Editorial Policy
Version 1.0
Published 20 August 2026
A Little Bit of Stone, often shortened to ALBOS, is an independent local news and community platform covering Stone, Staffordshire, and the surrounding area.
We provide useful, accurate and fair local journalism that helps people understand what is happening in their community.
A Little Bit of Stone is a trading name of ALBOS MEDIA LIMITED.
Editorial independence
Editorial decisions are made independently of advertising, sponsorship and other commercial relationships.
Businesses and organisations do not receive editorial coverage simply because they advertise with us, sponsor part of the site, appear in our business directory or buy other services from ALBOS MEDIA LIMITED.
Likewise, a business or organisation will not be excluded from genuine news coverage simply because it does not advertise with us.
We decide what to cover based on factors including local relevance, public interest, usefulness to readers, timeliness and the significance of the story to the Stone community.
Commercial relationships help fund A Little Bit of Stone, but they do not determine our editorial position.
More information about advertising, sponsorship and affiliate relationships can be found in our Commercial and Affiliate Disclosure.
Accuracy
We take reasonable care to publish information that is accurate at the time of publication.
We check information against relevant source material, including official statements, documents, public records, direct interviews and information supplied by organisations or individuals involved in the story.
We distinguish between confirmed facts, allegations, opinions and information that has not yet been independently verified.
Breaking news and developing stories can change quickly. Where new information materially changes a story, we update the article.
We do not knowingly publish information that we believe to be false or materially misleading.
Corrections and updates
We take reasonable steps to correct significant factual errors when they are brought to our attention or identified by us.
Minor spelling, grammar, formatting and clarity changes may be made without a correction notice.
Where a correction materially changes the meaning or accuracy of an article, we will normally add an explanatory note to the article.
Articles may also be updated as further information becomes available.
If you believe we have published something inaccurate, you can contact us through our Complaints Procedure.
Fairness and right of reply
We are committed to treating individuals, businesses and organisations fairly.
Where an article contains significant criticism, allegations or claims about an identifiable person or organisation, we will give them an appropriate opportunity to respond before publication.
There may be circumstances where publication is justified without obtaining a response first, particularly where information is already a matter of public record, immediate publication is in the public interest, or there are other legitimate editorial reasons.
Responses received after publication may be added to an article where appropriate.
Giving someone an opportunity to respond does not mean that we are required to accept their version of events or give equal weight to competing claims where the available evidence does not justify doing so.
Sources
We identify the source of information unless there is a legitimate reason not to do so.
Some sources may need or request confidentiality. We consider requests for anonymity carefully and will normally only rely on anonymous sources where there is a reasonable editorial justification.
Information supplied by a source may be checked against other available evidence before publication.
Press releases, statements and information supplied by organisations can provide useful source material, but publication remains an editorial decision.
Bylines and contributed material
Where appropriate, articles identify the person responsible for the original reporting or contribution.
Material supplied through news agencies, the Local Democracy Reporting Service or other third party sources may be edited for length, clarity and house style without changing the substance of the reporting.
We will not present another person’s original reporting as our own.
Opinion and comment
News reporting distinguishes clearly between factual reporting and opinion.
Where we publish opinion, comment, reviews or personal perspectives, we make the nature of the content clear to readers.
Opinion pieces may contain strongly held views, but factual claims contained within them must still have a reasonable basis.
Local businesses
Coverage of Stone’s local economy and business community is an important part of A Little Bit of Stone’s role.
We regularly report on local businesses, openings, closures, investment, employment, events, achievements and other matters where there is a genuine editorial reason to do so.
Editorial coverage is not a substitute for advertising or commercial promotion.
Where a business wishes to promote its products, services, offers or brand to our audience, ALBOS provides paid opportunities including advertising, sponsorship and business directory services.
We may also publish shopping guides, product recommendations and other useful consumer content. Where such content contains affiliate links or other commercial relationships, these will be disclosed appropriately.
Advertising and sponsored content
Paid advertising will be clearly distinguishable from independent editorial content.
Where content has been created or published as part of a paid commercial arrangement, we will label it appropriately.
