1. Who we are
The Staffordshire Signal is an independent, not-for-profit local media platform operated by The Staffordshire Signal CIC (company number 16393954), a Community Interest Company based in Staffordshire. We cover news, culture and community across Staffordshire through print, digital, video and social media.
Our mission is to return local media ownership to Staffordshire, champion independent journalism, and create career pathways into the industry for local students.
2. Editorial leadership and accountability
Jenna Goodwin is Editor of The Staffordshire Signal and sole director of The Staffordshire Signal CIC. As Editor, she has final responsibility for all editorial decisions, including what is published, how it is presented, and how complaints and corrections are handled.
As a Community Interest Company, the Signal is accountable to its regulated objects and asset lock, and to the Regulator of Community Interest Companies. The Signal is also a member of Impress, the independent press regulator, and is accountable to the Impress Standards Code in full.
3. Editorial independence
Editorial decisions at the Signal are made independently of advertisers, sponsors, funders and any other commercial or personal interest. Advertising and sponsored content is clearly labelled as such and never influences news coverage, and no advertiser, sponsor or funder is given approval rights over editorial content.
Where a story concerns an organisation that also advertises with the Signal, or a matter in which the Editor or a contributor has a personal or professional interest, this is treated as a conflict of interest under section 8 below.
4. Accuracy and standards
We take all reasonable care to ensure information published is accurate and not misleading, and we distinguish clearly between fact, opinion and conjecture. Before publication, stories involving factual claims, figures or allegations are checked against primary sources wherever possible, including council records, ModernGov portals, meeting recordings and documentary evidence.
Where a story cannot be adequately verified, it is not published until it can be, or it is published with a clear statement of what remains unconfirmed.
5. Right of reply
Any individual or organisation that is the subject of significant criticism, allegation or adverse comment in a Signal story is given a fair and reasonable opportunity to respond before publication. Where a response is not received in time, or is declined, this is stated in the published piece.
6. Sourcing and attribution
Direct quotes are attributed accurately and not altered in a way that changes their meaning. Where a source requests anonymity, this is only granted where there is good editorial reason to do so, and the reason for anonymity is considered on a case by case basis by the Editor.
7. Corrections
Where a factual error is identified in published content, it is corrected as quickly as possible. Significant corrections are noted transparently on the corrected piece, stating what was changed and when. Persistent or serious errors are logged and reviewed as part of our quarterly compliance review, see section 10.
8. Conflicts of interest
As a small organisation, the Editor holds several roles, including Editor, Compliance and Legal Standards Contact, and Complaints Handler. Where a conflict of interest arises, for example a complaint concerning the Editor's own conduct or a story involving a personal or commercial connection, the matter is not resolved internally. It is escalated to Impress for independent review and, where necessary, arbitration, to ensure impartiality.
9. Complaints
Complaints about published content can be made by email to jenna@thestaffordshiresignal.co.uk. Complaints are acknowledged and handled in line with the Signal's complaints policy, adopted from the Impress complaints policy template, and in line with the Impress Standards Code. Where a complaint cannot be resolved directly, or involves a conflict of interest as set out in section 8, it may be referred to Impress.
10. Compliance review
The Signal commits to a compliance review at least quarterly, led by the Editor, covering corrections issued, complaints received, and adherence to this policy and the Impress Standards Code. Any compliance failure identified is logged and addressed with a corrective action, and where an issue is systemic, this policy is updated accordingly. Records of compliance reviews are retained and available to Impress on request.
11. Use of artificial intelligence
Where AI tools are used in the production of Signal content, for example in research, transcription or drafting support, they are used as an aid to our own editorial process, not as a substitute for it. All AI-assisted content is reviewed, fact-checked and taken responsibility for by a named journalist or the Editor before publication, in line with the standards set out in section 4.
12. Review of this policy
This policy is reviewed at least annually, and whenever a significant change to the Signal's structure, regulation or operations makes it necessary.