Kearney News Complaints Policy

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: June 2026
Publisher: Catherine Kearney Solutions Limited trading as Kearney News

1. Introduction

Kearney News is committed to high standards of journalism and aims to publish accurate, fair and responsible content. We welcome feedback from our readers and take complaints seriously.

This Complaints Policy explains how concerns about editorial content, reader comments, website content, and journalistic practices may be raised and addressed.

2. Our Commitment

We are committed to:

• Handling complaints fairly and promptly.
• Treating complainants with courtesy and respect.
• Investigating concerns impartially.
• Correcting significant inaccuracies where appropriate.
• Learning from mistakes to improve our journalism.

We aim to operate in accordance with the principles of the Editors’ Code of Practice published by the Independent Press Standards Organisation (IPSO).

3. What Can Be Complained About?

Complaints may relate to:

• Accuracy of published information.
• Misleading headlines.
• Failure to distinguish fact from opinion.
• Privacy concerns.
• Harassment or intrusion.
• Reporting involving children.
• Discrimination.
• Use of photographs or multimedia content.
• Editorial standards.
• Reader comments published on our website.

4. What Cannot Be Complained About?

We may not investigate complaints concerning:

• Personal disagreements with editorial opinions.
• Matters currently before the courts where legal restrictions apply.
• Issues outside our control.
• Complaints that are abusive, threatening, vexatious or repetitive.
• Complaints submitted anonymously where investigation is not possible.

5. How to Submit a Complaint

Complaints should be submitted as soon as possible after publication.

Please provide:

• Your name.
• Contact details.
• The article title or URL.
• Date of publication.
• Details of the complaint.
• Any supporting evidence.

Complaints should be sent to:

Email: privacy.compliance@kearneynews.press

Postal Address:
Kearney News
82 Firsby Court
Hemlington
TS8 9LA

6. Complaint Assessment

Upon receipt, we will:

1. Acknowledge the complaint where appropriate.
2. Review the concerns raised.
3. Gather relevant information.
4. Consult editorial staff if necessary.
5. Determine whether action is required.

7. Possible Outcomes

Following investigation we may:

• Take no further action.
• Provide an explanation.
• Amend an article.
• Publish a correction.
• Publish a clarification.
• Remove content where appropriate.
• Apologise where an error has occurred.

8. Corrections and Clarifications

Where a significant inaccuracy is identified, Kearney News will seek to correct it promptly and with appropriate prominence.

Corrections may be added to the original article and, where appropriate, published separately.

9. Reader Comments

We reserve the right to:

• Moderate comments.
• Remove inappropriate comments.
• Remove unlawful content.
• Suspend or ban users who repeatedly breach our Community Standards.

Comments posted by readers do not necessarily reflect the views of Kearney News.

10. Privacy Complaints

Individuals who believe their privacy has been infringed may submit a complaint under this policy.

Privacy concerns will be considered carefully and balanced against the public interest and freedom of expression.

11. Escalation

If a complainant remains dissatisfied after our internal complaints process has concluded, they may seek independent advice or pursue any rights available to them under applicable law.

Where Kearney News becomes a regulated member of IPSO, eligible complaints may also be referred to IPSO in accordance with its procedures.

12. Disability Accessibility

Kearney News is committed to making our complaints process accessible.

Reasonable adjustments may be provided for individuals with disabilities, including alternative communication methods where practicable.

13. Armed Forces Community

We are committed to ensuring members of the Armed Forces community, veterans and military families are treated fairly and respectfully throughout the complaints process.

14. Data Protection

Personal information provided during a complaint investigation will be processed in accordance with our Privacy Policy and applicable data protection legislation, including the UK GDPR and Data Protection Act 2018.

15. Policy Review

This policy will be reviewed annually or sooner where required by legal, regulatory or operational changes.