Organization: 20 Minutes Fake off
Applicant: Mathilde Cousin
Assessor: Laurent Bigot
Background
"Fake Off" is the distinct fact-checking section of 20 Minutes, a legally registered French media.
"Fake Off" was set up in 2017, exclusively to the purpose of fact-checking.
France, where this medium is based, is a democratic country which allows "CheckNews" to work independently.
Assessment Conclusion
According to my assessment, "Fake Off" is a reliable fact-checking partner.
This media is compliant with all of the new principles enacted by the IFCN.
But we still encourage "Fake Off" to take a good look at these assessment, as they contain recommendations to bring the site more in line with the IFCN code of principles.
And we encourage also 20 Minutes to mention, in its own code of ethics, the day of its correction and what recently was modified in it about the correction policy ... We note that 20 Minutes says that these special page will be updated soon.
Laurent Bigot assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
La rubrique "Fake Off" du site "20 Minutes" a déjà respecté le code de principes de l'IFCN sous son ancienne version. Et après ses dernières corrections, elle respecte les 31 critères du nouveau code de principes de l'IFCN.
Toutefois, elle doit encore faire en sorte que la charte d'éthique de 20 Minutes (qui apparaît à deux endroits sur le site datée de deux périodes différentes) impose à l'ensemble de la rédaction les mêmes règles de correction que les journalistes de Fake Off s'imposent à eux-mêmes. Elle a été mise à jour, mais il lui faut encore indiquer avec transparence ce qui a été modifié et à quelle date. La rédaction s'engage à ce que cela soit fait dans les plus brefs délais.
Enfin, l'évaluation du site laisse entrevoir que plusieurs autres critères (marqués ici, cette fois-ci, comme conformes) mériteraient d'être mieux respectés ; il est nécessaire d'anticiper dès aujourd'hui une éventuelle prochaine candidature pour se mettre en conformité.
Le site reste un partenaire fiable de l'IFCN en matière de vérification des faits (fact-checking et debunking)
Section 1: Eligibility to be a signatory
To be eligible to be a signatory, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 1.1 The applicant is a legally registered organization, or a distinct team or unit within a legally registered organization, and details of this are easily found on its website.
- 1.2 The team, unit or organization is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking.
- 1.3 The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application. For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track. Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
- 1.4 On average, at least 75% of the applicant’s fact checks focus on claims related to issues that, in the view of the IFCN, relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
- 1.5 The applicant’s editorial output is not, in the view of the IFCN, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.
- 1.6 If the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, it provides a statement on its site setting out to the satisfaction of the IFCN, how it ensures its funders do not influence the findings of its reports.
Criteria 1.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain where on your website you set out information about your organization’s legal status and how this complies with criteria. Attach a link to the relevant page of your website.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We conducted Fact checking on a daily basis in our Fake Off section, Mathilde Cousin and Alexis Orsini are particularly in charge of the section Into the bargain the entire newsroom (national and our local editorial teams) produce fact-checking. Our articles are featured in the section Fake off of our print newspaper and website https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/desintox/
We also produced a weekly email newsletter (https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/2817651-20200708-decouvrez-nouvelle-newsletter-fake-off-etre-fort-contre-fake-news) podcasts and videos, particularly OMF Oh my fake, on Snapchat show and other platforms
The chief of the team is Clément Giuliano and the Deputy Editor in chief, particularly in charge of the section is Claire Planchard
20 Minutes is a legally registered French media outlet.: http://www.20minutes.fr/mentions
A KBis extract is attached
As you can easily note looking at our debunk list,which is available attached
almost 100% of our topics deal with general interest: covid-19 crisis, vaccinations, health topics in general, US presidential election and Joe Biden's inauguration, rumors about policies and truncated quotes that can mislead and create bad judgments.All of these topics are not only of major importance in the public debate but also influence the daily lives of readers. Fake health news can have a negative impact on people, increase epidemics and can even have deadly consequences. Political fake news may influence an election or aggravate tensions in a democratic society.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago)
Fake Off (https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/desintox/) is the distinct fact-checking section of the legally registered French media outlet 20 Minutes (https://www.20minutes.fr/).
