A regional daily hit back at accusations of “sloppy” journalism as it launched a new Freedom of Information campaign.

The Yorkshire Evening Post has launched its ‘Your Right To Know’ campaign, which it says will use FoI legislation to “shine a spotlight” on issues important to its readers.

The pledge comes after the Leeds-based daily last month was “forced to defend our journalism like never before” after facing wrongful accusations of publishing “fake news”.

The new campaign was launched on the YEP’s front page on Monday as it revealed 73 Leeds City Council staff had been suspended due to disciplinary procedures in the last five years.

In an accompanying comment piece, editor Laura Collins wrote: “Last month your Yorkshire Evening Post made a bold statement. We warned readers about being careful over whether their news has been verified by an accountable and trusted publisher that conducts thorough research before publication.

“The very cornerstone of solid fact-checked journalism is built on integrity, honesty and trust. And that is why today the Yorkshire Evening Post is launching its Your Right to Know Campaign.

“We will use the power of legislation to shine a spotlight on issues that we think you – our readers – have a right to know. It is also our intention to highlight the positive way our city’s organisations behave, as well as calling out underperformance in key organisations.

“Championing Leeds is at the very heart of what this newspaper strives for. However, in order to do this we need to make sure we are firmly holding key organisations across our city to account. And you can be assured the YEP is watching.”

Laura went on to say it was the YEP’s “duty to let you, our readers – the people who live and work in our city – know exactly how your money is spent and how our public organisations are performing”.

She added: We’ve been accused by readers of ‘sloppy’ journalism in recent weeks – but now we’re fighting back. Our industry is under the cosh as never before.

“But your YEP will always uphold the cornerstone of journalism – to hold the powerful to account.”