At Medienlinker, fact-checking is the backbone of every article we publish. Our process is designed to catch errors before they reach readers, and to correct them quickly if they slip through. This page explains exactly what we verify, how we handle rumours, who oversees sensitive stories, and how you can report a mistake.
What do we verify before publication?
We verify every factual claim that appears in our reporting, from statistical data and historical references to direct quotes and named sources. The verification scope includes all articles drafted by our team, covering Swedish news, politics, economics, culture and society.
Our fact‑checker, Sandra Mayer (Ansvarig för faktagranskning), leads the verification process. She and her team check primary documents, official databases, reputable news archives and expert testimony. We maintain a clear source hierarchy that prioritises primary evidence – official records, peer‑reviewed studies, court judgments – over secondary or anonymous sources. Each article’s sources are listed on its dedicated Sources & Standards page so readers can verify our work themselves.
How do we handle rumours and unverified claims?
Rumours, speculation and unverified claims are never presented as fact. If we report on a rumour that is newsworthy – for example, a leak or an unconfirmed government statement – we label it clearly as a rumour and explain why we are covering it.
We use phrases such as “allegedly,” “according to an unverified report,” or “sources say” and always note the provenance. The editorial team, led by Chefredaktör Sebastian Lorenz, ensures that such content does not mislead readers. Our Editorial Policy sets out the rules for handling unconfirmed material, and any article that includes a rumour is flagged for extra review by a senior editor before publication.
What you can expect from us
Medienlinker readers can expect every article to be checked against our source hierarchy and reviewed by at least two human editors before it goes live. Our fact‑checkers do not rely on a single source for key claims – we cross‑reference multiple independent sources wherever possible.
We also publish the names and roles of every person involved in the editorial process. Our team page lists each editor, reporter and fact‑checker, so you know who is responsible for the content you read. Transparency is not a slogan here – it is a daily practice. If a fact cannot be verified to our standard, we either omit it or publish it with a clear caveat.
Who reviews sensitive or controversial articles?
Sandra Mayer, our head of fact‑checking, personally reviews every article that touches on sensitive topics such as criminal investigations, national security, public health claims or allegations against individuals. She is empowered to halt publication if she finds a verification gap.
In addition, Chefredaktör Sebastian Lorenz reviews any story that could have legal or reputational implications. This two‑tier review ensures that high‑risk content meets the same factual standard as routine news. The process is documented in our internal editorial handbook, and readers can request details of a review by contacting our complaints procedure.
How can readers report a potential error?
If you spot a mistake or suspect a factual inaccuracy in any Medienlinker article, please email our fact‑checking desk directly at factcheck@medienlinker.de. We treat every reader report seriously and will respond within two business days.
When reporting, please include the article URL, the specific claim you believe is wrong, and any evidence you have (a link, a screenshot or a document). The fact‑checking team logs every report and investigates it. If the error is confirmed, we issue a correction and explain what changed. Our Corrections Policy describes how we update articles and where we display correction notices.
How do we correct mistakes?
When an error is verified, we correct the article immediately and add a visible correction note at the top of the page. The note states the original error, the correction, and the date of the update. We also log all corrections in a public archive linked from our corrections policy page.
Major corrections – those that change the meaning of an article – are reviewed by Sebastian Lorenz and flagged in our weekly newsletter. Minor typographical fixes are made without annotation. Readers who want to know the full history of a piece can request a version history from factcheck@medienlinker.de.
Questions or concerns?
If you have a question about our fact‑checking process, want to challenge a source we used, or need to report a potential error, the quickest route is our fact‑checking email: factcheck@medienlinker.de. For broader editorial concerns, please use our complaints procedure or contact Chefredaktör Sebastian Lorenz directly at anders.lindqvist@medienlinker.de. We are here to earn and keep your trust.