Organization: Australian Associated Press
Applicant: Holly Nott
Assessor: Raymond Joseph
Background
The Australian Associated Press (AAP) set up its AAP FactCheck unit in March 2019 after recognising a "fact-checking gap" in the region.
"AAP has always produced unbiased and accurate reporting, so fact-checking aligned perfectly with our core principles as a news business and we viewed it as an area where there would be continued and increasing need and wanted to be part of the solution," AAP FactCheck says in its application for the renewal of its International Fact-Checking Network accreditation. "It was a way to support the Australian community by addressing misinformation at the same time as we supported our media clients and complemented the fact-based news content AAP was already providing.
AAP FactCheck has a relatively full-time staff of five people who are all responsible for sourcing checkable claims and writing articles. In addition to the permanent FactCheck staff, AAP cadets spent 6-12 weeks training with the FactCheck team to build their verification skills. AAP also works with a rota of freelance journalists who help to cover New Zealand and the South Pacific, “to ensure that misinformation can be tackled at times of increased need, such as during election periods.”
Its fact-checks cover a wide range of issues and, based on an assessment of its published stories, AAP Factcheck displays a high degree of independence and non-partisanship. During the period under review for this assessment, AAP FactCheck published 178 articles, at an average of 6.8 articles per week, which far exceeds the International Fact-Checking Network’s minimum required number of published fact-checks.
In the year ahead, AAP FactCheck says it intends to expand into audio fact-checking and also create a TikTok channel, so it can reach a greater diversity of people. It has also launched an interesting initiative to train social media content creators in media literacy principles so they, in turn, can educate their audiences.
Its website is well organised and easy for users to navigate, and it displays a high degree of transparency in both the information it publishes about the organisation, including its funding and its fact-checking protocols and other processes.
Assessment Conclusion
AAP FactCheck is fully compliant with International Fact-Checking Network requirements and I have no hesitation in recommending that its accreditation and membership be renewed.
Raymond Joseph assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
See background
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago)
PLEASE ALSO SEE: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/
NB: Attached ASIC Certificate - proof of legal regisration of Australian business
Australian Associated Press Ltd is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2020 to advance tolerance and understanding by protecting independent, ethical and sustainable news gathering and reporting in Australia. (The current organisation superceded the former Australian Associated Press Pty Ltd Newswire and FactCheck businesses on August 4, 2020.)
Australian Associated Press Ltd continues an 85-year legacy of providing media companies and corporations with news and information of public interest, and has been operating an editorially independent fact-checking unit, AAP FactCheck, since 2019 in a bid to combat misinformation in the region.
As a not-for-profit entity, Australian Associated Press Ltd has no owners or shareholders. It is constituted by a group of members who have no ownership rights over the organisation. The organisation is governed by a board of elected directors. AAP derives income from subscriptions to its news, image and information services. AAP accepts philanthropic donations and funding to support the losses of its operations. Donors and funders neither seek nor are granted any influence over editorial operations or the governance of the organisation. We are non-partisan and objective in all our operations.
AAP FactCheck is funded by a targeted allocation from AAP's general newsroom budget and income earned through Third-Party Fact-Checking partnership agreements with Meta and TikTok, and project partnerships with other entities. At all times, AAP FactCheck maintains full editorial independence. AAP FactCheck has a homepage (factcheck.aap.com.au) within the AAP website (aap.com.au) with separate menu navigation and a different article treatment.
Seed funding for AAP FactCheck was originally contributed by Google News Initiative, and GNI has since offered funding towards costs associated with several factchecking-related projects. Meta has also recently spported AAP FactCheck's creation of a media literacy education initiative that ran in several languages during our federal election campaign this year.
