Organization: Beam Reports
Applicant: Nohad Eltayeb
Assessor: Naglaa Elemary
Background
Beam reports is a Sudanese fact-checking platform. It is a part of a website under the same name “Beam reports” which is registered in Sudan and publishes in addition to the fact-check stories, investigative, explanatory and data reports as well as public opinion surveys. Beamreports covers the Sudanese affairs only.
The media organisation started in July 2021 following the end of Albashir regime which governed the country for more than 30 years. However, as another regime change led by the military occurred in October 2021, the site had to go semi- underground by hiding the identity of the team for safety reasons due to the crackdown on media.
The quality of the work of Beamreports, as it appears from the website and the fact-checking section, is impressive. From our knowledge of similar platforms in the Arabic language, Beamreports stands out by a high quality of writing and a solid methodology of checking claims.
This is more impressive taking in consideration the quality of most of the Sudanese media in general, usually in great need of modernisation especially the digital ones.
Beamreports continues to operate depending on own financial resources.
Assessment Conclusion
In our first assessment, we required some clarifications and changes. The main concern regarded the registration of Beamreports as the document attached was a certificate in English lacking the basic details of the registration. We asked the applicant to provide more information as well as a document in Arabic. These changes were done and full information about the registration is now available on the website. A document in Arabic was also provided.
We have required additions to clarify the complaints and the correction policy. Again, this was done by the applicant and the website includes now a very clear and detailed policy.
The only change we have required and was not done, regarded the identity of the editorial team as some of them reveal their ties to Beamreports on their personal social media accounts.
The applicant justified its refusal by “its duty to guarantee the safety of the team as a general policy while the decision of some to publicise their work remains a personal choice”. This for us was an acceptable justification.
As a result, we have marked the application as “Compliant” . We believe the site with its high quality work can be a real addition to the Sudanese media scene. However, there is a clear need to diversify the claims they check to include more political parties and factions reflecting the very rich Sudanese political scene. More attention should be also given to the non-political stories affecting the wellbeing of the Sudanese people.
Naglaa Elemary assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
بعد إدخال التعديلات المطلوبة، نرى ان بيم تتحقق بها شروط الالتحاق بالشبكة الدولية للمحققين. ونود الإشارة هنا إلى المستوى الرفيع للكتابة وكذلك المنهجية المتبعة المميزة، وهو ما يجعل بيم في طليعة منصات التحقق باللغة العربية وإضافة إلى المشهد الإعلامي في السودان.
ورغم قرارنا بقبول الطلب، الا أننا نوصي بأن توسع بيم من نطاق التحقق ليشمل مختلف القوى السياسية في البلاد بما في ذلك قوى المعارضة للنظام السياسي الحالي وذلك لتحقيق مبدأ التوازن وعدم الانحياز. كذلك نوصي بمزيد من الاهتمام بالمحتوى غير السياسي الذي له تأثير كبير على المجتمع في السودان.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Our platform is registered as "BEAM REPORTS FOR PRESS SERVICES CENTER" which is a property of the company "THE BEAM FOR MEDIA PRODUCTION CO LTD". On October 25th 2021, there was a military coup d'état in Sudan which brought upon assaults and detainment of journalists and large numbers of citizens in general, therefore we have shifted to a semi-underground way of publishing where we removed our team members from public pages and would also not be able to add a direct indication of who we are. However, we still have an "About us" page which shows our line of work, and the certificate of legal registration will be attached to this field.
Certificate of regis... (41 KB)
Certificate of regis... (41 KB)
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
a link to the information regarding the registration was provided in Arabic. A copy of the certificate in Arabic was also uploaded in criterion 4.1..
We are satisfied with the changes and therefore we mark the criterion as “compliant”
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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?
