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Global Rules

Last modified by Robert Schaub on 2025/12/24 21:53

Global Rules

Last Updated: December 17, 2025
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.

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

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?
  • Trusted Contributorise: 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.)
    ✅ Peer-reviewed research from journals with strong retraction/correction practices
    ✅ Journalism from outlets with fact-checking and correction policies
    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

3. Neutrality in Summarization

3.1 Neutral Language

Descriptive, not prescriptive:

  • ✅ "Policy reduced emissions by 15%"
    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"
    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

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]
```

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

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

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

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)

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.

10. Updates

Rules evolve with platform. Major changes require notice and community input.

11. Related Documents