How we report, and how we put things right

Our standards

We aim to be accurate, fair and clear. In practice that means:

• We report what is known, say what is not yet known, and keep the two apart.
• We separate news from analysis. Opinion and analysis are labelled as such.
• We name the people and organisations a story is about, and give them a fair chance to respond where a story is critical of them.
• We write headlines that match the story underneath them.
• We use UK English and give figures in pounds where we can, with the source currency alongside.

Sources and fact-checking

We prefer primary sources: official statements, court and regulatory filings, company results, central bank and government data, and on-the-record interviews. When we rely on another outlet's reporting, we say so and link to it.

• Facts, figures, dates and quotes are checked against their source before publishing.
• Where a claim can't be independently confirmed, we attribute it (“according to…”, “reported by…”).
• We link to our sources in the story wherever we can, so readers can check them.
• We protect confidential sources, and only use them when the information can't be obtained on the record.

Corrections

When we get something wrong, we fix it quickly and say so. A correction note at the end of the story explains what was wrong and what we changed, and the story shows the date it was updated. We don't quietly rewrite errors.

Spelling, grammar and formatting fixes that don't change the meaning of a story are made without a note.

To report an error, email info@mainstreamtech.co.uk with the story link and what you think is wrong. We review every report.

Updates to developing stories

Some stories, such as elections, interest rate decisions and market moves, change while we are covering them. We update those stories as new information comes in, show the time of the update, and mark clearly what has changed.

How we use AI

We use AI tools to help with research, summarising documents and drafting. AI does not decide what we publish. Facts, figures and quotes in AI-assisted work are checked against their sources, as with any other story, and we never use AI to invent quotes or sources.

Images created with AI are used only as illustrations, never to depict real events or real people as if they were photographs.

Independence and advertising

Advertisers and sponsors have no say over our coverage. Sponsored content and affiliate links are always labelled. We don't accept payment for positive coverage, and we don't give advance copies of stories to their subjects for approval.

Nothing we publish is financial, investment, legal or medical advice.

Contact the newsroom

For corrections, complaints, story tips or questions about this policy, email info@mainstreamtech.co.uk or use our contact page. A real person reads every message.