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago)
Our fact-checking operation has started on August 2021, a month after the debut of our platform. It started after the realization that there is a gap in the Sudanese media landscape for credible fact-checking which motivated the initialization of our fact-checking unit (Marsad Beam), which is Arabic for "Beam's observatory". Our organization currently consists of five core team members, two media researchers, one editor/content creator, one data analyst, and one multimedia designer. The team operates under two managing partners who are also two out of three co-founders of our platform. In addition to fact-checking, our platform creates content based on explanatory, investigative and data journalism, and we aim to kick-off projects related to public opinion polling and surveys throughout the rest of the year. The goals of our fact-checking operation over the coming year involves registering in the IFCN as a credible fact-checker in Sudan, which will help getting verification for our social media platforms and in turn become a registered fact-checker with Facebook. We are also planning to conduct a project that aims to create a fact-checking network in Sudan, with the objective of creating a fact-checking handbook to be disseminated with our network by the end of the project. Furthermore, we aim to expand our team to be able to enhance our operations and consequently fact-check more mis/disinformation.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Answers were provided. No changes were required.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Ever since September 2021, we have been publishing fact-checks at the required rate, with the exception of the month of November, since it was following an unexpected coup d'état in Sudan (which occurred on the 25th of October). The coup had resulted in an almost complete internet shutdown which affected the whole country for 25 days. Aside from that, there were major security issues during that period, including the detainment of one of our managing partners, which made it difficult to continue our operations during the month of November. However, we continued our fact-checking activities normally after that. The spreadsheet attached to this field has a list of the fact-checks we have published since August, the lead topic of each piece, a link for each piece and the total number of fact-checks done for each month.
This is a link to the spreadsheet:
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1A2z9-pxWF11Sb-pl1TSlCtiQr6XviNZYVYnXUIbIZO0/edit?usp=sharing
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Evidence provided. The exceptional period is absolutely understandable. At least one fact check a week was published. The criterion was marked from the beginning as “Compliant” with no required changes
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We conduct fact checks based on:1) The source of the false information, for example politician, public figure, influencer, news outlet or Facebook page with large number of followers (Facebook is the main platform used in Sudan)
2) The reach of the information (how far it has circulated) and
3) The effect it has on the general public, for example hate speech, false information, biased information, disinformation used to support certain agendas... etc.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Most of verified claims are of public interest. As 1.2 and 1.3, the applicant was Compliant from the beginning and no changes were required. We have marked clearly that most of the claims are of public interest.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Ever since the establishment of our organization, we have been funded independently, from the co-founders' own financial resources. We have received a grant from USAID for one media monitoring project between the period December 2021 - March 2021. Aside from that, we have no commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians or political parties in Sudan (the country we cover).
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Satisfied answer. Again, the applicant indicated the funds they have received from USAid and the criterion was marked as compliant from the beginning and no changes were required
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Link provided
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
1) This is a fact-check for a statement from an advisor to General Abdelfatah Alburhan (Chair of Sudan’s Sovereignty council) stating that Alburhan was responsible for removing Sudan from the list of US-sanctioned countries, which was not accurate and was clarified in the piece.
2) This is another fact-check for Alburhan himself being on a circulating list of the most corrupt African leaders, which is not true.
3) This is a fact-check for old photos of mass rallies and protests reappearing on social media as current ones. Note: On that day there was a mass rally all over the country, and that is why our coverage was fast and only posted on social media rather than website due to the team working remotely
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=169945138639345&set=pb.100068715796144.-2207520000..&type=3
4) Although some photos on that day were old and not current, some other rumors claimed that the protests had “failed” which was also not true, according to our following fact-check.
5) This is a fabricated video claiming to show that the former Minister of Foreign Affairs had a bank account in UAE with over 18 million dollars worth of credit.
6) This is a misleading newspaper headline quoting “US Institute of Peace: Demonstrations do not help the political transition”, which relied on a false translation of an article posted on their website about Sudan.
7) This is a fact-check for the selective coverage of Sudan News Agency of the G7 meeting that condemned the military coup in Sudan, while only mentioning the part that “supports” democratic transition.
8) This is a fact-check for the landing of unknown helicopters in Sudan’s Northern state, which turned out to be true.
9) This is a fake photo and headline circulating social media about Hemedti (vice chair of Sudan’s sovereignty council) giving a lecture in Russia, which appeared during his controversial visit to Moscow in February.
10) This is a fact-check about the increase in the Central Bank of Sudan’s reserves to 7 tons of gold and 3 billion dollars, which was a false statement made by the General Manager of the Sudanese Mineral Resources Company Ltd.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The verification process is clear and consistent. There is an attempt to diversify the content . However, there is a clear focus on politics and on the current Sudanese regime. We have marked this criterion as compliant despite there is a need to extend the verification to other political parties.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Link provided. The criterion was marked as compliant as the link stating how they select claims was provided (beamreports.com/methodology)
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We marked this criterion as "compliant" although more efforts are required to identify different sources and any potential interest.
