Fact-checking methodology

  1. Two independent sources. Key claims in news reports are confirmed by at least two mutually independent sources, or by one primary source (official document, statement, court ruling, official data).
  2. Primary sources first. Wherever possible we cite the original document rather than another outlet's report.
  3. Image and video verification. Photos and videos from conflict zones are checked by reverse image search, metadata analysis and geolocation where feasible. If provenance cannot be confirmed, we say so in the caption.
  4. Numbers and data. Statistics are taken from official or academic sources, with the source and date stated.
  5. Claims by warring parties. Statements by militaries and governments in a conflict are reported as claims, with attribution, until independently confirmed.
  6. Editorial review. Every article is read by at least one editor other than the author before publication.

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