Ethics Policy

Last updated: 18 November 2025

At London Construction Magazine (LCM), our credibility is built on strong ethical journalism.
We are committed to honest reporting, transparent communication, responsible editorial practices and the highest standards of integrity within the construction news sector.

This Ethics Policy outlines the principles that guide our editorial team and contributors.

Editorial Integrity

LCM’s journalism is independent, fair and free from external pressure. We do not allow:

- Advertisers
- Commercial partners
- Companies featured in articles
- Individuals with financial interest

to influence our editorial decisions.

All stories are selected based solely on public interest, relevance and accuracy.

Transparency With Readers

We believe readers deserve clarity about:

- Where information comes from
- Who writes our articles
- Whether content is sponsored
- How corrections and updates are handled

Any sponsored or promotional article is clearly labelled as Sponsored Content.

Avoiding Conflicts of Interest

Our writers, contributors and editors must:

- Declare any financial or personal relationship with companies mentioned
- Avoid covering stories where they have a conflict of interest
- Refrain from accepting gifts, payments or incentives that could influence reporting
- If a potential conflict exists, it is disclosed clearly within the article

Respect, Sensitivity and Professional Conduct

We avoid:

- Discrimination
- Defamation
- Personal attacks
- Sensationalism
- Misleading claims

We treat all companies, workers, and stakeholders with respect, regardless of their role or position within the industry.

Legal and Regulatory Compliance

LCM adheres to:

- UK media law
- Copyright law
- Privacy and data protection regulations
- Construction-sector reporting standards
- Safety-sensitive publication practices

We avoid publishing sensitive project information that could endanger workers or the public.

Source Ethics & Attribution

We use sources ethically by:

- Verifying claims before publication
- Giving proper credit for data, images and quotations
- Avoiding plagiarism entirely
- Respecting embargoes and confidential information

Anonymous sources are only used when:

- Necessary
- Credible
- Verified by supporting evidence

Their anonymity must not compromise accuracy.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI)

LCM may use AI tools to assist with:

- Drafting
- Research
- Optimisation
- Grammar checking

But:

- All final editorial decisions are made by humans
- AI is never used as a source of truth
- AI-generated text is edited for accuracy, tone and clarity
- We do not publish automated content without human oversight
- Transparency is always maintained.

Protection of Minors, Workers and Sensitive Sites

We take extra care when publishing content involving:

- Minors
- Vulnerable individuals
- Live construction sites
- Security-sensitive locations

We avoid publishing information that could compromise safety or privacy.

Independence From Political Influence

Although LCM covers government planning, construction policy and regulatory changes, we:

- Avoid political bias
- Do not endorse political parties
- Do not publish political advocacy disguised as news
- Ensure commentary is clearly labelled as opinion

Accountability

We hold ourselves accountable. If we fail to meet our standards:

- We correct the issue
- We communicate openly
- We improve our internal processes

Readers may report ethical concerns at: