Editorial Standards

These are the standards every Sun News story is held to, on air and online. They are drawn from our internal News & Editorial Policy, which the Editor-in-Chief owns and which applies to everyone carrying a Sun News credential.

Sourcing

Any allegation of wrongdoing requires a minimum of two independent sources before it is broadcast or published, unless it is supported by documentary evidence. Anonymous sources require sign-off from a senior editor, and the basis for granting anonymity is recorded internally. We do not publish an allegation because a rival has published it first.

Who signs off

Reporters draft and source. Producers and sub-editors edit for clarity, structure and compliance with these standards. The Editor-in-Chief, or a senior editor acting on their authority, holds final sign-off. Nothing airs or publishes without a named, accountable person having approved it.

A story runs: pitch, assignment, draft, fact-check, senior edit, legal review where flagged, final sign-off, then publication and post-publication monitoring.

Bylines and attribution

Bylines name the reporter or reporters who did the work. Wire and syndicated material is attributed to its source. Where two or more reporters contribute substantively, the credit is shared.

Conflicts of interest

Staff must disclose any financial, familial or personal interest in the subject of a story. Nothing above nominal value may be accepted from a source or subject. Paid outside writing or consulting must be disclosed to the Editor-in-Chief.

These apply to everyone who represents Sun News in any capacity, including bureau reporters and stringers, not only to staff on the newsroom payroll. Carrying a Sun News credential means carrying this standard, whoever pays your salary.

Where we use AI

We use AI tools for transcription, translation and research assistance. Where AI has been used to draft narrative copy, that is disclosed to the editor handling the story, and the copy is held to exactly the same sourcing standard as anything written by hand. No story reaches readers without a person having checked it against its sources.

AI-generated or AI-altered images and video are not used in news content unless they are clearly labelled as illustrative.

When we get it wrong

Every factual error is corrected, visibly and with a timestamp. To report one, email [email protected] with a link to the story and what is wrong.