For journalists

From a lead to a verifiable brief

Build a short, honest verification route that can answer an editor's question: what do we know, and what do we not know?

Content state: draft Owner: owner:editorial Next review: 2026-09-07

1. Frame the question

Separate the claimAn atomic, verifiable statement linked to evidence, a coverage envelope and separate human assessment dimensions., context, date and permitted outcome. Do not start with a tool or a keyword.

  • Write what must be confirmed or challenged.
  • Set geography, time window and search languages.
  • Mark personal data that is not needed for the answer.

2. Review sources

A Source PassportA versioned source record describing ownership, legal basis, coverage, freshness, risk and collection-admission state. and coverage envelopeA required record of checked sources and time bounds, search completeness and the limits beyond which a conclusion must not be applied. show the owner, version, rights, observation date and known gaps.

  • Keep primary material and independent confirmationSupport for the same claim that does not derive from the same origin and provides a separate basis. separate.
  • Record a negative search as a boundary, never as proof of absence.
  • Stop when the legal basisA documented legal reason that makes collection and processing lawful for a specific purpose. or safety boundary is missing.

3. Handoff to the editor

The output is not a trust score but claim → evidenceResearch material whose provenance, time, integrity state and link to an exact source version are preserved. → limitation → decision. The editor can see what is publishable and what needs another check.

  • Give exact anchors and versions, not screenshots alone.
  • Name at least one way the conclusion could be wrong.
  • Public release remains a separate owner-gated decision.