Organization: Congo Check
Applicant: Rodriguez Katsuva
Assessor: Laurent Bigot
Background
Congo Check was set up in 2018, exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking, across Democratic Republic of Congo. It's complianty with the IFCN code of principles since 2019. Its team (24 free-lancers) works in French. Congo Check has also launched Congo Check Academy, a learning center to train journalists in fact-checking for free and a radio called Mtetezi FM. Congo Check is headquartered in GOMA / NORD KIVU (Democratic Republic of Congo). Working conditions for journalists in DRC are difficult and cases of violation of press freedom are frequent.
Assessment Conclusion
According to my assessment, Congo Check is a reliable fact-checking partner.
It is compliant with all the principles enacted by the IFCN.
But changes must be made this year, particularly in relation to the warnings mentioned in 2021, to be totally in line with all the IFCN principles :
3.1 : CONGO CHECK SHOULD USE MORE LINKS OF SOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE...
3.2 : CONGO CHECK SHOULD USE MORE PRIMARY SOURCES AND SHOULD EXPLAIN MORE CLEARLY THE USE OF SECONDARY SOURCES
3.3 : CONGO CHECK SHOULD USE MORE OFTEN DIFFERENT RELEVANT SOURCES ON ONE TOPIC
3.4 : CONGO CHECK SHOULD IDENTIFY MORE OFTEN THE RELEVANT INTERESTS OF THE SOURCES IT USES
5.2 : CONGO CHECK SHOULD EXPLAIN MORE OFTEN THE REASON FOR CHOOSING THE CLAIM TO CHECK
5.5 : CONGO CHECK SHOULD EXPLAIN MORE OFTEN WHEN THE TEAM CONTACTS THOSE WHO MADE THE CLAIM
Laurent Bigot assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Selon mon évaluation, Congo Check est un partenaire fiable de vérification des faits.
Il est conforme à tous les principes édictés par l'IFCN.
Mais des changements doivent être apportés au cours de l'année à venir, notamment par rapport aux avertissements mentionnés en 2021, pour être totalement en phase avec tous les principes de l'IFCN :
3.1 : CONGO CHECK DEVRAIT UTILISER PLUS DE LIENS DE SOURCES DISPONIBLES EN LIGNE...
3.2 : CONGO CHECK DEVRAIT UTILISER PLUS DE SOURCES PRIMAIRES ET EXPLIQUER PLUS CLAIREMENT L'UTILISATION DES SOURCES SECONDAIRES
3.3 : CONGO CHECK DEVRAIT UTILISER PLUS SOUVENT DIFFÉRENTES SOURCES PERTINENTES SUR UN SEUL THÈME
3.4 : CONGO CHECK DEVRAIT IDENTIFIER PLUS SOUVENT LES INTÉRÊTS PERTINENTS DES SOURCES QU'IL UTILISE
5.2 : CONGO CHECK DEVRAIT EXPLIQUER PLUS SOUVENT LA RAISON DU CHOIX DE LA DEMANDE A VERIFIER
5.5 : CONGO CHECK DEVRAIT EXPLIQUER PLUS SOUVENT LORSQUE L'ÉQUIPE CONTACTE CEUX QUI ONT FAIT LA RÉCLAMATION
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.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
On the "About us" option, all informations about our organization are available. Our funding, and our registration number. It's clearly and transparently accessible.
Here the link: https://www.congocheck.net/a-propos/
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago)
Congo Check is a legally registered organization.
All the evidences of its legal registration are presented in the “A propos” section here:
https://www.congocheck.net/a-propos/
Cong Check is headquartered in Quartier Les Volcans 119, avenue boulevard Kanyamuhanga, GOMA / NORD KIVU (Democratic Republic of Congo) and is registered in the trade and companies register under number F92 / 37.153.
Information about the status of Africa Check is set out clearly, and quick to find.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
On the "About us" option, all informations about our organization are available. Our funding, and our registration number. It's clearly and transparently accessible.
Here the link: 1. We created Congo Check in 2018, when the DRC was facing 2 situations : elections and massacres of people in Beni. We knew that there'll be manipulations and fake news in that period, and there was not any media specialized in verification on fact. In Beni, some people have been using fake pictures of massacre, and publish it on social medias. Their aim was to ask for the international community help. But they have been using a wrong way of sensibilisation: fake pictures. The risk of this way to do is that the international community, when they see that picture dont come from Beni, they could think that the situation in Beni is not that much dramatical as they say. Because pictures used comes from other countries.
These two reasons led us to create a media that will protect Congolese from fake news, and that will tell the real reality of our country.
2. We do have 24 people working as free-lancers and not only volunteers, since we got funding from Facebook, as 3rd Party fact-checkers. Their role is to help in investigation, write articles, look for misinformation online, on radios and TV and in the community.
