Who is in a position to know?

A source's value depends partly on how they could know the information they provide. A witness, specialist, official, and affected resident may each contribute something important, but they do not necessarily answer the same question.

Evaluating a source means connecting their access and knowledge to the specific claim. It also means asking what can be checked independently and what remains hidden.

This approach is especially useful when a report uses an anonymous source. A withheld name limits what the public can examine, but it does not make the information automatically true or false.