ATW:Reliable sources

The Antifascist Tech Wiki has stringent requirements for high-quality sources and well-cited articles.

General knowledge sources

When describing uncontroversial facts, Wikipedia's guidelines on reliable sources are a good starting point. Wikipedia's guidelines on verifiability, citing sources, and no original research are also used as the basis of ATW's policy on citations for matters of general knowledge.

Controversial claims about people and/or organizations

Special consideration is given to citations which substantiate claims which could reasonably be considered defamatory if false, such as describing a person as a "fascist". ATW articles do tell it like it is, but such claims are only made if one of the following criteria are met:

1. At least one primary source is available which verifies the claim.
   • In the event that the subject has issued a retraction, apology, etc; the article text must indicate this near to the controversial claim.
   • Archived sources (e.g. the Wayback Machine) may be used for primary sources which were later removed. If the removal can be interpreted as a "soft" retraction, this should be noted in the article text near the controversial claim.
2. At least two reputable secondary sources are available which verify the claim.
   • Wikipedia's "Perennial sources" list is a convenient way of determining if a publication is reputable. "Generally reliable" sources are appropriate to satisfy this requirement.
   • Reputable sources are not necessarily unbiased sources. A source which presents a verifiable fact with a biased spin is a useful citation for the fact even if the bias does not match the biases of ATW.

Hearsay

Hearsay are claims substantiated only by the reputation of the person making the claim. Hearsay is a valid source to cite on ATW under the following conditions:

• The source has a reasonable basis of knowledge, such as an audience member describing an event at which they were present
• The article text indicates that the source is hearsay

Claims which rest on hearsay must not be phrased as factual.

• Correct: Many women have come forward with allegations of sexual harassment regarding Mr. Doe.^{[citations considered hearsay]}
• Incorrect: Mr. Doe is a sexual predator.^{[citations considered hearsay]}

A citation which is considered hearsay may be challenged if a reputable source contradicts the claim.