Who oversees fact‑checking at Blickindex?
Blickindex (blickindex.de) is an independent Swedish digital news publisher owned and operated by Rhein Media Ltd., a private company registered in Gibraltar (company number 132410). The ultimate responsibility for our fact‑checking policy lies with Laura Hoffmann, Ansvarig för faktagranskning (emma.sandberg@blickindex.de, +46 8 525 030 66). She leads a dedicated fact‑checking team that verifies every article before publication and handles all reader‑reported concerns.
Our editorial management, including Chefredaktör Thomas Weber (anders.lindqvist@blickindex.de), ensures that fact‑checking procedures are applied consistently across all coverage. The fact‑checking unit operates independently of the commercial and advertising departments, and its decision to challenge a claim cannot be overruled by advertising or partnership considerations. Full ownership and funding details are available in our ownership and funding statement.
What do we verify?
We verify every factual claim contained in a news article that is not self‑evident or common knowledge: statistics, dates, names, quotes, historical references, financial figures, and data from official reports. Expert testimony, poll results, and scientific claims are checked against original sources.
Each piece of content is drafted by a named writer, reviewed by an editor, and then checked by a member of the fact‑checking team before publication. Verification includes direct sourcing of primary documents (for example, government bills, court rulings, company filings) and direct contact with relevant authorities or spokespeople when necessary. We do not rely on secondary reports alone for core facts.
How do we rank sources?
We use a clear source hierarchy that prioritises primary evidence, official records, peer‑reviewed research, and direct testimony. Our full Sources and Standards page lists the types of sources we consider acceptable and explains how we weight them. Anonymous sources are used only when the information is vital and cannot be obtained on the record, and their use is always approved by a senior editor.
Sources are classified as primary (original documents, official statistics, direct eyewitness accounts), secondary (reputable news agencies, journals, academic papers), or tertiary (commentaries, summaries). Any claim that relies solely on a tertiary source is flagged and re‑verified. We never use unnamed social‑media posts or unverifiable forum content as a primary source for news.
How do we treat unverified claims and rumours?
Rumours, speculation, and unverified claims are clearly labelled as such and are never presented as established fact. Where we report on a claim that is circulating publicly but has not been independently confirmed, we explicitly note the lack of verification and include a link to the best available official response. We avoid amplifying unsubstantiated allegations even when they are newsworthy.
If a rumour is later confirmed or debunked, we publish a follow‑up article that updates the record and links back to the original piece with a correction notice. Our editorial policy further details how we handle unsourced assertions: see the editorial policy.
Who reviews sensitive articles before publication?
Articles that involve allegations of wrongdoing, national security, public health risks, or vulnerable individuals are reviewed by the Standards Lead, Laura Hoffmann, and the Chefredaktör, Thomas Weber, before publication. This additional review ensures that the sourcing is robust, that the language does not unfairly prejudice any party, and that any potential harm is minimised. Sensitive articles are also flagged for legal review if necessary.
Our editorial team includes named section editors who commission and review content in their areas: Anna Müller (Redaktionschef), Markus Schneider (Politikredaktör), Julia Fischer (Wirtschaftreporter), and Stefan Becker (Kultur‑ och samhällsredaktör). Full details of the team are on our team page.
How can readers report a possible error or unverified claim?
Readers can report errors or potential mis‑information by emailing factcheck@blickindex.de. Our fact‑checking team reads every message and will respond within two working days. Reports that contain specific references to the article and the alleged error are prioritised. We also accept reports via the general contact address info@blickindex.de, but the fact‑check mailbox is the fastest route. For formal complaints, please see our complaints procedure.
All reader‑reported concerns are logged and tracked. If an error is confirmed, we issue a correction (see below). If a report is found to be incorrect, we explain why. We do not publish the names of reporters without their consent.
What is our corrections policy?
When an error is identified, we correct the record promptly and transparently. Corrections are appended at the top or bottom of the article with a clear note explaining what was wrong, the correct information, and the date of correction. Major errors that materially change the meaning of an article result in a full correction notice and, if necessary, a replacement article with a prominent link to the correction.
We do not silently edit articles without acknowledgement. All corrections are tracked in a public corrections log. The full corrections policy, including how we handle requests for retraction, is available at /corrections-policy/.
Our commitments
- Every factual claim is checked against primary or authoritative secondary sources before publication.
- All unverified rumours are clearly labelled, and we do not present speculation as fact.
- Sensitive articles receive additional review by the Standards Lead and Chefredaktör before publication.
- Reader reports of errors are acknowledged within two working days and investigated thoroughly.
- All confirmed errors are corrected publicly and transparently, with a permanent record of the correction.