The relevant Company Objects are included below for your reference:
1.1 Objects
The Company is established to advance social and public welfare, to advance education and
to promote mutual respect and tolerance between Australians for the benefit of the general
public in Australia by:
(a) promoting independent, ethical and sustainable news gathering and reporting to
advance understanding in Australia of the social, economic and political circumstances
of those in need, including in regional and rural Australia and Indigenous communities,
(b) promoting activities and programs in primary and secondary schools and in tertiary
institutions that support and develop the use of accurate, fact-based communications
in social media and public discourse;
(c) providing access to accurate information about Australian society that enables and
encourages widespread understanding and tolerance among all sectors of the
community;
(d) providing access to accurate, fact-based international media sources that enables
broader public understanding of issues relating to the natural environment in
Australia, and to the security or safety of the Australian public (including from geopolitical, environmental and health causes); and
(e) pursuing any other specific purpose that will advance any of those objects.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP FactCheck is the fact-checking unit of the Australian Associated Press (AAP). (See attached proof of AAP registration)
Details of AAP's registration can be found on the AAP FactCheck website here: https://bit.ly/3k0hxYF (See Record for Registration of Business Name)
As a not-for-profit entity, Australian Associated Press Ltd has no owners or shareholders. It is constituted by a group of members who have no ownership rights over the organisation. AAP is governed by a board of elected directors.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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?
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. AAP began planning a fact-checking operation in December 2018 and set up the AAP FactCheck unit in our Sydney headquarters in March 2019. We recognised there was a fact-checking gap in our region and wanted to provide a service focused on Australia-relevant content ahead of 2019's NSW state and federal government elections as a way of ensuring higher standards of public debate and equipping voters with accurate, reliable information about issues of relevance. It was a way to support the Australian community by addressing misinformation at the same time as we supported our media clients and complemented the fact-based news content AAP was already providing. AAP has always produced unbiased and accurate reporting, so fact-checking aligned perfectly with our core principles as a news business and we viewed it as an area where there would be continued and increasing need, and wanted to be part of the solution.
2. We have a full-time staff of five people who all have responsibility for sourcing checkable claims and writing articles. The FactCheck Editor has additional responsibility for managing all staff, editing and publishing content, and engaging with peers and industry networks, with the support of the FactCheck Deputy Editor as required. In addition to a permanent FactCheck journalist, AAP cadets individually spent 6-12 weeks training with the FactCheck team to build their verification skills and take them into other areas of the AAP Newswire business. AAP also works with a rota of freelance journalists who help to cover New Zealand and the South Pacific, and allow us to tackle more misinformation at times of increased need, such as election periods. They have been trained by AAP FactCheck, have worked in other responsible positions, and understand our core values and standards. The Director of Editorial Partnerships has oversight of AAP FactCheck to the extent that is required to ensure standards and contractual obligations are being met, oppportunities for growth examined, and staff are [properly managed, trained and recruited.
3. For 87 years, AAP has been Australia's national wire service, providing reliable and accurate breaking news, world, sport, politics, court, finance and photographic content to every major Australian media outlet on a 24/7 basis. AAP is a not-for-profit entity focused entirely on delivering unbiased and impartial news of importance to Australians. FactChecking is a core and integral part of our new mission.
4. AAP FactCheck would like to expand into audio fact-checking and also create a TikTok channel to reach and serve a greater diversity of people. We also intend to continue a new initiaive - to be launched in World Media and Information Literacy week - whereby we train social media content creators in media literacy principles so they can train their audiences. We would like to continue serving Culturally and Linguistically Diverse communities, and raise our social media profile as a means of highlighting our work to more people and welcoming more suggestions from the public. We also want to ensure we continue to respond to misinformation and fake news as quickly as possible in order to remain as relevant as possible to the public and our clients.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. AAP set up the AAP FactCheck unit in its Sydney headquarters in March 2019 after recognising that there was a "fact-checking gap" in the region. The intention was to provide a service that focused on Australia-relevant content ahead of the 2019 NSW state and federal government elections, with the intention of ensuring a higher standard of public debate and also equipping voters with accurate, reliable information about relevant issues, AAP FactCheck says in its application to renew its IFCN accreditation.
"It was a way to support the Australian community by addressing misinformation at the same time as we supported our media clients and complemented the fact-based news content AAP was already providing.
