This is from the DHS, but I assume similar protocols should exist for the CIA
- A first tier source is one that does not typically need additional corroboration prior
to release. Sources that construct the first tier platform include major news networks, such as
CNN and Fox; major newspapers, such as USA Today and The Washington Post; and
international news, such as the BBC and The International Herald Tribune. These sources do not
typically need additional corroboration prior to release
o Major news networks (Television and Internet)
■ CNN, FOX, ABC, NBC, CBS, MSNBC, Associated Press, Reuters (local
affiliates of these major networks can be considered Tier 1 sources)
■ Local affiliates of major networks, preferably sourced by the wire services
like AP or Reuters
O Major newspapers
■ Washington Post, LA Times, USA Today, US News and World Report, Wall
Street Journal, Chicago Tribune, Houston Chronicle, Boston Globe, Arizona
Republic, San Francisco Chronicle, Detroit Free Press, Miami Herald
■ Some major local/state newspapers are appropriate as well (New York Daily
News, Chicago Sun Times, Minneapolis Star Tribune, Seattle Times, etc.)
o International News
■ BBC, Sky News, UPI (United Press International), IHT (International Herald
Tribune), AFP (Agence France-Presse), Asian Times Online, Al Jazeera English,
Prensa Latina (Latin American News Agency), The Guardian, Le Monde
(France), The Economist, Kyodo News (Japan), The Australian News, German
News, Canada Free Press, Agenzia Italia, United News of India, EFE (Spain),
ARI (Russian Information Agency),
- Should ideally be verified by a First Tier source prior to release.
o Government or specialized sites with a specific focus. Often includes .org's, .net's,
and .co's.
■ AllAfrica.com, Emergency and Disaster Management Service,
GlobalSecurity.org, etc.
o Obviously partisan or agenda-driven sites
■ MoveOn.org, Amnesty International, etc.
- Must be verified by a First Tier source prior to release.
o Tabloids (national and international)
■ The Sun (UK), National Enquirer, Star, etc.
O Blogs, even if they are of a serious, political nature
O Popular magazines
■ People Weekly, Washingtonian, etc.
Fourth Tier - Must be verified by a First Tier source prior to release
o News collection/ compilation sites
■ NationalTerrorAlert.com, Drudge Report.com, DisasterNews.net,
Opensourceintelligence.org, Homelandsecurityleader.com,
HomelandSecurityToday.com.
2.7 SourcinglOIs
1) Credible Source: The item of interest was distributed following information
provide by a credible source, such as a twitter posting by a media outlet
2) Credible Evidence: Information is provided by social media sources, but is being
redistributed by other users or media outiets, lending credibility
3) Corroborating "Hits" Indicating a Trend: The item of interest was produced
from multiple social media different sources providing an overall picture of the
event
4) Official Alert: A notification posted by an official government or private sector
source