Global Rules
Global Rules
Last Updated: December 17, 2025 (V0.9.33)
These rules apply to all FactHarbor users, content, and processes.
FactHarbor's Role: Collect, aggregate, and summarize information that already exists. FactHarbor does not create original information or conduct investigations.
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1. Core Principles
1.1 Seek Truth
- Truth is the primary goal
- Evaluate existing information fairly
- Weight evidence by quality, not preference
- Update understanding as evidence changes
- Acknowledge uncertainty clearly
1.2 Act Independently
- Free from obligation to any interest except truth
- Commercial interests in claim outcomes are disqualifying
- Disclose conflicts that might bias evaluation
- Independence from funders and sponsors
1.3 Be Accountable and Transparent
Strive to:
- Make reasoning traceable where feasible
- Cite sources whenever possible
- Disclose conflicts of interest
- Mark AI involvement
- Correct mistakes promptly when discovered
- Explain decisions when challenged
Goal: Maximum transparency within practical constraints. Perfect traceability may not always be achievable, but the commitment to transparency remains.
1.4 Intellectual Humility
- Acknowledge uncertainty
- Correct mistakes promptly
- Respect expertise but verify - anyone/any source could be wrong, biased, or dishonest
- Welcome disagreement
- Seek consensus, don't force it
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2. Source Evaluation
2.1 Source Evaluation Criteria
Sources are evaluated by track record, not credentials.
Evaluation Factors:
- Accuracy history: Has the source been reliable in the past?
- Correction policy: Do they promptly correct errors?
- Methodology transparency: Do they show their work?
- Independence: Are they free from controlling interests?
- Expertise: Do they have relevant knowledge?
- Consistency: Do multiple independent sources agree?
Track Record Over Title:
✅ Government statistics from agencies with documented accuracy (Swiss Federal Statistical Office, etc.)
❌ Government statements from authoritarian regimes with propaganda history
✅ Peer-reviewed research from journals with strong retraction/correction practices
❌ Peer-reviewed research from predatory journals
✅ Journalism from outlets with fact-checking and correction policies
❌ Journalism from outlets with partisan funding and no corrections
Red Flags:
- Consistent refusal to correct proven errors
- Conflicts of interest not disclosed
- Methodology hidden or vague
- Single-source claims without verification
- History of misinformation
- Authoritarian control (government sources)
Principle: Evaluate each source's track record individually. No type of source is automatically trustworthy.
2.2 Multiple Sources
- Use multiple independent sources when possible
- Cross-reference claims
- Note when only single source available
- Prefer primary sources over secondary
2.3 Source Attribution
- Always cite sources clearly
- Link to original when online
- Include author, publication, date
- Archive links for unstable URLs
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3. Neutrality in Summarization
3.1 Neutral Language
Descriptive, not prescriptive:
- ✅ "Policy reduced emissions by 15%"
- ❌ "Policy slashed emissions"
Balanced presentation:
- Show competing views proportional to evidence
- Don't hide inconvenient evidence
- Weight by quality, not just quantity
Precise, not loaded (in FactHarbor summaries):
- ✅ "Protesters"
- ❌ "Mob"
Note: Source materials may contain loaded language. Quote exactly when citing sources, but use neutral language in FactHarbor's own summaries and analysis.
3.2 No Cherry-Picking
- Present full picture
- Include contrary evidence
- Show trends, not just selected points
- Acknowledge limitations
3.3 Context Matters
- Provide historical context
- Show comparisons
- Explain significance
- Present expert perspective
3.4 Statistical Literacy
- Distinguish absolute vs percentage
- Show baselines and comparisons
- Note confidence intervals
- Distinguish correlation from causation
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4. Accuracy and Corrections
4.1 Accuracy Standards
- Verify facts before using
- Check spelling, dates, numbers
- Confirm quotes and attribution
- Cross-check details
4.2 Corrections
Correct errors promptly and prominently:
```
CORRECTION: [Date] - [What was wrong and correction]
```
4.3 Updates
When new information emerges:
```
UPDATE: [Date] - [New information]
```
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5. Conflicts of Interest
5.1 Commercial Interests Prohibited
Contributors with direct commercial interests in claim outcomes cannot contribute to those claims.
Disqualifying:
- Paid to promote/attack claim
- Stock/investment affected by verdict
- Employment contingent on outcome
- Consulting fees tied to position
5.2 Other Conflicts - Disclosure Required
Disclose:
- Personal relationships to subjects
- Professional stake in conclusion
- Prior public positions on exact claim
- Ideological commitments affecting judgment
Format:
```
COI: [Clear description]
```
5.3 When to Recuse
- Direct commercial interest (always)
- Cannot evaluate objectively
- Appearance of bias would harm credibility
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6. Topic Scope
6.1 What's In Scope
All factual claims where information exists.
FactHarbor collects, aggregates, and summarizes available information. FactHarbor does not create information.
Examples:
- Historical events
- Scientific findings
- Policy outcomes
- Economic data
- Medical information (factual)
- Political statements and outcomes
6.2 What's Out of Scope
- Pure value judgments without factual basis
- Unfalsifiable metaphysical claims
- Pure aesthetic judgments
- Personal preferences
- Opinions presented as opinions
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7. Community Standards
7.1 Respectful Discourse
- Assume good faith
- Focus on substance
- Professional tone
- Patient with disagreement
7.2 Prohibited
- Personal attacks
- Insults or harassment
- Bad faith arguments
- Gaming the system
7.3 Constructive Criticism
When giving feedback:
- Be specific
- Suggest improvements
- Focus on content, not person
When receiving:
- Consider merits
- Update if convinced
- Respond to substance
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8. System Integrity
8.1 No Manipulation
Prohibited:
- Multiple accounts
- Coordinated campaigns
- Source fabrication
- Evidence hiding
8.2 Automation Disclosure
Mark all automated contributions:
- Human-written
- AI-assisted
- AI-generated
- Fully automated (AKEL only)
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9. Enforcement
Scope: This section applies only to FactHarbor contributors and users, not to external entities being evaluated.
FactHarbor cannot enforce rules against:
- Governments
- Corporations
- Media outlets
- External sources
For external entities, FactHarbor can only:
- Evaluate their track record
- Document their accuracy/inaccuracy
- Flag unreliability
- Warn users
9.1 Progressive Discipline (FactHarbor Participants)
- Warning
- Temporary suspension
- Longer suspension
- Permanent ban
Exception: Severe violations may result in immediate ban.
9.2 Appeals
Appeal with clear grounds and evidence to moderators.
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10. Updates
Rules evolve with platform. Major changes require notice and community input.
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11. Related Documents
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Version: 0.9.33
Foundation: Truth, Transparency, Independence