Kearney News Community Guidelines

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: June 2026

Publisher: Catherine Kearney Solutions Limited trading as Kearney News

1. Our Community

Kearney News welcomes open, respectful and constructive discussion. We believe healthy debate helps inform communities, promotes understanding and strengthens democratic engagement.

These Community Guidelines apply to all user-generated content published through Kearney News, including:

• Article comments
• Reader discussions
• Letters to the Editor
• Community forums
• User submissions
• Social media interactions hosted by Kearney News
• Membership communities
• Surveys and polls

By participating in our community, you agree to follow these guidelines.

2. Our Values

We encourage discussions that are:

• Respectful
• Inclusive
• Constructive
• Relevant
• Lawful
• Evidence-based

We welcome differing opinions and viewpoints. However, disagreement must remain respectful.

3. Be Respectful

Treat other users, journalists, contributors and staff with courtesy and respect.

You may:

• Debate ideas.
• Challenge opinions.
• Disagree with reporting.
• Offer criticism.

You may not:

• Personally attack individuals.
• Harass other users.
• Intimidate participants.
• Bully or threaten others.
• Use abusive language.

4. Hate Speech and Discrimination

Kearney News has zero tolerance for content that promotes hatred, discrimination or prejudice.

Content may be removed if it targets individuals or groups based on:

• Race
• Ethnicity
• Nationality
• Religion
• Disability
• Sex
• Gender identity
• Sexual orientation
• Age
• Pregnancy or maternity status
• Marital status
• Military status

This list is not exhaustive.

5. Disability Inclusion

As an organisation committed to disability inclusion, we encourage respectful discussion involving disabled people and disability-related issues.

Users must not:

• Mock disabilities.
• Use offensive disability-related language.
• Harass disabled individuals.
• Promote harmful stereotypes.

Constructive discussion and differing viewpoints are welcome when expressed respectfully.

6. Armed Forces Community

Kearney News supports the principles of the Armed Forces Covenant.

Members of the Armed Forces community, including serving personnel, veterans, reservists and military families, should be treated with respect.

Content that deliberately harasses or targets individuals because of military service may be removed.

7. Illegal Content

Users must not post content that is unlawful or encourages unlawful activity.

This includes:

• Criminal activity
• Fraud
• Harassment
• Stalking
• Defamation
• Copyright infringement
• Hate crimes
• Terrorism-related material
• Incitement to violence

Where required, Kearney News may report unlawful content to relevant authorities.

8. Defamation and False Allegations

Do not post allegations about individuals or organisations unless supported by credible evidence and relevant to the discussion.

Users must not:

• Make false accusations.
• Spread rumours as facts.
• Publish defamatory statements.

Content may be removed without notice.

9. Privacy and Personal Information

Respect the privacy of others.

Do not publish:

• Personal addresses
• Telephone numbers
• Email addresses
• Financial information
• Identity documents
• Medical information
• Other private information without consent

This includes “doxxing” or attempts to reveal private information.

10. Children and Vulnerable People

Extra care must be taken when discussing children and vulnerable individuals.

Users must not:

• Share identifying information about children.
• Harass children.
• Encourage harmful behaviour.
• Publish inappropriate content involving minors.

Content posing a safeguarding concern may be removed immediately.

11. Misinformation

We encourage evidence-based discussion.

Users should not knowingly post:

• False information
• Fabricated claims
• Deliberate misinformation
• Manipulated content presented as genuine

Kearney News reserves the right to remove misleading content where necessary.

12. Spam and Promotion

Community areas are intended for discussion, not advertising.

Users may not:

• Post spam.
• Post repetitive content.
• Promote unrelated businesses.
• Publish referral links.
• Conduct unauthorised marketing.

Approved promotional activity may be permitted only with prior permission.

13. Offensive Content

The following content may be removed:

• Obscene content
• Graphic violence
• Excessive profanity
• Sexual content
• Threatening content
• Disturbing imagery
• Content likely to cause unnecessary offence

Context may be considered when moderating discussions.

14. Impersonation

Users must not impersonate:

• Other readers
• Journalists
• Public officials
• Businesses
• Organisations

Accounts found to be impersonating others may be suspended.

15. Copyright and Intellectual Property

Only submit content that you have the right to share.

Do not post:

• Copyrighted articles
• Copyrighted photographs
• Copyrighted videos
• Copyrighted documents

without permission from the rights holder.

16. Moderation

Kearney News reserves the right to:

• Moderate discussions.
• Edit comments for legal reasons.
• Remove content.
• Restrict participation.
• Suspend accounts.
• Permanently ban users.

Moderation decisions are made to protect users, maintain community standards and comply with legal obligations.

17. Reporting Concerns

Users can report content that may breach these guidelines.

Reports should include:

• A description of the concern.
• A link or screenshot where possible.
• Relevant supporting information.

Reports can be submitted to:

Email: privacy.compliance@kearneynews.press

18. Enforcement

Breaches of these guidelines may result in:

• Content removal
• Warning notices
• Temporary suspension
• Permanent account bans
• Reporting to authorities where required

Serious or repeated breaches are more likely to result in immediate enforcement action.

19. Freedom of Expression

Kearney News supports freedom of expression and open debate.

We recognise that individuals may hold differing views on political, social, economic and cultural issues.

Moderation decisions are intended to protect lawful discussion while maintaining a respectful environment.

Disagreement alone is not a reason for moderation.

20. Changes to These Guidelines

These guidelines may be updated from time to time to reflect:

• Changes in law
• Regulatory requirements
• IPSO standards
• Community needs
• Platform developments

The latest version will always be published on the Kearney News website.

Contact Us

Kearney News
Catherine Kearney Solutions Limited

82 Firsby Court
Hemlington
TS8 9LA

Email: privacy.compliance@kearneynews.press

© Kearney News. All rights reserved.