"AAP has always produced unbiased and accurate reporting, so fact-checking aligned perfectly with our core principles as a news business and we viewed it as an area where there would be continued and increasing need and wanted to be part of the solution."
2. AAP FactCheck has a full-time staff of five people who are all responsible for sourcing checkable claims and writing articles.
The FactCheck Editor is responsible for managing all staff and editing and publishing content, and also engaging with peers and industry networks, with the support of the FactCheck Deputy Editor.
In addition to the permanent FactCheck staff, AAP cadets spent 6-12 weeks training with the FactCheck team to build their verification skills. AAP also works with a rota of freelance journalists who help to cover New Zealand and the South Pacific and also allow misinformation to be tackled at times of increased need, such as during election periods.
These freelancers are all trained by AAP FactCheck, have worked in other responsible positions, and understand the unit's core values and standards.
The Director of Editorial Partnerships has oversight of AAP FactCheck to the extent that is required to ensure standards and contractual obligations are being met, opportunities for growth examined, and staff are [properly managed, trained, and recruited.
3. "For 87 years, AAP has been Australia's national wire service, providing reliable and accurate breaking news, world, sport, politics, court, finance, and photographic content to every major Australian media outlet on a 24/7 basis," AAP says in its application. "AAP is a not-for-profit entity focused entirely on delivering unbiased and impartial news of importance to Australians. FactChecking is a core and integral part of our new mission."
4. AAP FactCheck says it would like to:
1. expand into audio fact-checking and also create a TikTok channel in order to reach and serve a greater diversity of people;
2. Continue with a new initiative launched during World Media and Information Literacy week that trains social media content creators in media literacy principles so they, in turn, can educate their audiences.
3. Continue serving culturally and linguistically diverse communities;
5. Continuing to respond to misinformation and "fake news" as quickly as possible "in order to remain as relevant as possible to the public and our clients. "
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Australia has fewer than 5 verified signatories. AAP FactCheck has published 178 articles in the 6 months to October 14, 2022. That equates to an average of 6.8 articles per week.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Australia has fewer than 5 verified signatories. AAP FactCheck has published 178 articles in the 6 months period under review for this assessment. At an average of 6.8 articles per week, this far exceeds the minimum required published fact-checks for this criteria.
AAP supplied a comprehensive list of fact-checks it has published during the period under review. (See attached).
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
New information not required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP has exceeded the required number of fact-checks and easily meets the necessary criteria.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
For 86 years, AAP has been at the forefront of delivering impartial, independent and accurate news to Australia’s leading media outlets and beyond. It is one of only a handful of news agencies worldwide not solely funded or influenced by its government. AAP operates editorially independently of government in Australia - we have no political affiliations nor agendas, and do not receive funding from any individual politician or political party.
We are in the final year of a $15m government commitment made over two years when AAP was near collapse in 2020. The funding underpins AAP's operations as we continue to transition from a company owned and supported by two major media outlet shareholders, to a fully independent not-for-profit news service.
AAP FactCheck is a business unit within AAP, but our operational costs are covered by fact-checking revenue such that we are able to contribute funds to the broader business.
AAP FactCheck adheres to policies that protect and enhance AAP's neutrality. However, AAP FactCheck is more stringent, as we do not permit comment in articles as is sometimes permitted in other AAP content in circumstances covered by 2.2/2.3 of the AAP policy on Impartiality and Fairness (copied below.)
AAP’s full Code of Practice and Neutrality statement can be found under our FactCheck "Who We Are" menu https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/ and is repeated on the general AAP site: https://www.aap.com.au/about-us/#item-2
Impartiality and Fairness
2.1. AAP does not promote particular views or commercial interests, either through undue emphasis or by suppressing relevant material.
2.2. In reporting views on controversial matters, always seek to include a fair balance of other views. Any comment or conjecture by the journalist writing the story should be identifiable as such.
2.3. AAP journalists have latitude to express their own views more freely only when, in the opinion of the Editor in Chief or Editor, they have special knowledge or expertise or sufficient reputation. Such pieces should be labelled as View, Comment or Analysis.
