This page explains how Times of Pol approaches fact-checking policy across our coverage of geopolitics, conflict, and world-affairs reporting. We publish these standards openly so readers, sources, and partners can understand exactly how our content is produced, checked, and maintained. Because we report on fast-moving world events, we distinguish clearly between verified fact, sourced reporting, and analysis, and we date every piece so readers know how current it is.
How we verify claims
Every factual claim in a Times of Pol article is checked against primary or authoritative secondary sources before publication. Where a statistic, figure, or rule is cited, we trace it to its origin — an official body, a peer-reviewed study, published data, or a named expert — rather than repeating it from a secondhand summary. When a claim cannot be independently verified, we either omit it or label it clearly as an estimate, projection, or opinion.
Sourcing standards
We prefer primary sources over aggregators, current sources over outdated ones, and independent sources over promotional material. When we rely on a single source for a significant claim, we say so. We avoid presenting contested matters as settled and, where credible experts disagree, we represent the range of views fairly.
What we do when we are unsure
If our team cannot confirm a detail to the standard above, we hold the claim back rather than publish it. Uncertainty is disclosed in the text, not hidden. This is deliberately conservative, and we consider it a feature of trustworthy publishing rather than a limitation.
Reader participation
Readers who spot a factual problem are encouraged to contact us through our contact page. We read every message and treat credible reports of inaccuracy as a priority, handling them under our Corrections Policy.
Related standards
These policies work together. See our Editorial Policy, Fact-Checking Policy, Corrections Policy, Content Update Policy, Review Policy, Publishing Principles, and Our Mission. Questions? Contact us.