Source handling
Primary sources are preferred for direct claims. Independent reporting, distributor records, campaign pages and community material can add context or create a lead, but their origin and limitations stay visible. Hobby Watch links to sources rather than reproducing whole articles.
Evidence labels
- Official: a direct statement or record from the responsible organisation.
- Confirmed report: material supported independently or by multiple strong sources.
- Credible rumour: plausible and supported enough to monitor, but not confirmed.
- Unverified: not yet corroborated.
- Disputed: significant evidence conflicts with the claim.
- Debunked: reliable evidence shows the claim is false.
Automation and human review
Automated tools may collect, cluster, translate, summarise or compare material. They do not receive final editorial authority. A human editor decides whether an item is publishable and can change or withhold a label when the evidence is insufficient.
Corrections
Material corrections should identify what changed, why it changed and the supporting source. Earlier states remain part of the audit trail where practical. Anyone can submit a correction through the public form; disagreement alone does not guarantee a change, but substantive evidence will be reviewed.
Conflicts and commercial material
Sponsored or supplied material must be identified. Advertising, retail relationships and access do not buy an evidence status or editorial outcome. Opinion and analysis should be distinguishable from reported fact.