If you read something in Civic Affairs that doesn’t look right, we want to hear about it. This page explains how we correct mistakes, how you can flag an error, and what happens once you do.
What does this policy mean for you as a reader?
You can trust that when we get something wrong, we will fix it openly and quickly. Our Corrections Policy exists so that every reader knows exactly how to report an error and what standard of correction to expect.
Civic Affairs is a digital news publication operated by Sliema Media Limited, registered in Malta (company number C 84217). Our editorial focus is the United Kingdom, and we hold ourselves to the same standards of accountability we demand from the institutions we cover. When we make a mistake, we put it right — and we tell you we have done so.
The Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Diane Forbes, oversees the entire corrections process. You can reach her team directly at corrections@civicaffairs.uk.
How do I report an error?
Send an email to corrections@civicaffairs.uk with the subject line “Correction request”. Please include the headline and URL of the article, the specific error you believe we have made, and — if possible — the correct information and a source for it. You do not need to be a journalist or an expert; just tell us what you see and why you think it is wrong.
If you prefer, you can also use the general contact address info@civicaffairs.uk, but the corrections team monitors the dedicated corrections inbox most closely. For sensitive or serious errors, you can mark your email “FAO Diane Forbes”. We also accept reports via post to our registered office in Malta, but email will get the fastest response.
What happens after you report an error?
Your report goes straight to the standards desk under Diane Forbes. She or a member of her team will acknowledge receipt within five working days. For straightforward factual errors — a wrong date, a misstated figure, a misspelled name — the correction is often made within 24 hours. More complex cases, such as errors of interpretation or missing context, may take longer, and we will keep you informed.
Once the standards desk has verified the error, they take one of three actions, depending on the severity:
- Material errors — These are factual mistakes that could mislead a reader. The article is updated, and a correction note is added at the top or bottom of the piece. The note reads: “Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated [issue]. The article was updated on [date].”
- Update notes — When we add significant information that changes the context, we append a note such as “This article was updated on [date] to add [clarification, additional detail, response from a source].”
- Minor errors — Simple spelling or grammar mistakes that do not affect meaning are corrected silently. We do not annotate the article for these.
If the error is serious — for example, it involves a defamatory statement, a fabricated source, or a breach of editorial standards — Diane Forbes escalates the matter immediately to the Editor-in-Chief, William Ashby. He decides whether a full correction, retraction, or apology is required, and the correction note will reflect that level of action.
How this works in practice
Suppose we published an article that said a local council had approved a new housing development on 12 March 2025. A reader emails corrections@civicaffairs.uk saying the vote actually happened on 13 March, and they include a link to the council’s own minutes. The standards desk checks the source, confirms the error, and updates the article within a few hours. The correction note at the top reads: “Correction: An earlier version of this article misstated the date of the council’s decision as 12 March 2025. The correct date is 13 March 2025. The article was updated on [date].” The reader who reported it receives a brief reply thanking them and confirming the fix.
For a more complex example: an explainer on business regulation might inadvertently omit a key exemption. The correction would be an update note adding the missing information, with a clear description of what changed and why. No mistake is too small to acknowledge; no fix is hidden.
Where do corrections and updates appear?
Correction and update notes are placed visibly within the article — usually at the very top above the headline, or immediately after the opening paragraph. If an article is substantially rewritten, we add a note at the top explaining the change. All corrected articles remain online with their correction history visible. We do not delete articles or rewrite them without an explanatory note. Readers can also find our broader commitments on our Editorial Policy page and our Fact-Checking Policy page, which explain how we ensure accuracy before publication.
What about sponsored or affiliate content?
Our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure and Sponsored Content Policy pages set out how we label commercial material. If an error appears in a sponsored piece, the same correction process applies: we correct it and add a note. Commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions, and that includes how we handle corrections.
Company context
Civic Affairs is operated by Sliema Media Limited, registered in Malta (company number C 84217), with its registered office at Level 3 Tower Business Centre, Tower Street, Swatar, Birkirkara BKR 4013, Malta. Our main phone is +356 2779 4100, and our UK editorial line is +44 20 4587 9485. While the company is registered in Malta, all editorial coverage is focused on UK audiences and UK civic and public-affairs subjects. Our full funding model is explained on our Ownership & Funding page.
In short
We correct significant errors promptly and transparently, and we tell you exactly what changed and when. If you spot a mistake, email corrections@civicaffairs.uk and we will act swiftly. For anything from a typo to a serious factual error, Diane Forbes and her team handle it with the same rigour we apply to our reporting. You can also read our full Complaints Procedure if you are dissatisfied with how we handled a correction.