Admin: Create comprehensive Verifiability policy with examples

2025-10-19T10:36:04Z

Create comprehensive Verifiability policy with examples

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'''Verifiability'''

'''Verifiability''' means that anyone can check that information in CEO.wiki comes from a reliable source. All content must be verifiable through citations to reliable, published sources.

== Core Principle ==

The threshold for inclusion in CEO.wiki is '''verifiability, not truth'''. This means:
* Information must be attributable to a reliable published source
* Whether something is true is less important than whether it's verifiable
* Editors should not add their own knowledge without a source
* "I know it's true" is never sufficient justification

== What Requires a Citation ==

=== Always Cite ===

The following '''must''' have inline citations:
* '''Quotations''' - Every direct quote, without exception
* '''Statistics and data''' - Revenue, compensation, stock prices, etc.
* '''Controversial claims''' - Anything likely to be challenged
* '''Historical facts''' - Dates, events, appointments
* '''Third-party opinions''' - Analyst views, expert commentary

=== Specific Examples ===

'''Quotations - Must cite:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
"We are committed to an all-electric future," Barra stated in the 2022 annual shareholder meeting.<ref>General Motors, Annual Meeting Transcript, June 13, 2022, p. 8</ref>
</div>

'''Statistics - Must cite:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
Cook's total compensation in 2023 was $63.2 million, including $3 million in base salary and $60.2 million in stock awards.<ref>Apple Inc., DEF 14A Proxy Statement, filed January 12, 2024, p. 45</ref>
</div>

'''Analysis - Must cite:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
Morgan Stanley analysts rated the acquisition as "transformative" and raised their price target from $150 to $175.<ref>Morgan Stanley Research, "Tech Sector Update," March 15, 2024</ref>
</div>

== Burden of Evidence ==

=== Who Must Provide Sources ===

* The burden of evidence lies with the editor who adds or restores material
* Any editor may remove unsourced content
* "Citation needed" tags should be addressed promptly
* Content challenged and unsourced may be removed immediately

=== When Sources Are Challenged ===

If another editor challenges your content:

'''Good response:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
"You're right, I'll add the source. Here's the SEC filing that confirms the compensation figure: [link]. I've added the citation to the article."
</div>

'''Bad response:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #d33; padding: 1em; background: #fee; margin: 1em 0;">
"This is common knowledge. Everyone knows this is true. I don't have time to find sources for obvious facts."
</div>

== Source Quality ==

=== Acceptable Sources ===

'''Primary Sources (Use for facts):'''
* SEC filings (10-K, 10-Q, DEF 14A, 8-K)
* Annual reports
* Earnings transcripts
* Press releases (for statements and announcements)
* Court documents
* Government databases

'''Secondary Sources (Preferred for analysis):'''
* Major newspapers (WSJ, FT, NYT, Bloomberg)
* Business publications (Fortune, Forbes, Harvard Business Review)
* News agencies (Reuters, AP, Bloomberg News)
* Academic journals
* Reputable industry publications

'''Examples of Proper Sourcing:'''

<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
'''Good - SEC Filing:'''
"Nadella received $42.9 million in total compensation for fiscal year 2023.<ref>Microsoft Corporation, Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A), October 12, 2023, p. 52. Available at: https://sec.gov/edgar/...</ref>"

'''Good - News Source:'''
"The Wall Street Journal reported that the merger talks had stalled over disagreement about the purchase price.<ref>Smith, John. "Tech Merger Talks Hit Snag Over Price." ''Wall Street Journal'', March 20, 2024, p. B1.</ref>"

'''Good - Multiple Sources:'''
"The restructuring resulted in 10,000 job cuts worldwide.<ref name="wsj-layoffs">Jones, Sarah. "Company Announces Major Restructuring." ''Wall Street Journal'', Feb 1, 2024.</ref><ref name="ft-layoffs">Brown, David. "Tech Firm Cuts 10,000 Jobs." ''Financial Times'', Feb 1, 2024.</ref>"
</div>

=== Unacceptable Sources ===

'''Never use:'''
* Personal blogs
* Social media posts (except official company accounts for direct statements)
* Wikipedia or other wikis
* Self-published sources
* Press releases as sole source for analysis/opinion
* Anonymous sources without corroboration

'''Examples of Poor Sourcing:'''

<div style="border: 1px solid #d33; padding: 1em; background: #fee; margin: 1em 0;">
'''Bad - Blog:'''
"According to TechBlogger99, the CEO is planning to resign next month.<ref>TechBlogger99.wordpress.com/ceo-rumors</ref>"

'''Why it's bad:''' Personal blogs are not reliable sources. Rumors need verification from credible news sources.

'''Bad - Social Media:'''
"Many analysts believe the stock is overvalued.<ref>Twitter thread by @StockGuru123</ref>"

'''Why it's bad:''' Social media posts are not reliable sources. Need actual analyst reports.

'''Bad - No Source:'''
"The CEO is widely considered one of the most innovative leaders in tech."