All the evidence of the 20 Minutes' legal registration are presented in the “Mentions légales” through its RCS number, here: http://www.20minutes.fr/mentions
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We officially started our fact-checking unit in 2017, with a dedicated section in our website and a dedicated unit, in order to prevent fake news more firmly and in a more frequent basis, particularly during the French presidential race. But before that official launch and involvement in IFCN guidelines, our media was already doing debunks years before, especially on political subjects, the "desintox" articles. 2017 was a significant turn : we a hired a full-time journalist dedicated to the fact checking section for daily debunks, Mathilde Cousin, whereas the entire newsroom went on supporting the section by writing additional debunks. Now, the service has 2 permanent journalists, entirely dedicated to fact checking. The unit receives input from the national newsroom and the regional offices, with increased participation during the spring of 2020, the lockdown and the Covid-19 crisis. It is placed under the authority of a department head, Clément Giuliano, and a deputy editor-in-chief, Claire Planchard. Anne Kerloc'h, who launched the fact checking unit in 2017 and run it until January 2019 before Claire Planchard, is now in charge of relations with the IFCN and Facebook. She also launched the video and multiplatform format "Oh My fake", focused on cognitive bias, notably on Snapchat Discover.
The fact checking service runs articles on a daily basis, but also podcasts, videos and a weekly newsletter. It receives requests from readers for checks.
For 2021, we will develop our fact checking offer, thanks to the stronger involvement of the rest of the editorial staff and a young journalist; Tom Hollmann, on a qualification contract who will reinforce the team on a part-time basis. The health and medic sector will continue to be a priority with the current crisis, with a sustained focus on information on treatments, drugs and vaccines. We will pay attention to political pre-election propaganda and rumors. We launched season 2 of Oh my fake, a video format on cognitive bias, on Snapchat, Instagram, Tik Tok at the end of 2020 and will go on with this format, particularly appreciated by young readers
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
20 Minutes has been doing fact-checking since 2017, with the work of the team "Desintox. Fake Off is the new name of the fact-checking team of 20 Minutes.
The team also launched the video and multiplatform format "Oh My fake", focused on cognitive bias, notably on Snapchat Discover, Instagram, Tik Tok.
The team plans to continue its verification work, specifically on the political field during the next presidential race (2022).
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Our fact checking section runs debunks on a daily basis, you can check all of them on this link
https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/desintox/
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Fake Off journalists publish 1 to 3 fact-checks per day on its website.
The fact-checks are gathered on the 20 Minutes website section called "Fake Off" here: https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/desintox/
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
According to our assessment, the fact-checking stories presented by "Fake Off" are in line with IFCN's expectations.
We find that these fact checks deal in majority (more than 75%) with “public interest” issues that “relate to or could have an impact on the well-being of individuals, the general public or society”.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Our organization does not receive any funds from abroad, neither from political parties. We get a legal support via the Fonds Strategique pour le développement de la presse,A public assistance fund, as provided for by la, that is for a total amount of 136 000 euros, that is less than 0,04% of our revenues. We can firmly asset that it doesn't have any impact on our editorial choices
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
20 Minutes and its "Fake Off" section doesn't detail its sources of funding.
The team only explains : “We get a legal support via the Fonds Strategique pour le développement de la presse,A public assistance fund, as provided for by law, that is for a total amount of 136 000 euros, that is less than 0,04% of our revenues. We can firmly asset that it doesn't have any impact on our editorial choices :
https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Sites-thematiques/Presse/Aides-a-la-Presse/1.-Presentation-du-Fonds-strategique-pour-le-developpement-de-la-presse2.”
20 Minutes receives direct or indirect public press subsidies from the French State. But it is not controlled by the French State.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Everything is explained here https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
20 Minutes receives some funding from the French state (press subsidies).
The Fake Off team explain to its readers that its funders do not influence the findings of its reports, here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness
To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
- 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
- 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
- 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
- 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.
Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
https://www.20minutes.fr/high-tech/2911407-20201118-gare-fausse-citation-marlene-schiappa-terrorisme
https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/2969611-20210204-maires-peuvent-interdire-deploiement-5g
https://www.20minutes.fr/politique/2959075-20210122-oui-francois-bayrou-photographie-masque-aeroport
As you can easily verify, we take care to fact-check statements about various political personalities with the same concern for impartiality. This is how we can demonstrate that certain rumors are inaccurate, and that other facts are verified. We don't just pick and choose those statements that are in favor of the government or its opponents.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" team works on every issues at an national and international levels.
