Editorial Standards

Accuracy and dignity guide everything we publish. These are the standards our newsroom holds itself to.

Verifying a death

We do not report a death as confirmed on rumour alone. Before publishing a confirmed report we require reliable corroboration — typically at least two independent reputable sources, or a direct official or family statement.

Sourcing

  • Every report cites its sources.
  • Where a death is reported but not yet confirmed, we say so plainly and update as the picture becomes clear.
  • We distinguish clearly between what is confirmed and what is still being established.

Updates and corrections

News develops. We update reports as new, verified information emerges, and we keep a visible, dated correction history on the record.

How we find and confirm deaths

We monitor public databases and news wires for the deaths of notable people. A death is only reported once it is confirmed by at least two independent, reputable news outlets, or by an official, family or representative statement. We always give the real date of death; when a death is announced weeks later, we say so.

Who we cover

We report on people with a public life: artists, athletes, politicians, journalists, business leaders and others whose work is widely known. We do not write about private individuals. If you believe we have published something about you or a family member that should be removed, please use our removal request page.

Sensitive deaths

  • We report only the cause of death that has been officially confirmed or stated by the family. We do not speculate.
  • Deaths involving violence, suicide or overdose are reported plainly and briefly, with no sensational detail, and the cause is kept out of headlines.
  • Where reports conflict, we say what is confirmed and what is not.

Photographs

We use freely licensed images, mainly from Wikimedia Commons, wherever possible. When no free image exists, we use a photograph from news coverage of the person and credit its source in the caption.

No AI-written journalism

Our reports are written and edited by people. We do not publish AI-generated reporting.

Independence

We report without fear or favour, and our editorial decisions are not for sale.