1. Purpose and status
This Editorial Policy explains how the UK Column applies its editorial principles in practice. It should be read alongside the UK Column Code of Practice, which remains the binding standards code applicable to the UK Column.
Where this policy and the Code of Practice address the same subject, the Code remains the governing standards document. This policy explains how those standards are applied in practice and covers areas not addressed there. It explains the working methods expected when applying the Code’s clauses.
This policy applies to all audio and video programmes as well as written content produced by the UK Column, and applies equally to UK Column staff and freelance contributors. Feedback and complaints are handled under the Code of Practice using the complaints contact published there.
2. Sourcing and verification
2.1 Primary sources first
Contributors work from primary sources wherever they are available: the original document, dataset, recording, statute, court listing, official statement, or first-hand testimony. Reporting on a primary source is preferred over reporting on another outlet’s account of it. Where a primary source exists and can reasonably be obtained, a contributor cites and links to it rather than to secondary coverage.
2.2 Assessing source reliability
Before a source is relied upon, the contributor must assess its reliability: who produced it, when, for what purpose, and whether it can be independently corroborated. Official figures, statistics and quoted statements are traced to the body that issued them and checked against the original publication rather than reproduced from intermediate reporting. Material from any outlet with a demonstrated record of fabrication or serious unreliability is not used as a basis for UK Column reporting; doubtful material may be referenced only when the doubt is itself the story and is clearly flagged.
2.3 Documents, leaks and provenance
Documents and leaked material are authenticated before use. Contributors must establish where material came from, look for signs that it has been altered, and where possible confirm its contents independently. The origin of a document and the limits of what has been verified about it are made clear to the audience.
2.4 Images, video and synthetic media
Before publication, contributors must establish where photographs or video came from and the context in which they were created. This includes checking when and where material was captured, and whether it has been edited, staged or otherwise altered. Contributors must take reasonable steps to detect AI-generated or manipulated images, audio and video, and do not present synthetic or unverified media as authentic record. Any use of reconstruction, illustration or AI-assisted material in UK Column output is clearly identified as such.
2.5 Recording the verification trail
For any significant claim, contributors must keep a sufficient record of what was checked, against which sources, and what remained unverified at the point of publication, so that the editorial board can review the basis of the report. Where material is held back because verification is incomplete, the reasons are recorded.
2.6 When to hold
A report is held rather than published where the central claim cannot be adequately verified, where the only support is a single uncorroborated source contrary to the Code’s Sources clause, or where publication would prejudice active legal proceedings. The decision to publish a contested or high-risk report rests with the editorial board.
2.7 Archiving
Sources relied upon online are archived at the time of use so that the version consulted can be retrieved later, recognising that web pages are altered and removed.
3. Editorial independence and funding
3.1 Statement of independence
The UK Column’s editorial decisions, including what to investigate, what to publish, and how to frame it, are made independently. No funder, subscriber, advertiser, commercial partner, political party, campaign, government body or other outside interest has any right of control or veto over editorial content. Editorial judgement rests solely with the UK Column’s editorial board and the contributors it commissions.
3.2 How the UK Column is funded
Day to day funding of the UK Column is provided by its members through memberships and donations. The UK Column publishes a plain statement of its ownership so that the audience can see how the organisation is structured.
3.3 Separation of funding and editorial
Financial support for the UK Column does not buy editorial influence. The fact that an individual or organisation is a member, donor, shareholder, advertiser or commercial partner neither earns favourable coverage nor exempts them from scrutiny. Decisions about funding and commercial arrangements are kept separate from decisions about editorial content.
3.4 Sponsored and partner content
The UK Column does not publish paid-for material disguised as independent editorial. Any content that is sponsored, advertised, or produced in partnership with a third party is clearly and prominently labelled as such, so that the audience can distinguish it from the UK Column’s own journalism. At this time, the UK Column does not accept any such content.
3.5 Conflicts of interest
Staff and contributors declare to the editorial board any personal, financial, political or professional interest that a reasonable member of the audience might consider relevant to a story they are working on. This includes shareholdings and other financial interests, paid or unpaid roles, party or campaign affiliations, family connections, and outside work that bears on the subject.
Where a relevant interest exists, the contributor either steps back from the story or the interest is disclosed to the audience, as the editorial board directs.
