Reach PLC
WalesOnline
Cardiff, Wales • Founded in 2008 • Trust Project news partner since
WalesOnline is the local website of the Western Mail, South Wales Echo as well as the South Wales Evening Post, the Wales on Sunday and several Celtic weeklies.
WalesOnline was launched in 2008 as the digital arm of Cardiff-based daily newspapers the Western Mail and South Wales Echo and the Wales on Sunday. It replaced the website icWales.co.uk. WalesOnline is part of Media Wales, a publishing company owned by Reach plc. The site describes itself as unashamedly Welsh. WalesOnline features breaking news coverage on topics such as traffic and police incidents as well as sports analysis and live-match coverage.
- Steffan Rhys – Editor
Best Practices Policies
WalesOnline inherits best practices policies from its parent news organization Reach plc.
Mission
WalesOnline.com sees its brand as its mission statement. The site describes itself as unashamedly proud to be Welsh and has established itself as a premier breaking news website in Wales. The outlet seeks to tirelessly work to inform, educate, challenge, entertain, amuse and excite the people of Wales through its news coverage. It seeks to do that by scrutinizing politicians, delivering fast and accurate breaking news, offering sports analysis and coverage on social issues such as homelessness. The website also seeks to provide a platform for diverse opinions and raises money for community issues.
Ethics
Journalists of Reach PLC publications are expected to abide by the Independent Press Standards Organization's Editors’ Code of Practice. The editorial staff is trained in the code, which includes standards on how to remain accurate, respect privacy and avoid harassment, intimidation, discrimination and improper intrusion. The code also includes guidelines on the proper way to report on children, crime, and victims of sexual assault.
Ownership & Funding
WalesOnline.com is owned by Reach plc, a media publisher traded on the London Stock Exchange and is part of the FTSE SmallCap Index. The website does not have a paywall. It is funded through print sales, advertising, partnerships, sponsorships and affiliate commission.
Diverse Voices
Reach PLC publications commit to attracting and recruiting people who are best suited to meet the standards for the publication without regard to race, creed, color, nationality (subject to legal eligibility), ethnic origin, religion, gender, age, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, connections with a national minority, membership or non-membership of a trade union or, unless justifiable, disability.
Corrections
Once reports of an inaccuracy are verified by the editorial team, the correction will be made online immediately and it will be noted in the story and on the website's correction/clarifications page.
Unnamed Sources
The company's policy states that its publications will protect the identity of their sources, but establish the reliability of the source and that the material they've provided has been properly obtained. When unnamed sources are used, it is up to the publication's staff to determine whether anonymity will be granted.
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