Evidence: As used here, "evidence" includes:
- evidence that would be accepted in court; and
- information that is reasonably likely to lead to evidence that would be accepted in court.
- For example, a sourced quote from an identifiable person as to a fact will be considered "evidence" because that person could be placed under oath to affirm his/her quoted statement.
- Similarly, an official government website containing information will be considered "evidence" because it is presumed that the information can be verified.
- On the other hand, an unsourced reference to "I heard that ..." "I've received reports that ..." is not considered "evidence," because (a) the person making the assertion has no first-hand knowledge of the allegation and, without more, (b) the allegation is wholly unverifiable.
- Similarly, a "bare allegation" contained in a news article or blog, without reference to actual information (documents, interviews, etc.) is not considered "evidence," unless the person asserts that s|he has personal knowledge of the alleged fact, because this type of allegation is also wholly unverifiable.
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