As example in the story about the "Ministry of foreign affairs warning the Troika" published on 07/11/2022, more efforts should have been deployed to identify and explain the political inclination of the websites, a better definition of SANA news agency related to the authorities and a definition of the website "Sudan Hurra". Such additional information would have helped the readers to better understand the reasons behind the claim.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We have marked this criterion as compliant because there is no apparent political link and the editorial team seems not having any political activity. However, as explained above, there is a need to extend the verification process to other political actors and not only focusing on the current regime.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
This is a link to our editorial policy:
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Policy is detailed in the link provided by the applicant. This criterion was marked as compliant from the beginning as the required link was provided. The section states clearly the non-partisanship for the staff.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Evidence and hyperlinks are provided in most stories
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Primary sources are used to a great extent. This criterion was marked as complaint from the beginning and no changes were required.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The use of sources is satisfied in numbers and variety
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We mark it as compliant but more efforts have to be deployed to better present the sources and their interests as this is not consistent
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
'Beam Reports' is an independent organization working in the field of investigative, explanatory and data journalism. "Marsad Beam" is the fact-checking unit of our platform, it is not a separate organization, but rather a department dedicated to fact-checking. Our work is done under the legally registered "BEAM REPORTS FOR PRESS SERVICES" which is registered as a press services center under an independent media company, as shown in the registration certificate attached.
Certificate of regis... (41 KB)
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.beamreports.com/About-beam-reports/
This section of our website introduces Beam Reports as a platform and includes its registration information & registration number as an organization. It also contains information about the ownership and its legal details (name, date, incorporation number, etc).
Certificate of Incor... (89 KB)
Certificate of Regis... (37 KB)
Certificate of Regis... (41 KB)
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The information regarding the registration needs to be clarified on the website. We need the original in Arabic with the registration number of the company and date of registration as previously mentioned.
cancel 4.1 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
The information regarding the registration needs to be clarified on the website. We need the original in Arabic with the registration number of the company and date of registration as previously mentioned.
Update
Required document provided
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
This is a link to our editorial policy:
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.beamreports.com/editorial-policy/
Our editorial policy includes details about our funding.
https://www.beamreports.com/About-beam-reports/
This page includes information from the legal form in which the organization is registered (official name, data and number of registration/incorporation, etc)
Certificate of Incor... (89 KB)
Certificate of Regis... (37 KB)
Certificate of Regis... (41 KB)
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
the statement on ownership was added to the site as required and as explained in 4.1.
cancel 4.2 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The legal form needs to be added
Update
The form was privided
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
As mentioned above, we have removed names and details of our team from public pages due to security concerns in Sudan following the military coup last October. However, our editorial policy remains the same:
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We are aware that some members of the team choose to publicize their position at Beam Reports on their personal social media accounts, but they are after all a personal decision, and their exposure is small as their personal profiles are limited to small circles. We cannot enforce that publicity on the entire team, given the complexity of the political nature of Sudan and the tense relationship between Sudanese authorities and the media - specifically in the scope of politics. Although it isn’t something new, it has been notably more unstable since the coup in October 2021.
Had our team not already faced repercussions before - when it was much smaller - we wouldn’t have had to put this information down. Our team’s safety and well-being are a top priority to us, and we treat everything that can put that at risk with caution. Also, anything happening to a member or more of our team will definitely affect our operations and the content that we produce.
I’m attaching here an updated version of our Company Profile that you can look at which includes our team’s structure and bios. If it might be of any help, we are happy to hop on a call with the IFCN team to respond to any further concerns and/or work together on an alternative solution.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The information on the team is easily found in the internet. Some members of the team publicise Beam on their personal social media accounts publicaly.
Attached screenshots found on the Internet mentioned the names of the founders. There is a public post from the account of a team member publicising Beam. The post was published recently, just few weeks ago.
Although we understand the situation in the country, but if the information is available, there is no reason of hiding it from the readers.
Screenshot_20221108-... (705 KB)
cancel 4.3 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
the applicant explained the policy of hiding the identity of the team for safety reasons. It explains that some staff choose to reveal their link to Beamreports.com as a personal choice.
