.
Our role is to report on the people, organisations, institutions and events that shape life across Holderness and Hornsea. We aim to provide journalism that is properly researched, clearly presented and rooted in the communities we serve.
This policy applies to editorial content published in the printed Gazette, on our website and through our social-media, video, audio and other digital channels. It should be read alongside the Editors’ Code of Practice and our published complaints procedure.
Editorial responsibility
All editorial content is subject to editorial control and the standards set out in the Editors’ Code of Practice.
Sam Hawcroft, editor and director, is the named person with final responsibility for deciding whether material is published and how it is presented.
This includes responsibility for commissioning, verification, editing, headlines, photographs, video, layout, publication and any subsequent correction or clarification.
Contact:
Sam Hawcroft
Editor and director
Email: [email protected]
Accuracy and verification
We aim to publish information that is accurate, properly sourced and presented in its correct context.
Before publication, we will take reasonable steps to verify significant claims. Depending on the nature of the story, this may include:
- speaking directly to those involved
- consulting official documents, records or statements
- checking names, dates, figures and locations
- seeking evidence to support claims
- approaching relevant people or organisations for a response
- distinguishing confirmed facts from allegations, opinions or speculation
We will not knowingly publish false, distorted or misleading information.
Social-media posts, anonymous messages and material shared in community groups will not automatically be treated as verified fact. Where such material forms the basis of a story, we will seek appropriate confirmation through further reporting and due diligence.
Headlines, captions, photographs, video and social-media descriptions should accurately reflect the content of the report. They should not exaggerate what is known or be presented as misleading clickbait.
Fairness and right of reply
We aim to report fairly and provide appropriate context.
Where a report contains significant criticism, allegations or claims about an identifiable person or organisation, we will normally offer a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication, where practical and appropriate.
The absence of a response will not necessarily prevent publication, particularly where there is a clear public interest in reporting the matter. Where relevant, the report may state that a response was requested but not received.
Fairness does not require every report to give equal space to every possible view. It does require us to represent material facts accurately and avoid deliberately misleading omissions.
Editorial independence
Editorial decisions are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, political organisations, public authorities and other external interests.
Advertising or sponsorship does not guarantee favourable editorial coverage and does not give an advertiser or sponsor control over unrelated news content.
Paid-for material, advertising features, sponsored content and commercial partnerships will be identified clearly so that readers can distinguish them from independent journalism.
The Gazette may support community events, campaigns, charities and local initiatives while retaining full editorial responsibility for how they are reported.
News, opinion and comment
News reporting, opinion, analysis and comment should be clearly distinguishable from one another.
Opinion pieces may express a particular view but must not knowingly misrepresent facts. Letters and contributed articles represent the views of their authors and not necessarily those of the Gazette.
We reserve the right to edit, shorten or decline contributed material for legal, ethical, editorial or space reasons.
Privacy and sensitive reporting
We consider privacy, dignity and potential harm when reporting on individuals.
Particular care will be taken when covering bereavement, trauma, accidents, illness, crime and other sensitive circumstances. We will avoid unnecessary intrusion and consider whether identifying details are justified by the public interest.
Information will not automatically be published simply because it is publicly available or has already appeared on social media.
When reporting grief or shock, we will approach individuals with sensitivity and will not continue questioning or pursuing them once asked to stop.
Children and vulnerable people
We take additional care when reporting on children, young people and vulnerable individuals.
We will consider whether consent is required and whether identification could cause harm, embarrassment or distress. The welfare of a child will be an important consideration in editorial decisions.
Children should not normally be interviewed or photographed on matters involving their welfare without the consent of a parent, guardian or other responsible adult, unless there is a clear public-interest justification.
We will observe all legal restrictions relating to the identification of children, victims and vulnerable people.
Crime and court reporting
Crime and court reports will be based on verified information, official sources, direct reporting or court proceedings.
We will observe reporting restrictions and the principle that a person is innocent unless and until proved guilty.
Where an investigation or court case is ongoing, language will be chosen carefully so that allegations are not presented as established fact.
We will distinguish clearly between arrest, charge, conviction and sentence.
Anonymous and confidential sources
Anonymous information may be used where a source has a legitimate reason for protecting their identity and where the information can be sufficiently verified.
