The credibility of a news report depends on the quality of the information behind it.
Insider Paper uses a range of primary and secondary sources to report breaking news, politics, technology, world affairs, business, science, health, and other topics.
The level of verification required may vary according to the nature of the story, but important claims should have a reasonable factual basis before publication.
Primary sources
Whenever practical, we prefer primary sources.
These may include:
- Government statements and agency publications
- Legislation and government records
- Court filings and judicial decisions
- Police and emergency-service statements
- Company announcements and regulatory filings
- Academic research
- Public datasets
- Official transcripts
- Direct interviews
- Photographs and videos
- Public comments made by the people involved
- Original documents obtained by journalists
Where useful to readers, articles may link directly to these materials.
Secondary sources
Reliable secondary reporting can also be an important source of information, particularly during rapidly developing events.
Insider Paper may rely on reporting from established news agencies, newspapers, broadcasters, specialist publications, and other credible news organizations.
When another outlet is the source of a significant piece of information, we aim to attribute it appropriately.
News agencies and syndicated reporting
Insider Paper may publish or rely upon reporting supplied by established news agencies.
News agency material should be identified or attributed as appropriate.
Syndicated reporting is distinct from original reporting produced by Insider Paper journalists.
Anonymous sources
There are circumstances in which a source may have important information but cannot reasonably speak publicly.
Anonymous sourcing should be used with care.
Before relying on sensitive information from an unnamed source, journalists should consider:
- Whether the source is in a position to know the information
- Why the source is requesting anonymity
- Whether the source may have a personal, political, financial, or institutional motive
- Whether the information can be independently corroborated
- Whether publication serves a legitimate public interest
Anonymous sourcing should not be used simply to make unsupported allegations appear authoritative.
Social media
Posts on social media can be valuable sources of breaking information, but they can also be misleading, incomplete, manipulated, outdated, or falsely attributed.
A viral post is not automatically treated as verified fact.
When social media content is central to a story, we may examine the source of the post, its publication history, available metadata, official responses, corroborating reporting, or other evidence relevant to authenticity.
Photographs and video
Visual evidence should be evaluated in context.
Where verification is necessary, journalists may examine the original source, publication date, location, surrounding footage, previous appearances of the material, statements from relevant authorities, or other contextual evidence.
We aim not to knowingly present old or unrelated photographs and videos as evidence of a current event.
Documents and leaked material
Documents can be newsworthy even when they have not been formally released.
Before reporting extensively from leaked or unofficial material, we may consider its authenticity, source, context, consistency with known facts, and whether relevant parties have responded to it.
Publication of a claim contained in a document does not necessarily mean Insider Paper independently endorses the claim as true.
Scientific research
Scientific findings should be described in proportion to the strength of the evidence.
Where relevant, we consider factors such as:
- Whether research has been peer reviewed
- The size and design of a study
- Whether findings have been replicated
- Whether researchers themselves describe important limitations
- Whether conclusions are supported by the underlying data
Preprints and early-stage research should not be presented as carrying the same evidentiary weight as an established scientific consensus.
Medical information
We apply additional caution to reporting that could influence health decisions.
Medical claims should, where appropriate, be checked against original research, regulatory documents, recognized medical institutions, qualified experts, or public-health authorities.
News reporting by Insider Paper is not a substitute for individual medical advice.
Political claims
Statements by politicians, political parties, governments, campaigns, and advocacy organizations may themselves be newsworthy.
However, attribution is not verification.
When a significant claim can reasonably be checked against documents, data, recordings, official records, or other evidence, we aim to do so or to clearly indicate when the claim remains disputed.
Conflicting information
Reliable sources sometimes disagree.
When there is significant unresolved disagreement about an important fact, our reporting should reflect that uncertainty rather than arbitrarily selecting one version as established fact.
Changes after publication
Verification does not end when an article is published.
If new evidence materially changes what is known about a story, the article may be updated or corrected.
Readers who possess credible evidence that contradicts information published by Insider Paper are encouraged to bring it to our attention.
