Fact-Checking Policy

How SHO#Dnipro verifies facts, sources, photos, videos and social media posts before publication and while updating news.

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The SHO#Dnipro Fact-Checking Policy explains how the newsroom verifies information before publication and while updating stories. We work for readers in Dnipro and the Dnipropetrovsk region, so we are especially careful with safety issues, shelling, decisions by authorities, transport, utilities and social changes.

1. Main principle

We do not publish unverified information as fact. If an event is important but some details are still being clarified, we state clearly what is known, what is being checked and where the information came from.

2. Verification sources

  • Primary sources: official announcements, documents, government decisions, open registers and direct comments.
  • Additional sources: witnesses, experts, relevant services, local organisations, photos and videos from the scene.
  • Context: previous decisions, maps, statistics, news archives and data from local services.

3. How we verify news

  • We check the key facts: who, what, where, when, the source of information and who is affected.
  • We compare a report with a primary source or several independent confirmations.
  • We do not use emotional wording instead of verified data.
  • We avoid rushed conclusions when only partial information is available.

4. Urgent and safety-related reports

In stories about shelling, explosions, accidents, outages, traffic closures or other urgent events, we may first publish the confirmed part of the information and then update the story. Unconfirmed details are not presented as established facts.

5. Photos, videos and social media

We verify visual content and social media posts through context, date, location, publication source, reverse search, comparison with maps and other open data. If the origin of content cannot be reliably established, we either do not use it or clearly explain the limitations.

6. Experts and comments

For medicine, law, infrastructure, economy, education and safety topics, we use competent sources or experts. An expert comment does not replace facts; it helps explain their meaning and possible consequences.

7. Mistakes and updates

If new information appears after publication or a mistake is found, we update the story according to our Corrections Policy. If you notice an inaccuracy, contact the newsroom through the feedback form.