Fact-Checking Policy
Fact-Checking Policy
Last updated: May 2026 | Applies to all 44 StudioX News language editions
1. Our Commitment to Accuracy
Accuracy is the foundation of trustworthy journalism. At StudioX News, every factual claim published on any of our 44 language editions must meet our verification standards before publication. We do not publish rumours, unverified social media posts, or claims from anonymous sources without independent corroboration.
2. Pre-Publication Fact-Checking Process
All StudioX News articles go through the following verification steps before publication:
- Source identification: Every factual claim must be traceable to an identified, credible source — a named individual, an official document, a government release, or a recognized wire service.
- Source corroboration: Significant claims, especially those involving allegations, statistics, or breaking news, must be confirmed by at least two independent sources.
- Document verification: Where claims are based on documents, reports, or data, the original document must be reviewed by the editor before publication.
- Quotation accuracy: All direct quotations must be verified against recordings, transcripts, or official statements. Quotations must not be altered to change their meaning.
- Headline accuracy: Headlines must accurately represent the content of the article. Sensational, misleading, or clickbait headlines are prohibited.
- Image verification: Images used in articles must be verified as accurately representing what they depict. We use reverse image search and metadata analysis to identify manipulated or misattributed images.
3. Multilingual Fact-Checking Standards
Our multilingual network presents unique fact-checking challenges. Our standards for non-English editions include:
- All translated content must preserve the factual accuracy of the original source material.
- Translators and correspondents are responsible for flagging cultural context that may affect the interpretation of facts.
- Claims about diaspora home countries are verified against credible local sources in that country, international wire services, or official government statements.
- We do not rely solely on social media posts from the diaspora community’s country of origin as a primary source.
- Misinformation common in certain diaspora communities — including health misinformation, political propaganda, and religious misinformation — is actively identified and not published.
4. Sources We Trust
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Canadian Government | IRCC, Statistics Canada, Health Canada, Elections Canada, provincial governments |
| Wire Services | The Canadian Press, Reuters, Associated Press, AFP |
| Established Canadian Media | CBC, Globe and Mail, Toronto Star, National Post |
| International Institutions | UN, WHO, World Bank, IMF |
| Academic and Research | Peer-reviewed journals, university research institutions |
| Official Statements | Government press releases, court documents, corporate filings |
5. Sources We Treat with Caution
- Anonymous social media accounts or unverified viral posts
- Government sources from countries with documented records of state media manipulation
- Press releases from organizations with known political or commercial agendas, without independent verification
- AI-generated content presented as factual reporting
- Tabloid or entertainment sources for hard news claims
6. Misinformation and Disinformation
StudioX News actively works to counter misinformation in the communities we serve. When we identify false or misleading claims circulating in any of our 44 language communities, we may publish fact-check articles that clearly identify and debunk the false claim, cite credible sources that contradict it, and explain why it is false or misleading.
We use the following fact-checking resources:
- Snopes
- AFP Fact Check
- PolitiFact
- CBC Fact Check
- IFCN-accredited fact-checkers in diaspora home countries
7. AI-Assisted Content Verification
Where AI tools are used to assist in research or drafting, all factual claims generated by AI must be independently verified by a human editor before publication. AI-generated content is never treated as a primary source.
8. Post-Publication Corrections
When errors are identified after publication, we correct them promptly and transparently. See our Correction Policy for full details on how we handle post-publication errors.
9. Contact Our Fact-Checking Desk
If you believe a StudioX News article contains a factual error or has failed to meet our fact-checking standards, please contact us at editor@studioxnews.ca with the article URL and details of the claimed inaccuracy. We investigate all fact-checking complaints and respond within 5 business days.