Complaints are managed by the editorial leadership of Hauptfokus (hauptfokus.de), operated by Alpen Press Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number 132587, Companies House Gibraltar, registered office: Office 3.7, ICC, Casemates Square, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA). Michael Jung, Chefredaktör, holds ultimate responsibility for all complaints and corrections.
Our ownership and funding are transparently disclosed on our ownership and funding page. All commercial relationships, including display advertising, affiliate links, sponsored content, and newsletter sponsorships, are clearly labelled and never determine editorial conclusions.
How do I submit a complaint?
You submit a complaint by emailing complaints@hauptfokus.de with the subject line “Complaint – [brief description of issue]”. In your message, please include the article title, URL (if applicable), the specific inaccuracy or concern, and your name and contact information.
We recommend providing as much detail as possible, including supporting evidence such as links, documents, or timestamps. Complaints can also be sent via our general contact page, but using the dedicated complaints address ensures faster routing to the relevant team.
How is a complaint handled?
A complaint is acknowledged within two working days by our fact-checking team or the relevant section editor. Melanie Hartmann (Ansvarig för faktagranskning) oversees initial assessment, verifying sources and comparing the complaint against our editorial standards.
If the complaint concerns a factual error, it is referred to the corrections policy workflow. If it relates to editorial judgment, bias, or omission, it is escalated to Jessica Schuster (Redaktionschef) or the relevant desk editor for review. We aim to resolve all complaints within ten working days.
What if I am not satisfied with the outcome?
If you are not satisfied with the initial response, you may escalate the complaint to Michael Jung (Chefredaktör) by emailing anders.lindqvist@hauptfokus.de or phoning +46 8 525 030 61. He will conduct a final review and issue a binding decision within fifteen working days.
The escalation process is independent of the initial handling and involves a fresh review by the Chefredaktör. For unresolved concerns about editorial standards, you may also consult our editorial policy for the principles that guide our journalism.
Our commitments
- All complaints are acknowledged within two working days and handled by a named editor with relevant expertise.
- Complainants receive a clear, written explanation of the outcome and any corrective action taken.
- Corrections and clarifications are published prominently and linked to the original article.
- Complaints data is reviewed quarterly by the Chefredaktör to improve editorial processes.
- No complainant is subject to retaliation or disadvantage for raising a concern in good faith.