3. Our principal activity is fact-checking. But we have launched cong Check Academy, a learning center for journalists. We train, for free, journalists in fact-checking. The last training session was in the region of Beni. With the logistical help of United Nations, 32 journalists got trained in Beni and Butembo, by Congo Check Academy. We are, also, working on the first radio that will be launched soon. Mtetezi FM will be a topic media, focused on human rights. We will be also a 24h information radio, with programs of fact-checking.
4. Our goals is : create a financially independent, sustainable an innovatice structure (Congo Check, Congo Check Academy and Mtetezi FM radio). Our academy will sign partnership with schools of journalism in France, so our trainings and diplomas will be recognized by these schools. The schools will be sending us their teachers too. We hope the 3 activities will ensure and maintain our independence. It's important for fact-checking organization, to be independent, financially. https://www.congocheck.net/a-propos/
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check was set up in 2018, exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking, across DRC. Its team (24 free-lancers) works in French.
Congo Check also launched Congo Check Academy, a learning center to train journalists in fact-checking for free. And Congo Check launched a radio, Mtetezi FM .
The answers provided by the leaders of Congo Check seem trustworthy.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We publish around 80 articles each month. This is verifiable on our website.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check team says it has published 80 fact checks per month during the previous six months. In view of what we have observed, it's right.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
According to our assessment, the fact-checking articles of Congo Check are in line with IFCN's expectations.
We find that these fact checks deal in majority (more than 75%) with “public interest” issues that “relate to or could have an impact on the well-being of individuals, the general public or society”.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We do not accept or receive any funding from any state or political actors in countries we cover. Our politics are clear : Congo Check do not accept any founds from politics, politicians or political parties. It's clearly written here : https://www.congocheck.net/a-propos/
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant’s editorial output is not, for us, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.
Congo Check sets out how the team ensure the editorial independence of its work, here :
https://www.congocheck.net/a-propos/
And the team explains clearly : "Congo Check receives no financial support from the Congolese government, political leaders or political parties. This is to ensure his independence."
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We do not.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
No funding from local or foreign state or political sources.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness
To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
- 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
- 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
- 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
- 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.
Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Recently, war broke out in the eastern part of the Democratic Republic of Congo. It is led by rebels of the M23 group. They are mostly Tutsi, and this tribe of Congo speaks Kinyarwanda. This has led people to stigmatize anyone who speaks Rwandan and put individuals in danger just because of their morphology. Our teams have worked hard to combat mis and disinformation (fakenews) that have arisen from this situation. We showed the real facts related to Rwanda and Congo in this war! Without any preference!
We also worked on electoral issues, many fakenews from opposition side and people on power.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant fact-checks use the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim. We didn't find any example of unfair treatment...
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check does not seem to unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side; it seems to consider the reach and importance of claims it selects to check; and it publishes an explaination on its website to set out how it selects claims to check, here :
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes and 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.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check is not as an organization affiliated with any party, any politician or political candidate. It doesn't advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check explains its policies to preserve its non-partisan way of fact-checking claims on a page titled “A propos” here:
https://www.congocheck.net/a-propos/
It evokes :
"To ensure the independence of our content, we make sure that no member of the team is involved in political activities or that none of us maintains contact with any political group or citizen movement. We thus track the posts of each of our collaborators online to ensure that they have not taken a position or engaged in a political struggle. This in order to ensure the independence of our project towards political organizations.”
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources
To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria
- 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
- 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
- 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
- 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check identifies the source of a major part of significant evidence used in its fact checks.
BUT, IN THE FUTURE, CONGO CHECK SHOULD USE MORE LINKS OF SOURCES AVAILABLE ONLINE...
(this is essential in the context of compliance with the IFCN code of principles)
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check uses (most of the time) the best available primary sources of evidence.
BUT, IN THE FUTURE, CONGO CHECK SHOULD USE MORE PRIMARY SOURCES AND SHOULD EXPLAIN MORE CLEARLY THE USE OF SECONDARY SOURCES
(this is essential in the context of compliance with the IFCN code of principles)
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check checks all key elements of claims.
BUT, IN THE FUTURE, CONGO CHECK SHOULD USE MORE OFTEN DIFFERENT RELEVANT SOURCES ON ONE TOPIC
(this is essential in the context of compliance with the IFCN code of principles)
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check 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.
BUT, IN THE FUTURE, CONGO CHECK SHOULD IDENTIFY MORE OFTEN THE RELEVANT INTERESTS OF THE SOURCES IT USES
(this is essential in the context of compliance with the IFCN code of principles)
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization
To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
- 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
- 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
- 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
- 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.
Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check is an activity (part) of IFC. Initiative des fact-checkers du Congo. We are an NGO with principal mission fighting misinformation. We are legally registered, and have the permit of working. It's an Independent organization.
