Organization: Belarusian Investigative Center
Applicant: Alexander
Assessor: Oleg Khomenok
Background
Belarus Investigative Center is one of the few independent media doing investigative reporting and fact-checking based on high professional and ethical standards. Due to the hostile environment and repressive regime, this media has to work in exile.
Assessment Conclusion
BIC meets all criteria for signatories, and the application can be approved.
Oleg Khomenok assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
A factcheck-show Weekly Top Fake (ex-Lukaviye Novosti (Sly News) is a fact check unit of Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC) that unites independent journalists and issues investigative, analytical and factcheck products regularly.
You can read more about us here: https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
The info is available in three languages: BY, EN and RU
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Weekly Top Fake, previously Lukaviye Novosti (Sly News) is a fact-checking unit of the Belarussian Investigative Center (BIC), established and explicitly designed for Fact-checking purposes.
Until November 2022 stories produced by BIC were broadcasted by Belsat TV. In November 2022, the project changed its name and started publishing in text format and broadcast videos on Youtube channel https://www.youtube.com/@Belarus_Files .
The webpage https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi clearly states fact-checking initiative and distribution of this information is a specific organization activity. BIC is a legally registered non-profit organization https://rejstrik-firem.kurzy.cz/27042201/belarusian-investigative-center-z-s/
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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?
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Factcheck-show Weekly Top Fake (ex-Lukaviye Novosti (Sly News) was created in 2019 solely for fact-checking with mentoring and financial assistance from the The Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project (OCCRP) and using in work the OCCRP methodology as well. Weekly Top Fake is a fact check unit of Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC)
Our team of 5 consists of two observers, an editor, an editor-in-chief and a separate reviewer. We also have a SMM-editor, but we share it with BIC.
Within three years we have released over 100 episodes, each episode debunking 4-6 fakes, sometimes more.
More than 25 million people have watched our episodes over the last year on all platforms combined (Youtube, Facebook, Instagram, TikTok).
We aim to double this number in the nearest year through continual expansion of our geography of presence. In particular, currently we are exploring options of collaboration with other factcheck-focused media.
We also aim to post our factchecks regularly in the BIC Telegram channel thus ensuring that our content reaches as wide audience as possible.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The Weekly Top Fake (WTF) Show (previously Sly News (SN) project) has been active since 2019 as BIC unit focused on fact-checking with five employees. Besides fact-checking BIC does investigative reporting by partnering with OCCRP. WTF was launched to analyze and debunk disinformation produced and distributed mainly by Belarus State-controlled media.
The goals of WTF in the upcoming year are: establishing collaboration with other fact-checking initiatives in neighboring countries and expanding the audience using social media platforms.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Since 2019 we have released over 100 episodes, each episode debunking 4-6 fakes, sometimes more.
Episodes starting from September 2021 are available on our website - https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews
Older episodes can be found on the Belsat Youtube page https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLwYoV983RR85toP6s8MCUT_iBUJlXZ9aC
Our content is available there in three languages: BY, RU and ENG, though English translations often are published a bit later.
https://investigatebel.org/by/fakenews
https://investigatebel.org/ru/fakenews
https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews
Our content is also available in our Facebook, Instagram and TikTok accounts
https://www.facebook.com/weeklytopfake
https://www.instagram.com/weeklytopfake/
https://www.tiktok.com/@weeklytopfake
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The content published on https://investigatebel.org/ru/fakenews in text format is also produced and broadcast weekly on Youtube as a show "Fakes of the week", each episode includes 4-6 fact-check pieces.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
Most WTF fact-checks focus on debunking political propaganda and disinformation of the Lukashenko regime, which indirectly impacts Belarus society's well-being.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
BIC is funded by a wide range of donors with no political claims.
Until November of 2022 funding partly was coming from Belsat TV on a commercial basis. Each piece of content we create under this contract was submitted to Belsat TV under the strict condition of unchanging and unediting.
Since November of 2022, we have renamed Lukaviye novosti as Weekly Top Fake and have stopped producing them for Belsat TV. Instead of it we have started to release the show on the BIC Youtube channel. BIC is a member center of OCCRP and thus steadily follows OCCRP guidelines including those related to impartiality and non-partisanship.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
It is clearly stated on the website and is visible in the content that WTF and BIC have no funding and influence of the government or any political party.
