How does Southampton Wire verify information before publication?
Every article published by Southampton Wire is verified through a multi-stage process that includes drafting by a named writer, review by an editor, and a mandatory fact-check before the piece goes live. This applies to all content, whether produced by a human journalist or with the support of AI-assisted tools, which are never allowed to fabricate quotes, sources, interviews or bylines.
The verification process at Southampton Wire begins at the pitch stage, where reporters identify potential sources and documentary evidence. The writer then drafts the piece, clearly attributing all claims. Once submitted, an editor reviews the article for coherence, fairness and legal risks. The piece is then passed to Diane Forbes, our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead (diane.forbes@southamptonwire.co.uk), who independently checks every fact against original sources. Only after her sign-off can the article be scheduled for publication. This three-layer system — writer, editor, fact-checker — mirrors best practice in professional newsrooms.
What is the source hierarchy used by the editorial team?
Southampton Wire operates a clear source hierarchy that prioritises primary documentary evidence and first-hand accounts, with secondary and tertiary sources used only when primary material is unavailable or incomplete. This hierarchy is enforced by our editorial team, including Kieran Doherty, Local Politics & Council Editor, and Lucy Palmer, Community & Crime Correspondent.
The hierarchy ranks sources as follows: (1) official documents (council minutes, court records, government statistics, Freedom of Information responses); (2) direct interviews with named individuals who have relevant expertise or direct involvement; (3) verified press releases from recognised public bodies such as Hampshire County Council or Southampton City Council; (4) established news agencies and wire services; (5) anonymous sources, used only when the information is of significant public interest and the source’s identity is known to the editor-in-chief, William Ashby. Anonymous material is never published without approval from the Standards & Fact-Checking Lead. We maintain an internal record of all source types for each story. For more detail, see our full sources policy.
How does the team handle sensitive or high-risk stories?
For sensitive stories, including those involving crime, vulnerable individuals, minors, or allegations of misconduct, Southampton Wire applies additional layers of review before publication. The editor-in-chief and the Standards & Fact-Checking Lead must both approve the final text, and legal counsel is consulted where appropriate.
When covering crime or court proceedings, reporters like Lucy Palmer attend hearings in person or obtain official transcripts. Allegations against named individuals or organisations require corroboration from at least two independent primary sources before any naming can occur. Stories involving children or vulnerable adults are reviewed against our Safeguarding Minors Policy. In all cases, the editorial team weighs the public interest against potential harm. The writer, editor and fact-checker each sign off on a sensitive-content checklist, which is retained as part of the publication record. Any substantive changes to a sensitive story after publication are made only via a formal correction and are logged on the article itself.
What you can expect from us
You can expect every piece on Southampton Wire to be grounded in verifiable evidence, clearly attributed, and free from fabricated content. Our fact-checking policy applies equally to news articles, sponsored content (clearly labelled), and any content supported by AI-assisted tools — human editorial judgement always comes first.
We commit to publishing corrections promptly when errors are identified, as detailed in our Corrections Policy. Our team — from William Ashby, editor-in-chief, to Diane Forbes, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead — is accountable for the accuracy of every article. We do not use anonymous bylines, and every writer is named on the article. If you have concerns about a specific piece, you can contact the relevant staff member directly or use the dedicated function emails listed on our site. For further background on our editorial values, please see our Editorial Policy and Our Story.
How can you report a potential inaccuracy or submit a tip?
If you believe an article contains an error, or if you have a tip that may require fact-checking, you can email our dedicated fact-check desk at factcheck@southamptonwire.co.uk or use the general tips@southamptonwire.co.uk address. Please include the article title, the claimed error, and any supporting evidence you can provide.
We take every fact-check request seriously. Diane Forbes and her team review all submissions within two working days and respond to confirm receipt. If an error is confirmed, a correction is published on the article page and logged in our corrections register for at least 30 days. For tips that are not yet public, our reporters may use the information as a starting point for their own independent verification. We protect the confidentiality of all sources who contact us via tips@southamptonwire.co.uk, in line with our contact policy. You can also submit information anonymously through our secure tip form on the Tip Us page.
Questions or concerns?
If you have any questions about this Fact-Checking Policy or a specific article, please contact William Ashby, Editor-in-Chief, at william.ashby@southamptonwire.co.uk or +44 20 4587 9486. For complaints about accuracy or fairness, direct your email to complaints@southamptonwire.co.uk and we will respond within five working days. Our full complaints procedure is published separately. We are committed to transparency and accountability in everything we publish.