Congo Check is a project of the ASBL/NGO Initiative des factchekers du Congo IFC (with its head office in Quartier Les Volcans 119, avenue boulevard Kanyamuhanga, GOMA/NORD KIVU (Democratic Republic of Congo) Registered in the RCS of under the n° F92/37.153 ), Congo Check is the first information website, specialized in fact-checking in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Launched towards the beginning of 2018, our mission is to fight against false information that has become commonplace on the internet in the DRC, most of which is spread by malicious individuals on social networks and sometimes by websites. In addition to this initial objective, Congo Check launched in late 2018 a tracker of promises made by politicians and other leaders through its new program called ''Promises Barometer''. The website also features a directory that lists the top online publications deemed false after the team's checks. The goal is to do everything possible to fight against the spread of misinformation on the Internet and against inaccuracy in the speeches of leaders and public figures as well as false political promises. We are an independent initiative and we remain so until now.
This statement can be found in the link below.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check is an independent organization.
And the page that sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc) is here :
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In 2021 and 2022, Congo Check was mainly funded by 6 sources:
1. Founding members' contributions
2. Partnership with Facebook in the third-party fact-checking program
3. Fact-checking training and/or content production partnerships with the NGO Internews and UNICEF (coming next month)
4. An award of 10 000 euros, received from the international organization of the Francophonie, after Congo Check had won the First Francophone media Innovation Prize innovation.
5. Google News Initiative
6. FPU, Free Press Unlimited for 33.000 euros for one year.
Since April 2020, Congo Check has been part of the "Third Party Program" of Facebook. With responsibilities in the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Congo Brazzaville.
This statement can be found in the link below.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check is an independent organization.
The team details its sources of funding accounting and the legal form in which the organization is registered here:
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check presents its organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised (Chief editor, editors, authors, etc.) here :
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check presents a page detailing the professional biography of all those who play a significant part in its articles:
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
It’s easy for readers to contact Congo Check’s team.
There’s a contact page here:
https://www.congocheck.net/nous-proposer-un-article-2/
And there’s an generic email address (info@congocheck.net) in the footer of the website.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology
To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
- 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
- 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
- 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
- 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
- 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.
Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check gives precisions about its fact-checking methodology, here:
https://www.congocheck.net/a-propos/
Congo Check give a lot of details in this section.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and often explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Congo Check seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim.
BUT CONGO CHECK SHOULD EXPLAIN MORE OFTEN WHEN THE TEAM CONTACTS THOSE WHO MADE THE CLAIM
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have added this notice to all our articles :
Notice from Congo Check to the online community in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and French-speaking Africa: If your content is tagged as fake, partially fake, missing context, photo or video retouched... don't delete it! Modify it, with the update of the verification article that we put at your disposal, then report it to us! Or make an appeal if you think that our verification article does not contain enough factual elements capable of calling for the modification of your content. Our team will then be notified and proceed to remove the tag or provide you with more assistance in understanding the context around your content! By removing the content, we would unfortunately not be able to do anything more and the penalty will remain!
https://www.congocheck.net/nous-proposer-un-article-2/
Contact us
You think that an information is false, you doubt the veracity of certain remarks, a rumor circulates in your community: do not hesitate to write to us at info@congocheck.net or send an SMS or a call, or a simple beep at +2439942427.
Congo Check mainly checks information directly related to the countries where it works: the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo, for the moment. You can submit links, videos, photos, comments or rumors in your community. They can be in the field of politics, sports, health, ICT or any other field of public and social life.
Congo Check does not check in priority facts that have no link with the countries mentioned above.
Congo Check does not make espionage nor data theft.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
There’s a dedicated page to invite readers to submit claims to fact-check on Congo Check’s websites. We can find it here:
https://www.congocheck.net/nous-proposer-un-article-2/
And the contact page is reachable from the menu.
It explains :
“You think that information is false, you doubt the veracity of certain remarks, a rumor circulates in your community: do not hesitate to write to us at info@congocheck.net or send an SMS or a call, or a simple beep at +243999942427.
Congo Check mainly checks information directly related to the countries where it works: the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo, for the moment. You can submit links, videos, photos, comments or rumors in your communities. They can be in the field of politics, sport, health, NTIC or any other field of public and social life.
Congo Check does not check as a priority facts that have no connection with the countries mentioned above.
Congo Check does not spy or steal data."
So we can say that Congo Check 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.
But there's a paragraph that must be included in the same page :
"Another important rule: we do not check (a) content of a private nature, (b) content that harms the physical integrity of people, (c) content of espionage or sabotage (d) any content that can harm people, especially those from minorities. We also do not verify content that has no connection with the countries in which we operate, namely the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic."
