Editorial and Corrections Policy

This Policy describes the editorial principles used by Times of Sweden and explains how we handle updates, corrections, complaints, sources, commercial influence and artificial intelligence.

1. Our purpose

Times of Sweden aims to provide clear, accurate and accessible English-language reporting about Sweden.

Our readers may live inside or outside Sweden and may not be familiar with Swedish institutions, geography, politics or public debate.

We therefore aim to explain:

  • what happened;
  • where and when it happened;
  • who is involved;
  • what is confirmed;
  • what remains uncertain;
  • why the story may matter.

2. Core editorial principles

Our work is guided by the following principles.

Accuracy

We aim to publish information that is supported by reliable evidence.

Speed is important in news reporting, but it does not remove the need for verification.

Independence

Editorial decisions should not be controlled by advertisers, affiliate partners, political organisations or outside pressure groups.

Transparency

We aim to identify our sources, authorship, publication dates, commercial relationships and significant limitations wherever reasonably possible.

Fairness

People and organisations facing serious criticism should normally be given a reasonable opportunity to respond when this is practical, proportionate and relevant.

Fairness does not mean that unsupported claims must be presented as equal to verified evidence.

Clarity

We write in accessible English and avoid unnecessary jargon.

Swedish terms may be explained or translated when international readers are unlikely to understand them.

Accountability

We take responsibility for our published work and correct meaningful errors.

3. Sources and verification

Depending on the story, sources may include:

  • Swedish government authorities;
  • municipalities and regions;
  • courts and official legal documents;
  • police and emergency services;
  • public statistics;
  • academic research;
  • company reports and regulatory filings;
  • direct statements and interviews;
  • recognised news agencies;
  • established media organisations;
  • verified photographs, video or other documentary evidence.

We prefer original documents and first-hand sources where they are available and relevant.

A press release may be a valid source for what an organisation claims, but it is not automatically independent proof that every claim is correct.

4. Attribution

Information taken from another publication should be attributed appropriately.

Attribution may include:

  • the name of the publication;
  • the name of the journalist or author where relevant;
  • a direct link to the original material;
  • an explanation that the information has not been independently confirmed.

We do not intend to present another publication’s exclusive reporting as our own original work.

When several publications repeat the same claim, we seek to identify the earliest credible or most authoritative source rather than attributing the information only to the latest repetition.

5. Anonymous and confidential sources

Times of Sweden may use information from a source who is not publicly identified when:

  • the information is important;
  • there is a legitimate reason to protect the source;
  • disclosure could expose the source to retaliation, danger or serious professional harm;
  • the information can be sufficiently assessed or supported.

The identity of a confidential source should be known to the responsible editor whenever reasonably possible.

Anonymous sourcing should not be used merely to make ordinary opinions appear more authoritative.

We may describe a source’s relevant position or access without publishing identifying details.

6. Developing stories

Breaking news may change quickly.

An early report may contain limited confirmed information. We aim to distinguish clearly between:

  • confirmed facts;
  • preliminary information;
  • official allegations;
  • witness accounts;
  • estimates;
  • unverified claims.

We may update an article as additional information becomes available.

A developing story should not present an allegation, arrest or investigation as proof of guilt.

In reporting crime and legal matters, we aim to:

  • respect the presumption of innocence;
  • distinguish suspicion, charge, conviction and appeal;
  • avoid unnecessary identification of victims;
  • avoid sensational descriptions that do not add public value;
  • explain when a decision is preliminary or may be appealed;
  • correct legal status when a significant later development occurs.

The public interest in identification is assessed according to the seriousness of the matter, the person’s role, the strength of the evidence and the potential harm caused by publication.

8. Statistics, polls and research

When reporting statistics or research, we aim to identify:

  • the organisation responsible;
  • the relevant time period;
  • the size or scope of the study where important;
  • significant limitations;
  • whether figures are preliminary, estimated or seasonally adjusted;
  • the difference between correlation and causation.

Headlines should not exaggerate what a dataset or study actually demonstrates.

9. Headlines and images

Headlines should accurately reflect the main content of the article.

We avoid headlines that:

  • promise information not contained in the article;
  • turn speculation into certainty;
  • misrepresent a quotation;
  • exaggerate risk without evidence;
  • use shocking language solely to attract clicks.

Images should be relevant and should not create a false impression about an event.

Archive images, illustrative photographs, photomontages and AI-generated images should be labelled where their nature may not otherwise be clear.

10. Opinion, analysis and commentary

News reporting, analysis and opinion are different forms of content.

Where appropriate, we use labels such as:

  • News;
  • Analysis;
  • Opinion;
  • Commentary;
  • Explainer;
  • Sponsored.

An opinion article may express a clear viewpoint, but factual statements within it remain subject to correction.

Analysis may include interpretation based on evidence, but it should not disguise speculation as confirmed fact.

11. Political independence

Times of Sweden is not financed by political parties, candidates or politically directed organisations.

We do not coordinate editorial coverage with political campaigns.

Political claims are assessed according to evidence and public relevance rather than the party or ideology from which they originate.

Publishing criticism of one political group does not imply support for another.

12. Conflicts of interest

Authors and editors should avoid undisclosed personal or financial interests that could materially affect coverage.

