PublicReport.uk respects the intellectual property rights of others and is committed to complying with UK copyright law. This policy outlines our approach to images and media, the steps we take to ensure proper rights clearance, and the procedure for submitting a takedown or correction request.
Copyright and Media Usage
We use a variety of visual and audio content across our digital news publication, including:
- Licensed images obtained through reputable stock photography agencies.
- Press images and official promotional materials provided by public bodies, companies, and events.
- Original photography produced by our own contributors or commissioned specifically for PublicReport.uk.
- Embedded or referenced media from third-party sources where we have a reasonable basis to believe the use is permitted or falls within fair dealing exceptions.
Wherever possible, we provide proper credit and attribution to the creator, rights holder, or source. Credits typically appear in captions, adjacent to the media, or in a dedicated image credit line within the article. We also maintain records of licences and permissions for internal auditing purposes.
Rights Assessment Before Use
Before any image or media asset is published, our editorial team — led by the Standards & Fact-Checking Lead — carries out a rights assessment. This includes verifying the licence terms, checking for attribution requirements, and ensuring that the intended use (editorial, not commercial) aligns with the permissions granted. Where the rights status is unclear or incomplete, the asset is not used until the necessary clearance is obtained. Our Sources & Standards page details the principles behind this process.
How to Submit a Takedown or Correction Request
If you believe that material published on PublicReport.uk infringes your copyright, or if you identify an error in attribution or licensing, please contact our dedicated copyright team at copyright@publicreport.uk. We aim to acknowledge all requests within two business days.
To help us process your request efficiently, please include the following information:
- The full URL (web address) of the page or pages containing the material in question.
- A clear description of the copyrighted work you believe has been used without authorisation, or the specific attribution error you wish to correct.
- Proof of your ownership of the rights, or evidence that you are authorised to act on behalf of the rights holder (e.g. a signed statement, registration certificate, or link to the original work).
- The reason for your request — for example, “unauthorised use of image” or “incorrect credit line”.
- Your full name, contact email address, and telephone number so we can reach you if further clarification is needed.
Requests that lack sufficient detail may be delayed. If you are submitting a correction rather than a takedown, please state this clearly in the subject line of your email.
Our Response
Upon receiving a properly documented request, our team will:
- Review the complaint and verify the ownership and factual basis.
- Investigate the editorial context and any existing licences or permissions.
- Take appropriate action, which may include removing the content entirely, replacing it with a properly credited or licensed alternative, amending the credit line, or adding a corrective note to the article.
We will communicate our decision in writing to the requester. In cases where we determine that the material was used in good faith under a valid licence or fair dealing provision, we will explain our reasoning and offer to discuss further. Where a clear infringement or error is confirmed, we act promptly to remedy it. For more on how we handle editorial corrections generally, see our Corrections Policy and Fact-Checking Policy.
This Copyright & Takedown Policy should be read alongside our Terms of Use, Editorial Policy, and the contact details on our Contact page. If you have any questions about our use of images or media, please reach out to info@publicreport.uk.