What is the primary purpose of source verification in reporting?

• A. To speed up publication by skipping checks
• B. To ensure consistency of tone across articles
• C. To verify financial statements with auditors
• D. To cross-check facts with reliable sources

Answer: (D)

Source verification in reporting is about cross-checking facts with reliable sources to ensure accuracy. By confirming quotes, figures, dates, and claims with original documents, official records, and independent experts, journalists build credibility and reduce the chance of errors. This focus on verification protects readers from misinformation and supports a transparent, accountable record. The other options miss the fundamental aim: speeding publication by skipping checks undermines accuracy; maintaining a consistent tone is an editorial concern, not the verification process; and verifying financial statements with auditors is a specific financial-reporting task, not the general purpose of verifying sources in reporting.