SalisburyPost aims to provide accurate, reliable and useful news and information to readers across Salisbury, Amesbury, Wiltshire and the surrounding areas. We understand that accuracy is essential to maintaining the trust of our readers, contributors, businesses, organisations and local community.

Despite our efforts to check information before publication, mistakes can sometimes happen. When we become aware of a genuine factual error, we will review the information and take appropriate action.

This page explains how SalisburyPost handles corrections, updates, clarification requests and concerns about published information.

Our commitment to accuracy

We make reasonable efforts to ensure that information published by SalisburyPost is accurate at the time of publication. Depending on the nature of a story, information may come from official organisations, public authorities, businesses, community groups, individuals, press releases, public statements, documents, photographs, videos or other sources.

We aim to distinguish between confirmed facts, statements made by individuals or organisations, and information that may not yet have been independently verified. Where appropriate, we attribute information to the person, organisation or source that provided it.

However, publication does not guarantee that every piece of information supplied to us by a third party is correct. Where a factual issue is brought to our attention, we will consider the available evidence and determine whether an amendment or correction is appropriate.

What is a correction?

A correction is a change made when SalisburyPost has published information that is factually incorrect or materially misleading and the available evidence establishes that an amendment is appropriate.

Examples may include an incorrect name, date, location, figure, quotation, job title, organisation, event detail or other factual information.

The way a correction is handled will depend on the nature and significance of the error. Minor errors may be corrected directly in the article, while significant errors may require additional clarification so that readers understand what was originally published and what has been corrected.

What is not necessarily a correction?

Not every disagreement with an article represents a factual error.

A person or organisation may disagree with an article because they do not agree with its interpretation, wording, emphasis or conclusions. They may also disagree with comments or opinions expressed by another person in the article.

Where the published information is factually accurate but a relevant perspective or response is missing, SalisburyPost may consider whether additional context or a right of reply is appropriate rather than treating the matter as a correction.

How to report an error

If you believe an article published by SalisburyPost contains a factual error, please contact us at info@salisburypost.co.uk.

To help us investigate the matter, please provide as much information as possible, including the title of the article, the relevant section of the article, the information you believe is incorrect and the correct information.

Where available, please provide supporting evidence such as an official document, public statement, website page, photograph or other reliable source that can help us verify the information.

How we investigate correction requests

When a correction request is received, we may review the original information used to prepare the article and compare it with the information supplied by the person requesting the correction.

Depending on the circumstances, we may check official records, contact the relevant organisation or individual, review documents or consult other reliable sources.

We may also contact the person making the correction request if further information or clarification is required.

A correction request does not automatically result in an article being changed. We consider the available evidence before deciding whether an amendment, clarification or other action is appropriate.

Corrections to published articles

If we establish that an article contains a factual error, we will correct the information as appropriate.

For straightforward factual mistakes, the article may simply be amended. Where the error is significant, we may add a correction or clarification to make the change transparent to readers.

We do not normally remove an entire article simply because it contains a factual error. Where possible, the relevant information will be corrected while preserving the legitimate editorial record of the story.

In exceptional circumstances, further action may be considered where an article contains serious inaccuracies or other issues that cannot reasonably be addressed through an amendment.

Updates are not always corrections

Some changes made to articles are updates rather than corrections.

For example, an event organiser may change the time or location of an event after publication, a business may provide additional information, an organisation may issue a new statement, or circumstances may develop after an article was originally published.

In these situations, SalisburyPost may update the article to reflect the latest available information. A change caused by new information is not necessarily an indication that the original article was inaccurate when it was published.

Clarifications

Sometimes an article may be factually accurate but could benefit from additional explanation or context.

In such cases, SalisburyPost may add or amend wording to make the meaning clearer to readers. A clarification may be appropriate where the original wording could reasonably be misunderstood, even if the underlying facts remain unchanged.

Right of reply

If an article concerns an individual, business, organisation, public body or community group, the relevant party may contact SalisburyPost if they believe they should have an opportunity to respond or provide additional relevant information.

We may consider publishing a response, adding relevant information to an existing article or updating the article where appropriate.

A request for a right of reply does not automatically mean that an article is inaccurate and does not automatically result in an article being removed or rewritten.

Articles based on third-party information

SalisburyPost may publish information supplied by third parties, including businesses, organisations, public authorities, community groups, event organisers and members of the public.

Where information is attributed to a particular source, the source may be identified within the article. Publication of a statement does not necessarily mean that SalisburyPost independently endorses every claim or opinion contained within that statement.

Where a significant factual issue is subsequently identified, we will consider the information available and take appropriate action.

Community submissions

SalisburyPost welcomes relevant contributions from members of the local community. These may include photographs, videos, local information, community announcements, business news, event information and other material.

Submitted material may be edited for spelling, grammar, clarity, length, formatting or editorial purposes.

Where a contributor supplies information that is subsequently found to be incorrect, SalisburyPost may amend or remove the relevant information depending on the circumstances.

Guest posts and contributed articles

SalisburyPost also accepts certain guest posts and contributed articles. These may contain information supplied directly by businesses, organisations or individuals.

Contributed content is subject to editorial review and may be edited where necessary. The publication of contributed material does not mean that SalisburyPost independently endorses every statement, opinion or claim made by the contributor.

Where a significant factual inaccuracy is brought to our attention, we will review the information and take appropriate action.

Photos and videos

Images and videos published on SalisburyPost may be supplied by journalists, contributors, organisations, businesses or members of the public.

If you believe an image or video has been incorrectly captioned, attributed or described, please contact us with details of the issue and any relevant supporting information.

Where an error is confirmed, we may correct the caption, attribution or description, replace the material or take other appropriate action.

How quickly will a correction be made?

We aim to review correction requests as soon as reasonably possible. The time required may vary depending on the nature of the issue and whether further information or verification is required.

Simple factual errors may be resolved relatively quickly, while more complex matters may require additional checks before a decision can be made.

Where an issue is urgent or particularly significant, please make this clear when contacting us.

Requests concerning legal or personal disputes

Some requests may involve disagreements between individuals, businesses or organisations. SalisburyPost will consider factual information relevant to a published article, but a disagreement between parties does not automatically establish that the published information is incorrect.

Where a matter involves an ongoing dispute, we may consider information from the relevant parties and assess whether an update, clarification or response is appropriate.

We may not be able to provide detailed commentary about individual editorial decisions or correspondence.

Transparency and editorial records

Our aim is to correct genuine mistakes while maintaining an accurate editorial record.

Where an important correction is made, SalisburyPost may make the nature of the correction clear to readers. The approach will depend on the seriousness and circumstances of the error.

We believe that acknowledging and correcting mistakes is an important part of responsible journalism and helps maintain confidence in the information we publish.

Contact SalisburyPost

Related SalisburyPost pages

Frequently Asked Questions

About SalisburyPost

Your Say

Guest Posts

Advertise on SalisburyPost