Last updated: 1st June 2026

B14 News is a community-led, hyperlocal news website covering the B14 postcode and surrounding areas of Birmingham.

We aim to publish accurate, fair and responsible local journalism. We recognise that mistakes can happen, and we are committed to correcting significant errors promptly and transparently.

B14 News is currently a self-regulated publication. We are not presently a member of IMPRESS or IPSO. However, our complaints process is informed by recognised UK press standards and by the principles of accuracy, fairness, transparency, privacy and public interest.

Our editorial standards

B14 News will aim to:

1. Publish information that is accurate, verified and presented in context.
2. Clearly distinguish between fact, comment, opinion and allegations.
3. Correct significant inaccuracies promptly and with appropriate prominence.
4. Give people or organisations a fair opportunity to respond to significant criticism, where appropriate.
5. Respect privacy, especially in cases involving children, vulnerable people, victims of crime, grief, trauma or sensitive personal information.
6. Avoid unnecessary intrusion into private life unless there is a clear public interest.
7. Avoid prejudicial or discriminatory language.
8. Report crime and court matters responsibly, including by respecting legal restrictions and the presumption of innocence.
9. Handle community-submitted information carefully and fairly.
10. Make clear where content is based on third-party information, such as police appeals, council statements, emergency service updates, press releases or public documents.

Corrections

If we publish a significant factual error, we will correct it as soon as reasonably possible.

Depending on the nature of the error, this may include:

• amending the article;
• adding a correction note to the article;
• publishing a clarification;
• updating a related social media post;
• removing or replacing inaccurate information;
• contacting relevant parties where appropriate.

Minor typographical errors that do not affect the meaning of an article may be corrected without a correction note.

How to make a complaint

Complaints should be sent by email to:

editor@b14news.co.uk

Please include:

• your full name;
• your contact email address;
• the article, post or content you are complaining about;
• the date it was published, if known;
• the web link or screenshot, where possible;
• a clear explanation of what you believe is inaccurate, unfair or otherwise in breach of our standards;
• any evidence that supports your complaint;
• what outcome you are seeking, such as a correction, clarification, update, apology or removal.

We may not be able to consider complaints that are abusive, threatening, anonymous, clearly vexatious, or unrelated to published B14 News content.

Complaints about social media posts

B14 News publishes content on its website and social media channels. If your complaint relates to a social media post, please provide a screenshot and, where possible, a link to the post.

Where a social media post contains a significant inaccuracy, we may correct, update, delete or replace it. Where an article has been updated, we may also update social media wording if the original post could continue to mislead readers.

Timescales

We aim to acknowledge complaints within three working days.

We aim to provide a full response within 21 calendar days. If a complaint is complex or requires further checks, we may need more time. If so, we will explain the reason for the delay and provide an updated response timeframe.

How we assess complaints

When reviewing a complaint, we will consider:

• whether the content was accurate at the time of publication;
• whether the article fairly reflected the information available;
• whether important context was omitted;
• whether the person or organisation affected had a fair opportunity to respond, where appropriate;
• whether the matter involved public interest;
• whether any correction, clarification or update is required.

Complaints will normally be reviewed by the editor or another person acting on behalf of B14 News.

Possible outcomes

After reviewing a complaint, B14 News may decide to:

• uphold the complaint in full;
• uphold the complaint in part;
• reject the complaint;
• amend the article;
• add a correction or clarification;
• remove content;
• publish a follow-up article;
• take no further action.

We will explain our decision in writing.

Right of reply

Where B14 News publishes significant criticism of a person, business, organisation or public body, we will seek to offer a fair opportunity to respond where appropriate and practicable.

Requests for a right of reply should be sent to:

editor@b14news.co.uk

A right of reply does not guarantee publication in full. B14 News may edit responses for length, clarity, relevance, legality and tone.

Removal requests

B14 News will not normally remove accurate published content simply because someone later dislikes it, disagrees with it, or finds it inconvenient.

However, we will consider removal or anonymisation requests where there are strong reasons to do so, including:

• safety concerns;
• risk to a child or vulnerable person;
• legal restrictions;
• significant privacy issues;
• inaccurate or outdated information that causes unfair harm;
• content that no longer meets our editorial standards.

Public interest

B14 News may publish information where there is a clear public interest. This may include, but is not limited to:

• crime, policing and public safety;
• local democracy and council decisions;
• public money and public services;
• planning, transport and regeneration;
• safeguarding concerns;
• matters affecting local communities;
• correcting misinformation;
• holding public bodies, businesses or influential individuals to account.

Public interest does not mean simply “what the public may be interested in”. It means there is a genuine reason why publication may benefit the community.

Privacy and vulnerable people

We will take particular care when reporting on children, victims of crime, people experiencing grief or trauma, people with health conditions, and others who may be vulnerable.

We will avoid publishing unnecessary personal details unless there is a clear public interest or the information is already lawfully in the public domain.

Crime and court reporting

B14 News will report crime and court matters responsibly.

Where someone has been arrested, charged or is under investigation, we will avoid wording that presents allegations as proven facts. We will use appropriate terms such as “suspected”, “alleged”, “charged with”, “police said”, or “the court heard”, depending on the stage of the case.

We will respect reporting restrictions and will not knowingly publish material that could identify someone protected by law.

Complaints involving legal threats

If a complaint includes legal threats or is sent by a solicitor, B14 News may treat it as a legal matter rather than a standard editorial complaint.

This does not prevent B14 News from correcting genuine errors.

Data protection and privacy complaints

If your complaint is about how B14 News has handled your personal data, please contact:

hello@b14news.co.uk

You can also read our Privacy Policy at:

b14news.co.uk/privacy-policy

Record keeping

B14 News will keep a record of formal complaints, the outcome, and any action taken. This helps us improve our editorial standards and maintain accountability to the community we serve.

External regulation

B14 News is not currently a member of IMPRESS or IPSO.

If this changes, this page will be updated with details of the relevant regulator and any external complaints process available to readers.