Sachstruktur’s fact-checking policy sets out the standards we apply to every piece of journalism we publish. We verify claims, rank sources by reliability and label unconfirmed material clearly so that readers can judge the evidence behind our reporting. This page explains what we check, how we check it and who is responsible.
What do we verify?
We verify any factual claim that is central to an article or that a reasonable reader would rely on to form an opinion. This includes statistics, dates, names, quotes, data from reports, statements by public figures and historical references.
Our reporters and editors compare each claim against at least two independent sources where possible. When we cite a single source, we explain its authority. Verifiable facts are separated from analysis and opinion in the text so that readers know what is established and what is interpretation.
What is our source hierarchy?
We rank sources by reliability and transparency. Primary sources – official documents, court records, direct witness testimony, original data – are preferred. Secondary sources such as reputable news agencies, peer-reviewed research and government publications are used when primary material is unavailable. Anonymous sources are used only when the information is vital and cannot be obtained on the record; the reason for anonymity is explained in the article.
Our detailed source hierarchy is published on the Sources & Standards page. That page lists the categories we assign to sources and how we test their credibility before publication.
How do we handle unverified rumours?
Rumours, speculation and unconfirmed claims are clearly labelled as such. We do not publish a rumour unless it has journalistic value – for example, because it is widely circulating and affects public debate. In those cases the article states explicitly that the information is unverified, explains why we are mentioning it, and updates the piece as soon as verification is completed.
Our editorial team avoids amplifying baseless claims. When a rumour is clearly false or misleading, we may publish a debunking article that references the original claim and explains the evidence against it.
Who oversees sensitive claims?
Our Standards Lead, Jessica Fischer (responsible for fact‑checking and source verification), reviews any article that makes a claim about an individual’s reputation, alleges wrongdoing, or relies on a disputed data set. She may require additional corroboration before the article is approved for publication.
For particularly sensitive stories – those involving national security, vulnerable individuals or legal proceedings – the editor‑in‑chief, Florian Schmid, and the fact‑checking team make a joint decision. All such articles are logged and can be audited through our internal records.
How can readers report potential errors?
Readers who spot a possible mistake or an unsupported claim can contact us at factcheck@sachstruktur.de. That mailbox is monitored by the fact‑checking team, and every report receives an acknowledgement within two working days.
We also encourage readers to use the general contact address info@sachstruktur.de if they are unsure which desk to reach. All reports are treated seriously; the reporter’s identity is kept confidential on request.
What you can expect from us
Every article published on Sachstruktur is fact‑checked before it goes live. If new information emerges after publication, we update the article and add a visible note explaining what changed and why. Our corrections policy, which covers the process for issuing formal corrections and clarifications, is detailed on the Corrections Policy page.
Our editorial independence is guaranteed by the Editorial Policy, which states that commercial relationships never determine our conclusions. Fact‑checking is a core part of that commitment: we do not allow advertisers, sponsors or any outside party to influence what we verify or how we present evidence.
How do we handle mistakes?
When we find an error ourselves or receive a verified report from a reader, we correct the article promptly. Every correction is logged and a note is appended to the article indicating the nature of the change and the date it was made. If the error is significant, we publish a separate correction notice and link it to the original article.
Our full Corrections Policy explains the categories of errors (minor, moderate, major) and the timeline for each type of correction. Readers who believe a correction is inadequate can file a complaint through the Complaints Procedure.
Questions or concerns?
If you have a question about how we verify a specific article, or if you want to report an issue not covered here, please contact the fact‑checking team at factcheck@sachstruktur.de. For general editorial inquiries, the Contact page lists all departmental email addresses. Our full editorial team, including the standards lead and the editor‑in‑chief, is listed on the Our Team page.