THX News uses images under a controlled, evidence-led policy designed to minimize copyright risk while supporting accurate reporting. New visual material is limited to sources that can be clearly documented and defended over the long term.
Current image approach
THX News uses a restricted image model because its archive is intended to remain available for many years.
Images are not included simply because they are available online, appear in search results, carry an attribution statement, or are labelled for reuse by a third-party platform.
Where a suitable approved image is unavailable, an article may use a standard THX News placeholder or a text-led presentation.
Approved image sources
- AI-generated illustrations created specifically for THX News or Goldiers.
- Original photographs, graphics, charts, or illustrations owned by THX News or Goldiers.
- Official images supplied directly for publication where the permitted use is clear and documented.
- Licensed stock images where the applicable commercial licence, source, and payment records are retained.
- Public-domain material in limited cases where its status can be independently verified through an authoritative source.
AI-generated images
AI-generated images are used primarily as editorial illustrations rather than as documentary photographs of a specific event.
Where appropriate:
- The image is identified as AI-generated or illustrative.
- It is designed to represent the subject without falsely depicting an undocumented event.
- Real people, locations, logos, official marks, equipment, and institutions are handled carefully to avoid misleading presentation.
- The article text and its cited primary sources remain the authoritative account.
Creative Commons and CC0 material
THX News does not use Creative Commons or CC0 images for new publication.
This includes material discovered through Openverse, Wikimedia Commons, Flickr, image repositories, aggregation platforms, or similar services.
The archive is intended to remain available for decades. Over that period, source pages may disappear, licence records may change, attribution evidence may be lost, and the person who uploaded or licensed an image may later be shown not to have held the necessary rights.
For that reason, a Creative Commons or CC0 label is not treated as sufficient long-term evidence of safe use.
Restricted or excluded sources
THX News does not routinely use:
- Creative Commons or CC0 images.
- Images found through general web searches, blogs, forums, or unknown websites.
- Images sourced from social media.
- Professional press or news-agency photography without a direct licence.
- Celebrity, sports, entertainment, or event photography without documented permission.
- Images marked “All rights reserved” or carrying unclear, disputed, or incomplete licensing information.
- Images supplied through aggregation platforms where the underlying ownership and permission cannot be independently confirmed.
- Images used solely because a third-party website labels them for commercial reuse.
Attribution alone does not establish that an image may lawfully be used.
Official and government images
An image appearing on an official or government website is not automatically treated as free to reuse.
Before publication, THX News may consider:
- The stated copyright and reuse terms.
- Whether the image is owned by the issuing organisation or by an external photographer, contractor, or agency.
- Whether press, editorial, commercial, or archive reuse is expressly permitted.
- Whether the relevant source and permission information can be preserved.
- Whether any restrictions apply to modification, long-term storage, or redistribution.
Where the position is unclear, the image is not used.
Public-domain material
Public-domain material may be considered only where its status can be independently verified through an authoritative source.
A public-domain label added by an uploader, search engine, repository, or aggregation service is not accepted on its own.
Where public-domain material is used, THX News aims to retain evidence of:
- The authoritative source.
- The basis on which the work is considered to be in the public domain.
- The creator or issuing organisation, where known.
- The date the status was reviewed.
Attribution
Where an approved licence or permission requires attribution, the credit is provided clearly and accurately.
Attribution:
- Does not transfer ownership.
- Does not replace a valid licence or permission.
- Does not confirm that an uploader had authority to license an image.
- Does not resolve unclear or disputed rights.
- Does not imply endorsement by the photographer, rights holder, or issuing organisation.
Documentation
For approved non-original images, THX News aims to retain appropriate internal records, which may include:
- The source page or supplying organisation.
- The stated copyright or licence terms.
- The photographer, creator, or rights holder, where identified.
- The date the image and terms were reviewed.
- Relevant screenshots, correspondence, receipts, invoices, contracts, or permission records.
- A copy or reference to the version of the image that was published.
Legacy archive images
THX News has undertaken a substantial review of images used in older articles.
As part of that work:
- Thousands of legacy images and associated thumbnail files have been removed from public delivery.
- Published articles without an approved replacement use a protected THX News placeholder.
- Selected attachment records, manifests, checksums, and compliance documentation may be retained internally for audit, evidence, or recovery purposes.
- Legacy images are not restored merely because an article would appear more attractive with them.
- Approved replacement images may be added gradually as the archive is reviewed.
Incident response
If a potential copyright or licensing issue is identified:
- The image may be removed, suppressed, or replaced promptly.
- The available source, licence, attribution, and publication records are reviewed.
- Relevant files, correspondence, screenshots, manifests, and audit information may be preserved.
- Public use remains suspended while the position is assessed.
- Further action is determined from the available evidence and, where appropriate, professional advice.