That's journalism though. For instance, I don't follow Twitter and don't follow Kanye West. I have no idea what is up with that dude, aside from a music video in 06-ish.

Now I'm no journalist, but if I were:

Should I claim things as fact that I don't know for sure or have witnessed first hand and can provide proof beyond reasonable doubt?

Or should I just report it how it is, and make it clear I myself have just heard from others?

That's not saying it isn't so, it's just the proper way to express 2nd hand information.