{"id":44699,"date":"2026-06-12T13:46:37","date_gmt":"2026-06-12T12:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/?page_id=44699"},"modified":"2026-06-15T15:21:09","modified_gmt":"2026-06-15T14:21:09","slug":"editorial-policy","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/uwejournalism.net\/bowernews\/editorial-policy\/","title":{"rendered":"Editorial Policy"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Last updated:<\/strong> 12 June 2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">1. Our purpose<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bower News is a journalism platform operated by the MA Journalism programme at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol).<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The site serves as:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>a teaching newsroom for journalism students<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a public-facing publication of student work<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>a platform for developing professional skills and portfolios<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All content is produced as part of journalism training and aims to reflect industry standards of accuracy, fairness and ethical reporting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Published stories will normally remain publicly available on the site for up to <strong>three years<\/strong>. After this period, content may be removed from the live website as part of routine maintenance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All content is retained internally by the university for teaching, assessment and archival purposes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students are responsible for maintaining their own professional portfolios and are encouraged to republish their work on personal platforms.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">A selection of high-quality work may be retained on the site as part of a curated archive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">2. Editorial standards<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We expect all contributors to adhere to core principles of responsible journalism, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Accuracy<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All information must be verified before publication<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Claims should be supported by reliable sources<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Quotes must be accurate and not misleading<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Context must be provided where necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Fairness and balance<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Stories should reflect relevant perspectives where appropriate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contributors should avoid misrepresentation<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Individuals and organisations should be given the opportunity to respond where necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Attribution and sourcing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Sources must be clearly attributed (on-the-record wherever possible)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Anonymous sources should only be used where justified<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Students must be transparent about how information was obtained<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Integrity<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fabrication, plagiarism, or misleading editing is strictly prohibited<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Conflicts of interest must be declared<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Contributors must not misrepresent themselves as journalists from commercial news organisations<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">3. Legal and ethical responsibilities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All contributors must comply with relevant UK legal and ethical frameworks, including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Defamation law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copyright and intellectual property law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Privacy and data protection law<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Reporting restrictions (e.g. court reporting)<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Consent when working with contributors and interviewees<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Students are expected to apply guidance provided through the MA Journalism programme and editorial instruction.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">4. Use of images, audio and third-party material<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contributors must ensure that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>All images, video, audio and graphics are either original, licensed, or used legally<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Permission is obtained where required<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Social media content and embedded material are used responsibly and in context<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Copyright restrictions are respected<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Improper use of third-party material may result in removal of content.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">5. Social media and embedded content<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bower News reflects contemporary journalism practice and frequently includes:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Social media embeds<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>External multimedia content<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Contributors should:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Ensure embedded content is relevant and adds editorial value<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Verify the authenticity of social media content before use<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Avoid amplifying misleading or harmful material<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">6. Editorial oversight<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">All content published on Bower News is subject to editorial oversight by authorised staff.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Editors may:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Review, edit or request changes to content<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Delay publication pending verification<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Remove or amend content where necessary<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This ensures content meets professional, legal and educational standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">7. Corrections policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We are committed to correcting errors promptly and transparently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">If an error is identified:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Minor inaccuracies may be corrected and updated without a formal notice<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Significant errors will be corrected with a clear note explaining the change<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">In serious cases:<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Content may be amended, unpublished or replaced<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>An explanatory note may be added where appropriate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">8. Complaints process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you believe content published on Bower News is:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>inaccurate<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>unfair<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>misleading<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>or in breach of legal or ethical standards<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">you can contact:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Christopher Brown, programme leader MA Journalism<\/strong><br>christopher12.brown@uwe.ac.uk<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We will:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>review the complaint promptly<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>assess the issue against editorial standards<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>respond and take appropriate action<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">9. Student contributors and public publication<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Student contributors should be aware that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Their work is published in a public environment<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Articles will include their name as a byline<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Content may be shared, referenced, or indexed by search engines<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Publication on Bower News is part of the professional learning experience and contributes to portfolio development.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">10. Independence and educational context<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Bower News is a teaching publication.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While students are expected to exercise editorial judgement, content is created within an educational framework, and:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>may be supervised or guided by academic staff<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>may not reflect the views of UWE Bristol<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">11. Updates to this policy<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This policy may be updated periodically to reflect changes in law, journalism standards, or teaching practice.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Last updated: 12 June 2026 1. Our purpose Bower News is a journalism platform operated by the MA Journalism programme at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). The site serves as: All content is produced as part of journalism training and aims to reflect industry standards of accuracy, fairness and ethical reporting. 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