When you read an article on Press Hive, you can trust that every claim, quote and figure has been checked before publication. Our fact-checking policy is designed to give you accurate, reliable UK news — because you deserve to know what is true and what is not. We take that responsibility seriously, and we explain exactly how we do it below.
Our fact-checking process is embedded in every stage of our editorial workflow. It is not a separate step, but a continuous commitment to accuracy that starts when a story is first pitched and ends only after publication, when we remain open to corrections.
Who is responsible for fact-checking at Press Hive?
Our Standards & Fact-Checking Lead, Oliver Reeves, oversees all fact-checking procedures. Every article is also reviewed by an editor before it goes live, and the editorial team works together to verify information. You can contact Oliver directly at oliver.reeves@presshive.uk or on +44 20 4587 9490 if you have questions about a specific claim.
Our named writers draft each piece, and they are responsible for sourcing all claims. The managing editor, Rebecca Haines, and the relevant section editor then review the article for factual accuracy. Oliver Reeves leads any additional verification steps, particularly for complex or high-stakes stories involving politics, business or public affairs.
What steps do we take before publishing a fact?
We verify every direct quote, statistic, date and proper noun against primary sources wherever possible. This means we check government data, official reports, court records, company filings, academic studies and direct interviews. When a source is not primary, we require at least two independent, credible secondary sources to confirm a claim.
Our team uses a standard checklist before any article is submitted for final approval. This includes: confirming the original source of any data, checking that quotes are accurately attributed and not taken out of context, and reviewing any links or references we include. For articles on financial, legal or medical topics, we also consult with subject-matter experts or rely on established professional bodies. Editors are trained to flag any claim that appears uncertain, and that claim is either verified or removed before publication. Our full editorial standards are set out in our editorial policy.
How do we handle corrections and updates after publication?
If we discover an error in a published article, we correct it promptly and transparently. A note is added at the top or bottom of the article explaining what was wrong, what the correct information is, and when the change was made. Significant corrections are also logged on our corrections policy page.
You can report a potential error by emailing corrections@presshive.uk or using our complaints procedure. Our team assesses every correction request within two working days. If the error is confirmed, we update the article and notify readers who have signed up for our newsletter if the story was featured there. For minor errors like typos, we correct them without a public note, but substantive factual changes are always disclosed.
How this works in practice
Imagine we publish an article about a new government policy on technology regulation. Our Politics Editor, Thomas Hayes, assigns the story to a writer. The writer interviews experts, reviews the official policy paper and cross-checks figures with independent analysts. The draft is then reviewed by Thomas, who verifies that all claims match the original source documents. Finally, Oliver Reeves runs a fact-check on any numerical data or direct quotes. Only then is the article published. If a reader later emails factcheck@presshive.uk to challenge a statistic, we re-verify it and update the article if necessary.
This same process applies across all sections — from business coverage by Amelia Blackwell to cultural features by Sophie Marlowe. Sponsored or affiliate content is also subject to fact-checking, though such material is clearly labelled and never determines editorial conclusions. Our sponsored content policy explains the boundaries. We also maintain a dedicated page on our sources and methodology for further transparency.
Do we use artificial intelligence or automation in fact-checking?
Digital tools and AI may support our research, editing, formatting, metadata or summaries — but they never replace human judgment. All published content is reviewed by a named editor before it goes live. AI is strictly prohibited from fabricating quotes, sources or bylines. Our full approach is outlined in our AI and automation policy.
We treat AI as a productivity aid, not a decision-maker. For example, an AI tool might help us quickly scan a large government document for relevant statistics, but a human team member always verifies those numbers against the original text. Similarly, AI might suggest a summary, but an editor writes or rewrites it. This ensures you always get information that has been checked by a real person with editorial training.
How can you trust our independence and funding?
Press Hive is owned and operated by Sliema Media Limited, a Malta-based digital media company (Malta Business Registry: C 84217). Our funding comes from display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content and newsletter sponsorships. All sponsored material is clearly labelled, and commercial relationships never determine editorial conclusions. You can read more about this on our ownership and funding page.
Our fact-checking process is entirely independent of any commercial or political influence. No advertiser, sponsor or partner has any role in deciding what we publish or how we verify information. Our editorial team reports directly to the Editor-in-Chief, Jonathan Ellery, who is responsible for all publication decisions and corrections. If you ever have concerns about a conflict of interest, please contact us at legal@presshive.uk.
In short
Our fact-checking policy means every article you read on Press Hive has been rigorously verified by named journalists and editors before publication. If we make a mistake, we own it, correct it and tell you exactly what changed. You can always rely on us to put accuracy — and your trust — first.