Our Ratings System

Understanding our evidence-based classification approach

PublicProof uses an evidence-based classification system to provide clear, consistent verdicts on claims and media. Each rating represents a rigorous assessment of available evidence, source credibility, and logical consistency. Our system is designed to be transparent and understandable, allowing readers to understand not just our conclusion but the reasoning behind it.

Claim Ratings

✓
Confirmed
The claim holds up under scrutiny — it is supported by credible evidence and presents the full picture without significant omissions. The underlying facts are accurate and the conclusion is justified.
⚠
Distorted
The claim is rooted in real information but has been twisted — taken out of context, spliced with false details, or stripped of essential facts to suggest a wrong conclusion. The kernel of truth is present but misrepresented.
✕
Debunked
The claim does not withstand verification — it is inaccurate and contradicted by reliable evidence. The assertion is false or significantly misleading in its core claim.

Media Ratings

🎬
Original & Verified
The media is genuine, has not been tampered with, and is shown in its proper context. The image or video is authentic and accurately represents the event or subject depicted.
🖼
Manipulated
The media is based on real footage or imagery but has been digitally edited to add, remove, or alter elements. The authenticity has been compromised through digital manipulation.
📍
Wrong Attribution
The media is real but has been falsely linked to a different event, time, or location. The content itself is authentic but the context or attribution is incorrect.
📎
Out of Context
The media is real but paired with a misleading narrative or explanation that distorts its meaning. The visual content is authentic but presented in a way that misrepresents it.
🤖
Synthetically Generated
The media was wholly created by artificial intelligence tools. The image or video is not a recording of real events but rather an AI-generated synthetic creation.

Correction Policy

PublicProof is committed to accuracy and to correcting the record when errors occur. When a factual mistake is identified — whether by our team or brought to our attention by a reader — we correct it promptly and transparently. Corrections are clearly noted within the original piece, with a brief explanation of what was changed and why. We distinguish between corrections of factual errors and updates that reflect new developments; both are labeled accordingly so readers can understand what changed and when.

We take reader feedback seriously and welcome challenges to our published ratings. If new evidence or a substantive argument calls a verdict into question, we review the original investigation and, where warranted, revise the rating. Any change to a previously published verdict is documented in the piece, including the original rating, the date of revision, and a summary of the reasoning behind the update. Superseded conclusions are not removed — they remain part of the public record alongside the correction.

To submit a correction request or flag a potential error, contact us at editor@public-proof.org.