This page explains how Weltmeldung.de checks facts before publication and how you can hold us accountable. Read it to understand our standards, the hierarchy of sources we rely on, and the steps we take when something goes wrong. If you spot a mistake, use the contact details below.
What do we verify?
Every article published on Weltmeldung.de undergoes fact-checking. We verify all factual claims, including names, dates, statistics, quotes, and references to official documents. Our fact-checkers review each piece against primary sources before it goes live.
We do not rely on a single source for critical claims. Wherever possible, we cross-reference information from multiple independent records. If a figure comes from a press release or a think tank report, we note the origin and check it against publicly available data. Our editorial policy sets out the broader standards that guide this work.
How do we decide which sources to trust?
Weltmeldung.de uses a clear source hierarchy. At the top are official government records, court documents, peer-reviewed studies, and direct interviews. Second are reputable news agencies and established institutions. Third are secondary reports that we corroborate with at least one primary source.
We never treat anonymous tips or unverified social media posts as primary sources. When we use a secondary report, we link to the original or explain why it is reliable. For the full hierarchy and examples, see our Sources & Standards page.
How do we handle rumours and unconfirmed claims?
We never publish unverified rumours. If a story relies on information that cannot be independently confirmed, we label it clearly as ‘unconfirmed’ or ‘alleged’ and explain the limitation. Rumours are only reported when they are newsworthy and clearly attributed to their source.
For example, if a claim circulates on social media before official confirmation, we might describe it as “an unconfirmed claim posted on X by Y” and note that we are seeking verification. We do not repeat rumours without context, and we update the article as soon as reliable information becomes available.
Who is responsible for fact-checking?
Vanessa Peters, our Ansvarig för faktagranskning (Fact-Checking Lead), oversees the process. She reports to Chefredaktör Benjamin Albrecht. Sensitive articles – those involving allegations, legal matters, or public figures – are reviewed by the Standards Lead before publication.
Every member of the editorial team is trained in verification. Fact-checkers work independently from reporters and can stop publication if a claim cannot be confirmed. Our full team is listed on the Our Team page, including contact details for each editor.
How can readers report potential errors?
If you believe an article contains an error, please email factcheck@weltmeldung.de. Our fact-checking team will investigate promptly. We take every report seriously and will issue a correction if needed, in line with our corrections policy.
You can also raise concerns through our complaints procedure. We aim to respond within two working days. For urgent factual errors, we will correct the article immediately and add a note explaining the change.
How this works in practice
Imagine a story about a new law in the Riksdag. Our reporter drafts an article citing a specific vote tally. The fact-checker cross-references the figure against the official Riksdag record. If the number matches, it is approved. If not, the reporter corrects it before publication.
Another example: an article about unemployment statistics. The reporter uses data from Statistics Sweden. The fact-checker checks the exact table and confirms the figure. If the reporter uses a secondary source, the fact-checker traces it back to the original dataset. This process applies to every article, regardless of length or topic.
Who owns and funds Weltmeldung?
Weltmeldung Media Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number C 92009, Malta Business Registry), owns and operates Weltmeldung.de. The registered office is Office 9, Business Centre, Valletta, 0000. Our funding comes from display advertising, affiliate links, and commercial partnerships – all clearly labelled.
Commercial relationships never influence editorial conclusions. Sponsored content is marked as such, and affiliate links are disclosed. For full details, see our ownership and funding page and our advertising and affiliate disclosure.
In short
Weltmeldung.de is committed to accuracy and transparency. We verify everything we publish, label uncertainty clearly, and invite readers to help us improve. Our fact-checking policy is a promise, not a disclaimer.