Stopping of relationship and funding from Belsat TV did not affect by now the impartiality and non-partisanship of the fact-checking content.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
N/A
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
BIC and WTF don't have funding or control from Belarus state or political sources.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. Fake about Ukrainians have to declare Bandera a terrorist in order to get a PESEL number in Poland - https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/ukraincam-kab-atrymac-numar-pesel-u-polshchy-treba-publichna-pryznac-bandera-terarystam-rassledavanne-belta
2. Fake about Zelenskiy takes Ukrainian gold out to Poland and prepares to flee - https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/zyalenski-vyvozic-ukrainskae-zolata-polshchu-i-ryhtuecca-da-cyoka
3. Fake about Ukraine sells off weapons handed over to the AFU by Western countries - https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/ukraina-raspradae-zbroyu-yakuyu-zahodniya-krainy-peradayuc-dlya-zsu
4. Fake about Ukrainians burn down Orthodox churches https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/ukraincy-spalvayuc-pravasla-nyya-hramy-a-papa-rymski-hodzic-z-lgbt-kryzham
5. Fake about fines for watching BY and RU TV channels in the Baltic states https://youtu.be/tvrqypJpAl0?list=PLwYoV983RR85toP6s8MCUT_iBUJlXZ9aC&t=80
6. Fake about a refugee from North Korea talks about the horrors of life in the United States - https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/ucyakachka-z-pa-nochnaj-karei-raspavyala-pra-zhahi-zhyccya-zsha
7. Fake about "Pfizer" wants to reduce the world's population by 50% - https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/pfizer-hocha-skaracic-naselnictva-planety-na-50
8. Fake about most of the sex workers in Europe come from Ukraine - https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/bolshasc-prastytutak-u-e-rope-ukrainki
9. Fake about George Soros being a Jew in Hitler's service https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/dzhordzh-soras-gabrej-na-sluzhbe-gitlera
10. Fake: Eismant claims that Germany is run by grandchildren of SS officers https://investigatebel.org/en/fakenews/ejsmant-zaya-lyae-shto-nyamechchynaj-kiruyuc-unuki-aficera-ss
As you can see in all the cases listed above we use the same methodology to debunk fakes, regardless of their origin.
We have chosen these claims as we found them particularly important as they are reaching an audience of millions and thus affect directly citizens of Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries.
Whether fake comes from state officials or media, anonymous TG channels or private opinion - we use the same methods involving info from open sources such as official data and statistics; answers and data from official institutions; relevant media sources; official statements by relevant persons or institutions; research of relevant institutions or individuals; opinions of experts; legal acts and official documents of a different type.
We also often do our own research involving usage of special software for comparison and verification of multimedia materials such as photos and videos.
For every debunked fake in our show we provide evidence in the form of image while in the text versions we aim to provide links or supporting docs.
We usually try to contact sources of fake news and ask them for proof to support their statements. However we receive responses rarely as most of fakes originate from state-affiliated sources and their representatives almost always ignore our inquiries.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The content of provided links shows using the same standards and professional approach in fact-checking applied by WTF.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We check for fakes the entire Belarusian - and Russian-speaking information fields, mainly the statements of authorities and state media. We check for fakes their accounts in social networks and state-affiliated accounts (e.g., Telegram channels) as well. We choose these claims as they are of great public importance and affect directly lives of millions of people in Belarus, Russia, Ukraine and CIS countries.
We also check claims made by independent media though we find fakes there far less frequently. Factual errors in independent media happen usually because of slip-ups whilst state media from Belarus or Russia often do errors on purpose.
You can read about this here - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Since most of the media in Belarus are state-controlled, WTF primarily selects claims for fact-checking from the state media, but many claims are taken from the Russian media. The variety of topics checked by WTF shows diversity in selection.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Based on the analysis of the recent content of WTF, the unbiased approach is seen, and the reader might reasonably conclude the interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
Content analysis has proven that WTF is not an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, 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.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Impartiality is our first and utmost priority, that’s why we do our best to ensure depoliticization of our staff. We do not hire or employ in any way members of political parties or politically engaged activist groups and follow closely our journalists’ accounts on social networks to confirm that they show no support for any political groups.
