November 8 Studios, LLC

SOURCE VERIFICATION POLICY

Version: 1.0
Effective Date: July 18, 2026

Approved By: Bobbi Short, Founder & Sole Member

 

1. Purpose

This Source Verification Policy establishes the minimum standards for researching, verifying, documenting, and publishing factual information by November 8 Studios, LLC and its affiliated brands, including but not limited to Frayed.

Its purpose is to:

• Promote factual accuracy;

• Reduce legal and reputational risk;

• Encourage transparency and accountability;

• Maintain consistent editorial standards;

• Protect the integrity of published work;

• Support fair, responsible, and ethical journalism and commentary.

Accuracy shall always take precedence over speed of publication.

 

2. Scope

This policy applies to all:

• podcasts;

• videos;

• articles;

• websites;

• newsletters;

• books;

• documentaries;

• social media content;

• marketing materials containing factual representations;

• future media productions;

• employees;

• contractors;

• researchers;

• editors;

• producers;

• volunteers;

• contributors.

 

3. Internal Policy Statement

This policy is an internal operating standard adopted by November 8 Studios, LLC.

It is intended to guide editorial decision-making and does not create contractual rights, legal duties, warranties, or causes of action for any third party.

Nothing in this policy limits the Company's ability to exercise editorial judgment consistent with applicable law.

 

4. Guiding Principles

November 8 Studios operates under the following principles:

• Accuracy before publication.

• Verification before repetition.

• Fairness.

• Transparency.

• Context over sensationalism.

• Respect for victims and families.

• Responsible reporting.

• Honest correction of verified errors.

 

5. Source Hierarchy

Researchers should rely upon sources in the following order whenever reasonably available.

Tier One — Primary Sources

Preferred sources include:

• Court records

• Criminal complaints

• Indictments

• Arrest affidavits

• Search warrants

• Trial transcripts

• Sentencing records

• Appellate opinions

• Official government reports

• Public agency records

• Legislative records

• Medical examiner reports

• Autopsy reports

• Death certificates

• Sworn testimony

• Official press releases

• Official public statements

• Authenticated audio or video

• Certified public records

Whenever practical, primary sources should be reviewed before relying upon secondary reporting.

 

Tier Two — Reliable Secondary Sources

Examples include:

• Established national news organizations

• Established local news organizations

• Peer-reviewed journals

• Academic publications

• University research

• Government statistics

• Reputable books

• Documentaries with documented sourcing

• Verified expert interviews

 

Tier Three — Background Sources

These sources may assist research but should not ordinarily serve as the sole basis for factual reporting.

Examples include:

• Blogs

• Podcasts

• Wikipedia

• Reddit

• Social media

• Online forums

• Opinion articles

• YouTube commentary

• Advocacy websites

Information originating from these sources should be independently verified before publication whenever reasonably possible.

 

6. Verification Standards

Researchers shall make reasonable efforts to verify:

• Names

• Dates

• Locations

• Charges

• Convictions

• Court outcomes

• Quotes

• Statistics

• Timelines

• Relationships

• Historical events

• Government actions

Whenever practical, material facts should be corroborated using two or more independent, reliable sources unless an authenticated primary source alone is sufficient.

 

7. Higher-Risk Claims

Additional verification should be performed before publishing material concerning:

• Living individuals;

• Criminal allegations;

• Abuse allegations;

• Financial misconduct;

• Professional misconduct;

• Mental health;

• Medical conditions;

• Civil litigation;

• Ongoing investigations.

Whenever uncertainty exists, that uncertainty should be clearly communicated.

 

8. Anonymous Sources

Anonymous sources should be used only when:

• disclosure could reasonably expose the source to retaliation or harm;

• the information is of legitimate public interest;

• identity has been verified internally whenever possible;

• credibility has been evaluated; and

• significant facts have been corroborated through additional evidence whenever reasonably practicable.

Anonymous sources shall not be used solely to publish speculation, rumor, or personal attacks.

 

9. Public Records

Whenever available, researchers should rely upon official public records.

Copies of significant documents should be retained when legally permissible, including:

• PDFs;

• docket information;

• archived webpages;

• screenshots;

• court filings;

• publication dates.

 

10. Digital Evidence

Digital evidence requires additional scrutiny.

Researchers should consider:

• authenticity;

• publication date;

• original source;

• completeness;

• editing or alteration;

• surrounding context.

Artificially generated or manipulated content shall not be represented as authentic evidence.

 

11. Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence may assist with:

• organization;

• summarization;

• transcription;

• drafting.

AI is not an authoritative factual source.

Every factual statement produced with AI assistance shall be independently verified against reliable source material before publication.

 

12. Quotations

Direct quotations shall accurately reflect the original source.

Editing shall not materially alter meaning or remove necessary context.

Minor formatting changes for readability are permitted when they do not change substance.

 

13. Mental Health Reporting

Because November 8 Studios frequently discusses behavioral health and trauma, the Company shall not diagnose individuals.

Commentary regarding behavior or psychological issues shall be:

• based upon publicly available information;

• properly attributed;

• clearly identified as commentary or discussion;

• distinguished from professional diagnosis.

 

14. Living Persons

Coverage involving living persons shall:

• distinguish allegations from proven facts;

• accurately identify legal status;

• acknowledge acquittals, dismissals, reversals, or appeals when relevant;

• avoid implying guilt beyond verified facts.

 

15. Historical Reporting

Historical cases should be researched using the most reliable documentation reasonably available.

Where records conflict or remain disputed, that uncertainty should be disclosed.

 

16. Research Documentation

Researchers should retain supporting materials whenever legally permissible, including:

• source lists;

• notes;

• PDFs;

• screenshots;

• archived webpages;

• transcripts;

• court documents;

• publication dates.

Research records should be maintained in an organized manner sufficient to support future corrections or inquiries.

 

17. Communicating Uncertainty

When facts cannot be conclusively verified, publications should use accurate attribution, including phrases such as:

• "according to court records";

• "investigators alleged";

• "authorities reported";

• "public filings indicate";

• "available records suggest";

• "at the time of publication."

Speculation shall not be presented as established fact.

 

18. Pre-Publication Verification Checklist

Prior to publication, editors or producers should confirm that, when applicable:

• Names have been verified.

• Dates have been verified.

• Locations have been verified.

• Quotations have been checked.

• Court status has been confirmed.

• Charges have been distinguished from convictions.

• Appeals have been identified.

• Primary documents have been reviewed when reasonably available.

• Mental health statements comply with Company policy.

• Sources have been documented.

• Editorial review has been completed.

 

19. Corrections

Verified factual errors shall be addressed promptly in accordance with the Company's Editorial Corrections Policy.

 

20. Exceptions

Nothing in this policy prevents November 8 Studios, LLC from exercising reasonable editorial discretion where necessary to comply with:

• applicable law;

• court orders;

• lawful governmental requests;

• protection of confidential sources;

• safety concerns;

• emergency circumstances.

Any significant departure from this policy should be documented when practical.

 

21. Annual Review

This policy shall be reviewed:

• at least once every twelve (12) months;

• after significant legal developments affecting media organizations;

• after major editorial incidents;

• whenever management determines revisions are appropriate.

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