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| Fact-checking standards for verifying claims, sources, figures and developing news at 21st Century Verified. |
At 21st Century Verified, accuracy is fundamental to responsible journalism.
Our Fact-Checking Policy explains how we evaluate information before publication, how we handle disputed or developing claims, and how we respond when an error is identified.
Our objective is not simply to publish information quickly. It is to help readers distinguish verified facts from claims, allegations, opinions and information that remains uncertain.
1. Our Fact-Checking Commitment
We make reasonable efforts to verify important factual information before publishing it.
Depending on the story, this may include checking:
- Names and identities
- Dates and timelines
- Locations
- Numbers and statistics
- Official statements
- Court information
- Government records
- Military claims
- Election results
- Financial figures
- Quotes
- Photographs and other media
- Claims made by public officials or organizations
The level of verification may vary according to the importance, sensitivity and urgency of the story.
2. How We Verify Information
Our verification process may involve comparing information from multiple credible sources.
We consider:
1. The original source — where did the information originate?
2. Source credibility — is the source authoritative and relevant to the claim?
3. Independent confirmation — do other credible sources support the information?
4. Evidence — is there documentation or other evidence supporting the claim?
5. Timing — is the information current, or could it have changed?
6. Context — does the information accurately represent the wider situation?
7. Contradictory evidence — are credible sources disputing the claim?
Not every story can be independently confirmed in every detail, particularly during breaking news or active conflicts.
When information remains uncertain, we aim to communicate that uncertainty clearly.
3. Primary Sources
Whenever practical, we prioritize primary sources.
These may include:
- Government documents
- Official announcements
- Court records
- Election authorities
- Military statements
- Police statements
- Research publications
- Direct interviews
- Company filings
- Official statistics
- Original photographs or videos
Primary sources can provide valuable evidence, but an official statement is not automatically proof that every claim within it is true.
We consider the nature of the source and seek additional context when appropriate.
4. Secondary Sources
Established news organizations, specialist publications, research institutions and other credible secondary sources may be used to provide information, confirmation or context.
When relying on secondary reporting, we consider the reliability of the publication, the quality of its sourcing and whether the information can be independently supported.
We aim to attribute significant information to its original or most authoritative source.
5. Multiple-Source Verification
For significant claims, we may seek confirmation from more than one credible source.
This is particularly important for stories involving:
- Casualties
- Military operations
- Major political decisions
- Criminal allegations
- Financial losses
- Election results
- Public safety threats
- Major international developments
However, the number of sources alone does not determine accuracy. Several outlets can repeat the same incorrect information if they all rely on the same original claim.
We therefore consider source independence, not simply source quantity.
6. Official Claims
Governments, military forces, politicians, companies and organizations may issue statements containing claims about events.
We report such statements with appropriate attribution.
For example, a military announcement that it has captured a location should be identified as a military claim unless independently verified.
Attribution helps readers understand the difference between what a source says and what has been independently established.
7. Social Media and User-Generated Content
Social media can provide valuable information about breaking events, but it can also contain misinformation, manipulated material, outdated posts and information taken out of context.
Before relying on social media content, we may consider:
- Who originally posted it
- When it was posted
- Where the material was recorded
- Whether the account is authentic
- Whether the content has been altered
- Whether independent evidence supports it
- Whether older material is being presented as new
We avoid treating viral popularity as evidence of accuracy.
8. Photographs and Videos
Visual material can be misleading even when it appears authentic.
Where practical, we assess photographs and videos for relevant indicators such as:
- Date
- Location
- Original source
- Context
- Signs or landmarks
- Weather or environmental conditions
- Visible inconsistencies
- Whether the material has previously appeared elsewhere
When we cannot establish the origin or context of visual material with reasonable confidence, we may avoid using it or clearly explain the uncertainty.
9. AI-Generated and Manipulated Content
Artificial intelligence can create convincing but false photographs, videos, audio recordings and documents.
We therefore treat suspicious or unusually compelling digital material cautiously.
We do not assume that a photograph, video, audio recording or document is authentic simply because it appears realistic.
Where relevant, we seek corroboration from credible sources and available evidence.
10. Breaking News
Breaking news presents particular verification challenges because information may be incomplete or contradictory.
