Editorial Policy and Contributor Guidelines

About I Love North Shields

I Love North Shields is an independent, community-powered local news outlet produced by and for the people of North Shields.

We publish original local news and information in print and online, including:

• Local news and public-interest reporting
• Community campaigns and issues affecting residents
• The work and decisions of local institutions
• Local events, businesses and the local economy
• Arts, culture, history and heritage
• Human-interest stories
• Opportunities for people to participate in community life

Our purpose is to inform, connect and celebrate our community while creating a trusted platform where local voices can be heard.

Editorial responsibility

Simone Harper, Founder and Editor, has overall editorial responsibility for I Love North Shields.

The Editor is responsible for deciding whether content is published and determining how it is presented. She is supported by the I Love North Shields editorial team, including deputy editors, writers, photographers and community contributors.

All final publishing decisions are made by the Editor or an appointed senior member of the editorial team.

Editorial independence

I Love North Shields is editorially independent and is not affiliated with any political party.

Our editorial decisions are made in the interests of our local community. Advertising, sponsorship, partnerships, grants or commercial relationships do not guarantee editorial coverage or determine how a story is reported.

Sponsored, paid or partnership content will be identified where appropriate.

We distinguish between factual news reporting, campaigning journalism, comment, personal opinion and advertising.

Accuracy and verification

We aim to publish information that is accurate, fair and supported by appropriate evidence.

Writers and editors are expected to:

• Check names, dates, locations, quotations and factual claims.
• Use reliable sources and provide links or supporting evidence where appropriate.
• Attribute facts, figures and quotations accurately.
• Clearly identify information that has not been independently verified.
• Avoid presenting rumours, assumptions or personal opinions as established facts.
• Seek a response from people or organisations who are the subject of significant criticism or allegations.

When reporting a developing story, we will make clear what is known, what remains unconfirmed and when the article was last updated.

Fairness and right of reply

We aim to report local matters fairly, responsibly and in context.

If an article contains serious criticism or allegations about an individual, organisation, public institution or business, we will normally offer them a reasonable opportunity to respond before publication.

Any response received will be represented fairly, although editorial control over the final content remains with I Love North Shields.

Corrections and updates

We welcome corrections and take concerns about accuracy seriously.

When a significant factual error is identified, we will correct it as promptly as possible. Where appropriate, we will add a correction or clarification explaining what has changed.

Developing stories may be updated when reliable new information becomes available.

To request a correction, email editor@ilovenorthshields.com and include:

• The title or link to the content
• The date it was published
• Details of the information you believe is inaccurate
• Any evidence supporting the requested correction

Complaints

Anyone may raise a concern about content published by I Love North Shields.

Complaints should be sent to editor@ilovenorthshields.com with the subject line Editorial Complaint.

Please include the content concerned, the reason for your complaint and the outcome you are seeking.

We aim to acknowledge complaints within five working days and provide a substantive response within 20 working days. Where possible, a complaint will be reviewed by a senior editorial team member who was not directly responsible for the content.

If a complaint is upheld, the action taken may include a correction, clarification, update, apology or removal of the content.

Conflicts of interest

Writers, editors and contributors must disclose any personal, professional, political or financial interest that could reasonably be perceived as influencing their work.

Where relevant, that relationship will be disclosed to readers. A contributor may be asked not to cover a subject where a significant conflict of interest exists.

Privacy and safeguarding

We balance the public interest in local reporting with an individual’s reasonable expectation of privacy.

We take particular care when reporting on:

• Children and young people
• Vulnerable adults
• Bereavement and personal tragedy
• Health and medical matters
• Crime, allegations and legal proceedings
• Other sensitive personal circumstances

Appropriate consent must be obtained for interviews and photographs, particularly when children or vulnerable people are identifiable.

We will not publish private addresses, contact details or other sensitive personal information without a clear and justified public-interest reason.

Discrimination and respectful reporting

We aim to represent the diversity of North Shields fairly and respectfully.

Content must not contain discriminatory, threatening or abusive language. References to a person’s race, nationality, religion, disability, age, sex, gender identity or sexual orientation should only be included when genuinely relevant to the story.

Photography, copyright and consent

Images must be original, appropriately licensed or used with the copyright holder’s permission. Photographers and creators should be credited wherever possible.

Contributors are responsible for confirming that they have permission to submit photographs and other creative work.

Appropriate consent should be obtained when someone is photographed in a private setting, is the main subject of a sensitive story, or would reasonably expect permission to be sought.

Use of artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence may be used to support administrative, research or editing tasks, but it does not replace human editorial judgement.

All facts, quotations, names, sources and claims must be checked by a person before publication.

AI must not be used to fabricate quotations, people, sources, photographs or events. Materially altered or AI-generated images must not be presented as documentary photography.

The Editor or an appointed member of the editorial team remains accountable for everything we publish.

Political and election coverage

I Love North Shields is independent of political parties and candidates.

We may report on the work of elected representatives and public bodies, including decisions and public spending that affect North Shields. We aim to do this accurately, constructively and in the public interest.

During election periods, we will take particular care to report accurately and fairly and to distinguish reporting from opinion or campaigning content.

Contributor guidelines

Article length

• News snippets: approximately 100 words
• Standard articles: approximately 250–300 words
• Featured articles: up to 550 words

Please discuss longer features with the editorial team before submitting them.

Content focus

Articles must have a clear connection to North Shields or be directly relevant to the local community.

We welcome pitches covering local news, community issues, public institutions, events, businesses, arts, culture, history, heritage and human-interest stories.

Content should be timely, relevant and useful to our audience.

Writing style

Use clear and accessible language with a conversational, community-centred tone.

Avoid unnecessary jargon and explain any technical terms. Storytelling is encouraged, but accuracy must always come before style.

Positive stories are welcomed, but contributors should not avoid legitimate questions, criticism or difficult local issues when reporting them is in the public interest.

Submission format

Articles may be submitted as a Word document or in the body of an email.

Please include:

• A proposed headline
• The writer’s name and contact information
• A short author biography
• Sources or links supporting factual information
• High-quality images, where relevant
• The photographer’s name and confirmation that the images can be published

Submissions should be emailed to editor@ilovenorthshields.com with the subject line Article Submission.

Originality

Submissions should normally be original and not previously published elsewhere unless agreed with the editorial team in advance.

Plagiarism is prohibited. Contributors must respect copyright and properly acknowledge quotations, research, photographs and the work of others.

Editing and publication

The editorial team may edit submissions for accuracy, clarity, fairness, style, spelling, length and legal or safeguarding concerns.

Material changes will be discussed with the contributor where practical. Submission does not guarantee publication, and I Love North Shields reserves the right to decline or withdraw content.

Publication rights

By submitting an article, contributors give I Love North Shields permission to edit, publish and distribute it in print and digital formats.

Contributors retain ownership of their original work and may republish it elsewhere after publication, provided that its original publication by I Love North Shields is acknowledged.

Policy review

This policy will be reviewed regularly and updated when necessary.

Editorially responsible person: Simone Harper, Founder and Editor
Contact: simmie@ilovenorthshields.com
Organisation: I Love North Shields CIC
Last reviewed: July 2026