Wiki source code of Global Rules
Version 2.3 by Robert Schaub on 2025/12/24 20:29
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1.1 | 1 | = Global Rules = |
| 2 | |||
| 3 | **Last Updated:** December 17, 2025 (V0.9.33) | ||
| 4 | |||
| 5 | These rules apply to all FactHarbor users, content, and processes. | ||
| 6 | |||
| 7 | **FactHarbor's Role:** Collect, aggregate, and summarize information that already exists. FactHarbor does not create original information or conduct investigations. | ||
| 8 | |||
| 9 | |||
| 10 | == 1. Core Principles == | ||
| 11 | |||
| 12 | === 1.1 Seek Truth === | ||
| 13 | |||
| 14 | * Truth is the primary goal | ||
| 15 | * Evaluate existing information fairly | ||
| 16 | * Weight evidence by quality, not preference | ||
| 17 | * Update understanding as evidence changes | ||
| 18 | * Acknowledge uncertainty clearly | ||
| 19 | |||
| 20 | === 1.2 Act Independently === | ||
| 21 | |||
| 22 | * Free from obligation to any interest except truth | ||
| 23 | * Commercial interests in claim outcomes are disqualifying | ||
| 24 | * Disclose conflicts that might bias evaluation | ||
| 25 | * Independence from funders and sponsors | ||
| 26 | |||
| 27 | === 1.3 Be Accountable and Transparent === | ||
| 28 | |||
| 29 | **Strive to:** | ||
| 30 | * Make reasoning traceable where feasible | ||
| 31 | * Cite sources whenever possible | ||
| 32 | * Disclose conflicts of interest | ||
| 33 | * Mark AI involvement | ||
| 34 | * Correct mistakes promptly when discovered | ||
| 35 | * Explain decisions when challenged | ||
| 36 | |||
| 37 | **Goal:** Maximum transparency within practical constraints. Perfect traceability may not always be achievable, but the commitment to transparency remains. | ||
| 38 | |||
| 39 | === 1.4 Intellectual Humility === | ||
| 40 | |||
| 41 | * Acknowledge uncertainty | ||
| 42 | * Correct mistakes promptly | ||
| 43 | * Respect expertise but verify - anyone/any source could be wrong, biased, or dishonest | ||
| 44 | * Welcome disagreement | ||
| 45 | * Seek consensus, don't force it | ||
| 46 | |||
| 47 | |||
| 48 | == 2. Source Evaluation == | ||
| 49 | |||
| 50 | === 2.1 Source Evaluation Criteria === | ||
| 51 | |||
| 52 | **Sources are evaluated by track record, not credentials.** | ||
| 53 | |||
| 54 | **Evaluation Factors:** | ||
| 55 | |||
| 56 | * **Accuracy history:** Has the source been reliable in the past? | ||
| 57 | * **Correction policy:** Do they promptly correct errors? | ||
| 58 | * **Methodology transparency:** Do they show their work? | ||
| 59 | * **Independence:** Are they free from controlling interests? | ||
| 60 | * **Expertise:** Do they have relevant knowledge? | ||
| 61 | * **Consistency:** Do multiple independent sources agree? | ||
| 62 | |||
| 63 | **Track Record Over Title:** | ||
| 64 | |||
| 65 | ✅ Government statistics from agencies with documented accuracy (Swiss Federal Statistical Office, etc.) | ||
| 66 | ❌ Government statements from authoritarian regimes with propaganda history | ||
| 67 | |||
| 68 | ✅ Peer-reviewed research from journals with strong retraction/correction practices | ||
| 69 | ❌ Peer-reviewed research from predatory journals | ||
| 70 | |||
| 71 | ✅ Journalism from outlets with fact-checking and correction policies | ||
| 72 | ❌ Journalism from outlets with partisan funding and no corrections | ||
| 73 | |||
| 74 | **Red Flags:** | ||
| 75 | |||
| 76 | * Consistent refusal to correct proven errors | ||
| 77 | * Conflicts of interest not disclosed | ||
| 78 | * Methodology hidden or vague | ||
| 79 | * Single-source claims without verification | ||
| 80 | * History of misinformation | ||
| 81 | * Authoritarian control (government sources) | ||
| 82 | |||
| 83 | **Principle:** Evaluate each source's track record individually. No type of source is automatically trustworthy. | ||
| 84 | |||
| 85 | === 2.2 Multiple Sources === | ||
