This policy sets out the standards every MTO News article is held to. It is published so readers can judge our work against a stated benchmark rather than an implied one, and so that anyone who thinks we have fallen short has something concrete to point at.
Accuracy and verification
We verify before we publish. Statistics are taken from the original release rather than from another outlet’s summary of it, and we link to the source. Where two credible sources conflict, we say so and explain which we consider stronger and why. We do not publish claims sourced only to an anonymous social media account, and we do not treat a press release as evidence that its contents are true. When a story is developing and important details are unknown, we state plainly what has not been established.
Sourcing and anonymity
Named sources are the default. Anonymity is granted where a source faces a credible risk of retaliation, legal jeopardy or professional harm, and where the information is materially in the public interest. When we do grant it, we tell readers why the source is in a position to know and what their interest in the matter is. We never allow anonymity to be used simply to attack a named person or organisation without accountability.
Right of reply
Any individual or organisation facing significant criticism is given a fair opportunity to respond before publication, with a deadline proportionate to the story. If a response arrives after publication we add it to the article. We do not use no-comment as a rhetorical device: where a party declines to respond, we say what we asked and when.
Corrections
Errors are corrected promptly and visibly. A factual error results in an amended article carrying a dated note describing the change, and an entry on our Corrections page. Minor typographical fixes that do not alter meaning are made silently. We do not delete articles to resolve complaints, and we do not remove or rewrite claims without recording that we have done so. Requests to remove accurate reporting are declined.
Independence and conflicts of interest
Editorial decisions are made solely by the editorial team. Advertisers, partners and commercial contacts have no influence over what we cover, no advance sight of coverage, and no right of review. Contributors must disclose any financial interest, employment, shareholding or personal relationship relevant to a story, and are removed from coverage where a conflict cannot be managed by disclosure. Journalists do not trade in securities they are actively writing about.
Analysis, opinion and forecasts
Reporting and opinion are labelled differently. Analysis pieces identify their assumptions and name the evidence that would prove them wrong. We present forecasts as ranges with stated uncertainty, attribute them to whoever produced them, and avoid describing any projection as what will happen. Where our own view is expressed, it is signalled as a view.
Financial content is not advice
Our Money, Markets and Property coverage is journalism, not regulated financial advice. We explain how products, taxes and markets work; we do not recommend that any individual buy, sell or hold anything. Readers making decisions about mortgages, pensions, investments or tax should take advice appropriate to their own circumstances from an authorised adviser.
Use of artificial intelligence
AI tools may assist with research triage, transcription, data formatting and copy checks. Every published article is written, edited, fact-checked and approved by a human editor who is accountable for it. We do not publish AI-generated text as unreviewed journalism, and we do not use AI to fabricate quotes, sources or events. Illustrative photography generated or enhanced by AI is used only where it depicts a generic scene rather than a real identifiable news event, and never in a way intended to be mistaken for documentary evidence of a specific incident.
Commercial content
Sponsored articles, advertorial and affiliate links are labelled clearly at the top of the item and are never presented in the visual style of independent reporting. Affiliate arrangements never determine which products are covered or how favourably. See Advertise for the full commercial standards.
Privacy and vulnerable people
We weigh public interest against intrusion, take particular care with children, bereaved families and people in crisis, and do not publish personal data such as private addresses. We avoid gratuitous detail in coverage of suicide, self-harm and violence, and we do not identify victims of sexual offences.
Accountability
If you believe we have breached this policy, write to us via the Contact page setting out the article and the specific standard you think was missed. Complaints are reviewed by an editor not involved in the original piece.