Fact-Check Policy

Last updated: August 11, 2026

HeadlinesMagazine.com is committed to publishing accurate, verified information. Our source-review approach is informed by the principles of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Code of Principles.

1. Pre-Publication Verification

Every current legal briefing is reviewed against its cited source record before publication. If original reporting or a formal fact-check is introduced, it will use the following process:

• Source verification: All factual claims are traced to primary sources — court documents, legislation, official statements, academic studies, or on-the-record interviews. Secondary sources are used only when primary sources are unavailable, and are clearly attributed.
• Cross-referencing: Claims are cross-referenced with at least two independent sources where possible. Single-source claims are flagged and require documented editorial review.
• Expert review: Articles containing legal analysis, medical claims, or statistical data are reviewed by a subject-matter expert where an appropriate reviewer is available.
• Quote verification: All quotations are verified against recordings or written transcripts. Paraphrased statements are confirmed with the source.

2. Fact-Check Desk

The current publication does not claim a staffed fact-checking desk, named fact-checking employee, or third-party certification. Editorial review remains responsible for delaying or withholding a briefing that cannot meet its source standard.

3. Post-Publication Monitoring

After publication, articles are monitored for accuracy. If new information emerges that contradicts a published claim, we update the article and issue a correction or clarification per our Corrections Policy.

4. Right of Reply (Wederhoor)

When a briefing identifies a specific actor — a government, corporation, organization, or individual — the publication seeks a response from that party before publication where practicable. If a response is received, it is included in the article. If no response is received within a reasonable period, the article notes that the party was contacted and did not respond.

5. Reader Submissions

Readers can raise factual concerns through editor@headlinesmagazine.com or the public project channels listed on the Masthead & Disclosure page.

6. Use of AI in Verification

AI tools may be used to assist with transcription, translation, and data analysis, but all fact-checking decisions are made by human editors. No AI system has authority to verify or reject a factual claim.

7. Transparency

If formal fact-checks are published, they will be clearly labeled, dated, sourced, and accompanied by an explanation of the methodology.

8. Methodology Notes on Briefings

Each source-led briefing identifies how the source was used:

• Primary source: the court ruling, legislation, government record, or NGO report that is the basis of the briefing.
• Secondary source: independent reporting used for corroboration or context, clearly distinguished from the primary source.
• Verification date: the date the source was last reviewed by the editorial process.
• Source relationship: whether the briefing is a rewrite of a single source, a synthesis of multiple sources, or includes original reporting.