Given the situation in Sudan and the justification stated by the applicant, we have changed our assessment of thus criterion to Compliant .
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
As mentioned above, we have removed names and details of our team from public pages due to security concerns in Sudan following the military coup last October. However, the attached company profile and organizational structure show summarized biographies of our team members.
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We are aware that some members of the team choose to publicize their position at Beam Reports on their personal social media accounts, but they are after all a personal decision, and their exposure is small as their personal profiles are limited to small circles. We cannot enforce that publicity on the entire team, given the complexity of the political nature of Sudan and the tense relationship between Sudanese authorities and the media - specifically in the scope of politics. Although it isn’t something new, it has been notably more unstable since the coup in October 2021.
Had our team not already faced repercussions before - when it was much smaller - we wouldn’t have had to put this information down. Our team’s safety and well-being are a top priority to us, and we treat everything that can put that at risk with caution. Also, anything happening to a member or more of our team will definitely affect our operations and the content that we produce.
I’m attaching here an updated version of our Company Profile that you can look at which includes our team’s structure and bios. If it might be of any help, we are happy to hop on a call with the IFCN team to respond to any further concerns and/or work together on an alternative solution.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Same as in the previous criterion
cancel 4.4 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We accept the justification presented from the applicant and explained in 4.3 regarding the policy of hiding the identity if the team. Therefore the criterion is Compliant
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.beamreports.com/requests/
We have a page on our website dedicated to fact-check requests and complaints/correction requests that explains the requirement for each.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The page does not clarify that readers can submit claims for the team to verify. The call for the readers to communicate is written in a general way and needs to be more specific.
cancel 4.5 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
the text explaining to the public that they can submit claims for verification is now clear in the link beamreports/requests.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This criterion is marked as Complaint from the beginning as the applicant explains clearly the methodology it uses. No changes were required
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
To a certain extent. It needs to be consistent. This criterion is marked as Complaint from the beginning as the applicant explains clearly the methodology it uses. No changes were required
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This criterion is marked as Complaint from the beginning as the applicant explains clearly the methodology it uses. No changes were required
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
To a certain extent. Some additional explanation regarding the merits of evidence will help the readers better understand the process.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Taking in account the sensitivity and risks for the team. This criterion is marked as Complaint from the beginning as the applicant explains clearly the methodology it uses. No changes were required
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We encourage our readers to send in claims to check to our dedicated fact-checking email marsad@beamreports.com
Furthermore, our published methodology for fact-checking sets expectations on what can be fact-checked and what isn't fact-checkable
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.beamreports.com/requests/
We have a separate page on our website dedicated to fact-check requests and complaints/correction requests.
https://www.beamreports.com/methodology/
We also have a detailed methodology that explains the criteria required for accepting claims to fact-check which is linked in the requests page.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As explained earlier, this section needs to be clearer indicating to the readers that they can submit claims for verification in addition to the critera and the expected delays to get an answer.
cancel 5.6 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This criterion is marked as Complaint from the beginning as the applicant explains clearly the methodology it uses. No changes were required
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Link provided
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.beamreports.com/corrections-policy/
We have added a detailed corrections and complaints policy to our website in Arabic.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Additional information regarding complaints is needed
cancel 6.2 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
the team added a detailed policy of what they cover and what they don’t, how they would deal with major mistakes and why some complaints may justify no response. The added section is very well written in great details with clear language. Therefore we have marked this criterion as compliant
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Ever since we have started our fact-checking operations in August 2021, we have not yet received an actual correction request. Nevertheless, we are very open to suggestions and we take our audience feedback very seriously, which has made us develop and gain credibility over the past months.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
NA
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We are not a signatory
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
NA
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Naglaa Elemary.
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.
Beam Reports
07-Apr-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
https://www.beamreports.com/editorial-policy/
On our editorial policy, there is a line that explains our correction policy.
Beam Reports
21-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.beamreports.com/corrections-policy/
We have added a detailed corrections and complaints policy to our website in Arabic.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
08-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As previously mentioned, information about complaints is to be added
cancel 6.5 marked as Request change by Naglaa Elemary.
Naglaa Elemary Assessor
21-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The team added information regarding how to send complaint, criteria of considering the complaints, process of handling corrections and complaints. The added information Is well detailed and satisfies our request. Therefore we mark the criterion as Complaint.