# Provenance: How We Know What We Know
Last updated: April 4, 2026
This page explains how HastingsNow and Soundbites handle source origin, recording, review, and publication.
“Provenance” means the chain from capture → review → publish → update.
## 1. The provenance goal
We want readers to understand:
- where a piece of information came from
- whether it is self-reported, reviewed, sponsored, or externally sourced
- whether AI tools helped shape the output
- what we can say confidently and what remains limited
## 2. Common source paths
A HastingsNow item may originate from one or more of the following paths:
### A. Direct local voice
A business, nonprofit, agency, or community member records or uploads a Soundbite or other submission directly.
### B. Editorially assembled post
HastingsNow staff or contractors compile information from public sources, direct reporting, interviews, records, or prior submissions.
### C. External-source summary
We summarize or contextualize information that first appeared elsewhere, with attribution where appropriate.
### D. Sponsored placement
A sponsor pays for a placement or distribution package. Sponsored status should be labeled clearly.
### E. AI-assisted media
AI tools may assist with transcription, draft formatting, image generation, video generation, or other media production steps.
## 3. What we capture internally
Depending on the feature used, we may retain internal records such as:
- ingest timestamps
- linked account or organization
- submission method (phone, web, upload, or staff entry)
- technical metadata
- reviewer identifiers
- moderation notes
- decision history
- update / correction history
For Soundbites specifically, the workflow may include:
- recorded or uploaded audio
- transcript generation
- editable draft creation
- review / approval / hold decisions
- public publication and later updates
## 4. What readers may see publicly
Depending on the item, readers may see:
- source or organization name
- transcript or excerpt
- publication date
- CTA / outbound link
- sponsor or self-reported label
- reviewed / corrected / updated notes
- category or trust labels
Public labels are summaries, not a complete audit log.
## 5. How we treat AI-assisted content
We may use AI tools for assistance, but AI alone does not establish trust.
Where relevant, we may distinguish between:
- AI-assisted transcript or draft
- AI-generated illustration or graphic
- human-reviewed publication
- self-reported source material
If a media authenticity or credentialing system is actually live on a specific item, we will say so clearly. If not, we will not imply that a formal content credential exists.
## 6. High-risk exceptions
For content involving minors, health, legal, financial, or reputational harm:
- we may require human review
- we may require better sourcing
- we may delay or decline publication
- we may publish only with additional context or labeling
## 7. Corrections and updates
Provenance is not frozen at publication.
If we correct, clarify, relabel, or remove an item, we may update the public record and retain an internal decision log.
## 8. What this page does not mean
This page does not mean:
- every post is fully fact-checked
- every transcript is perfect
- every source is independent
- every post has the same level of evidence
It means we are trying to make source origin and review status legible.
## 9. Planned improvements
We may introduce clearer provenance indicators, reliability scoring, stronger content credentialing, or transparency summaries over time. If we do, we will document what is live and what it means.
## 10. Contact
Questions about provenance or source status: