Politikpunkt (politikpunkt.de) is owned and operated by Politikpunkt Media Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number C 92009, Malta Business Registry). Fact‑checking is overseen by Nina Wolff, our Ansvarig för faktagranskning, who reports directly to Chefredaktör Martin Krüger. This policy sets out the standards and processes that ensure every article we publish is accurate, verifiable and trustworthy.
Who is responsible for fact‑checking at Politikpunkt?
Nina Wolff, Ansvarig för faktagranskning, leads our dedicated fact‑checking team and has final authority over verification standards, source validation and the handling of disputed claims. She works with each named writer and editor to confirm that factual assertions are supported before publication. The team also reviews sensitive articles that involve allegations, statistical data or complex policy analysis. In such cases, Nina Wolff or a designated senior editor conducts an additional independent check before the article is approved by Chefredaktör Martin Krüger.
What does our fact‑checking process verify?
Our process verifies every factual claim that appears in an article, including statistics, dates, names, quotes, official documents, legal references and financial figures. We also check the accuracy of translations, the context of quotations and the provenance of data sets. Any claim that is not directly verifiable from reliable sources is flagged and either removed or clearly attributed to a named source. For opinion pieces, we verify underlying facts but not subjective judgements.
How do we classify and evaluate sources?
We maintain a strict source hierarchy, detailed in our Sources & Standards page. Primary sources – such as official government reports, court rulings, peer‑reviewed studies, original documents and direct interviews – are given highest weight. Secondary sources from reputable news organisations or recognised subject‑matter experts are used only when primary sources are unavailable. Anonymous or single‑source claims are never presented as proven fact. All sources are documented in the article’s internal reference file, and readers can request verification details via our contact page.
How are rumours and unverified claims handled?
Any rumour, speculation or unverified claim is explicitly labelled as such, using phrases such as “unconfirmed reports suggest” or “according to a claim that has not been independently verified.” We never present unverified material as news fact. If a rumour is widely circulating, our reporters may analyse its origin and credibility but always mark it clearly. Readers will see a short disclaimer at the point where the unverified information appears, and the article will link to our full policy.
How can readers report a potential error?
Readers can report potential errors, omissions or questionable claims by emailing our fact‑checking team directly at factcheck@politikpunkt.de. We acknowledge every report within two business days and investigate promptly. Reports are treated confidentially, and the person making the report will receive an update on the outcome. You may also use our general tips address at tips@politikpunkt.de, but for the fastest response please use factcheck@. For complaints about editorial decisions beyond factual accuracy, see our complaints procedure.
How do we correct mistakes?
When an error is confirmed, we publish a correction in accordance with our Corrections Policy. Every correction is dated, explains the nature of the error and notes the original and corrected text. Significant corrections are appended to the article, and a correction notice is added to the article’s metadata. For errors that materially change the meaning of a story, we may also issue a formal clarification or retraction. All corrections are reviewed and approved by Nina Wolff or Chefredaktör Martin Krüger.
Our commitments
- We will never publish a factual claim without verifying it against a credible, identifiable source, and we will clearly label any assertion that cannot be fully verified.
- We will name the responsible fact‑checking editor (Nina Wolff) in every article that involves a disputed or sensitive factual claim, and we will maintain a complete audit trail for each article’s verification process.
- We will respond to every reader‑submitted fact‑check request within two business days and publish a correction, clarification or explanation within five business days of confirmation of error.
- We will review and update this Fact‑Checking Policy at least annually, and any substantive changes will be noted on the policy page and communicated to our editorial team.
- We will ensure that all editorial staff, including writers, editors and fact‑checkers, receive ongoing training in source evaluation, statistical literacy and digital verification tools, as documented in our Editorial Policy.