MJRC · Standards & Policies
Publication Integrity and Verification
Our aim is to make it straightforward to identify official MJRC publications, understand which edition you are reading, and raise questions about errors or possible alterations.
Finding the Official Version
Start from a publication’s page on the MJRC website and use the download or repository links supplied there. Check the title, authors, publication date and any edition or version information. For material found elsewhere, compare it with the copy linked by MJRC.
Corrections and Version Queries
If you are unsure whether a document is the latest version, or notice a factual error, conflicting editions or a possible alteration, please contact MJRC. Include the publication title, the relevant page or passage, and a link to the copy you are using. Where a revised edition or correction notice is available, consult it alongside the original publication.
Editorial Responsibility and AI Use
MJRC’s commitment to publication integrity includes clear attribution, transparent sourcing and responsibility for published work. Our AI-Use Policy explains the requirements for AI assistance, human editorial review and disclosure in research.
Additional File Verification
Selected publications have an Integrity & Verification Note containing a SHA3-256 fingerprint for a specific file and edition. This additional check is available only where such a note or an official fingerprint has been published.
How to Verify a File and Find Existing Records
A fingerprint is a cryptographic hash calculated from the contents of a file. To compare a copy with an MJRC reference:
- Locate the official fingerprint or verification note for the exact publication and edition you want to check.
- Use a trusted tool that supports SHA3-256 to calculate the fingerprint of your downloaded file on your own device.
- Compare the complete value with the official reference. A matching value provides strong evidence that your file has the same contents as the referenced file.
What this check establishes. A file fingerprint checks file integrity. It does not certify research accuracy or human authorship, and it is not a digital signature. A mismatch can result from a different edition or a change to the file, including its metadata. Contact MJRC if you need help interpreting a difference.
Existing Verification Records
Previously published fingerprints and supporting information remain available in the existing register. These records cover selected publications and are not a complete catalog of MJRC’s work.
Technical reference: NIST’s explanation of cryptographic hash functions .
Questions About a Publication?
For version queries, suspected alterations or corrections, contact the Media and Journalism Research Center.
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