Our Fact-Checking Policy sets out the standards and procedures that City Ledger Media Ltd., the publisher of PublicReport.uk, applies to ensure the accuracy and integrity of every piece of journalism we publish. This policy is part of our broader commitment to editorial independence and trust, as outlined in our Editorial Policy.
What We Verify Before Publication
Every article undergoes a rigorous verification process tailored to the subject matter. Our editors and reporters verify the following categories of information as a minimum:
- Official statistics and data claims — we verify against original sources such as government databases, Office for National Statistics publications, parliamentary reports, and recognised international bodies. We do not rely on secondary summaries alone.
- Financial figures — company revenues, market valuations, investment figures, and economic indicators are cross-checked against company filings, regulatory announcements, and audited reports. Where we cite analyst estimates, this is clearly attributed.
- Political statements — quotes, claims or policy positions from politicians, parties, and public officials are verified against official transcripts, Hansard, ministerial statements, press releases or first-hand recordings. We do not publish unverified claims as fact.
- Legal claims — any reference to court rulings, legislation, regulatory action or legal proceedings is checked against official court documents, published judgments, statutes, or confirmed statements from legal representatives.
- Health claims — we rely on peer-reviewed studies, official public health bodies (e.g. NHS, UK Health Security Agency), and reputable medical journals. We do not publish anecdotal health advice or unverified research.
- Stories involving minors — we take particular care to verify all details, including names, ages, locations, and any images, with multiple reliable sources. We adhere to our Safeguarding Minors Policy and never publish information that could cause harm or identify a vulnerable child without exceptional public interest justification.
- Public safety or privacy concerns — any reporting that touches on crime, emergency services, public health, personal data breaches, or safeguarding is reviewed by the Standards & Fact-Checking Lead before publication. We balance the public interest against individual privacy rights.
Source Hierarchy
We apply a clear hierarchy of sources when building our reporting. The most authoritative sources are preferred, and all sourcing is made transparent to readers where possible. Our hierarchy, from most to least authoritative, is:
- Official government data, court documents, and public company filings
- Expert testimony and first-hand reporting from our journalists or reliable wire services (e.g. PA Media)
- Verified public statements from named individuals or official bodies
- Secondary media or academic sources, clearly attributed
For a detailed breakdown of how we source and cite information, please see our Sources & Standards page.
Handling Rumours and Speculation
We do not present rumours, speculation, or unsubstantiated claims as fact. Any information that cannot be verified to our standards is either excluded or, if it is genuinely newsworthy and in the public interest, clearly labelled as unverified speculation with a full explanation of our efforts to confirm it. We distinguish between reporting on claims made by others and endorsing those claims.
Anonymous Sources
Anonymous sourcing is used only where there is a clear editorial reason — typically to protect a source from retaliation or harm — and where the information is of significant public interest. We require at least one senior editor to approve the use of an anonymous source, and the reported information must be independently corroborated through at least one other reliable source. We never use anonymous sources to settle scores, promote a partisan agenda, or publish unverified gossip.
Standards & Fact-Checking Review
Our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Naomi Rivers (naomi.rivers@publicreport.uk), reviews all sensitive articles before publication, including those involving legal, health, safety, minors, privacy, or contentious political claims. She oversees the fact-checking workflow, source verification, and any corrections that may arise post-publication. Her role ensures that editorial standards are consistently met across every section.
Reader Reports and Corrections
We encourage readers to report potential inaccuracies. If you believe an article contains an error, please contact us at factcheck@publicreport.uk with the article URL, a description of the alleged error, and supporting evidence. Our team will review every report and respond promptly. Where an error is confirmed, we will correct it transparently in line with our Corrections Policy.
Our Commitment
This Fact-Checking Policy is a binding standard for all editorial staff, contributors, and freelancers working with PublicReport.uk. It is reviewed annually and updated as needed. For more about the people who uphold these standards, see our Our Team page. If you have any questions about this policy, please contact our editorial team at editorial@publicreport.uk.