Sponsored content, advertising and other paid promotional activity do not give an advertiser control over unrelated editorial coverage.
Advertisers may supply factual information and material relating to their campaign, but ALBOS retains responsibility for what appears on its editorial platform.
Further information is available in our Commercial and Affiliate Disclosure.
Affiliate links
Some articles may contain links through which A Little Bit of Stone can earn commission when a reader completes a qualifying transaction.
The presence of an affiliate relationship does not determine whether we cover a subject or what we say about it.
Where affiliate links are used within otherwise editorial content, the affiliate relationship will be clearly disclosed.
Affiliate relationships are explained in more detail in our Commercial and Affiliate Disclosure.
Reviews, complimentary items and invitations
From time to time ALBOS may be offered products, services, meals, tickets, invitations, review access or other items without charge.
Accepting something for review or coverage does not guarantee positive coverage.
Where receiving something free or at a reduced cost is relevant to readers’ understanding of the content, we will disclose that relationship.
We will not knowingly present paid or incentivised coverage as independent editorial content.
Crime and allegations
Reports involving crime, police investigations, arrests, court proceedings and allegations require particular care.
We distinguish clearly between allegations and established facts and do not present an allegation as proof of guilt.
Where information comes from Staffordshire Police, the courts or another official source, we may identify that source within the article.
We take account of legal reporting restrictions and other legal obligations that apply to particular cases.
Privacy and personal information
The fact that information is available publicly does not automatically mean it should be published.
We consider the public interest, relevance and potential impact when deciding whether personal information should be included in an article.
Particular care is taken when reporting on children, vulnerable people, victims of crime and sensitive personal circumstances.
There may be occasions where identifying information is withheld even though it could lawfully be published.
Our handling of personal data is explained separately in our Privacy Policy.
Images and video
We use photographs, video and other media from a variety of sources, including material created by ALBOS, supplied by organisations or members of the community, licensed material and images that we have permission to use.
We respect copyright and any applicable usage restrictions.
Images used for illustrative purposes must not create a materially misleading impression about the people, places or events being reported.
Where appropriate, image credits are included.
Artificial intelligence
ALBOS may use artificial intelligence and other digital tools to assist with parts of the publishing process, including organising research, transcription, image editing, drafting support, summarisation and administrative tasks.
These tools do not replace editorial responsibility.
Material published by A Little Bit of Stone remains subject to human editorial judgement, review and responsibility.
We do not consider information generated by an artificial intelligence system to be a reliable source in itself.
Significant factual claims are checked against appropriate source material before publication.
Conflicts of interest
Where someone involved in producing editorial content has a personal or commercial connection that a reasonable reader would consider relevant to the coverage, we disclose that connection.
ALBOS MEDIA LIMITED also provides commercial services outside its publishing activity, including website development and business services.
The existence of such a relationship does not prevent us from reporting on a client where there is a legitimate editorial reason to do so.
Where a relationship creates a significant potential conflict of interest, we take appropriate steps to protect editorial independence and disclose the relationship where it is relevant to readers.
Community contributions
We welcome information, photographs, story suggestions and other contributions from members of the community.
Submission does not guarantee publication.
We may edit contributed material for accuracy, clarity, length, legal reasons and consistency with our editorial standards.
Where content has been provided by another organisation or individual, we may identify the source where appropriate.
Comments and other reader contributions are also subject to our separate Commenting Guidelines.
Complaints
We take concerns about our journalism seriously.
If you believe we have made a significant factual error, treated someone unfairly or otherwise failed to meet the standards set out on this page, please use our Complaints Procedure.
Where possible, please identify the article concerned, explain the specific issue and provide any information or evidence that you believe supports your complaint.
We consider complaints on their merits and take appropriate action where a correction, clarification, update or other response is required.
Our responsibility
Local journalism frequently involves balancing competing interests.
People may disagree with an editorial decision without that decision necessarily being inaccurate or unfair.
We do not avoid difficult or contentious stories. We approach them responsibly, fairly and with regard to the interests of the community we serve.
We will continue to review these standards as A Little Bit of Stone and ALBOS MEDIA LIMITED develop.
