Source hierarchy
Primary documents and official data are preferred for claims that can be established directly through court records, regulators, government agencies, statistical authorities, company disclosures or other original records. Independent reporting can corroborate, contextualize or surface developments that require further verification.
Attribution
Contested statements, allegations and interpretations are attributed to the person, authority, filing or publication making them. A source asserting something does not by itself convert the assertion into an established fact.
Legal and accountability reporting
Investigations, arrests, charges, trials, convictions, acquittals, appeals and final judgments are treated as different procedural stages. Reporting should reflect the documented stage and include a material response or denial when one is available and relevant.
Multiple-source verification
Higher-risk claims can require additional corroboration. The number of retained sources varies by story and does not substitute for source quality, directness or relevance.
Links and source lists
Articles can display a “Sources & documents” section with the retained supporting links available for that story. Readers can use those links to inspect the underlying material directly.
Corrections
If a material factual statement changes because it was wrong, Brazil Scope distinguishes that correction from a normal update caused by new developments. Public correction records are listed on the Corrections & updates page.