At NorwichWire.co.uk, accuracy is the cornerstone of our local journalism. Our fact‑checking policy sets out the standards we apply before any story is published, the hierarchy of sources we rely on, and how we handle corrections and reader concerns. This policy applies to all editorial content — from breaking news and council reports to features and community stories. It is reviewed regularly by our Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead, Daniel Keane.
What we verify before publication
Our reporters and editors verify information across every subject we cover. The following list details the types of claims and data we routinely check, but it is not exhaustive:
- Council decisions, planning applications and public spending — we cross‑reference official minutes, agenda papers, press releases from Norwich City Council and Norfolk County Council, and where necessary request documents under the Freedom of Information Act.
- Crime and safety incidents — we rely on official police statements, court records and direct quotes from named officers or witnesses. Arrest figures, charges and outcomes are confirmed against public court listings or police databases.
- Health information — we use NHS‑published data, statements from hospital trusts, Public Health England reports and peer‑reviewed research. We never reduce complex medical advice to headlines without context.
- Education claims — school or university announcements, Ofsted reports and Department for Education statistics are our primary sources. We also seek direct confirmation from head teachers or press officers.
- Transport disruptions — we verify with official transport operators (Greater Anglia, First Bus, National Highways), real‑time service updates and on‑the‑ground reporting.
- Business closures or openings — we contact the business directly, check Companies House records for filings, and speak to property agents or local authority licensing teams where appropriate.
- Legal disputes, allegations and public figures — court documents (judgments, claims, witness statements) are the foundation. We do not report unsubstantiated accusations; any allegation is clearly attributed and the subject is given a fair opportunity to respond.
- Stories involving minors — we apply extra caution: no names or identifying details are published without explicit parental or legal guardian consent, and we follow our safeguarding policy.
- Privacy and safety concerns — we weigh the public interest against potential harm and, where necessary, redact names, addresses or other identifying information.
Source hierarchy
Our reporters are trained to rank sources by reliability. The hierarchy we follow is detailed in our Sources & Standards page, but in summary:
- Primary official sources — council documents, public records, planning applications, police statements, NHS and public health reports, court documents, school and university statements.
- Attributed interviews — named individuals we have spoken to directly, including local business owners, event organisers, councillors and community leaders.
- First‑hand reporting — our own reporters attending public meetings, council chambers, court hearings or community events.
- Verified public social‑media posts — used only when the poster’s identity can be confirmed and the information is not otherwise available. Such posts are clearly attributed and labeled as social content.
Anonymous sources are avoided unless there is a clear editorial justification — for instance, protecting a whistleblower or a vulnerable individual — and even then the information is responsibly verified by at least one other independent source. When anonymity is granted, we explain the reason to readers in the article.
Rumours and speculation
NorwichWire.co.uk never presents rumour or speculation as fact. If a story is based on unconfirmed information or an early development, we label it as such — using language like “reports suggest” or “according to unverified claims” — and we commit to updating the piece as soon as more reliable information emerges. Our readers deserve no less.
Role of the Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead
Daniel Keane (Standards & Fact‑Checking Lead) reviews all sensitive articles — those involving allegations, crime, health risks, legal disputes or minors — before publication. He also oversees the corrections process, maintains source‑verification protocols and conducts regular audits of our editorial workflow. Any story that raises fact‑checking flags is held until our checklist is satisfied.
Reader reports and corrections
We welcome feedback from our audience. If you spot an error, believe a claim has been misrepresented or want to raise a fact‑checking issue, please email factcheck@norwichwire.co.uk. Our team investigates every submission and responds promptly. Formal corrections are handled under our Corrections Policy, and all corrected articles are updated with a note explaining the change.
This policy sits alongside our wider Editorial Policy and our commitment to transparency in ownership and funding. For any further questions, contact our editorial team or write to Daniel Keane directly at daniel.keane@norwichwire.co.uk.