Editorial Standards & Corrections

Our Commitment

Sakartvelo Unveiled is committed to factual accuracy, transparent sourcing, and prompt correction of errors. This page outlines our editorial standards and maintains a public log of all corrections.

Fact-Checking Policy

Multiple Source Verification

All factual claims are verified against multiple independent sources before publication. We prioritize:

• Primary sources: Official documents, treaties, legal texts, census data
• Academic scholarship: Peer-reviewed journals, university press publications
• International organizations: UN, OSCE, Council of Europe, World Bank, IMF reports
• Reputable journalism: Established news organizations with fact-checking standards
• Statistical agencies: National statistical offices, Eurostat, demographic databases

Disputed Claims

When sources conflict or claims are disputed, we:

• Acknowledge the dispute explicitly
• Present multiple perspectives
• Indicate the level of certainty ("according to...", "disputed by...", "estimates range from...")
• Avoid presenting contested claims as settled fact

Historical Claims

Historical narratives often reflect interpretation. We distinguish between:

• Documented facts (dates, treaties, recorded events)
• Historical consensus (scholarly agreement based on evidence)
• Interpretation (how events are framed or understood)

We acknowledge that our framing (presenting Georgia as Sakartvelo, an ancient civilization) is an interpretive choice grounded in historical fact, not a neutral "view from nowhere."

Source Citation Policy

Inline Attribution

Specific claims are attributed to their sources through inline references. We aim to make sourcing visible without disrupting readability.

Accessible Source Documentation

For our target audience (educated older readers), we provide:

• Links to original source documents when available online
• Full bibliographic information for print sources
• Translations of Georgian-language sources when used

See our Sources & Methodology page for detailed source lists.

Correction Policy

How We Handle Errors

Despite our best efforts, errors may occur. When we identify or are informed of an error, we:

1. Verify the claim: We investigate the reported error against original sources
2. Correct promptly: If an error is confirmed, we correct it immediately
3. Note the correction: We add a correction notice to the affected page
4. Log publicly: We add the correction to this public log
5. Notify the reporter: We thank and acknowledge those who report errors

Types of Corrections

• Factual errors: Incorrect dates, numbers, names, or events
• Misleading statements: Technically accurate but misleading in context
• Broken links or citations: Technical errors affecting verifiability
• Typos and minor errors: Corrected without logging unless they change meaning

What Is NOT a Correction

We distinguish between errors and disagreements:

• Interpretive disagreements are not errors (e.g., whether Soviet rule was "occupation" or "union")
• Different framing is not an error (e.g., emphasizing Georgia's European vs. Eurasian identity)
• Selective emphasis is editorial choice, not error, as long as facts are accurate

However, we welcome feedback on framing and will consider it for future updates.

Public Corrections Log

How the Log Works

When a correction is made, we will add an entry here with:

• Date of correction
• Page affected
• Nature of error
• What was incorrect
• What the correction states
• Source of the correction (if external)

This log demonstrates our commitment to accountability and allows readers to track our error rate and responsiveness.

Reporting Errors

If you identify a factual error, please use our contact form to report it.

Please include:

• The page URL where the error appears
• The specific claim you believe is incorrect
• Your source or evidence for the correct information

We review all submissions promptly and respond within 3-5 business days.

Report a Correction →

Editorial Independence

Our editorial standards are maintained independently of any external party. No funder, government, or political entity has the authority to:

• Suppress corrections
• Dictate framing or interpretation
• Demand removal of factual content
• Influence our fact-checking process

See our Funding & Independence page for full disclosure of our funding model.

Standards We Follow

While we are not a news organization, we draw on established journalistic and academic standards:

• Society of Professional Journalists Code of Ethics (seek truth and report it, minimize harm, act independently)
• Academic citation standards (verifiable, attributable, reproducible)
• Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) for inclusive design

Continuous Improvement

We view errors not as failures but as opportunities to improve. By maintaining this public log and welcoming corrections, we demonstrate that accuracy is an ongoing commitment, not a one-time achievement.

Credibility is earned through transparency, responsiveness, and a demonstrated commitment to facts over narrative convenience.