Their fact-checks seem to use the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim. We didn't find any example of obvious unfair treatment...
The team explains how the fact checks they selected show that they use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" team does not seem to unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side; it seems to consider the reach and importance of claims it selects to check.
The team publishes an explaination on its website to set out how it selects claims to check, here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
We can read :
"Like all editorial staff, the fact-checker team is committed to impartiality and non-partisan treatment of information. Each journalist acts independently of any ideological, philosophical, political, cultural or confessional motivation or of commercial objectives which could influence the content of his production while respecting the facts. (...). We handle 80% of fact checking requests, focusing on current affairs and fake news with strong virality, in order to curb their spread. The subject must also be of general interest to society, and of some magnitude, not anecdotal or marginal.."
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed, the "Fake Off" team discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes and any commercial or other such relationships it has.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed, the "Fake Off" team doesn't show support for any party, any politician or political candidate.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" team explains its policies to preserve its non-partisan way of fact-checking claims in different statements.
Here, in the 20 Minutes website:
https://www.20minutes.fr/medias/8110-20060220-charte-20minutes
It evokes :
"The press's mission is to disseminate information on the daily life of society, to reveal or provide essential insight into facts that could be subject to criticism, particularly if they are intentionally hidden and withdrawn from the exercise. of democracy. In accordance with this line of conduct and these principles, 20 Minutes is committed to impartiality and consequently to a non-partisan treatment of information."
And in the "Fake Off" section, here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
"Like all editorial staff, the fact-checker team is committed to impartiality and non-partisan treatment of information. Each journalist acts independently of any ideological, philosophical, political, cultural or confessional motivation or of commercial objectives which could influence the content of his production while respecting the facts."
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources
To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria
- 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
- 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
- 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
- 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed, the "Fake Off" team identifies the source of significant evidence used in its fact checks.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed, the "Fake Off" team uses (most of the time) the best available primary sources of evidence.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed, the "Fake Off" team checks all key elements of claims with more than one source of evidence.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed, the "Fake Off" team dentifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization
To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
- 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
- 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
- 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
- 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.
Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
Fake off is the fact checking section of media house 20 Minutes France
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
"Fake Off" is the fact-checking section of the 20 Minutes website. The explaination is here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
20 Minutes Fake off
31-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The following link has been updated with new links https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
As a fact-checking section of 20 Minutes, "Fake Off" shares a link to the statement on its website about its ownership :
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
There's another indication here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/mentions
But in the first page, there's a link that doesn't work here:
"20 Minutes est détenu à parts égales par le groupe SIPA-Ouest-France et le groupe Rossel (en savoir plus)."
cancel 4.2 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
05-Jun-2021 (3 years ago)
As a fact-checking section of 20 Minutes, "Fake Off" shares a link to the statement on its website about its ownership :
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
There's another indication here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/mentions
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
20 Minutes presents its organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised (Chief editor, deputy-chief editor, etc.) here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
https://www.20minutes.fr/mentions
In the future, this indication should be easier to find for readers.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" team presents a page detailing the name and surname of the team members here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
It’s quite easy for readers to contact the "Fake Off" team.
As they say: "It is the whole principle of CheckNews" to ask questions to the journalists.
The link to do that is here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology
To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
- 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
- 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
- 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
- 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
- 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.
Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" team gives precisions about its fact-checking methodology, in its "A propos" section, here:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed (20 fact checks selection), the "Fake Off" journalists select claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and sometimes explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed (20 fact checks selection), the "Fake Off" journalists set out in their fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed (20 fact checks selection), the "Fake Off" journalists assess the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In view of what we have observed (20 fact checks selection), the "Fake Off" journalists seek where possible to contact those who made the claim.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
There’s a dedicated page to invite readers to submit claims to fact-check on Fake Off website:
https://www.20minutes.fr/societe/desintox/
And there's a page where readers can find an explaination about which claims are fact-checkable or not:
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
"We handle 80% of fact checking requests, focusing on current affairs and fake news with strong virality, in order to curb their spread. The subject must also be of general interest to society, and of some magnitude, not anecdotal or marginal."