2.4. Individuals or groups singled out for criticism should be given a right of reply, in the original story whenever possible.
2.5. Emotive or contentious adjectives should be avoided unless they are being quoted.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AP operates editorially independently of the government in Australia.
"We have no political affiliations nor agendas and do not receive funding from any individual politician or political party."
AAP is in the final year of a $15m government commitment made in 2020 when the organisation was near collapse. This funding has helped underpin AAP's operations as it continues to transition from a company owned and supported by two major media outlet shareholders, to a fully independent, not-for-profit news service.
AAP FactCheck operates as a business unit within AAP, but its operational costs are covered by fact-checking revenue it is able to contribute to the broader business.
AAP FactCheck adheres to policies that protect and enhance AAP's neutrality. See: https://bit.ly/3q2Rggf
However, AAP FactCheck is more stringent, as it does not permit comment in articles as is sometimes permitted in other AAP content in circumstances covered by 2.2/2.3 (see below) of the AAP policy on Impartiality and Fairness.
2.2. In reporting views on controversial matters, always seek to include a fair balance of other views. Any comment or conjecture by the journalist writing the story should be identifiable as such.
2.3. AAP journalists have the latitude to express their own views more freely only when, in the opinion of the Editor in Chief or Editor, they have special knowledge or expertise or sufficient reputation. Such pieces should be labeled as View, Comment, or Analysis.
AAP’s full Code of Practice and Neutrality statement can be found under the "Who We Are" tab on the navigation bar running across all pages of AAP FactCheck's website. It is also repeated on the general AAP website. See: https://bit.ly/3nWnrLw
Excerpt from this policy:
2.1. AAP does not promote particular views or commercial interests, either through undue emphasis or by suppressing relevant material.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP’s full Code of Practice and Neutrality statement can be found under our FactCheck "Who We Are" menu https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/ and is repeated on the general AAP site: https://www.aap.com.au/about-us/#item-2
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
"We have no political affiliations nor agendas and do not receive funding from any individual politician or political party."
AAP’s full Code of Practice and Neutrality statement can be found under the "Who We Are" menu. See: https:///3q2Rggf
This is also repeated on the general AAP website. See: https:///3nWnrLw
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We apply the same high standard of fact-checking and editing to all our work. In the past six months we have spent the majority of our time and effort debunking political and environmental misinformation, thanks to a federal election held in May 2022. AAP does not focus on one side of politics over the other, and regardless of the subject matter, we apply the same methodology to arrive at all our various verdicts. We follow the evidence and facts to their conclusion and never work to support our own assumptions or agendas.
This question seeks to ascertain if AAP FactCheck is non-partisan. The below list shows a range of misinformation about politicians and policies, or shared by politicians. Regardless of the politics associated with the claims we address, the same procedures are followed and the same high standard of evidence applied. The claims are selected based on our selection criteria and what is trending in Australia and the Pacific at the time of the check. The below articles show a mix of subject matters and political parties, but the articles are all following the facts to a set range of conclusions.
Liberal/National coalition (former conservative ruling party as of May 20)
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/barnabys-meltdown-over-nuclear-energy-claim/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/victorian-liberal-leaders-figures-on-public-debt-add-up/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/experts-rubbish-senators-deadly-vaccine-claim/
Labor (ruling party as of May 20) and minor progressive parties
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/labor-doctors-the-truth-on-gp-costs-and-availability/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/did-the-budget-include-a-35-per-cent-cut-to-climate-spending/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/labor-leader-rewrites-history-on-coalition-boat-turnback-policy/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/greens-jumble-numbers-with-claim-about-homelessness/
Independent/Right Wing
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/did-the-budget-really-include-zero-funding-for-a-federal-icac/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/hansons-300000-pm-pension-claim-way-off-the-money/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
An assessment of both links provided by AAP, as well as a random assessment of fact-checks published by AAP FactCheck during the period under review clearly reveals its non-partisanship in its fact-checking.
