IFCN Principle 5 · Open & Honest Corrections

Corrections Policy

ANN Verify is committed to correcting errors promptly and transparently. We do not delete fact-checks — we correct them, label them, and preserve the public record for accountability.

// 01

Our Commitment to Accuracy

No fact-checking system is infallible. ANN Verify uses a 7-layer AI analysis pipeline and real-time evidence retrieval — but new information emerges, sources update, and human review can occasionally produce errors.

When mistakes occur, we correct them openly and without delay. Every correction is logged publicly. No fact-check is silently deleted or altered without disclosure.

"The integrity of the correction process is more important than protecting the original report. Transparency in error — not the absence of error — is the measure of a trustworthy fact-checker."
// 02

What We Correct

Three types of corrections, each with a distinct process and labeling requirement.

🔴
MAJOR CORRECTION
The verdict itself changes — e.g., FALSE → MOSTLY FALSE. Requires full editorial re-review before publication.
Example: "Original verdict: FALSE → Updated: MOSTLY FALSE — New evidence changes the evidentiary balance."
🟡
MINOR CORRECTION
Factual detail errors — incorrect dates, figures, names, or source attributions — where the overall verdict remains unchanged.
Example: "The report was released in 2023 [Edited: 2024 — April 2, 2026]"
🟢
EDITOR'S NOTE
No factual error, but important context has emerged. Original text preserved; a note is appended without changing the verdict.
Example: "Editor's Note (May 10, 2026): A subsequent study provides additional context. Verdict remains unchanged."
// 03

Submit a Correction Request

Anyone can submit a correction request. All requests are reviewed within 5 business days. You will receive a response regardless of outcome.

Correction Request Form
Include supporting evidence for faster processing.
Include URLs to primary sources. Corrections backed by authoritative sources are processed as highest priority.
✓ Received. We will acknowledge within 24 hours and complete review within 5 business days.
Please fill in all required fields (URL, type, and description).
// 04

Review Process

All correction requests follow a structured editorial review process.

1
Receipt Acknowledgment
Automated confirmation sent immediately. Personal follow-up if email provided.
⏱ Within 24 hours
2
Editorial Review
Team independently verifies the claimed error using primary sources. Major corrections require a second reviewer.
⏱ Within 5 business days
3
Decision & Notification
We notify the requester — accepted or rejected — with a clear explanation.
⏱ Same day as decision
4
Publication & Log Entry
If accepted, the correction is applied with the appropriate label and a public log entry is added with a timestamp.
⏱ Within 24 hours of decision
// 05

How Corrections Are Labeled

All corrections are applied to the original fact-check with visible, dated labels. We never silently alter text.

  EXAMPLE — Major Correction label (top of fact-check article)
🔴 CORRECTION — Updated April 10, 2026
This fact-check has been updated following new evidence.
Original verdict: FALSE  →  Updated verdict: MOSTLY FALSE
Reason: Congressional testimony published April 8, 2026 introduced context not available at the time of original analysis.
// Minor Correction (inline):
"The regulation took effect in January 2023 [Edited: February 2023 — April 2, 2026], applying to..."
// 06

Correction History

A complete public log of all corrections issued since ANN Verify's launch. This record is permanent and cannot be deleted.

PUBLIC CORRECTION LOG · All entries · Updated in real-time
DATEFACT-CHECKTYPESUMMARY
No corrections have been issued yet.
This log will populate as corrections are made.
// 07

IFCN Violation Reporting

ANN Verify is an applicant organization for the IFCN Code of Principles. If you believe we are violating any of the five IFCN principles, you have the right to report this directly to the IFCN.

🏛️
Report an IFCN Code Violation
If you believe ANN Verify is violating the IFCN Code of Principles, report it directly to the International Fact-Checking Network:

📧 info@ifcn.org  ·  🌐 ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org