The editor must be satisfied that the source is credible and that publication is justified.
We will protect confidential sources where we have agreed to do so, subject to any overriding legal obligations.
Anonymous allegations will not be published without appropriate scrutiny, supporting evidence and consideration of the public interest.
Photographs, video and audio
Photographs, video and audio should be used accurately and in context.
We will not knowingly manipulate images, recordings or footage in a way that materially misleads the audience. Routine editing for clarity, size, sound quality or presentation is permitted provided it does not alter the meaning of the material.
Images used for illustrative purposes will be identified where there is a risk that readers could otherwise misunderstand their relevance.
We will take particular care when using distressing images or material involving death, injury, grief or vulnerable people.
Reader submissions and user-generated content
Material supplied by readers, witnesses, organisations or other third parties will be checked as far as reasonably possible before publication.
Submission of photographs, video, statements or other material does not guarantee that it will be published.
Those submitting material should have the right to provide it and should make us aware of any copyright, privacy, consent or safety concerns.
We reserve the right to edit submitted material for accuracy, clarity, length, legality and compliance with our editorial standards.
Social media
Our editorial standards apply to content published through the Gazette’s social-media accounts as well as to material appearing in print and on our website.
Social media can provide valuable leads, eyewitness accounts and community information, but it can also spread rumours, misinformation and manipulated material quickly.
We will therefore take reasonable steps to verify significant claims before presenting them as fact. We will not publish unverified material simply because it is widely shared or likely to attract attention.
Comments made by members of the public on our social-media pages are their own. We may remove comments that are unlawful, threatening, abusive, discriminatory, defamatory, intrusive, misleading, spam or otherwise inappropriate.
Artificial intelligence and digital tools
Digital and AI-assisted tools may be used to support limited tasks such as transcription, administration, research organisation, data processing or the preparation of routine material.
They do not replace original reporting, verification, editorial judgment or human responsibility.
We will not knowingly publish fabricated quotations, invented facts or misleading AI-generated images, video or audio as genuine news material.
Any material prepared with the assistance of digital or AI tools remains subject to human checking and editorial control. The editor retains responsibility for the final published content.
Conflicts of interest
Anyone contributing to the Gazette should disclose any significant personal, financial, political or organisational interest that could reasonably affect their work.
Where a potential conflict exists, the editor will decide whether the contributor should remain involved and whether disclosure to readers is appropriate.
Editorial coverage will not be influenced by personal relationships, commercial pressure or offers of gifts, hospitality or other benefits.
Corrections and clarifications
We aim to correct significant inaccuracies promptly and clearly.
Corrections may be made in print, online or through the platform on which the original material appeared. The form and prominence of the correction will depend on the seriousness of the error and the circumstances of publication.
Where an online article is materially corrected, we may add a note explaining the change. Minor spelling, grammar or formatting errors may be corrected without a separate notice where they do not materially alter the meaning.
Requests for corrections should be supported by relevant information or evidence wherever possible.
Complaints
Anyone who believes that the Gazette has published material which is inaccurate, unfair, intrusive or otherwise in breach of our editorial standards or the Editors’ Code of Practice may contact the editor.
Complaints should identify the article or content concerned, explain the issue clearly and include any relevant supporting information. We will consider complaints promptly and respond in accordance with our published complaints procedure.
The Holderness & Hornsea Gazette is regulated by the Independent Press Standards Organisation. Where a complaint cannot be resolved directly with the Gazette, eligible complaints may be referred to IPSO in accordance with its procedures.
Our full complaints procedure is available here:
The Editors’ Code of Practice and information about IPSO’s complaints process are available on the IPSO website.
Public interest
There may be circumstances in which publication is justified in the public interest, including but not limited to:
- detecting or exposing crime or serious wrongdoing
- protecting public health or safety
- preventing the public from being misled
- exposing failures by public bodies or organisations
- contributing to an important matter of public debate
- protecting vulnerable people or communities
Any public-interest justification will be considered carefully by the editor. The level of intrusion or potential harm must be proportionate to the public interest served.
Review of this policy
This policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect changes in the law, the Editors’ Code of Practice, journalism standards, technology and the needs of the communities we serve.
Last reviewed: July 2026