Fact-checks supplied by AAP FactCheck
Liberal/National coalition (former conservative ruling party as of May 20)
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/barnabys-meltdown-over-nuclear-energy-claim/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/victorian-liberal-leaders-figures-on-public-debt-add-up/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/experts-rubbish-senators-deadly-vaccine-claim/
Labor (ruling party as of May 20) and minor progressive parties
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/labor-doctors-the-truth-on-gp-costs-and-availability/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/did-the-budget-include-a-35-per-cent-cut-to-climate-spending/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/labor-leader-rewrites-history-on-coalition-boat-turnback-policy/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/greens-jumble-numbers-with-claim-about-homelessness/
Independent/Right Wing
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/did-the-budget-really-include-zero-funding-for-a-federal-icac/
https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/hansons-300000-pm-pension-claim-way-off-the-money/
From AAP FactCheck's application:
"We apply the same high standard of fact-checking and editing to all our work. In the past six months, we have spent the majority of our time and effort debunking political and environmental misinformation, thanks to a federal election held in May 2022. "
"AAP does not focus on one side of politics over the other, and regardless of the subject matter, we apply the same methodology to arrive at all our various verdicts. We follow the evidence and facts to their conclusion and never work to support our own assumptions or agendas."
"Claims are selected based on our selection criteria and what is trending in Australia and the Pacific at the time of the check."
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP FactCheck's selection criteria are explained here: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-process/
AAP FactCheck's Neutrality Statement can be found here: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP FactCheck's selection criteria are explained here: See "Claims": https://bit.ly/3CJeHhZ
AAP FactCheck's Neutrality Statement can be found here: https:///3q2Rggf
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After doing a random assessment of fact-checks published over the past 12 months, I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck discloses, where necessary, relevant interests of the sources it quotes where those interests could be perceived to influence the accuracy of the evidence that readers might conclude could influence the findings of the fact-check.
"AAP FactCheck draws on a variety of reliable sources to verify the checkable claims. In every case, the chain of evidence supporting AAP FactCheck verdicts will be clearly noted and published within the copy itself, so that any reader may test its validity. We seek to have at least two different sources per article."
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
A random assessment of fact-checks published over the past year reveals that AAP FactCheck is not affiliated with, nor declares or shows support for any party, politician, or political candidate. It also does not advocate for or against any policies.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP FactCheck content must be based on the facts alone. We do not include commentary, opinion or political bias. Staff must disclose any conflict of interest at the point when AAP FactCheck is assigning claims for checking - and if a conflict arises, that staff member will be removed from writing the analysis on the claim in question.
As outlined in AAP's Code of Practice, failure to disclose a personal conflict can result in dismissal at the AAP Editor's discretion. We are bound by the AAP Code of Practice, but AAP FactCheck has more stringent requirements relating to never expressing opinion or judgment (2.2 and 2.3 in the Code of Practice).
Please see our Neutrality Statement and Full Code of Practice here: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
From application:
"AAP FactCheck content must be based on the facts alone. We do not include commentary, opinion, or political bias. Staff must disclose any conflict of interest at the point when AAP FactCheck is assigning claims for checking - and if a conflict arises, that staff member will be removed from writing the analysis on the claim in question.
As outlined in AAP's Code of Practice, failure to disclose a personal conflict can result in dismissal at the AAP Editor's discretion.
See the Neutrality Statement and Code of Practice here: https://bit.ly/3q2Rggf
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
A random assessment of fact-checks done over the past 12 years reveals that AAP FactCheck discloses the source of all significant evidence used in its fact-checks. It also provides links to online sources, allowing users to replicate their work if they want to.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied, after having done a random assessment of fact-checks, that AAP FactCheck uses the best available sources, with primary sources most often used.
"The journalist may also turn to reliable secondary source material, such as government reports and court documents, and must always consider contacting the person who made the statement to ask for their supporting evidence."
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck uses more than one source when doing a fact-check.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck identifies the relevant interests of the sources it uses in its fact checks, where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP is a not-for-profit organisation committed to bringing accurate and unbiased news to the Australian mass media market and the public. AAP FactCheck is a unit within AAP and has the support of funding from the AAP budget - but contributes revenue back to the broader business. It is also subject to AAP's editorial principles and standards, but remains operationally separate from the daily news stream.
