How do literary journalists verify facts and dialogue?

In the genre of literary journalism, factual verifiability is a mandatory requirement rather than an option. Practitioners of this craft aim to be recorders of reality rather than inventors, and they are ethically committed to maintaining the integrity of their subjects.1

Regarding the verification of facts and dialogue, literary journalists adhere to the following principles:

• Dialogue: Writers do not present dialogue unless their sources have actually uttered it. The use of composite characters is strictly eschewed to ensure that the narrative remains grounded in factual reality.1
• Research: Unlike conventional journalism, which may rely on quick interviews, literary journalists employ "saturation research." This involves extensive, long-term immersion—sometimes spanning months or years—involving multiple sources and the investigation of archival documents to ensure a nuanced and accurate portrayal of events.12
• Accuracy: Figures such as John Hersey and Lillian Ross are noted for being "sticklers" for factual accuracy, reinforcing the standard that such precision is essential for all journalists.1

While techniques like interior monologue have historically sparked controversy regarding how a writer can know a subject's thoughts, the field maintains a commitment to interpreting factual reality through exhaustive research.2