Editorial Standards

Our Editorial Mission

Leeds Today is a city-focused business and civic news platform covering the people, projects, policies and ideas shaping Leeds and the wider city region. We exist to help readers quickly understand what is happening in Leeds, why it matters, and who it affects.

We are not a press-release distribution service, an opinion blog, or a promotional platform. We are a trusted filter for Leeds-focused business, development, and economic news.

How We Source and Produce Content

Most of our reporting begins with primary source material including company press releases, public sector announcements, official statements, planning documents, and Companies House filings. All source material is editorially rewritten before publication. We do not copy and paste press releases.

Our editorial process involves stripping promotional language from source material, surfacing the key facts, adding context for Leeds readers, and explaining the relevance and local impact of every story. Every article is reviewed against our house style and SEO guidelines before publication.

Where we use data or statistics, we attribute the source and, where possible, link to the original report or dataset. If information is uncertain or unverified, we say so. We do not present speculation as fact.

Accuracy and Attribution

Facts must be accurate and checked before publication. Quotes are never altered — they are reproduced exactly as provided in the source material or as spoken during interviews. All information is clearly attributed to its source.

If we cannot verify a claim, we either exclude it or clearly state that it has not been independently confirmed. Credibility matters more than speed.

Use of AI Tools

Leeds Today uses AI tools as part of our editorial workflow to assist with tasks such as drafting, research, data analysis, and SEO optimisation. All AI-assisted content is reviewed, edited, and approved by a human editor before publication. No article is published without human editorial oversight.

AI tools are never used to fabricate quotes, invent sources, or generate fictional information. The editorial judgement, fact-checking, and final approval of all content rests with our editorial team.

Separation of Editorial and Advertising

Editorial content and commercial partnerships are kept strictly separate. Coverage on Leeds Today cannot be purchased. Businesses featured in our reporting are covered on editorial merit — because the story is relevant to the Leeds business community, not because of any commercial arrangement.

Where sponsored or partnership content appears on the site, it is clearly labelled as such. Our editorial team operates independently of any commercial relationships.

Who We Write For

Leeds Today is written for business owners, founders, senior leaders, investors, developers, property professionals, public sector stakeholders, entrepreneurs, and professionals who work in or with Leeds. Our readers are time-poor, informed, and pragmatic.

Contact

If you have questions about our editorial standards, please contact us at news@leeds.today.