AAP FactCheck has its own editor and journalists, and in some cases, more stringent standards than those that apply to the rest of AAP. The AAP FactCheck Editor reports to the AAP Director of Editorial Partnerships, in part to review FactCheck content to ensure it meets editorial standards and remains bias-free. Ultimately, AAP's CEO is responsible for all content from AAP but has no direct input in the operations of AAP FactCheck.
Please see the Organisational Structure page: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP FactCheck is the fact-checking unit of the Australian Associated Press. (See attached ASIC certificate)
Details of AAP's registration can be found on the AAP FactCheck website here: (See Record for Registration of Business Name): https://bit.ly/3k0hxYF
As a not-for-profit entity, Australian Associated Press Ltd has no owners or shareholders. It is constituted by a group of members who have no ownership rights over the organisation. AAP is governed by a board of elected directors.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please see the Organisational Structure page: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
See "Organisational Structure" page:
"AAP derives income from subscriptions to its news, image and information services. AAP is an independent and non-partisan organisation. AAP accepts philanthropic donations and funding to support the losses of its operations. Donors and funders neither seek nor are granted any influence over editorial operations or the governance of the organisation.
AAP FactCheck is funded by a targeted allocation from AAP’s general newsroom budget and income earned through fact-checking work for Meta and TikTok.
Seed funding for AAP FactCheck was originally contributed by the Google News Initiative, and Google has since provided funding towards the costs associated with multiple election-specific fact-checking projects. AAP FactCheck has also received funding from the Australian Conservation Foundation towards increased fact-checking of environmental issues on multiple occasions."
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please see the Organisational Structure page: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
See "Organisational Structure" web page: https://bit.ly/3k0hxYF
(Organogram of AAP/A structure attached)
organisational struc... (30 KB)
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please see AAP FactCheck Team: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-team/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please see:
Suggest A FactCheck / Make a Suggestion) page: https://www.aap.com.au/make-a-submission/
Request A Correction page: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-corrections/
Contact page: https://www.aap.com.au/contact-factcheck/
There is also a CONTACT US button at the foot of every page of our website.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
There are several ways users can contact AAP FactCheck
Contact page: https:///3nSpVe6
Suggest A FactCheck / Make a Suggestion) page: https:///3nNOMj4
Request A Correction page: https:///2ZXF0D5
There is a "CONTACT US" link at the foot of every page of the AAP FactCheck website.
There are also links to AAP's social media - Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and YouTube pages - on the top of all AAP FactCheck's web pages
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please see:
How We Work/Our Processes: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-process/
How We Work/Verdicts: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-verdicts/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
See:
This page explains how claims are chosen for fact-checking, the research process, sourcing, writing, editing, and publishing of fact-checks.
The "Verdicts" page explains the different verdicts possible for a fact-check. https:///3CHj5yj
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of a claim.
One of AAP's criteria when selecting a claim for investigation is: "The potential community consequences if a claim contains misinformation and this is not addressed.
"AAP FactCheck focuses on investigating claims of political significance and counteracting misinformation shared on social media. We have no political affiliations nor agenda, simply a focus on revealing the facts." See "Claims"
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck supplies evidence in fact-checks that supports a claim, as well as any evidence that appears to undermine it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck assesses the merits of the evidence 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 Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck seeks, where possible, to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence.
"The journalist...must always consider contacting the person who made the statement to ask for their supporting evidence."
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP FactCheck has a page specifically dedicated to encouraging people to reach out to us with claims: https://www.aap.com.au/make-a-submission/
We also have a message encouraging readers to contact us on this page: https://www.aap.com.au/contact-factcheck/
We clearly set out what is in and out of scope within the How We Work/Our Processes menu item https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-process/ and reference or reiterate that information in multiple places on our website.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
5.6: AAP FactCheck has a dedicated page encouraging people to submit claims for fact-checking. See: https://bit.ly/3nNOMj4
A message on the "contact" page (https://bit.ly/3nSpVe6) encourages users to reach out to AAP FactCheck.