You can read about this here - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi The info is available in three languages: BY, ENG, RU
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
The non-partisanship policy is clearly stated on the WTF web page https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi and declares an unbiased approach toward all political actors.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In every piece of the fact-check, WTF explains how they did the analysis, including relying on the sources of information debunking fake so the reader and viewer can replicate the journalists' work.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
All randomly selected and analyzed recent and previous fact-check pieces of WTF are based on primary sources of information.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Randomly selected and analyzed fact-check pieces, in most cases, are based on multiple sources confirming the information distributed by WTF.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Based on the analysis of the content of WTF Show, the unbiased approach is seen, and the readers and viewers might reasonably conclude that interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Weekly Top Fake is a fact check unit of Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC) and this is stated here on our page - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
BIC and WTF, as its fact-checking unit, are funded by the Organised Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, which is stated on the BIC webpage https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi.
Due to the hostile environment and repressive regime in Belarus and the inability to register in the country, BIC is registered as NGO in Czech Republic https://rejstrik-firem.kurzy.cz/27042201/belarusian-investigative-center-z-s/ .
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Weekly Top Fake is a fact check unit of Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC) and this is stated here on our page - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
WTF is a fact check unit of Belarusian Investigative Center (BIC) and this is stated on the webpage https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Each claim undergoes 4 stages of verification. Two observers are exploring the information field for claims and then implement initial factcheck. They also write a draft scenario that is meticulously verified by the editor. After that, an editor-in-chief (who is also a show anchor by the way) proofreads and factchecks a scenario. And finally, before going online, a last thorough fact check is carried out by a separate reviewer.
You can read about this here - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi The info is available in three languages: BY, ENG, RU
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The structure of editorial control is described in the "how we do" section at https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The BIC site and this particular page are blocked in Belarus and branded as extremist so our journalists live mainly outside the country to avoid pressure from the authorities. But many of us still have relatives in Belarus so privacy and security issues are very sensitive to them. That’s why we do not put profiles of all our employees on the website. However, we are glad to introduce to you some of them:
Alyona Cherniauskaya is the anchor of Weekly Top Fake show. After the crackdown she fled Belarus. Author and host of documentary films, first vice-miss Minsk. She is studying in the University of Warsaw currently, majoring in journalism.
Stanislau Ivashkevich is the head of Belarusian Investigative Center, first and leading investigative center in Belarus. It produces over two dozens of investigations of corruption and fraud schemes per year. Stanislau Ivashkevich received national Free Word awards for a journalistic investigation in 2018, 2019 and 2020 (annual competition held by Belarusian Association of Journalists), Free Word 2021 for analytics and Show of the Year award (2019) from Belsat TV for the investigative TV show. In journalism since 2009. Before engaging in journalism Stanislau worked for market intelligence companies Euromonitor International Plc and Marcus Evans Plc.
You can read about this here - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi The info is available in three languages: BY, ENG, RU
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Due to security reasons, the only two profiles of key team members are in the "our crew' section on the page https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Our audience can reach us via our SM accounts links to which are located in the right bottom of the site https://investigatebel.org/, they also can find there a form for contact by clicking the phrase: Contact us/Написать нам/Напісаць нам.
You can also find contact details and encouraging message here - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi, the last paragraph of Our Principles section.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The users are encouraged to communicate through several channels, including the webpage, mailing, and social media accounts.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We use in work the OCCRP methodology as stated on our website: https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
Please find attached a doc with methodology as shared with us by OCCRP member KRIK and then slightly reworked to our needs.
