Inspect Audit Ledger
What a verification ledger entry is meant to contain, and where the public ledger stands.
The audit ledger is the idea that every story should leave a visible record of how it was checked. This page explains what an entry is designed to contain.
Current status
The public ledger is not yet live. BreakingNews24hr is a demonstration edition and no ledger entries are published. The description below shows the intended design, so that visitors can see what the feature would offer.
What an entry would contain
- Story reference: the headline and publication time.
- Source summary: how many independent sources supported each material claim, described without identifying protected sources.
- Checklist result: the outcome of each of the 24 audit points and who initialled it.
- Sign-off time: when the final approval was given.
- Change history: any corrections, clarifications or updates since publication.
Why a ledger matters
Claims of accuracy are easy to make. A ledger lets readers, researchers and critics see what was actually done. It also gives the newsroom a way to learn: patterns in missed checks show where the process needs strengthening.
A promise of rigour is worth more once somebody can inspect the working.
What it would not show
A ledger entry would not reveal the identities of confidential sources, private communications or unpublished legal advice. Where details are withheld, the entry should say so rather than leave a silent gap.
Until the ledger is built, please direct questions about verification to [email protected].
BreakingNews24hr is a demonstration edition: every story, name, organisation and figure on this site is fictional and illustrative.