'''Why it's bad:''' Unsourced opinion. Who considers them innovative? Need attribution.
</div>

== Citation Methods ==

=== Inline Citations ===

Use <code><ref></code> tags immediately after the material:

<pre>
Cook joined Apple in 1998.<ref>Bloomberg: "Tim Cook Profile," accessed March 2024</ref>
</pre>

=== Named References ===

For repeated use of the same source:

<pre>
First use: ...$63 million.<ref name="proxy2024">Apple Proxy Statement, Jan 2024, p. 45</ref>
Later use: ...stock awards.<ref name="proxy2024" />
</pre>

=== Citation Format ===

Include these elements:
* Author (if available)
* Title of article/document
* Publication name
* Date
* Page number (if applicable)
* URL (for online sources)

'''Example - News Article:'''
<pre>
Smith, Jane. "CEO Compensation Rises 15% in 2023." ''Wall Street Journal'',
March 15, 2024, p. B3. https://wsj.com/articles/...
</pre>

'''Example - SEC Filing:'''
<pre>
Microsoft Corporation. Proxy Statement (Schedule 14A), filed October 12, 2023,
p. 52. Available at: https://sec.gov/cgi-bin/browse-edgar...
</pre>

== When Sources Disagree ==

If reliable sources contradict each other:

'''Approach 1 - Present Both:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
"The Wall Street Journal reported the deal value at $10 billion,<ref>WSJ, March 1</ref> while the Financial Times cited $11 billion.<ref>FT, March 1</ref> The companies did not disclose terms publicly."
</div>

'''Approach 2 - Use Most Reliable:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
"According to the company's SEC filing, the deal was valued at $10.5 billion.<ref>Company 8-K Filing, March 2</ref>"
</div>

== Special Cases ==

=== Common Knowledge ===

Even "common knowledge" benefits from citations in CEO.wiki:

'''Helpful to cite even if obvious:'''
* Birth dates and places
* Educational credentials
* Job titles and appointment dates
* Company founding dates

'''Why:''' Makes verification easier for readers and provides authoritative sources.

=== Self-published Expert Sources ===

Experts may occasionally be cited if:
* They are recognized authorities in their field
* The statement is within their area of expertise
* No conflict of interest exists
* Used only for expert opinion, not for facts

'''Example - Acceptable:'''
<div style="border: 1px solid #a2a9b1; padding: 1em; background: #f8f9fa; margin: 1em 0;">
"Harvard Business School professor Michael Porter, in his blog, analyzed the company's competitive strategy as a classic case of differentiation focus.<ref>Porter, Michael. Personal website, March 2024.</ref>"
</div>

=== Press Releases ===

Use press releases for:
* ✅ Factual announcements (appointments, launches, earnings dates)
* ✅ Direct quotes from executives
* ❌ Analysis or opinions (need independent verification)
* ❌ Sole source for major claims

== Addressing {{citation needed}} ==

When you see {{citation needed}}:

1. '''Find a source''' - Search for reliable sources that verify the claim
2. '''Add citation''' - Insert the reference in proper format
3. '''Remove tag''' - Delete {{citation needed}} after adding source
4. '''If no source exists''' - Remove the unsourced claim

'''Don't:'''
* Leave {{citation needed}} tags indefinitely
* Remove tags without adding sources
* Add unreliable sources just to have something

== Exceptional Circumstances ==

Very rarely, truly exceptional circumstances may allow:
* '''Breaking news''' - Recent events may temporarily lack sources (mark with {{update}})
* '''In preparation''' - Stub articles being actively developed (mark clearly)

But these are temporary exceptions only. Content must be sourced before leaving stub status.

== Enforcement ==

=== Editor Responsibilities ===

All editors must:
* Provide sources for added content
* Respond to citation requests promptly
* Not restore content without providing sources
* Remove clearly unsourced content

=== Consequences ===

Unsourced content may be:
* Tagged with {{citation needed}}
* Removed by any editor
* Cause for page protection if persistent

Editors who persistently add unsourced content may face:
* Warnings
* Temporary editing restrictions
* Blocks for serious or repeated violations

== Tools and Resources ==

=== Finding Sources ===

* [https://www.sec.gov/edgar SEC EDGAR Database]
* [https://scholar.google.com Google Scholar] - Academic sources
* [https://www.bloomberg.com Bloomberg] - Business news
* [https://www.wsj.com Wall Street Journal]
* [https://www.ft.com Financial Times]
* University library databases

=== Citation Tools ===

* Use <code><ref></code> tags for inline citations
* See [[CEO.wiki:Citing sources|Citation guidelines]] for formats
* Templates available for common source types

== See Also ==

* [[CEO.wiki:Neutral point of view|Neutral Point of View]]
* [[CEO.wiki:No original research|No Original Research]]
* [[CEO.wiki:Reliable sources|Reliable Sources]]
* [[CEO.wiki:Citing sources|Citation Guidelines]]

== External Links ==

* [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Verifiability Wikipedia's Verifiability Policy]
* [https://www.sec.gov SEC.gov] - Securities and Exchange Commission

[[Category:CEO.wiki policies]]
[[Category:Editorial standards]]
[[Category:Core policies]]
[[Category:Sourcing]]

CEO.wiki:Verifiability - Revision history

Admin: Create comprehensive Verifiability policy with examples