The purpose of SAY ALWAYS TRUTH's Fact-Checking Policy is to verify public-interest claims, viral information, statements, photographs, videos, and other content and provide readers with reliable information and context.
Our purpose is not to politically, personally, or socially attack anyone. Our objective is to test claims against evidence.
1. What We May Fact-Check
We may prioritize:
Viral claims on social media;
Statements made by public figures or organizations;
Government information and statistics;
Election-related and public-interest claims;
Photographs and videos;
Old photographs or videos presented as recent events;
Misleading or partially true information;
Claims involving public health, safety, or significant social issues.
2. Defining the Claim
A fact check begins by identifying the specific, verifiable claim being examined.
Where necessary, a broad or unclear statement may be narrowed into a specific claim that can be tested against available evidence.
3. Primary Sources
Whenever reasonably possible, we prioritize primary sources, including:
Government documents;
Court records;
Official websites;
Information published by relevant organizations;
Original photographs or videos;
Research and authoritative reports;
Direct statements from relevant individuals.
4. Multiple Sources
For significant claims, we seek to compare information across multiple reliable sources whenever reasonably possible.
A single social media post is generally not considered sufficient evidence on its own.
5. Image and Video Verification
When verifying photographs or videos, we may examine:
The original source;
Publication date;
Location;
Visible details;
Previous reports;
The timeline of the event;
Other reliable sources.
6. Fact-Check Ratings
Depending on the available evidence, a claim may be classified as:
True: The central claim is supported by reliable evidence.
Mostly True: The claim is substantially accurate but contains some limitations or minor inaccuracies.
Partly True: Some elements of the claim are accurate, but the overall statement is not fully correct.
Misleading: Some information may be accurate, but it is presented in a way that creates a misleading impression.
False: Reliable evidence contradicts the central claim.
Unsubstantiated: There is not enough reliable evidence to reach a definitive conclusion.
7. Uncertainty
Where sufficient evidence is unavailable, we will avoid presenting an unsupported conclusion.
We do not treat “unsubstantiated” and “false” as the same finding.
8. Corrections
If a factual error is identified in one of our fact checks, we will review the matter and make an appropriate correction or update when necessary.
Our Commitment
The core principle of SAY ALWAYS TRUTH's fact-checking work is:
Evidence, not assertion, should determine the assessment of a claim.
Whenever possible, we aim to provide readers not merely with a verdict, but with the claim, evidence, and context needed to understand how that verdict was reached.
SAY ALWAYS TRUTH
Always with the truth.
