Journoist
Last updated: January 2026
1. Core Principle
Journoist is committed to transparent, verifiable sourcing. Readers must be able to understand where information comes from, how it was obtained, and what level of certainty it carries.
Anonymous claims, unattributed assertions, and vague sourcing are not acceptable substitutes for reporting.
2. Types of Sources
Journoist relies on the following categories of sources, each governed by specific rules:
a. On-the-Record Sources
These include named individuals, official documents, public statements, court records, datasets, and verified publications.
- Full names and relevant roles are used whenever possible.
- Direct quotes are attributed clearly.
- Context is provided to prevent distortion.
b. Documents and Records
Documents such as government filings, budgets, contracts, internal memos, or reports are cited by title, issuing authority, and date where available.
When documents are leaked or not publicly accessible, that status is disclosed.
c. Data and Research
Data sources (polls, studies, economic reports) must be:
- Identified by issuing institution
- Dated
- Linked or described sufficiently for verification
Methodological limitations are noted when relevant.
3. Anonymous Sources
Journoist uses anonymous sources only when all of the following conditions are met:
- The information is of clear public interest
- The source faces a credible risk (legal, professional, or personal harm)
- The information cannot be obtained on the record
- Editors know the source’s identity and have verified credibility
Anonymous sourcing is never used to:
- Express personal opinions
- Attack individuals without evidence
- Advance political, corporate, or factional agendas
Descriptions such as “a senior official,” “a source familiar with the matter,” or similar language are used sparingly and only when justified.
4. Attribution Standards
Every factual claim that is not common knowledge must be attributable to:
- A named source
- A document
- A dataset
- Direct observation by the reporter
Phrases like “it is believed,” “it is said,” or “sources say” without further clarification are not acceptable.
5. Use of Secondary Reporting
Journoist may cite reporting from other outlets, but:
- The original outlet is clearly credited
- Reporting is independently verified where possible
- Secondary reporting is not used to mask lack of original sourcing
Journoist does not rewrite or aggregate reporting without adding original context, verification, or analysis.
6. Expert Commentary
Experts are identified by:
- Full name
- Relevant credentials or institutional affiliation
- Area of expertise relevant to the topic
Conflicts of interest, funding ties, or political affiliations are disclosed when relevant.
7. Social Media and Digital Sources
Content from social media platforms is treated as unverified unless corroborated.
- Viral claims are not reported as fact without verification
- Screenshots are contextualized and dated
- Edited or manipulated content is not used as evidence
8. Corrections and Source Challenges
If a source is later found to be unreliable or misleading:
- The article is corrected or updated
- The sourcing issue is disclosed transparently
- Readers are informed of the change
Journoist does not retroactively remove attribution without explanation.
9. Conflicts of Interest
Sources with direct personal, financial, or political interests in a story are identified as such.
Journoist does not accept information conditioned on favorable coverage or omission of relevant facts.
10. Editorial Responsibility
Final responsibility for sourcing rests with Journoist editors, not contributors or sources.
Failure to meet sourcing standards may result in:
- Rejection of submissions
- Mandatory revisions
- Termination of contributor relationships
Transparency is not optional.
If readers cannot trace a claim, the claim does not belong here.