"AAP FactCheck would love to hear from you. Simply fill out the form and we’ll be in touch soon."
"When selecting a claim for investigation, we consider the following criteria, See "Claims" https://bit.ly/3CJeHhZ
* That the quoted statement contains clearly verifiable elements and is being presented as fact. AAP FactCheck cannot assess personal opinion.
* The prominence of the statement and its relevance to a broad audience.
* The potential community consequences if a claim contains misinformation and this is not addressed."
6.1: See: "Request A Correction": https://bit.ly/2ZXF0D5
This page is reached via the "How We Work" tab of the navigation bar running across all the website's pages.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please see Request A Correction page: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-corrections/
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No information required
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I am satisfied that the corrections policy is compliant with the required IFCN criteria
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP FactCheck articles often lead to disagreement from those who dislike the published verdicts. The majority of feedback to AAP FactCheck is from people expressing frustration/disappointment with the outcome of one of our investigations. The feedback is frequently crude, offensive and/or threatening. However, any feedback containing genuine queries or challenges to the actual substance of the fact-check articles receives a prompt response.
In the 12 months to October 14 2022, we had three articles requiring clarification, and a complaint independently reviewed in a process that ultimately found no fault in our work and processes. We offer three examples/summaries below, as requested:
1. The independently-chaired AAP Standards Committee investigated a complaint from the office of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd regarding an AAP FactCheck article published April 1, 2022 (https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/did-the-morrison-government-increase-pacific-aid-50-per-cent/). The FactCheck article focused on comments made by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison about government aid to the Pacific. The article found Mr Morrison’s comments were true, and Mr Rudd’s office felt this implied alternate comments by Mr Rudd were therefore, by definition, false. AAP FactCheck fielded the complaint and replied outlining our position, but the matter was escalated to the Standards Committtee as the complainant was not content with our positon. A lengthy Standards investigation found no fault with the AAP FactCheck article in question because there was no inference that Mr Rudd’s statement was untrue, or that his comments were being fact-checked. In the interests of clarity, AAP FactCheck offered a footnote to this effect be included in the article, but there was no response from Mr Rudd’s office and the matter was closed.
2. A July 2021 fact-check related to clause 51 of the Australian Constitution (https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/constitutional-clause-doesnt-ban-vaccine-mandates-in-australia/) was updated in October 2021, and verdict adjusted from FALSE to MISSING CONTEXT after a complaint highlighted a previously unknown expert on constitutional law with a view not supported by our original verdict. All other experts consulted had unanimously held an opposing view but we removed the False rating promptly based on the outlier opinion.
3. A complaint from a NZ social media influencer Chantal Baker on May 16, 2022 resulted in a clarification in early June. Ms Baker claimed AAP FactCheck had misunderstood her comments about a centralised banking system. We acknowleged Ms Baker's complaint on May 17, and after several rounds of discussion over appropriate clarifications, an update was issued in early June. AAP FactCheck took some time to resolve this issue, as Ms Baker had previously spread and then retracted misinformation, so great care was needed in our response. (She has since been banned by Facebook for spreading "harmful disinformation".)
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
From AAP FactCheck's application
"AAP FactCheck articles often lead to disagreement from those who dislike the published verdicts. The majority of feedback to AAP FactCheck is from people expressing frustration/disappointment with the outcome of one of our investigations. The feedback is frequently crude, offensive, and/or threatening. However, any feedback containing genuine queries or challenges to the actual substance of the fact-check articles receives a prompt response."
AAP Fact-Checks says that in the 12-month period ending October 14, 2022, there were three fact-check articles requiring clarification. A complaint that was independently reviewed, "ultimately found no fault in our work and processes."
Below are three examples of complaints and their outcome:
1. The independently-chaired AAP Standards Committee investigated a complaint from the office of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd regarding an AAP FactCheck article published on April 1, 2022heclk ( https://bit.ly/3ixSNJs ).
