This Editorial Policy sets out the standards and practices that govern all content published by Hauptfokus (hauptfokus.de). The policy is overseen by Chefredaktör Michael Jung and applies to every article, analysis, opinion piece and commercial feature on our site.
Who is responsible for editorial standards at Hauptfokus?
Michael Jung, Chefredaktör, holds ultimate responsibility for all editorial decisions, publication standards and corrections at Hauptfokus. He can be reached at anders.lindqvist@hauptfokus.de or +46 8 525 030 61. The publication is owned and operated by Alpen Press Ltd, a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number 132587, registered office: Office 3.7, ICC, Casemates Square, Gibraltar, GX11 1AA).
Day‑to‑day editorial leadership rests with Jessica Schuster, Redaktionschef, who oversees the newsroom, headline review and commissioning. Each section has a dedicated editor: Tim Sommer (Politikredaktör), Sarah Engels (Wirtschaftreporter), Sebastian Fischer (Kultur- och samhällsredaktör) and Melanie Hartmann (Ansvarig för faktagranskning). Full details of our editorial team are available on the Our Team page. For complete ownership and funding information, see our Ownership & Funding disclosure.
How does our editorial process work?
Every article published on Hauptfokus is drafted by a named writer, reviewed by a section editor and fact‑checked before publication. No content reaches the site without explicit approval from a human editor. This process ensures that all reporting is accurate, fair and contextually sound.
Our newsroom follows a structured workflow: writers submit drafts with full source attribution; editors verify logic, tone and alignment with our editorial mission; the fact‑checking team, led by Melanie Hartmann, independently checks key claims against primary sources. Any necessary corrections are handled promptly and transparently, as outlined in our Corrections Policy. Sponsored or commercial material follows the same editorial scrutiny, though it is clearly labelled as such.
How do we distinguish news, opinion, features, sponsored and affiliate content?
Hauptfokus clearly labels each content type so that readers can instantly recognise whether an article is a news report, an opinion piece, a feature, sponsored content or an affiliate‑linked article. News articles present verifiable facts without commentary; opinion pieces are marked with a “Meinung” tag and reflect the author’s view; features combine reporting with analysis; sponsored content is labelled “Anzeige” or “Sponsored”; affiliate links are disclosed at the top of the article.
All sponsored and commercial material is produced under a separate Sponsored Content Policy and is reviewed by the editorial team for accuracy and fairness. Affiliate links are clearly identified in the text or via a disclaimer. Editorial conclusions are never influenced by commercial relationships, as detailed in our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure.
What transparency measures do we apply to individual articles?
Every article on Hauptfokus carries the byline of the writer who reported or drafted it, the date of publication and, where applicable, the date of any significant update. A “Sources” section is included for articles that rely on external documents, interviews or data, with links to original references when possible. Corrections or clarifications are appended at the foot of the article with a clear note.
We also provide context about the author’s expertise and role through their byline profile. If an article uses AI‑assisted tools during research or drafting, a standard disclosure is placed at the bottom of the piece, in line with our AI & Automation Policy. Readers can verify our sourcing standards on the Sources & Standards page.
How do we ensure independence from commercial interests?
Hauptfokus is funded through a mix of display advertising, affiliate links, commercial partnerships, sponsored content, newsletter sponsorships and content licensing. None of these revenue streams determines editorial conclusions. Our Ownership & Funding page lists all sources of income, and our Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure explains how commercial content is separated from independent journalism.
Alpen Press Ltd, the Gibraltar‑registered company that owns Hauptfokus, exercises no influence over editorial decisions. The editorial team operates with full autonomy. Any material that is sponsored or paid for is labelled conspicuously, and our editorial mission remains to deliver trustworthy, unbiased Swedish journalism.
How do we use artificial intelligence in our journalism?
AI‑assisted tools may support research, editing, formatting, translation, metadata creation, headline options, summaries and transcription. However, AI never replaces human editorial judgement; every piece of published content is reviewed and approved by a human editor. AI must not fabricate quotes, sources, interviews, bylines, author experience or expert profiles.
When AI is used in the production of an article, a standard disclosure appears in the article footer. Our full policy on acceptable AI use is outlined in the AI & Automation Policy. Readers can expect that all claims, analysis and attribution remain the responsibility of human journalists.
Why do we attribute articles to named writers?
Named attribution builds accountability and trust. Every article on Hauptfokus is signed by the writer who reported or drafted it, ensuring that readers know who produced the work and can assess that writer’s expertise and track record. This practice also protects against anonymous or misleading content.
When multiple writers contribute, all are credited. Editor roles and commissioning editors are also noted where relevant. Profiles for each journalist, including their specialisms and contact details, are available on the Our Team page. Readers can reach any writer directly via the email addresses listed there.
How can readers submit a complaint?
We take complaints about inaccuracy, bias, ethical breaches or missing corrections seriously. Readers can submit a complaint by emailing complaints@hauptfokus.de or using the contact form on our Contact page. All complaints are acknowledged within two working days and investigated by the relevant editor, with a response issued within ten working days.
Our Complaints Procedure details the full process, including escalation to Chefredaktör Michael Jung if the initial response is unsatisfactory. We also maintain a public log of significant corrections and clarifications on the Corrections Policy page.
Our commitments
- Accuracy: We verify all facts before publication and correct errors promptly and transparently.
- Independence: No commercial or ownership interest influences our editorial decisions; all sponsored content is clearly marked.
- Transparency: Every article carries a named writer, publication date, source references and, where applicable, AI or affiliate disclosures.
- Accountability: We respond to all complaints within two working days and maintain a clear escalation path.
- Human editorial control: AI tools support but never replace human judgement; every piece is approved by an editor.