Core Journalism Skill

Source
Verification

Systematic approaches for verifying sources, claims, and digital content. Essential for reporters, fact-checkers, and researchers.

Learn SIFT Method Install Skill

The SIFT method

A simple, effective framework for evaluating information before sharing or using it.

S

Stop

Don't immediately share or use unverified information. Pause and assess before acting.

I

Investigate

Who is behind the information? Check the source's credibility and potential motivations.

F

Find

Find better coverage. What do other reliable sources say about this claim?

T

Trace

Trace claims back to their original source. Find the primary evidence.

Verification techniques

Specialized workflows for different types of digital content.

Reverse image search

  • Google, TinEye, Yandex search
  • EXIF metadata extraction
  • Forensic analysis tools
  • Original source identification

Video verification

  • InVID/WeVerify plugin
  • Frame-by-frame analysis
  • Geolocation from visuals
  • Timeline verification

Social media analysis

  • Account age and history
  • Network and follower analysis
  • Bot detection patterns
  • Coordination detection

Document verification

  • Metadata examination
  • Visual consistency checks
  • Provenance tracking
  • Signature analysis

Evidence archiving

  • Multi-archive redundancy
  • Wayback Machine, Archive.today
  • Screenshot documentation
  • Verification trail templates

Interview verification

  • Pre-interview background checks
  • Real-time verification techniques
  • Consistency checking
  • Document request protocols

Essential tools

The skill includes references to these trusted verification resources.

Tool Purpose URL
InVID/WeVerifyVideo verification pluginweverify.eu
TinEyeReverse image searchtineye.com
Wayback MachineWeb archivesweb.archive.org
FotoForensicsImage forensic analysisfotoforensics.com
OCCRP AlephDocument searchaleph.occrp.org
Media Bias/Fact CheckSource reliabilitymediabiasfactcheck.com

Install the skill

1 Clone the repository 

git clone https://github.com/jamditis/claude-skills-journalism.git

2 Copy skill to Claude skills directory 

cp -r source-verification ~/.claude/skills/

3 Start verifying

Ask Claude to help verify a source, check an image, or build a verification trail.

Created by Joe Amditis at the Center for Cooperative Media

Part of Claude Skills for Journalism • MIT License