UK FACT CHECK POLITICS

At UK Fact Check, we use artificial intelligence as a support tool across research, drafting, and verification. All published journalism is subject to human editorial oversight, with editors responsible for the accuracy, fairness and context of the final work.

Our policy is to verify material facts with primary or reputable secondary sources before publication. If any error is identified post‑publication — whether introduced by human or AI assistance — we correct it promptly and transparently in line with our Corrections policy.

We do not disclaim responsibility for our output. Editorial accountability rests with UK Fact Check and the named authors/editors, consistent with our commitment to accuracy and public trust.

The UK Fact Check mission is to unify independent news, to challenge the legacy media narrative. To simplify Indie news dissemination to the critical masses, by making it as accessible and as convenient as possible. To become and remain the technological, democratic, immutable, monetisation, web 3.0 content publication standard.

UK Fact Check shall, and forever adhere to the following principles and standards:

• Truthful: In the pursuit of truth, UK Fact Check shall be fearless, and prepared to make sacrifices of its material fortunes, if such course be necessary for the public good.
• Trustworthy: To always remain trusted; to never endanger brand trust through the use of any words, acts, or reporting, in any form, that is or includes deceit, conflation, and supposition.
• Transparent: The duty of UK Fact Check is to its Readers, Publishers, and to the public at large, and not to the private interests of its owners, advertisers, and general customers.
• Accountable: Those who report, comment, and objectify upon others, shall themselves be known, and accountable to those whom they account.
• Viable: The organisation must continue to exist and serve its commercial and societal purpose.
• Principled: UK Fact Check shall not be the ally of any special interest but shall be fair and free and wholesome in its outlook on public affairs and the public interest.

1. Seek Truth and Report It

Ethical journalism should be accurate and fair. Journalists should be honest and courageous in gathering, reporting, and interpreting information.

Journalists should:

• Take responsibility for the accuracy of their work. Verify information before releasing it. Use original sources whenever possible.
• Remember that neither speed nor format excuses inaccuracy.
• Provide context. Take special care not to misrepresent or oversimplify in promoting, previewing or summarising a story.
• Gather, update and correct information throughout the life of a news story.
• Be cautious when making promises but keep the promises they make.
• Identify sources clearly.
• Consider sources' motives before promising anonymity.
• Diligently seek subjects of news coverage to allow them to respond to criticism or allegations of wrongdoing.
• Be vigilant and courageous about holding those with power accountable.
• Support the open and civil exchange of views.
• Never deliberately distort facts or context.
• Never plagiarise. Always attribute.

2. Minimise Harm

Ethical journalism treats sources, subjects, colleagues, and members of the public as human beings deserving of respect.

Journalists should:

• Balance the public's need for information against potential harm or discomfort.
• Show compassion for those who may be affected by news coverage.
• Recognise that legal access to information differs from an ethical justification to publish.
• Consider the long-term implications of the extended reach and permanence of blockchain publication.

3. Act Independently

The highest and primary obligation of ethical journalism is to serve the public.

Journalists should:

• Avoid conflicts of interest, real or perceived.
• Refuse gifts, favours, fees, free travel, and special treatment.
• Be wary of sources offering information for favours or money.
• Deny favoured treatment to advertisers, donors or any other special interests.
• Distinguish news from advertising and shun hybrids that blur the lines between the two.
• Prominently label sponsored content.

4. Be Accountable and Transparent

Ethical journalism means taking responsibility for one's work and explaining one's decisions to the public.

Journalists should:

• Explain ethical choices and processes to audiences.
• Respond quickly to questions about accuracy, clarity, and fairness.
• Acknowledge mistakes and correct them promptly and prominently.
• Expose unethical conduct in journalism, including within their organisations.
• Abide by the same high standards they expect of others.

Inclusiveness is at the heart of thinking and acting as journalists. The complex issues we face as a society require respect for different viewpoints. Race, class, generation, gender, and geography all affect point of view. Reflecting these differences in our reporting leads to better nuanced stories and a better-informed community.

Across our output as a whole, we must be inclusive, reflecting a breadth and diversity of opinion. We must be fair and open-minded when examining the evidence and weighting material facts. We must give due weight to the many and diverse areas of an argument.