| 86 | |||
| 87 | * Use multiple independent sources when possible | ||
| 88 | * Cross-reference claims | ||
| 89 | * Note when only single source available | ||
| 90 | * Prefer primary sources over secondary | ||
| 91 | |||
| 92 | === 2.3 Source Attribution === | ||
| 93 | |||
| 94 | * Always cite sources clearly | ||
| 95 | * Link to original when online | ||
| 96 | * Include author, publication, date | ||
| 97 | * Archive links for unstable URLs | ||
| 98 | |||
| 99 | |||
| 100 | == 3. Neutrality in Summarization == | ||
| 101 | |||
| 102 | === 3.1 Neutral Language === | ||
| 103 | |||
| 104 | **Descriptive, not prescriptive:** | ||
| 105 | * ✅ "Policy reduced emissions by 15%" | ||
| 106 | * ❌ "Policy slashed emissions" | ||
| 107 | |||
| 108 | **Balanced presentation:** | ||
| 109 | * Show competing views proportional to evidence | ||
| 110 | * Don't hide inconvenient evidence | ||
| 111 | * Weight by quality, not just quantity | ||
| 112 | |||
| 113 | **Precise, not loaded (in FactHarbor summaries):** | ||
| 114 | * ✅ "Protesters" | ||
| 115 | * ❌ "Mob" | ||
| 116 | |||
| 117 | **Note:** Source materials may contain loaded language. Quote exactly when citing sources, but use neutral language in FactHarbor's own summaries and analysis. | ||
| 118 | |||
| 119 | === 3.2 No Cherry-Picking === | ||
| 120 | |||
| 121 | * Present full picture | ||
| 122 | * Include contrary evidence | ||
| 123 | * Show trends, not just selected points | ||
| 124 | * Acknowledge limitations | ||
| 125 | |||
| 126 | === 3.3 Context Matters === | ||
| 127 | |||
| 128 | * Provide historical context | ||
| 129 | * Show comparisons | ||
| 130 | * Explain significance | ||
| 131 | * Present expert perspective | ||
| 132 | |||
| 133 | === 3.4 Statistical Literacy === | ||
| 134 | |||
| 135 | * Distinguish absolute vs percentage | ||
| 136 | * Show baselines and comparisons | ||
| 137 | * Note confidence intervals | ||
| 138 | * Distinguish correlation from causation | ||
| 139 | |||
| 140 | |||
| 141 | == 4. Accuracy and Corrections == | ||
| 142 | |||
| 143 | === 4.1 Accuracy Standards === | ||
| 144 | |||
| 145 | * Verify facts before using | ||
| 146 | * Check spelling, dates, numbers | ||
| 147 | * Confirm quotes and attribution | ||
| 148 | * Cross-check details | ||
| 149 | |||
| 150 | === 4.2 Corrections === | ||
| 151 | |||
| 152 | Correct errors promptly and prominently: | ||
| 153 | |||
| 154 | ``` | ||
| 155 | CORRECTION: [Date] - [What was wrong and correction] | ||
| 156 | ``` | ||
| 157 | |||
| 158 | === 4.3 Updates === | ||
| 159 | |||
| 160 | When new information emerges: | ||
| 161 | |||
| 162 | ``` | ||
| 163 | UPDATE: [Date] - [New information] | ||
| 164 | ``` | ||
| 165 | |||
| 166 | |||
| 167 | == 5. Conflicts of Interest == | ||
| 168 | |||
| 169 | === 5.1 Commercial Interests Prohibited === | ||
| 170 | |||
| 171 | Contributors with direct commercial interests in claim outcomes cannot contribute to those claims. | ||
| 172 | |||
| 173 | **Disqualifying:** | ||
| 174 | * Paid to promote/attack claim | ||
| 175 | * Stock/investment affected by verdict | ||
| 176 | * Employment contingent on outcome | ||
| 177 | * Consulting fees tied to position | ||
| 178 | |||
| 179 | === 5.2 Other Conflicts - Disclosure Required === | ||
| 180 | |||
| 181 | Disclose: | ||
| 182 | * Personal relationships to subjects | ||
| 183 | * Professional stake in conclusion | ||
| 184 | * Prior public positions on exact claim | ||
| 185 | * Ideological commitments affecting judgment | ||
| 186 | |||
| 187 | Format: | ||
| 188 | ``` | ||
| 189 | COI: [Clear description] | ||
| 190 | ``` | ||
| 191 | |||
| 192 | === 5.3 When to Recuse === | ||
| 193 | |||
| 194 | * Direct commercial interest (always) | ||
| 195 | * Cannot evaluate objectively | ||
| 196 | * Appearance of bias would harm credibility | ||
| 197 | |||
| 198 | |||
| 199 | == 6. Topic Scope == | ||
