At St Augustine Catholic School, we are committed to delivering accurate, reliable, and trustworthy news and information. Our fact-checking policy ensures that all content published on our platform adheres to the highest standards of accuracy. This document outlines the principles and procedures we follow to verify the information we publish.
1. Purpose
The purpose of our fact-checking policy is to maintain the integrity and accuracy of our reporting. We strive to provide factual, unbiased, and well-researched content to inform our readers. This policy outlines the steps we take to ensure that all information is verified before publication.
2. Standards of Verification
Our fact-checking process involves consulting multiple credible sources. We prioritize primary sources, official documents, expert opinions, and reputable news outlets to verify the accuracy of the information we present. By cross-referencing data, we ensure that our content is factually correct and up-to-date.
3. Fact-Checking Process
- Initial Assessment: All information is critically evaluated at the sourcing stage to identify any potential inaccuracies, biases, or discrepancies.
- Verification: Claims, statistics, and statements are cross-checked with reliable and authoritative sources. Primary sources, when available, are prioritized for verification.
- Expert Consultation: In cases involving complex or technical information, we consult subject matter experts to ensure the highest level of accuracy.
4. Sources of Information
We rely on authoritative and trustworthy sources of information, including government agencies, academic institutions, and recognized experts. While we occasionally use anonymous sources, this is only done when it is essential to the story, and the information is thoroughly vetted.
5. Transparency and Corrections
- Transparency: We are transparent about our fact-checking process. Where relevant, we inform our readers about the sources used to verify information and the methods we employ to ensure accuracy.
- Corrections: Should errors be identified after publication, we promptly correct them. Corrections are clearly communicated to our readers, along with a note acknowledging the mistake and providing the corrected information.
6. Editorial Oversight
Our editorial team oversees the entire fact-checking process to ensure compliance with our editorial standards. Editors thoroughly review all content to verify its accuracy before publication, ensuring that it meets our rigorous fact-checking standards.
7. Accountability
We hold ourselves accountable for the accuracy of our reporting. All journalists, writers, and contributors at St Augustine Catholic School are expected to adhere to this policy and take responsibility for the factual accuracy of their work.
8. Corrections Policy
Corrections are handled with transparency and urgency. Readers are encouraged to report any errors they encounter. When corrections are made, they are prominently displayed in the relevant article or section, ensuring that our readers are always informed of any changes to previously published content.
9. Compliance
We comply with all relevant laws and ethical guidelines related to fact-checking and journalistic integrity. Our commitment to compliance ensures that our fact-checking process remains ethical and legally sound.
10. Review and Updates
Our fact-checking policy is reviewed regularly to reflect best practices and incorporate feedback from our team and stakeholders. Updates to the policy are communicated to our editorial team and made available to the public through our website.