Editorial Policy

Blue Collar News (BCN) is committed to accurate, fair and independent journalism for Australian tradies and the people who work with them.

Editorial independence

Editorial decisions at BCN are made by our journalists and editors, not by advertisers, sponsors, or commercial partners. Advertising appears clearly labelled and does not influence the selection, framing, or wording of editorial coverage.

Accuracy

We verify the facts in our stories before publishing. We:

  • Use primary sources wherever possible — official statements, government data, court documents, direct interviews.
  • Identify sources by name unless there is a strong public interest reason to grant anonymity.
  • Distinguish clearly between reporting, opinion, and sponsored content.
  • Date every article and update timestamps when stories change materially.

If we get something wrong, we fix it. See our Corrections Policy.

Sourcing

When we use material from another publisher (wire services, broadcasters, other newsrooms), we attribute it. Stories sourced from Agence France-Presse (AFP), the Australian Associated Press (AAP), Reuters, ABC, CNN, or BBC World Service are labelled with the originating outlet.

Anonymous sources

We grant anonymity sparingly and only where:

  • The information is in the public interest, and
  • The source would face genuine professional, legal, or personal risk by being named, and
  • The information cannot be obtained on the record.

The editor approves all uses of anonymous sources.

Conflicts of interest

Our journalists declare any conflicts of interest — financial, personal, or professional — before reporting on a topic. Where a journalist has a material interest in a subject, that interest is disclosed in the story or the story is reassigned.

Use of AI

Blue Collar News uses AI to help research, draft and produce much of its news coverage, under human editorial oversight and automated legal and accuracy safeguards. Every story is built from real, published sources, screened for defamation and legal risk, and reviewed before publication; higher-risk stories are held for a human decision. We are transparent about this — see How we use AI for the full detail, including how our bylines work and who is accountable.

Right of reply

Where we make critical claims about an individual, organisation, or business, we offer a right of reply before publication. Where a response arrives after publication, we update the story to include it.

Stories that make serious adverse claims about identifiable individuals or organisations are reviewed by editorial leadership and, where appropriate, by legal counsel before publication.

Comments and reader contributions

Reader comments, tip-offs, and submissions are welcome via hello@bluecollarnews.com.au. Submissions become editorial material and may be edited for length, clarity, and legal compliance.

Diversity

See our Diversity Policy for our approach to representation in stories and bylines.

Contact

Concerns about an article or about BCN’s editorial standards can be sent to hello@bluecollarnews.com.au.