Effective August 1, 2025
1. Purpose and Scope
This policy explains how we verify information and fact-check every piece of content published by The Adept Traveler. It applies to news articles, travel alerts, deals, warnings, research "Insights," guides, newsletters, social posts, and future mobile-app items. All writers, editors, contractors, and contributors must follow these rules.
2. Verification Standards
2.1 Source Hierarchy
- Primary official sources, government agencies, airlines, Cruise lines, Hotel groups, and other organizations issuing direct statements or filings.
- Authoritative secondary sources, peer-reviewed studies, reputable industry research, or major news agencies that cite primary documents.
- Subject-matter experts, on-record interviews with credentialed professionals.
- Tertiary references are used only to corroborate, never as sole evidence.
2.2 Minimum Requirements
- Every news article must cite at least one primary official source, plus corroboration from a second source whenever practicable.
- Research "Insights" require a minimum of three sources, with at least two primary or authoritative secondary sources.
- Quotes must be verified against original audio, video, or transcripts.
2.3 Disallowed Sources
- Anonymous social-media posts, unless the information is later confirmed through an official channel.
- Press releases offered under embargo that include editorial strings attached.
3. Fact-Checking Workflow
| Stage | Responsible Party | Key Tasks |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Research and Draft | Writer | Log every fact, link, and quote in an internal research document. Record date and time accessed. |
| 2. Editor Review | Editor-in-Chief (currently Brandon J. Yaniz) | Cross-check the research log, verify hyperlinks, confirm dates, and run AI-assisted spelling, grammar, and style checks. |
| 3. Specialist Check | External expert (as needed) | Review complex technical or legal statements. |
3.1 AI Use
AI tools may assist with spell-checking, clarity edits, and duplicate-content scanning, but no AI-generated factual statements are published without human verification.
4. Documentation and Citation
- News Articles, list sources at the end under "Sources," using active hyperlinks that return HTTP 200.
- Insights, cite sources with Chicago-style footnotes placed in numerical order.
- Internal research logs are stored for five years in encrypted archives.
5. Verification of Visuals
- AI-generated hero images are checked by a human editor for factual accuracy in logos, liveries, and landmarks.
- Photographs and maps from external sources must include licensing confirmation and descriptive alt text.
6. Handling Unverifiable Claims
- If a claim cannot be verified within the publication timeline, either omit it or label it clearly as unconfirmed, with an explanation of why.
- Anonymous sources are allowed only when the information is unobtainable otherwise, the source's identity is known to the editor, and the story is of clear public interest.
7. Corrections Trigger
- Any failure of the verification process that results in a factual error is handled under the Corrections Policy, with a correction box placed at the top of the article and a permanent "Last Updated" timestamp.
8. Governance and Review
- Custodian, Brandon J. Yaniz, Founder and Editor-in-Chief.
- Review Cycle, this policy is audited at least once per year, or sooner if industry standards or Google Publisher guidelines change.
- Escalation, disputes or questions about verification are submitted to the Editor-in-Chief via the contact methods listed at https://adept.travel/contact. All inquiries receive a response within seven calendar days.
By following these verification and fact-checking procedures, The Adept Traveler ensures that every reader receives accurate, reliable information, helping everyone travel better.