A relevant conflict may include:

  • a close financial relationship;
  • paid work for the subject of an article;
  • ownership of a significant financial interest;
  • a close personal relationship central to the story;
  • active involvement in a campaign being covered.

Where a conflict cannot reasonably be avoided, it should be disclosed or the assignment should be handled by another person where possible.

Advertising should be visually distinguishable from editorial content.

Sponsored content should be clearly labelled.

Advertisers, sponsors and affiliate partners do not receive a general right to:

  • review unrelated editorial content before publication;
  • demand positive conclusions;
  • remove accurate criticism;
  • influence whether a correction is issued.

Commercial arrangements are further explained in our Affiliate Disclosure.

14. Artificial intelligence policy

Times of Sweden may use AI and automated tools to support editorial work.

Permitted supporting uses

AI may assist with:

  • translation;
  • grammar and language improvement;
  • transcription;
  • research organisation;
  • preliminary summaries;
  • comparison of documents;
  • extraction of information from structured data;
  • headline alternatives;
  • preparation of non-documentary illustrations;
  • identification of inconsistencies requiring human review.

AI is not an independent source

An AI-generated answer is not treated as evidence.

Claims suggested by an AI system should be checked against credible source material before publication.

AI-generated references, quotations, names, statistics and legal claims require particular caution because automated systems can produce convincing but incorrect information.

Human responsibility

AI tools are not credited as authors.

A human editor remains responsible for deciding:

  • whether the article should be published;
  • whether sources are sufficient;
  • whether the language is fair;
  • whether uncertainty is properly disclosed;
  • whether the headline accurately represents the story;
  • whether a correction is required.

We do not intend to publish unreviewed AI output as finished news content.

AI-generated images

A generated or substantially altered image should be labelled as an illustration when it could reasonably be mistaken for an authentic photograph of a real event.

We do not intend to use generated imagery to fabricate evidence or falsely depict a real person committing an act.

15. Bylines, dates and source information

Articles should normally display:

  • an author name or editorial attribution;
  • the original publication date;
  • an updated date after significant changes;
  • relevant source references where appropriate.

An article may use a general editorial byline when several people contributed, when the work is primarily a brief based on official material or when there is a legitimate safety or privacy reason.

16. Corrections

Times of Sweden distinguishes between minor edits, updates, clarifications and corrections.

Minor edits

We may correct spelling, punctuation, grammar, formatting or broken links without adding a correction note when the change does not alter the meaning.

Updates

An update adds new information to a developing story.

The article may receive an updated timestamp. A short update note may be added when the new information materially changes the reader’s understanding.

Clarifications

A clarification may be added when the original wording was factually defensible but unclear, incomplete or reasonably open to misunderstanding.

Corrections

A correction is required when a meaningful factual statement was incorrect.

A substantial correction should normally include a note explaining:

  • what was incorrect;
  • what the correct information is;
  • when the correction was made.

We do not silently rewrite a substantial factual error in a way that conceals the original problem.

Retractions

A full retraction may be appropriate when the central basis of an article is fundamentally unreliable and cannot be repaired through an ordinary correction.

Retraction does not always require complete deletion. In some circumstances, preserving the page with a clear retraction notice provides a more transparent public record.

17. How to request a correction

Send correction requests to:

hej@timesofsweden.com

Use the subject line:

Correction Request

Please include:

  • the article title and link;
  • the exact passage concerned;
  • an explanation of the alleged error;
  • the correction requested;
  • supporting evidence;
  • your relationship to the matter, where relevant.

Specific and well-supported requests can be assessed more effectively than general statements that an article is unfair or unwelcome.

18. How we review complaints

When reviewing a complaint, we may consider:

  • the original sources;
  • documents supplied by the complainant;
  • whether the disputed statement is fact, analysis or opinion;
  • whether important context was omitted;
  • whether the person concerned was contacted before publication;
  • whether the alleged error changes the meaning of the article;
  • relevant public-interest and legal considerations.

Submitting a complaint does not guarantee removal or alteration of an article.

19. Right of reply

A person or organisation directly criticised in our reporting may request a right of reply.

We may publish, summarise or incorporate a response when it adds relevant factual information.

A reply may be edited for:

  • length;
  • clarity;
  • repetition;
  • legal risk;
  • personal data;
  • unsupported accusations;
  • material unrelated to the article.

Publication of a reply does not mean that Times of Sweden accepts every claim in it.

20. Removal and unpublishing

Published articles form part of the public record. We therefore do not normally remove accurate material merely because it has become inconvenient or appears in search results.

Removal, anonymisation or de-indexing may nevertheless be considered where:

  • publication creates disproportionate and continuing harm;
  • the person was a minor;
  • there is a serious safety risk;
  • the material is no longer accurate and cannot reasonably be corrected;
  • publication violates privacy, copyright or another legal right;
  • exceptional compassionate circumstances exist;
  • continued identification no longer serves a meaningful public interest.

Each request is considered individually.

21. Contact

Editorial complaints and correction requests may be sent to:

hej@timesofsweden.com

Suggested subject lines:

  • Correction Request
  • Editorial Complaint
  • Right of Reply