Operational Truth
Every observation published on any Alerta surface must be traceable to a responsible person or to a documented verification process. Publication without traceability is prohibited with absolute character.
Traceability operates in two modalities. The first associates the observation with an identified Vigía or Experto whose identity remains registered in the system even when public publication preserves anonymity for reasons set out in Article V. The second associates the observation with a documented verification process (consultation of official records, contrast with public archives, cross-verification by more than one Vigía) whose chain remains recorded in the file.
The modification or elimination of a published observation leaves a permanent mark on the record. The platform forgoes silent editing. Any correction remains visible with its date, its author and its justification.
Commentary
Operational truth distinguishes a civic platform from a social network. A social network can tolerate opacity because its value lies in interaction. A civic platform that loses traceability loses, simultaneously, its institutional utility and its public legitimacy.
The term "operational truth" recognizes an important distinction. Alerta does not aspire to publish philosophical truths or definitive moral judgments. It aspires to publish verifiable records: facts sustained by a documented chain of observation, validation and possible correction. Operational truth is the truth that a system can maintain with rigor.
Cohabitation with Article V requires balance. An observation can be public without the identity of the Vigía who documented it being public. Traceability resides in the auditable internal record. Anonymity resides in the public presentation when safety requires it.
The verification chain
An observation passes through a documented sequence before publication:
- Capture. The Vigía documents the observation with timestamp, approximate geolocation and basic metadata.
- Triage. Agent 02 of Saphi Intelligence classifies the observation by category, urgency and need for expert validation.
- Validation. When applicable, an Experto from the relevant field validates the observation. Their validation is recorded with their name and credential.
- Editorial review. The editorial team reviews the public presentation, applies Article V when necessary, and approves publication.
- Publication. The observation enters the public record with a unique identifier, date and accessible verification chain.
Cross-references
- Article V · Traceability coexists with anonymous protection
- Article VII · Accumulated trust depends on operational truth
- Article XI · Dissent enriches the record