Every factual claim published by COFAX should be supported by evidence appropriate to the significance of the claim. Speed does not remove the obligation to verify.
Source hierarchy
We prefer original and primary evidence: legislation, court records, official statistics, company filings, direct statements, interviews, datasets and first-hand observation. Secondary reporting may provide leads or context but should not be treated as independent confirmation of its own claims.
Before publication
- Names, dates, places, figures and quotations are checked against the source material.
- Important calculations are reproduced or checked by a second person where practical.
- Statistics include their source, relevant period, units and material limitations.
- Images and video are checked for origin, date, location and signs of manipulation.
- Allegations are attributed, distinguished from established fact and put to the subject for a fair response where appropriate.
- Links point to the earliest reliable source readers can inspect.
Anonymous and confidential sources
An editor must know the identity of an anonymous source and understand the source’s access, motives and potential conflicts. Significant anonymous claims require corroboration wherever possible. We explain why anonymity was granted without exposing the source.
Breaking news and live coverage
Early reports may be incomplete. We publish only what is confirmed, label uncertainty and update the same article as reliable information develops. Material changes receive an updated timestamp; errors receive a correction note under the Corrections Policy.
Responsibility
The named author and reviewing editor remain responsible for the accuracy of published work, including material produced with data, transcription, translation or artificial-intelligence tools.
Last reviewed: 4 August 2026.