How does the 'burden of evidence' principle specifically apply when incorporating potentially contentious information into a Wikipedia article?

The 'burden of evidence' principle, central to Wikipedia's Verifiability policy, dictates that anyone adding or restoring material to a Wikipedia article must provide a reliable source that directly supports the content. When dealing with potentially contentious information – material likely to be challenged or disputed – this principle becomes particularly critical. The editor introducing the contentious claim bears the full responsibility of providing a citation to a reliable, published source. This means that the information must be clearly and explicitly stated in the source; it is not sufficient to infer or imply the claim based on the source material. If a citation is requested ('citation needed' tag), the editor must either provide the source promptly or remove the material. Failure to provide a reliable source for contentious material can lead to its removal by other editors. The 'burden of evidence' is not on those who question or remove the unsourced claim; it rests solely on the editor seeking to include or restore the information. For example, if someone adds a claim that a politician has been accused of corruption, they must immediately provide a reliable source, such as a reputable news organization or government report, that directly states the accusation.