The article, which focused on comments made by then Prime Minister Scott Morrison about government aid to the Pacific, found that Morrison’s comments were true. Rudd’s office felt this implied alternate comments by him (Rudd) were, therefore, by definition, false.
AAP FactCheck replied, outlining its position. But the matter was escalated to the Standards Committee as the complainant was not content with the response, A lengthy Standards investigation found no fault with the AAP FactCheck article because there was no inference that Rudd’s statement was untrue, or that his comments were being fact-checked.
In the interests of clarity, AAP FactCheck offered a footnote to this effect be included in the article, but there was no response from Rudd’s office and the matter was closed.
2. A July 2021 fact-check related to clause 51 of the Australian Constitution (https://bit.ly/3XSPHA1) was updated in October 2021, and the verdict was adjusted from FALSE to MISSING CONTEXT after a complaint highlighted a previously unknown expert on constitutional law with a view not supported by our original verdict. All other experts consulted had unanimously held an opposing view, but we removed the False rating promptly based on the outlier opinion.
3. A complaint by New Zealand social media influencer Chantal Baker on May 16, 2022, resulted in a clarification in early June. https://bit.ly/3F1VJ8T
Baker claimed AAP FactCheck had misunderstood her comments about a centralised banking system. AA FactCacknowleged the complaint and after several rounds of discussion over appropriate clarifications, an update was issued in early June.
AAP FactCheck took some time to resolve this issue, as Baker had previously spread, but then retracted misinformation, so great care was needed in our response. (She has since been banned by Facebook for spreading "harmful disinformation".)
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
A link to the IFCN Code of Principles and the IFCN complaint policy can be found on our Corrections page: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-corrections/
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
There are links to the IFCN's Code of Principles and the IFCN complaints policy page on AAP's FactChecks "Corrections Page". See https:///2ZXF0D5
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Raymond Joseph.
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.
Australian Associated Press
11-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP's corrections policy is outlined in our Code of Practice: https://www.aap.com.au/about-us/#item-2
AAP's Standards Committee routinely monitors all responses to requests for corrections to ensure they align with our code of conduct as well as community standards. Standards reports twice yearly, and its latest report to the board of AAP was lodged in September 2022 noting no corrections policy breaches. That report notes that over a 12 month period an average of 1495 stories were published each week and there was an average of 3 corrections issued per week.
The corrections policy (linked above) states:
3. Corrections
3.1. Inaccuracies or suspected inaccuracies which affect the integrity of stories on our wires must be dealt with promptly.
3.2. When we acknowledge an inaccuracy, a correction should be issued at urgent priority.
3.3. Challenges to accuracy or fairness in our stories must be referred to the News Editor or Editor. If there is serious doubt, particularly on legal grounds, we must alert subscribers to hold a story pending clarification. If such doubts are confirmed, we must advise subscribers to kill the story, issue take-down notices to internet subscribers and replace with a corrected version as soon as possible.
Raymond Joseph Assessor
02-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
AAP's corrections policy is outlined in A's "Code of Practice."
AAP's Standards Committee routinely monitors all responses to requests for corrections to ensure they align with the code of conduct, as well as community standards.
The Standards Committee reports twice yearly. Its latest report to the board of AAP, lodged in September 2022, noted that there had been no corrections policy breaches. The report also noted that over a 12-month period an average of 1495 stories were published each week, and there was an average of 3 corrections issued per week.
The corrections policy (https://bit.ly/2ZXF0D) states:
3. Corrections
3.1. Inaccuracies or suspected inaccuracies which affect the integrity of stories on our wires must be dealt with promptly.
3.2. When we acknowledge an inaccuracy, a correction should be issued as an urgent priority.
3.3. Challenges to accuracy or fairness in our stories must be referred to the News Editor or Editor. If there is serious doubt, particularly on legal grounds, we must alert subscribers to hold a story pending clarification. If such doubts are confirmed, we must advise subscribers to kill the story, issue take-down notices to internet subscribers, and replace it with a corrected version as soon as possible.