Before sharing a political claim, find its original context

A striking quote or chart can travel much farther than the document it came from. Before sharing it, look for the original speech, recording, report, or dataset. A screenshot of someone else’s summary is a clue to investigate, not a substitute for the underlying material.

Check the date and read what comes before and after the excerpt. A statement about an earlier proposal may be presented as a response to a newer event. A conditional answer can sound very different when the condition is removed.

For a chart, inspect the labels, units, source, and comparison period. Ask whether the graphic shows totals or rates, and whether the same definition is used throughout. When the source or method cannot be located, that uncertainty belongs in any description of the claim.

Our illustrative newsroom approach would separate what the original material establishes from interpretation and unresolved questions. Taking these steps does not guarantee that every uncertainty disappears, but it makes the basis for a conclusion easier to examine.