# WF-Journalist: Source Verification Workflow

Structured case workflow for journalists verifying sources before publication.

---

## Phase Overview

| Phase | Goal | Output |
|-------|------|--------|
| 1. Intake | Define what needs verification | Subject list, scope doc |
| 2. Verification | Confirm identity and credentials | Verified subjects table |
| 3. Cross-check | Validate claims against records | Corroboration log |
| 4. Report | Produce publication-ready findings | Press-ready or evidentiary format |

---

## Phase 1 — Intake

| Step | Action | Tool / Source |
|------|--------|---------------|
| 1.1 | Document source's claimed identity (name, title, org) | Notes |
| 1.2 | List all claims to be verified | Notes |
| 1.3 | Determine classification: on-record / background / anonymous | Editorial decision |
| 1.4 | Establish legal constraints (jurisdiction, shield laws) | Legal counsel |
| 1.5 | Open case workspace, add source as subject | Case system |

---

## Phase 2 — Verification

| Step | What to check | Discovery paths |
|------|--------------|-----------------|
| 2.1 | Employment: confirm role at claimed org | LinkedIn, company site, press releases |
| 2.2 | Identity: confirm real name vs. reported name | Gov records, professional license boards |
| 2.3 | Credentials: verify degrees, certifications | CHEA lookup, licensing board databases |
| 2.4 | Contact channels: confirm email / phone ownership | WHOIS, reverse lookup, header analysis |
| 2.5 | Conflict of interest: prior employer, ownership stakes | SEC filings, SoS corporate records |

**Confidence thresholds:**

| Level | Criteria |
|-------|----------|
| CONFIRMED | 2+ independent public sources agree |
| PROBABLE | 1 reliable source + corroborating context |
| UNVERIFIED | Single source only, not cross-checked |
| CONTRADICTED | Sources conflict — do not publish as fact |

---

## Phase 3 — Cross-Check

| Step | Action | Source |
|------|--------|--------|
| 3.1 | Pull public record supporting each claim | Court records, property records, filings |
| 3.2 | Check for prior contradictory statements | News archive, social media, Wayback Machine |
| 3.3 | Interview corroborating witness where possible | Direct contact |
| 3.4 | Log all null results (what was checked, found nothing) | Findings log |
| 3.5 | Flag any claim that cannot be independently sourced | Editorial flag |

---

## Phase 4 — Report

| Step | Action |
|------|--------|
| 4.1 | Produce citation list per [`output/reports/citation-guide.md`](../output/reports/citation-guide.md) |
| 4.2 | Select report format: F3 (plain-summary) or F5 (press-ready) — see [`output/reports/format-catalog.md`](../output/reports/format-catalog.md) |
| 4.3 | Mark unverified claims explicitly — never omit uncertainty |
| 4.4 | Legal review before publication if findings carry legal exposure |
| 4.5 | Archive all sources (Wayback Machine or local) before publish date |

---

## Decision Gate — Publish or Hold

```
FOR each claim in article:
  IF confidence = CONFIRMED → publish with citation
  IF confidence = PROBABLE  → note "could not independently confirm" in text
  IF confidence = UNVERIFIED → hold or attribute directly to source
  IF confidence = CONTRADICTED → do not publish as fact; note dispute
```

---

## Ethical Limits

| Permitted | Not permitted |
|-----------|--------------|
| Public records research | Accessing private accounts |
| Reviewing public social media | Deceiving subject to obtain info |
| Interviewing willing contacts | Publishing PII of private individuals |
| Archiving public pages | Pretexting (false identity) |
