IslingtonNow - Editorial policies

What is it?

IslingtonNow is a monthly magazine that is delivered to all of the borough's 97,000 homes. It is a deliberately upbeat magazine that communicates a range of important local news, initiatives, events, achievements and information.

The magazine aims to be open and honest with Islington's residents about issues that are of importance to them. We also hope to invite debate and comment through the articles in the magazine and readers are encouraged to contact us with their views and opinions.

Content

Most importantly, content needs to be relevant and of interest to our wide audience. When putting together copy for the magazine, think why this will be of interest and importance to them.

Articles also need to reflect the council's key messages, and the magazine has sections that enable us to do this.

We also want to encourage readers to get actively involved in their communities, so articles often feature calls for action and ways to get more information on various topics. Always try and include a phone number, email address and web address so people can follow-up stories if they want to.

Editorial style

As the magazine is widely distributed to a mixed audience, the writing style has to be clear and easy to understand.

Information has to be accessible and written in plain English. Words should be short and sentences concise. Jargon, technical terms and clichés should be avoided, as should any council speak.
Messages should be positive but realistic - we have to be honest with readers and invite them to engage in dialogue with us.

We reserve the right to edit all submissions, and the editor has the final say on all content that appears in the magazine.

News stories need to be factual and balanced, and of direct interest to residents.

Features should include third party endorsement and real life case studies from residents - we need to have people outside of the council endorsing the service or product. Features should also include useful and practical information, so residents can act on what they have read. We need to include contact details for those who want more information, including a phone number, email address and web link.

In Focus features should always include calls to action - they must include useful information and various methods for readers to get further information and/or get involved themselves.

What we accept and don't accept

We have a strict policy on quoting councillors and using photos of them, and it's vital we stick to this each month. We refer to all departments and partners collectively as `the council'. Copy is re-written when necessary to ensure all content is in plain English and jargon-free. We avoid council speak so the magazine is not perceived as propaganda. We reserve the right to say no to any submissions, or request that they are written/presented in a certain way that is in keeping with our house style.

Articles must not include: