Service 03
Fact-checking that catches what spell-check cannot
Published errors erode trust. A single misattributed statistic, a misquoted source or an unverified claim can undermine an entire body of work and the organization behind it. Systematic fact-checking is not a luxury reserved for national newspapers. It is a basic standard of responsible publishing that every newsroom and organization can access.
At Seideldexa, verification is built into everything we do. Our dedicated fact-checking service extends that discipline to your editorial output. David Okafor leads our research team with a methodical approach: trace every claim to its origin, confirm it against independent sources and flag anything that cannot be substantiated. The result is content you can publish with confidence.
Our Process
Four steps from submission to verified copy
1. Intake and scope assessment
You submit the material to be verified, whether that is a single article, a full publication issue or a topic requiring original research. We assess the claim density, source complexity and turnaround requirements, then provide a fixed quote and timeline within 24 hours.
2. Claim extraction and categorization
We read the material line by line and extract every verifiable claim: statistics, dates, names, titles, quotes, geographical references, historical assertions, scientific statements and attributed opinions. Each claim is categorized by type and priority, creating a structured checklist that guides the verification work.
3. Source verification
Each claim is traced to its original source. We consult primary documents, official records, academic publications, court filings and expert contacts. Where the original source cannot be located, we seek at least two independent corroborating sources. Claims that cannot be verified are flagged with an explanation and a recommendation.
4. Report delivery
You receive an annotated copy of the material with each claim marked as verified, corrected or flagged. The accompanying verification report lists every source consulted and provides the evidence chain for each finding. For articles, turnaround is typically two to three business days. Full publication audits take five to ten business days.
Who needs professional fact-checking
Our fact-checking clients fall into three broad categories. First, newsrooms and digital publishers that lack dedicated verification staff. Many mid-sized publications produce excellent journalism but do not have the resources for a full-time fact-checker. Our service fills that gap on a per-article or retainer basis.
Second, organizations publishing reports, white papers or public statements that carry reputational weight. A policy report with an incorrect statistic does not just embarrass the author; it gives opponents a tool to discredit the entire argument. Pre-publication verification prevents that outcome.
Third, legal and communications teams that need to verify the factual basis of documents before they become public. Court filings, regulatory submissions and investor communications all benefit from independent verification that is separate from the team that produced the content.
Understanding our service tiers
Single article verification ($280) covers one article of any length. We extract and verify all factual claims, check attribution accuracy and confirm that quoted sources were represented fairly. Typical turnaround is two to three business days.
Full publication audit ($1,200) is a comprehensive review of an entire publication issue, report or content package. It includes everything in a single article check applied across all pieces, plus cross-piece consistency checks: are the same facts presented the same way throughout? Do different articles cite the same sources accurately?
Research briefs ($650) are original research deliverables. Rather than checking existing content, we investigate a topic and produce a structured brief that summarizes the factual landscape, identifies key sources and highlights areas of uncertainty. These briefs are designed to support editorial planning and are a useful foundation before commissioning a feature or investigation. For guidance on structuring project budgets around research, see our article on budgeting for journalism projects.
Monthly retainers ($2,400/month) provide ongoing access to our verification team. Retainer clients receive priority turnaround, a dedicated research analyst and the ability to submit material on a rolling basis without individual project quotes. This tier suits publishers with regular output who need consistent verification support.
Our verification methodology
We apply a layered verification approach. The first layer is source tracing: can the original source of a claim be located and accessed? A statistic attributed to Statistics Canada should be traceable to a specific StatsCan publication, table and release date. If it cannot, the claim is flagged.
The second layer is corroboration. Even when a source is located, we ask whether the claim accurately represents what the source says. Misinterpretation is more common than fabrication. A study that finds "X is associated with Y" is often cited as "X causes Y," and that distinction matters.
The third layer is context. A fact can be technically accurate but misleading when stripped of context. A crime statistic that shows a percentage increase may be meaningless without the base number. We note where additional context would improve the reader's understanding, even when the stated fact is correct.
What is included in every fact-check
Line-by-line claim extraction
Every verifiable assertion in the submitted material is identified, catalogued and assigned for verification.
Primary source verification
Each claim traced to its original source document, record or publication. No reliance on secondary reporting alone.
Annotated copy
Your material returned with inline annotations marking each claim as verified, corrected or requiring attention.
Verification report
A structured report listing every claim checked, the sources consulted, the verification outcome and recommended corrections.
Correction recommendations
Where errors are found, we provide specific language suggestions that correct the claim while preserving your editorial voice.
Context advisories
Notes on technically accurate claims that may be misleading without additional context, with suggestions for improvement.
Source bibliography
A complete list of all sources consulted during verification, formatted for your records and potential reader reference.
Timelines and turnaround
Single article checks are typically completed within two to three business days from submission. Full publication audits require five to ten business days depending on the number of pieces and claim density. Research briefs take five to seven business days.
Retainer clients benefit from priority scheduling. Material submitted before noon Eastern is typically returned within 48 hours for single articles. For time-sensitive publication deadlines, we can arrange expedited turnaround on a case-by-case basis with advance notice.
What is not included
Our fact-checking and research service covers verification, source tracing and research deliverables. The following are outside the standard scope:
- Rewriting or editing the submitted material beyond specific correction recommendations
- Legal opinion on defamation risk, privacy compliance or regulatory matters (we flag potential issues but do not provide legal advice)
- Verification of visual content such as photographs, video or infographics (image forensics is a specialized discipline)
- Ongoing media monitoring or real-time claim tracking after the verification is delivered
- Translation of source materials from languages other than English and French
Fact-checking and research pricing
All prices are in Canadian dollars and include Ontario's 13% Harmonized Sales Tax (HST registration: 725891403RT0001). Pre-tax amounts shown for accounting purposes.
| Service | Scope | Price (excl. HST) | Price (incl. 13% HST) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Single article check | One article | $247.79 | $280.00 |
| Full publication audit | Entire publication | $1,061.95 | $1,200.00 |
| Research brief | One topic | $575.22 | $650.00 |
| Monthly retainer | Ongoing support | $2,123.89 | $2,400.00 / month |
The 30% deposit applies to monthly retainers and full publication audits, as these exceed the $2,000 threshold. Single article checks and research briefs are invoiced in full upon delivery. Business clients on approved credit receive Net 30 payment terms. Full engagement terms are in our terms of service.
Frequently asked questions
What counts as a verifiable claim?
Any assertion of fact that can be confirmed or denied through evidence. This includes statistics, dates, names, titles, geographical references, direct quotes, historical events, scientific statements and attributed opinions. Subjective editorial judgments ("this policy is unwise") are not verifiable claims, but the factual premises they rest on ("unemployment rose 12% last quarter") are.
Can you fact-check content that has already been published?
Yes. Post-publication verification is common among clients who want to audit their existing content library. We check the material the same way we would pre-publication, and the verification report serves as a basis for corrections or editorial notes. Some clients use post-publication audits to establish baseline accuracy rates and identify recurring error patterns in their editorial process.
How does the monthly retainer work in practice?
Retainer clients receive a dedicated research analyst, priority turnaround and the ability to submit material on a rolling basis. The retainer covers approximately eight to ten single-article checks per month or an equivalent volume of research work. Usage is tracked and discussed in a monthly review. If your needs consistently exceed the retainer scope, we adjust the arrangement transparently.
Do you verify claims in languages other than English?
Our team works comfortably in English and French. For content in other languages, we can verify factual claims when the underlying source material is available in English or French. If the source material itself requires translation, we will flag this during the intake stage and can arrange a qualified translator as a separately quoted add-on.
What is the difference between fact-checking and a research brief?
Fact-checking verifies existing content: you send us a finished or near-finished piece and we check whether its claims are accurate. A research brief is original work: you give us a topic and we produce a structured summary of the factual landscape, key sources and areas of uncertainty. Research briefs are useful at the planning stage, before a piece is written, to ensure the editorial direction rests on solid ground.
Publish with confidence
Send us the material you need verified. We respond within 48 hours with a scope and timeline.
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