How to remove news articles from news sites
The publisher is the first port of call; anonymising your name or keeping the article out of search engines is often faster and more durable than full deletion.
Three possible outcomes
- Removal: for false, unlawful or very old articles with no public interest.
- Anonymisation: the article stays, but your name becomes initials and your photo is removed.
- Noindex: the article stays on the site but no longer appears for your name in search.
Step by step
- List the URL, the publication date and every other site carrying the story; agency copy appears on dozens of sites.
- Write to the editor or legal contact listed in the publisher's imprint.
- If the article is inaccurate, send a reply or correction. See our right of reply letter.
- If it contains personal data, send a GDPR erasure request.
- If the publisher does not respond, apply to Google and consider legal action.
More in our guide to removing a news article from Google.
Frequently asked questions
What if a news site asks for payment to remove an article?
Do not pay for removal. Use reasoned legal requests and, if necessary, the courts.