What you can expect from us
At Southampton Wire, we are committed to delivering trustworthy local journalism that helps you understand what matters in Southampton, Hampshire and the wider South Coast, without spin. Our editorial policy sets out the standards, processes and principles that guide every article we publish, whether it is a news story, opinion piece or sponsored feature.
This policy is owned and operated by Sliema Media Limited (Malta Business Registry C 84217) and applies to all content on southamptonwire.co.uk. Every article is drafted by a named writer, reviewed by an editor and fact-checked before publication. Our editorial mission is to provide clear, practical local and regional news on councils, business, community affairs, crime, transport and culture, and we adhere to this mission in all our output.
How does our editorial process work?
Our editorial process begins with a story idea, which is assigned to a named writer who conducts research and drafts the piece. The draft is then reviewed by an editor, who checks for clarity, accuracy and adherence to our standards. Before publication, the piece is fact-checked by our Standards and Fact-Checking Lead, Diane Forbes, or a member of her team.
Corrections and clarifications are handled transparently via our corrections policy. If a mistake is identified, we issue a clear correction at the bottom of the relevant article. Our Editor-in-Chief, William Ashby, oversees all publication decisions and can be reached at william.ashby@southamptonwire.co.uk or +44 20 4587 9486. For detailed information on how we verify information, please see our fact-checking policy.
How do we distinguish news from opinion and sponsored content?
News articles are written and edited to report facts without bias, and are clearly labelled with the byline of the writer. Opinion pieces, including editorials and columns, are explicitly marked as such, often with a label such as “Opinion” or “Comment” in the headline or byline area, and represent the views of the author, not the publication.
Sponsored content is always clearly labelled with a prominent notice, such as “Sponsored” or “Paid for by”, at the top of the page. Commercial partnerships and sponsorship arrangements never determine editorial conclusions. Our sponsored content policy and advertising and affiliate disclosure provide full transparency. Funding comes from display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, newsletter sponsorships and sponsored material, none of which influences news coverage.
How do we maintain editorial independence?
Editorial independence is a cornerstone of our journalism. Commercial relationships, including advertising and sponsorship, are kept entirely separate from editorial decision-making. No external party, whether advertiser, partner or sponsor, has any influence over the selection, reporting or presentation of news.
Our ownership and funding page details how Sliema Media Limited finances the site. All sponsored material is clearly labelled to avoid confusion. The editorial team, led by William Ashby, retains full control over content. Our commitment is to you, the reader, and we prioritise accuracy and fairness above commercial interest.
What is our AI disclosure policy?
AI-assisted tools may be used to support research, drafting, editing, formatting, metadata and summaries, but they never replace human editorial judgement. All published content is reviewed by a human editor, and AI must never fabricate quotes, sources, interviews or bylines.
If an article has been produced with significant AI assistance, we will disclose this in a note within the article or in its metadata. Our full AI and automation policy explains how we use these tools responsibly. We believe that technology should augment, not replace, the human oversight essential for trustworthy local news.
How do we ensure proper attribution and sourcing?
We attribute all information to named sources wherever possible. This includes quoting individuals, citing official documents, referencing public records or linking to original reports. If a source requests anonymity, we explain the reason for granting it, such as concerns for safety or professional repercussions.
Our sources policy provides further detail. All bylines name the journalist who wrote the article, and we list our editorial team on the our team page. For tips or documents you wish to share securely, please use our tip us page or contact our newsdesk at newsdesk@southamptonwire.co.uk.
What is the complaints procedure?
If you believe we have made a factual error, breached our editorial standards or acted unfairly, we want to hear from you. Please email our complaints team at complaints@southamptonwire.co.uk, or contact Editor-in-Chief William Ashby directly at william.ashby@southamptonwire.co.uk or +44 20 4587 9486.
We aim to acknowledge your complaint within two working days and respond with a full investigation within ten working days. If you are unsatisfied, you may escalate to the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO) or another relevant body, though we are not currently a member of IPSO. Our full complaints procedure is available online, and we take all concerns seriously to maintain your trust.
Questions or concerns?
We welcome your questions, feedback and concerns at any time. Please contact us via info@southamptonwire.co.uk or call our UK editorial line at +44 20 4587 9485. For privacy-related matters, see our privacy policy and cookie policy. For legal requests, contact legal@southamptonwire.co.uk. We are also committed to accessibility; please see our accessibility statement for more information.