When immediate reporting is necessary, we aim to:
- Clearly identify what is known
- Attribute unverified claims
- Avoid presenting speculation as fact
- Update the article as reliable information becomes available
- Correct inaccurate information when necessary
A developing story may therefore change substantially after its initial publication.
11. War and Conflict Reporting
Claims made during armed conflicts require additional caution.
Military authorities and opposing sides may provide conflicting accounts of:
- Territorial control
- Casualties
- Weapons strikes
- Military losses
- Battlefield developments
- Damage
- Operational objectives
We aim to attribute such claims and avoid presenting disputed battlefield information as independently verified unless sufficient evidence exists.
12. Crime and Legal Cases
We carefully distinguish between different stages of criminal proceedings.
An individual may be:
Accused → Arrested → Charged → Tried → Convicted or Acquitted → Sentenced
These stages have different legal meanings.
We aim to use precise language and avoid describing an accused person as guilty unless there has been an appropriate legal determination.
Court documents, official statements and credible reporting may be used to establish relevant facts.
13. Statistics, Numbers and Figures
Numbers can easily become misleading when presented without context.
When using statistics, we aim to verify:
- The original source
- The date of the data
- The geographical scope
- The relevant population or sample
- The unit of measurement
- Whether the figure is an estimate or confirmed number
We also avoid presenting estimates as precise facts.
14. Quotes
We aim to reproduce significant quotations accurately and in context.
When a quote is important to the meaning of a story, we seek to verify:
- Who made the statement
- When it was made
- Where it was made
- The original wording where available
- Whether the quote has been edited in a way that changes its meaning
We do not intentionally alter quotations to create a misleading impression.
15. Names, Places and Organizations
Names and identifying information are checked carefully because spelling errors can change the identity of a person, organization or location.
Where appropriate, we verify:
- Full names
- Titles
- Positions
- Locations
- Organization names
- Government offices
- Military units
- Geographic references
This is particularly important when reporting on criminal cases, conflicts and public officials.
16. What We Do When Information Cannot Be Verified
Not every claim can be confirmed.
When reliable evidence is unavailable, we may:
- Attribute the claim to its source
- State that it remains unverified
- Present competing accounts where appropriate
- Delay publication
- Remove unsupported information
- Update the story when verification becomes possible
We would rather acknowledge uncertainty than create false certainty.
17. Corrections
If we discover that a published article contains a significant factual error, we review the issue and correct the information when appropriate.
Corrections may involve:
- Updating an incorrect fact
- Clarifying misleading wording
- Correcting a name, date or location
- Correcting a figure or statistic
- Removing unsupported information
- Updating information that has changed
Minor typographical or grammatical changes that do not affect meaning may not require a formal correction notice.
18. Reader Fact-Checking Requests
Readers can help improve our reporting.
If you believe an article contains inaccurate or misleading information, please contact us with:
- The article title or URL
- The specific claim in question
- Why you believe it is inaccurate
- Supporting evidence or a credible source
We review substantive concerns and may update an article when the evidence supports a correction.
19. No Fact-Checking System Is Perfect
Fact-checking reduces the risk of publishing inaccurate information, but it cannot guarantee that every published detail will always be correct.
Information can be incomplete, sources can make mistakes and new evidence can emerge after publication.
Our responsibility is to make reasonable efforts to verify information, communicate uncertainty honestly and correct significant errors when they are identified.
20. Our Standard
Before publishing important information, we ask:
Is it supported by credible evidence?
Can the source be identified and evaluated?
Have we distinguished fact from claim or allegation?
Have we provided enough context?
Could the wording mislead a reasonable reader?
If the information later proves wrong, have we made a reasonable effort to communicate and correct it?
These principles guide our approach to fact-checking at 21st Century Verified.
21. Contact Us
Questions or concerns about our fact-checking practices can be sent to:
21stcenturyverified@gmail.com
For additional information, readers can also review our Editorial Policy, Corrections Policy, About Us and Contact Us pages.
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Our Fact-Checking Promise
Verify important facts.
Attribute significant claims.
Distinguish facts from allegations and opinions.
Acknowledge uncertainty.
Correct significant errors.
Put accuracy before speed.
At 21st Century Verified, our aim is to give readers information they can understand, evaluate and trust.