Chalo Chatu:Verifiability
Verifiability is a core principle of Chalo Chatu. All information published on the platform must be backed by reliable evidence that can be confirmed by editors and readers alike. Chalo Chatu does not publish original research, speculation, or unverifiable claims.
This policy outlines what counts as verifiable content, how sources should be used, and what happens when content cannot be confirmed.
Core Principle
No statement should appear on Chalo Chatu unless it can be verified by a reliable source. The burden of evidence rests with the contributor — not the editor or reader.
If content cannot be traced to a trustworthy source or confirmed through the editorial process, it may be removed or rejected.
Acceptable Sources
Chalo Chatu accepts the following types of sources as verifiable:
- Books, journals, or publications issued by recognised publishers
- Government reports and gazetted notices
- Newspaper and magazine articles from established media houses
- Institutional publications (churches, schools, associations, etc.)
- Archival documents or official records
- Academic theses or peer-reviewed research
- Oral history that has passed editorial verification and is clearly labeled as such
What is Not Acceptable
The following sources are not considered sufficient for verifiability:
- Unverified social media posts
- Anonymous blog entries or personal websites
- User-generated content (e.g., forums, comment sections)
- Private correspondence (unless archived and publicly accessible)
- Unsourced or self-published material with no editorial oversight
Citing Sources
All articles must include references that:
- Cite the original source (title, publisher, date, author if known)
- Link to the source if it is available online
- Are placed in footnotes or the references section using
Cite error: Invalidtags<ref>tag; refs with no name must have content - Use consistent citation style across the article
Verifying Oral Accounts
Where oral history is used:
- The identity and role of the narrator must be recorded
- The information must be reviewed and validated by editors
- It must be marked as oral testimony and not presented as established fact unless supported by additional evidence
When Content is Challenged
If a statement is disputed or flagged as unverifiable:
- The contributor must provide a source within a reasonable period
- If no source is found, the content may be removed
- Articles with significant unverified content may be flagged for editorial review or deletion
Editorial Review
All new articles and major revisions are reviewed by the editorial team before publication. Verifiability is one of the key criteria for approval. Editors may request additional sources or clarification before accepting a submission.