| 200 | |||
| 201 | === 6.1 What's In Scope === | ||
| 202 | |||
| 203 | **All factual claims where information exists.** | ||
| 204 | |||
| 205 | FactHarbor collects, aggregates, and summarizes available information. FactHarbor does not create information. | ||
| 206 | |||
| 207 | **Examples:** | ||
| 208 | * Historical events | ||
| 209 | * Scientific findings | ||
| 210 | * Policy outcomes | ||
| 211 | * Economic data | ||
| 212 | * Medical information (factual) | ||
| 213 | * Political statements and outcomes | ||
| 214 | |||
| 215 | === 6.2 What's Out of Scope === | ||
| 216 | |||
| 217 | * Pure value judgments without factual basis | ||
| 218 | * Unfalsifiable metaphysical claims | ||
| 219 | * Pure aesthetic judgments | ||
| 220 | * Personal preferences | ||
| 221 | * Opinions presented as opinions | ||
| 222 | |||
| 223 | |||
| 224 | == 7. Community Standards == | ||
| 225 | |||
| 226 | === 7.1 Respectful Discourse === | ||
| 227 | |||
| 228 | * Assume good faith | ||
| 229 | * Focus on substance | ||
| 230 | * Professional tone | ||
| 231 | * Patient with disagreement | ||
| 232 | |||
| 233 | === 7.2 Prohibited === | ||
| 234 | |||
| 235 | * Personal attacks | ||
| 236 | * Insults or harassment | ||
| 237 | * Bad faith arguments | ||
| 238 | * Gaming the system | ||
| 239 | |||
| 240 | === 7.3 Constructive Criticism === | ||
| 241 | |||
| 242 | **When giving feedback:** | ||
| 243 | * Be specific | ||
| 244 | * Suggest improvements | ||
| 245 | * Focus on content, not person | ||
| 246 | |||
| 247 | **When receiving:** | ||
| 248 | * Consider merits | ||
| 249 | * Update if convinced | ||
| 250 | * Respond to substance | ||
| 251 | |||
| 252 | |||
| 253 | == 8. System Integrity == | ||
| 254 | |||
| 255 | === 8.1 No Manipulation === | ||
| 256 | |||
| 257 | Prohibited: | ||
| 258 | * Multiple accounts | ||
| 259 | * Coordinated campaigns | ||
| 260 | * Source fabrication | ||
| 261 | * Evidence hiding | ||
| 262 | |||
| 263 | === 8.2 Automation Disclosure === | ||
| 264 | |||
| 265 | Mark all automated contributions: | ||
| 266 | * Human-written | ||
| 267 | * AI-assisted | ||
| 268 | * AI-generated | ||
| 269 | * Fully automated (AKEL only) | ||
| 270 | |||
| 271 | |||
| 272 | == 9. Enforcement == | ||
| 273 | |||
| 274 | **Scope:** This section applies only to **FactHarbor contributors and users**, not to external entities being evaluated. | ||
| 275 | |||
| 276 | FactHarbor cannot enforce rules against: | ||
| 277 | * Governments | ||
| 278 | * Corporations | ||
| 279 | * Media outlets | ||
| 280 | * External sources | ||
| 281 | |||
| 282 | For external entities, FactHarbor can only: | ||
| 283 | * Evaluate their track record | ||
| 284 | * Document their accuracy/inaccuracy | ||
| 285 | * Flag unreliability | ||
| 286 | * Warn users | ||
| 287 | |||
| 288 | === 9.1 Progressive Discipline (FactHarbor Participants) === | ||
| 289 | |||
| 290 | * Warning | ||
| 291 | * Temporary suspension | ||
| 292 | * Longer suspension | ||
| 293 | * Permanent ban | ||
| 294 | |||
| 295 | Exception: Severe violations may result in immediate ban. | ||
| 296 | |||
| 297 | === 9.2 Appeals === | ||
| 298 | |||
| 299 | Appeal with clear grounds and evidence to moderators. | ||
| 300 | |||
| 301 | |||
| 302 | == 10. Updates == | ||
| 303 | |||
| 304 | Rules evolve with platform. Major changes require notice and community input. | ||
| 305 | |||
| 306 | |||
| 307 | == 11. Related Documents == | ||
| 308 | |||
| 309 | * [[Requirements>>FactHarbor.Specification.Requirements.WebHome]] | ||
| 310 | * [[Privacy Policy>>FactHarbor.Organisation.Privacy-Policy]] | ||
| 311 | * [[Transparency Policy>>FactHarbor.Organisation.Transparency-Policy]] | ||
| 312 | * [[Terms of Service>>FactHarbor.Organisation.Terms-of-Service]] | ||
| 313 | |||
| 314 | |||
| 315 | **Version:** 0.9.33 | ||
| 316 | **Foundation:** Truth, Transparency, Independence | ||
| 317 |