Editorial standards and corrections

Editorial independence

Project Universal is an independent publication. It is not affiliated with or authorised by Universal Studios, Universal Destinations & Experiences, Comcast, NBCUniversal, Government bodies, councils, developers or transport organisations covered by the site.

Commercial links, including links to the separate Stay Near Universal accommodation business, do not determine editorial conclusions. Advertising or commercial relationships will be identified where relevant.

Sourcing and fact-checking

We prefer original documents and direct evidence: Government and council publications, planning records, consultation material, company statements, maps, first-hand observation, original photography and footage. A secondary report may be used to locate a story, but it should not be presented as independent confirmation of its own claims.

Before publication, material names, dates, figures, quotations and locations should be checked against the best available source. Articles provide primary links and a “How we verified” note when that information helps readers evaluate the report.

What our labels mean

Confirmed information

Supported by a named primary source or clear direct evidence.

First-hand observation

Seen, photographed or recorded directly by Project Universal. The observation does not automatically prove why an activity is taking place.

Analysis

Project Universal’s interpretation of confirmed facts, documents or observed changes. It is identified as interpretation rather than fact.

Rumour or speculation

Unconfirmed information. It must be clearly labelled, attributed where appropriate and accompanied by the reason it remains unconfirmed. We do not publish unsupported rumours merely for attention.

Images and media

Images should have descriptive captions and a visible creator, owner or source credit where known. First-hand Project Universal imagery is identified as such; externally supplied or published material is attributed to its source and used only where there is a valid editorial and legal basis.

Corrections and updates

Factual errors are corrected promptly once verified. A material correction should be explained in the article; a minor spelling or presentation correction may be made without a note. Publication dates are not changed to make old reporting appear new. An “Updated” date is shown only after a meaningful editorial change.

To question a fact or request a correction, use the contact page, select “Project Universal UK news and community”, and include the article URL, the disputed passage and supporting evidence. We will review the original evidence and any new material supplied.