Trust Tiers
Every piece of content on CitizenSpotlight carries a trust tier badge. Here's what each tier means and how content moves between them.
RAW
Unverified content submitted anonymously or by new accounts. No metadata verification has been performed. This is the starting tier for all submissions.
Criteria
- Any content uploaded to the platform
- No verification steps completed
CONFIRMED
Content with verified metadata. EXIF data, GPS coordinates, and timestamps have been validated against the claimed location and time.
Criteria
- EXIF metadata matches claimed location/time
- File integrity verified (no tampering detected)
- GPS coordinates validated
CORROBORATED
Content that has been independently verified by multiple sources. Other reporters or community members have submitted supporting evidence from the same event.
Criteria
- Multiple independent submissions covering the same event
- Geographic and temporal clustering of submissions
- Cross-referencing of visual/audio evidence
JOURNALIST
Content from credentialed citizen journalists who have completed identity verification and demonstrated a track record of accurate reporting.
Criteria
- Identity verification completed (government ID)
- Press credentials or journalism training verified
- Track record of accurate, high-quality submissions
OUTLET ENDORSED
Content that has been reviewed and endorsed by a verified news outlet. This is the highest trust tier, indicating professional editorial review.
Criteria
- Endorsed by a verified news outlet on the platform
- Editorial review completed
- Outlet vouches for accuracy of reporting