We are currently working on our own guidelines and aim to publish them in the nearest future.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
WTF is using the OCCRP methodology as stated on the website: https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
The file with the methodology description provided additionally shows a fair and professional approach to the methodology of fact-checks.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
All randomly selected and analyzed recent fact-check pieces debunk disinformation in socially essential issues and explain why the claim was selected and the importance of providing trustworthy information to the people.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
All randomly selected and analyzed recent fact-check pieces are based on relevant evidence supporting or undermining debunked claims.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
WTF has an equal, unbiased and neutral approach to the sources of claims as well as to the sources proving claims with no prejudice.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Based on the analysis of randomly selected recent pieces, it is evident that in most cases, WTF seeks to contact those who made a claim, besides the cases when it is not done for safety reasons, or the claim was done by Lukashenko or high-ranked officials who are not communicating with independent media.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We always welcome fact check suggestions from our audience so our viewers can submit them via mail or via our social media accounts.
We also encourage our viewers to send in claims to check during our broadcasts and posting link to our Telegram bot in the video descriptions.
You can find a suggestions policy on our website via this link under the headline Suggestions Policy. https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi.
It describes how we select from submitted claims ones that should be factchecked. It also states that there are some claims that we can not factcheck. It is available in three languages: BY, EN and RU
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The "Our Principles" section calls the audience to submit their ideas or claims to be checked through mailing and social media.
The section "How we do" with the text explains the criteria of claims selection and which claims are fact-checkable and which are not.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
If anybody finds any inaccuracies in our show, there are several options for reaching us: via email, via our social media accounts or via our Telegram bot.
We constantly encourage our viewers during a broadcast to send us claim suggestions for checking as well as to point out the errors if they notice one. We also add the encouraging messages to video descriptions of our episodes on Youtube. For example - https://youtu.be/7JuB7aju_x8
We are committed to a transparent and constructive dialogue with our audience that’s why we aim to reply to inquiries in less than 24 hours.
This info is published here - https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi, the section named Corrections Policy. It reflects inter alia how major mistakes are handled and stipulating that there are few cases in which we reserve the right to reject complaints. The info is available in three languages: BY, EN and RU
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The rules of the corrections and complaints are in the "Our principles" section named "Corrections Policy" https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi as well as in the episodes broadcast on Youtube.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
WTF has a detailed correction policy at https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi that clearly defines what it does and does not cover, how significant mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Within last six months we have received two correction requests.
The first one was related with a major mistake because of poor source checking. We have included an amendment in the next episode of show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_GuKpEAtPo&list=PLwYoV983RR85toP6s8MCUT_iBUJlXZ9aC&index=6&t=677s as stipulated in our Corrections policy. We have also made a post in our Telegram channel https://t.me/Belarus_Files/411
The second one occured because of the slip of the tongue. We have included an amendment in a pinned comment under the video so everyone could see it https://youtu.be/XJhGLJqbNkA?list=PLWTqb9vvvcBeHXqRJgWL18OOoBYix_q3q.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Provided examples have proven that the correction policy of WTF is correctly implemented, appropriately and honestly enforced, and applied in the cases where correction or update is needed.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We have published on our site a text that inform users that if they believe we are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this. It is located here, at the bottom of the page https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The Code of conduct is published here https://investigatebel.org/ru/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi and has all the needed information, so if the website user will need to file the complaint to IFCN it can be quickly done.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
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.
Belarusian Investigative Center
22-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We have developed and published on our website a detailed correction policy for Weekly Top Fake show. It can be found here, below the headline Corrections Policy. https://investigatebel.org/en/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi. It is available in three languages: BY, EN and RU.
A correction policy for BIC as for a parent media company will follow, we are currently working on BIC guidelines including inter alia general corrections policy. It is a long and complicated procedure since we specialize in the most complex forms of journalism but we aim to release those guidelines in the coming months.
As for now, BIC is strongly committed to the professional guidelines that are stipulated in the Code of Ethics of Belarusian Association of Journalists (https://baj.by/be/content/palazhenne-pra-kamisiyu) as well as to the principles which are set out in the Munich Declaration of the Duties and Rights of Journalists.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
WTF correction policy published at https://investigatebel.org/ru/nashyya-metady-praverki-infarmacyi
BIC, by now, is firmly committed to the professional guidelines of the Code of Ethics of Belarusian Association of Journalists https://baj.by/be/content/palazhenne-pra-kamisiyu that set up the principles of mistakes correction.
The upcoming general correction policy for BIC will be beneficial.