Method

For an outlet that checks what others say, a published method is the condition of its legitimacy. Here it is.

Six principles

1. Two independent sources, one of them primary. An official text, a published rate, a written confirmation, data we recorded ourselves. Never a screenshot from a group as a source.
2. The verification date is information. It appears on every guide, every verdict, every figure. Information checked eight months ago is flagged as such.
3. Figures are recorded, not reported. Prices, fees and wait times come from our own data or from aggregated reader submissions, with their number shown.
4. We protect readers before we protect the subject. Contributions are anonymous by default, there is no location data, and no person is identified in our checks.
5. What does not work gets published. A consulate that does not answer, an unworkable procedure, a programme announced and never opened.
6. We do not do it for you. We explain, compare and check. We do not handle any application and do not recommend any provider.

The trackers

Three monthly series: the price of a return trip to Beirut from each base, what a recipient in Beirut actually receives after a transfer, and the actual time it takes to obtain consular documents.

• Consistent protocol. Same routes, same recording dates, same booking windows, same amounts. Any change is documented and dated.
• Controlled submissions. The number of submissions is shown, extreme values are excluded according to a published rule, and no value is published below 10 submissions.
• Open data. Each series can be downloaded as a CSV file, under a CC BY 4.0 licence.
• No sponsor. No player we measure can fund the outlet.

The series are published once three months of data have been gathered: a figure with no history tells you nothing.

The fact-check

Every fortnight, we check claims that circulate in diaspora groups and that cost something to anyone who believes them. Four verdicts:

• Accurate: checked with the competent source, on the date shown.
• False: contradicted by the competent source.
• No longer true: accurate for a time, no longer so since the date shown.
• Unverifiable: no competent source can settle the question, and we say why.

We never name the person who passed on a piece of information. Our subject is the information, not the sender.

Freshness

Costs and wait times are rechecked every three months, procedures every six months, institutions every twelve months. Beyond that, the guide says so.