4. Impartiality and fairness
4.1 Distinguishing reporting, analysis and comment
Within any programme or article, factual reporting is kept distinguishable from the contributor’s analysis and opinion, extending the principles set out in the Accuracy clause of the Code. The audience should always be able to tell when they are being shown evidence and when they are being offered an interpretation of it.
4.2 Representing others fairly
The views, statements and positions of the people and organisations the UK Column reports on are represented accurately and not distorted through selective quotation or editing. Editing of interviews, footage or quoted text does not change the meaning of what a person said or create a false impression of their position.
4.3 Right of reply on serious allegations
Where the UK Column intends to publish a significant allegation of wrongdoing or incompetence against a named individual or organisation, that party is given a fair and timely opportunity to respond before publication, and any substantive response is reflected. This duty of fair dealing goes beyond the Accuracy clause’s right of reply to inaccuracies already published: it applies in advance, to the allegation itself. Non-cooperation by the subject does not prevent publication where the public-interest test in the Code is met, but reasonable efforts to seek a response are recorded.
4.4 Dealing fairly with contributors and interviewees
People who take part in UK Column productions are not misled about the nature, purpose or likely content of the item they are contributing to. Agreements made with contributors about the terms of their participation are honoured. Vulnerable contributors are treated with particular care.
4.5 Fair treatment in coverage
The UK Column does not make gratuitous reference to a person’s race, religion, sex, gender, sexuality, disability or health where it has no bearing on the story. Strong criticism and robust scrutiny of conduct, arguments and institutions are core to the UK Column’s work and are not limited by this clause.
5. Bylines, anonymity and confidentiality
5.1 Bylines and attribution of the UK Column’s work
UK Column output carries a byline or on-screen credit identifying the contributor responsible, unless there is a specific and justified reason not to. Where a piece is the collective work of the organisation, or where naming an individual would expose them to a real risk, it may be published under “UK Column Reporters”. A byline signifies responsibility for the content; corrections that affect authorship are made promptly.
5.2 Pseudonyms for contributors
A contributor may write or present under a pseudonym only with the approval of the editorial board, and only for a substantial reason such as personal safety or protection from reprisal. The editorial board records the contributor’s true identity and the reason for the pseudonym. A pseudonym is not used to disguise a conflict of interest or to evade accountability.
5.3 Protecting confidential sources
The UK Column honours undertakings of confidentiality given to sources. Where confidentiality has been promised, contributors must protect the source’s identity, including against pressure from third parties, employers, or the authorities, and must not reveal it without the source’s consent. This duty continues after the story is published and after the contributor’s relationship with the UK Column ends.
Confidential source material including notes, recordings, correspondence, files and metadata that could identify a source is stored securely, kept only as long as necessary, and handled so that it cannot be casually accessed or inadvertently disclosed. Where a contributor comes under legal compulsion to reveal a source, they notify the editorial board immediately so that the UK Column can take advice. Any response is a matter for the organisation, not the individual alone.
5.4 Off the record, background and non-attributable
The UK Column uses and honours the following conventions, and contributors agree the basis of a conversation with a source before it takes place:
- On the record: the information and the source’s identity may both be published.
- Non-attributable: the information may be published but the source is not identified, by agreed form of words.
- Background: the information may be used to inform reporting but not published directly.
- Off the record: the information is not published and is used only to guide further inquiry.
A change to these terms requires the source’s agreement. An undertaking given in any of these terms is binding on the UK Column and its contributors.
5.5 Confidentiality of journalistic material generally
Unpublished journalistic material is treated as confidential to the UK Column and is not disclosed to outside parties except as required by law and after editorial-board consideration.
5.6 Continuing duty of confidentiality
The duty of confidentiality set out in this section covers all confidential sources and all unpublished material a contributor obtains, creates or otherwise comes into contact with in the course of their work for the UK Column, whether or not the contributor personally gave the undertaking of confidentiality.
This duty continues without limit of time and applies even after the contributor’s engagement with the UK Column comes to an end.
It does not restrict the use of information already lawfully in the public domain, and it is subject to the disclosures required by law described in 5.3 and 5.5.
6. Review and amendment
This policy is reviewed at least annually and whenever a change in law, regulation, or the UK Column’s practice makes revision necessary. Amendments are approved by the editorial board. Questions about the application of this policy are referred to the editorial board.
This Editorial Policy is read together with, and is subordinate to, the UK Column Code of Practice.