No Bylines Policy

Readers sometimes ask why a NewsFormal brief carries a desk editor's name, and occasionally no individual name at all. This page explains how bylines work on NewsFormal.

1. How Bylines Work Here

Most NewsFormal briefs are drafted with AI assistance from identifiable source reporting and reviewed by the desk responsible for that sector. The byline on a brief therefore identifies the desk editor accountable for its review, not necessarily a sole human author who wrote every sentence. Each desk editor's profile and recent briefs are listed on our Editorial Team page.

2. When There Is No Individual Byline

A brief is attributed to the "NewsFormal Editorial Team" rather than an individual when:

• it was produced collectively, for example a daily digest, a calendar of the week ahead or a photo gallery;
• no single desk owns the topic, or the brief was reviewed by more than one editor;
• naming an individual could expose them to harassment or pressure, particularly on sensitive corporate, legal or political stories.

3. Editorial Process for Unbylined Content

Unbylined briefs go through the same review as bylined ones: source check, figures check, AI-disclosure label, and the same Correction Policy. Responsibility for them rests with the editorial team as a whole.

4. Transparency

Whatever the byline, every brief shows its original source and, where AI assisted the draft, says so at the bottom of the page. Readers can always see where a story came from.

5. Feedback

Questions about who is responsible for a particular brief can be sent to [email protected].

6. Review

We review this policy as our editorial team and tools evolve.