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy
To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
- 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
- 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
- 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
- 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.
Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" section gives precisions about its corrections policy, here:
"In accordance with our ethical charter and the IFCN code of good practice, of which 20 Minutes is a signatory, we undertake to rectify our articles when we make an error. You will find on this page our latest corrections made in 2019 and 2020.
You can also view our fixes for 2017 and 2018 here.
Readers can notify us of a factual error using this form. A team will take charge of the request and check if it is indeed an error, in which case the correction will be made. If it is a disagreement with the choice of the subject treated, the form, or the expression of a personal opinion by the reader on the subject, no follow-up will be carried out, the request not entering. not as part of rectifying an error."
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact-check, are handled, here:
"Two main types of corrections can take place: EDIT. And the CORRECTION
EDIT: as part of a clarification, additional info, or new information that made us redesign the paper
We also use an EDIT for archival papers that we put together to give the context of this new publication.
CORRECTION. In connection with a reported and corrected error. A mention is affixed at the beginning of the article, in a clear and legible manner. The corrigendum may be present in the title if it concerns major information on the paper, but not necessarily, especially if the error relates only to one aspect of the paper.
Where the information at the source of the paper itself is inaccurate, the article must be entirely reproduced and we must point out that we made a mistake previously. The text of the corrigendum refers to a 2nd article which explains the error and the correction.
It sets clearly that some complaints may justify no response, here:
"If it is a disagreement with the choice of the subject treated, the form, or the expression of a personal opinion by the reader on the subject, no follow-up will be carried out, the request not entering. not as part of rectifying an error."
The "Fake Off" journalists seems to follow this corrections policy quite scrupulously.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" journalists provide credible evidence that it makes corrections openly and transparently.
The team gives several examples from different articles, listed on a special page here:
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
20 Minutes Fake off
31-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
There was a link. But we have made a more clear sentence : " 20 Minutes se conforme aux principes de l'IFCN Poynter. A ce titre, si une violation des principes par 20 Minutes était avérée l'IFCN peut être contacté à ce sujet via ce lien " You can check on the updated page
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" section has a page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory here;
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
The website informs users that if they believe its journalists are violating the IFCN Code, people may inform the IFCN, but without a link to the IFCN site.
cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
05-Jun-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The "Fake Off" section has a page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory here;
https://www.20minutes.fr/arts-stars/medias/2797871-20200618-propos-rubrique-fake-off-20-minutes
The website informs users that if they believe its journalists are violating the IFCN Code, people may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN website.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.
20 Minutes Fake off
25-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
20 Minutes Fake off
31-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We have updated our charte :
https://www.20minutes.fr/medias/8110-20060220-charte-20minutes
https://www.20minutes.fr/charte-20minutes
The sentence : 20 Minutes applique les principes d'une correction transparente et honnête définis par l 'IFCN Poynter. Les rectifications sont portées à la connaissance du lecteur de manière claire et formelle. Le détail de notre politique de correction est disponible ici.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
19-Apr-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The parent media company of "Fake Off", called 20 Minutes, has its own code of ethics.
We can find two different versions of it :
https://www.20minutes.fr/medias/8110-20060220-charte-20minutes
https://www.20minutes.fr/charte-20minutes
But it doesn't contains references to an honest and open corrections policy. It only contains this sentence :
"If erroneous information has been published, it must be corrected as soon as possible."
cancel 6.5 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
05-Jun-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The parent media company of "Fake Off", called 20 Minutes, has its own code of ethics.
We can find two different versions of it :
https://www.20minutes.fr/medias/8110-20060220-charte-20minutes
It contains references to an honest and open corrections policy:
"If erroneous information has been published, it must be corrected as soon as possible. 20 Minutes applies the principles of transparent and honest correction defined by the IFCN Poynter. Corrections are brought to the attention of the reader in a clear and formal manner. Details of our correction policy are available here."
https://www.20minutes.fr/charte-20minutes
It contains references to an honest and open corrections policy but the page is not dated from the day of the correction ... and do not say what recently was modified in it ...
20 Minutes says that these special page will be updated soon.