Politikstudio’s fact‑checking policy is part of our editorial commitment to trustworthy Swedish journalism. Every article is verified before publication, and our process is overseen by dedicated staff under the editorial leadership of Chefredaktör Oliver Keller and fact‑checking lead Birgit Schmitt. Politikstudio is owned by Politikstudi Media Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number C 92009, Malta Business Registry). For the full editorial framework, see our Editorial Policy and Our Team.
Who is responsible for fact‑checking at Politikstudio?
Birgit Schmitt, Ansvarig för faktagranskning, leads our fact‑checking unit and reports directly to Chefredaktör Oliver Keller. She oversees source verification, correction procedures, and the training of fact‑checkers. The unit works independently of commercial teams, and its decisions are final on factual accuracy. Politikstudi Media Ltd., our parent company in Gibraltar, has no role in editorial or fact‑checking judgments.
What do we verify and how?
We verify all factual claims, data points, direct and indirect quotes, named sources, statistics, and contextual assertions in every article. Verification occurs before publication, using primary sources wherever possible. When original data is unavailable, we consult authoritative secondary sources and clearly disclose limitations. Our verification process is documented in internal checklists that align with our Sources & Standards page.
How do we rank sources?
We maintain a source hierarchy that prioritises official documents, peer‑reviewed research, court rulings, direct interviews, and verified public records. Anonymous or confidential sources are permitted only when the information is of clear public interest and cannot be obtained elsewhere; such sources are disclosed to the fact‑checking team and the Standards Lead. A detailed breakdown of our source tiers is available at /sources/.
How do we label rumours and unverified claims?
Any claim that cannot be fully verified at the time of publication is clearly labelled as “unverified” or “rumour” in the text, and context is provided explaining the uncertainty. We avoid repeating rumours without a legitimate news reason, and we never present speculation as fact. Updates or corrections are published as soon as verification is completed.
How do we handle sensitive articles?
Articles that involve criminal allegations, national security, vulnerable individuals, or significant legal or financial impact are reviewed by the Standards Lead (Chefredaktör Oliver Keller) before publication. This extra scrutiny may include legal consultation and cross‑departmental review. All such articles are flagged in our editorial system to ensure no step is bypassed.
How can readers report potential errors or request a check?
Readers can send a detailed report to factcheck@politikstudio.de at any time. We acknowledge all submissions within 48 hours and investigate promptly. If the error is confirmed, we issue a correction according to our Corrections Policy. Readers who prefer a formal process may use our Complaints Procedure. Every report is reviewed by the fact‑checking unit and logged for transparency.
How do we ensure independence from commercial influences?
Funding from display advertising, affiliate links, sponsored content, and commercial partnerships never determines which articles are fact‑checked or how verification is conducted. Sponsored material is clearly labelled, and affiliate links are disclosed. The fact‑checking unit has no reporting line to the commercial department. Our full disclosure is available at Ownership & Funding and Advertising & Affiliate Disclosure.
Our commitments
- We verify every factual claim in every article before publication, using the best available sources.
- We label all unverified or rumoured claims clearly and provide context for uncertainty.
- We investigate all reader reports sent to factcheck@politikstudio.de and respond within 48 hours.
- We correct errors promptly and transparently, in line with our Corrections Policy.
- We keep our fact‑checking independent from commercial, political, or ownership pressures at all times.