1. Who is the original source?
Follow a claim back to its author or institution. A screenshot without a link is a starting point for a question, not proof.
2. When and where did it happen?
Look for the original publication date and location. Old footage can be genuine and still be misleading when attached to a new event.
3. What does the full record say?
Read beyond a cropped image or excerpt. Find the surrounding paragraph, full recording or source document before interpreting a claim.
4. Is there independent support?
Look for original reporting or primary records that support the specific assertion. Several accounts copying one unverified post do not create several sources.
5. What remains unknown?
If you cannot verify a claim, say so. Avoid forwarding it as fact. If you already shared an error, send a correction to the same conversation.
Put it into practice
Imagine receiving a cropped order announcing an examination cancellation. Before sharing, locate the issuing authority’s complete order, the examination name and date, and any later withdrawal or replacement. If you cannot inspect that record, label the message unverified. Keep the original conversation available so a correction reaches the people who saw the first message.
Keep a short note of the source, the passage you checked, the date and what would change your conclusion. The purpose is to make your reasoning reproducible. These exercises provide a reading method; they do not report a new investigation.
Publication & correction history
- 6 October 2026 · Publication
Existing homepage brief given a permanent reading URL and a practical exercise.
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