Source Methodology

Source order

• Primary records: laws, court opinions, government data, filings, official results and original research
• Independent reporting: named news organisations with direct reporting and published corrections standards
• Interested sources: company, campaign and advocacy claims, always identified as self-reporting

Verification Standards

Each post states what the evidence supports, what remains uncertain and when the review was completed. Material claims are linked to the closest available primary record.

Data claims include the population, period and unit when those details change the meaning. Developing stories are labelled and are not presented as final investigative findings.

Anonymous Sources

We rely on anonymous sources only when the information is in the genuine public interest and cannot be obtained on the record. When we grant anonymity, we:

• Know and have verified the identity of the source
• Understand the reason the source requires anonymity
• Explain to readers why anonymity was granted
• Do not rely on a single anonymous source for a significant claim

Machine-assisted review

Automated tools may help compare claims, extract documents and organise source notes. They are not treated as evidence. Readers should be able to follow every material claim to the named public record or reporting linked on the post page.

Independent Reporting

Some posts draw on published reporting by independent organisations. Those sources are attributed clearly and linked where possible. We summarise relevant findings in our own words and distinguish that reporting from our own analysis.