Right of Reply
Our Commitment
The Elsenham Herald is committed to fair, accurate and responsible local journalism.
We recognise that individuals, businesses, organisations and public bodies who are the subject of our reporting may wish to respond to significant criticism, allegations or factual claims. Where appropriate, we believe they should have a fair opportunity to do so.
This Right of Reply Policy explains how such requests are considered.
Our Principle
A right of reply is an important part of responsible journalism.
It promotes fairness, accountability and informed public discussion by allowing those directly affected by our reporting to present their response or provide additional context.
A request for a right of reply does not necessarily mean an article is inaccurate or that a correction is required.
Before Publication
Where practical and appropriate, the Elsenham Herald will seek comment before publishing stories that contain significant criticism or allegations concerning an identifiable individual or organisation.
We may seek comment by:
- Email.
- Telephone.
- Written correspondence.
- In person.
- Another reasonable method of communication.
If no response is received within the available reporting timeframe, we may publish the story while noting that comment was sought or that no response was received.
Requesting a Right of Reply
If you believe you have been directly affected by an article published by the Elsenham Herald, you may request a right of reply through our Contact page.
Please include:
- Your name.
- Your organisation (if applicable).
- The title or web address of the article.
- The section of the article you are responding to.
- Your response or clarification.
- Any supporting evidence or relevant documents.
Requests should normally be made as soon as reasonably possible after publication.
How We Assess Requests
Every request is reviewed individually.
When considering a request, we may take into account:
- Whether the applicant is directly affected by the article.
- Whether the article contains significant criticism or allegations.
- Whether the response is supported by evidence.
- Whether publication would assist readers’ understanding.
- The wider public interest.
Editorial decisions remain the responsibility of the Editor.
How a Reply May Be Published
Where appropriate, we may:
- Update the original article.
- Add a statement from the individual or organisation concerned.
- Publish a follow-up article.
- Publish a clarification.
- Publish a separate response where editorially appropriate.
The method chosen will depend on the circumstances of each case.
Responses We May Decline
The Elsenham Herald will not normally publish replies that:
- Are defamatory or unlawful.
- Contains abusive, threatening or discriminatory language.
- Include information that is knowingly false or misleading.
- Are unrelated to the original article.
- Consists primarily of advertising or promotional material.
We may edit responses for clarity, grammar, length or legal compliance while preserving their intended meaning.
Opinion Articles
Where the Elsenham Herald publishes opinion or editorial content, those views are clearly identified as opinion.
A disagreement with an opinion does not automatically create an entitlement to publication.
However, where opinion pieces contain significant factual assertions affecting identifiable individuals or organisations, requests for a right of reply will be considered under this policy.
Relationship with Corrections
A right of reply is different from a correction.
If a factual error has been identified, it will be considered under our Corrections Policy.
In some circumstances, both a correction and a right of reply may be appropriate.
Editorial Independence
Decisions regarding whether to publish a right of reply, and the manner in which it is published, are made independently by the Editor.
The Elsenham Herald remains committed to fair reporting while maintaining editorial independence and serving the public interest.
Our Commitment to Fairness
Strong local journalism depends upon fairness, accountability and public trust.
We are committed to listening to legitimate concerns, providing appropriate opportunities for response and ensuring our reporting remains accurate, balanced and responsible.
Related Policies
- Editorial Standards
- Corrections Policy
- Complaints Procedure
- Ethics Policy
- AI & Editorial Assistance Policy
- Transparency & Funding
Publisher: Knelstrom Ltd
Editor: Martin Foskett
Last Updated: 3 July 2026