Daily Echo editor answers subscribers' questions in Q&A

So it has been great to read through questions submitted by you - our highly valued subscribers.

Your questions cover a wide range of topics - from how we choose which stories to cover to the usability of our site.

So, how do we decide what gets covered?

Every day a reporter in our our team starts early in the morning, covering any live breaking news - from crashes on the M27 to any police incidents - before the rest of the Echo team starts.

If anything has happened - a reporter will be out on the scene.

But for non-breaking stories, we'll gather for conference each morning and look back at what stories were our most read online (and we carry out similar weekly reviews for the printed newspaper) and look to see how we can follow up our most popular stories.

Reporters will then pitch their stories to the digital editor and news editor, who will help refine these - with one thing in mind: does this story matter to our readers?

Lots of judgement calls are made in conference about what may be the best to cover with the number of reporters we have on the day, and we'll always try to cover an event either by being there or sourcing images and doing interviews on the phone after the event if that's not possible.

To be more specific: if something is happening in Southampton affecting a large number of people, it will always be the priority for our reporters.

The team works from the newsroom in Ocean Village but it is a rare day that they are stuck behind a computer screen all day - they are out and about hearing from people in the community.

Politics

I've been asked if I could approach councillors for a regular column, and it's certainly a good idea.

We cover a lot of Southampton City Council news, and I'm sure that councillors would engage with a column - thank you for this suggestion.

The Echo has already started its May election coverage, with lists of candidates online and more to come.

We'll be live blogging the results overnight - and I know thousands of people followed our coverage at the 2023 elections, so I hope you'll join us again next month.

I've also been asked if the Echo is politically neutral. To answer this: yes.

When we do campaign on issues for our readers we make it very clear. There is no political bias in editorial decisions.

Corrections

Several questions related to errors published in the Echo. These do happen, and I can only apologise.

Our reporters work at breakneck speed serving you, our subscribers, thousands of casual readers and the printed newspaper.

I am not trying to excuse spelling errors or flat-out mistakes, just one is unacceptable.

Standards are high at the Echo, and every day our team strives to bring not just the most comprehensive news and sports coverage of Southampton but also the best presented.

We'll always quickly correct errors, and apologise where necessary.

Comments

I've been asked about the comments forum and its moderation.

We ask all contributors to abide by the rules and anyone slinging mud at others, being offensive or posting irrelevant comments will see their contributions removed.

Repeat offenders will be banned - I want the comments forum to be a lively section where people can debate the biggest issues facing Southampton as a city and of course Saints' performance - but not somewhere just used by a few to abuse each other.

Climate change

You've also asked me why we don't cover enough about climate change.

I know we could always do more, but we cover a wide range on this topic, from what businesses in the area are doing to what is going on in classrooms and much more.

Always get in touch with the news team at newsdesk@dailyecho.co.uk and we'll cover.