Actually, it is in this page : https://congocheck.net/protocole-de-correction/
(non sense)
cancel 5.6 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
09-Nov-2022 (2 years ago)
There’s a dedicated page to invite readers to submit claims to fact-check on Congo Check’s websites. We can find it here:
https://www.congocheck.net/nous-proposer-un-article-2/
And the contact page is reachable from the menu.
It explains :
“You think that information is false, you doubt the veracity of certain remarks, a rumor circulates in your community: do not hesitate to write to us at info@congocheck.net or send an SMS or a call, or a simple beep at +243999942427.
Congo Check mainly checks information directly related to the countries where it works: the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic and the Republic of Congo, for the moment. You can submit links, videos, photos, comments or rumors in your communities. They can be in the field of politics, sport, health, NTIC or any other field of public and social life.
Congo Check does not check as a priority facts that have no connection with the countries mentioned above.
Congo Check does not spy or steal data."
So we can say that Congo Check 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.
Another paragraph is included in the same page :
"Another important rule: we do not check (a) content of a private nature, (b) content that harms the physical integrity of people, (c) content of espionage or sabotage (d) any content that can harm people, especially those from minorities. We also do not verify content that has no connection with the countries in which we operate, namely the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo and the Central African Republic."
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy
To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
- 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
- 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
- 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
- 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.
Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have added this notice to all our articles :
Notice from Congo Check to the online community in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and French-speaking Africa: If your content is tagged as fake, partially fake, missing context, photo or video retouched... don't delete it! Modify it, with the update of the verification article that we put at your disposal, then report it to us! Or make an appeal if you think that our verification article does not contain enough factual elements capable of calling for the modification of your content. Our team will then be notified and proceed to remove the tag or provide you with more assistance in understanding the context around your content! By removing the content, we would unfortunately not be able to do anything more and the penalty will remain!
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The Congo Check’s websites give precisions about its corrections policy in a specific webpage, here:
https://www.congocheck.net/protocole-de-correction/
Its corrections are published here (just one !?):
https://www.congocheck.net/category/appels-traites/
So Congo Check has a corrections policy that is easily visible and accessible.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Thanks
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The Congo Check corrections policy sets out :
"-Once a reader reports an error in one of our articles, the technical team will acknowledge receipt of their message
-The technical team in turn shares the message with the editorial team
-The editorial team is therefore responsible for rereading the article concerned by the observation, taking into account the observations and contacting the author of the message again if necessary
-If after verifications, the editorial team realizes that indeed an error has been made in the article, it instructs the technical team to pin the article "being corrected" with precision on the content concerned by this correction
-Once the correction is applied, the article is pinned "Updated" with precision to the corrected content.."
Congo Check try to explain in its website that some complaints may justify no response, but the team does it with a paragraph dedicated to what is fact-checkable or not :
"We do not check (a) content of a private nature, (b) content that attacks the physical integrity of people, (c) spy or sabotage content (d) any content that may harm people, especially those from minorities. We also do not check content unrelated to the countries in which we operate, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.
The team should explain more clearly what kind of complaints are not handled.
cancel 6.2 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
09-Nov-2022 (2 years ago)
The Congo Check corrections policy sets out :
"-Once a reader reports an error in one of our articles, the technical team will acknowledge receipt of their message
-The technical team in turn shares the message with the editorial team
-The editorial team is therefore responsible for rereading the article concerned by the observation, taking into account the observations and contacting the author of the message again if necessary
-If after verifications, the editorial team realizes that indeed an error has been made in the article, it instructs the technical team to pin the article "being corrected" with precision on the content concerned by this correction
-Once the correction is applied, the article is pinned "Updated" with precision to the corrected content.."
Congo Check try to explain in its website that some complaints may justify no response, but the team does it with a paragraph dedicated to what is fact-checkable or not :
"We do not check (a) content of a private nature, (b) content that attacks the physical integrity of people, (c) spy or sabotage content (d) any content that may harm people, especially those from minorities. We also do not check content unrelated to the countries in which we operate, namely the Democratic Republic of the Congo, the Republic of the Congo and the Central African Republic.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We did it. here : https://www.congocheck.net/protocole-de-correction/
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check provides only one credible evidence that it makes corrections openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
Congo Check gives only one example of correction in its website, here:
https://www.congocheck.net/category/appels-traites/
But the team makes a statement in its website to inform users that no correction request has been made in the previous year, here:
"https://congocheck.net/protocole-de-correction/"
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have added this notice to all our articles :
Notice from Congo Check to the online community in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and French-speaking Africa: If your content is tagged as fake, partially fake, missing context, photo or video retouched... don't delete it! Modify it, with the update of the verification article that we put at your disposal, then report it to us! Or make an appeal if you think that our verification article does not contain enough factual elements capable of calling for the modification of your content. Our team will then be notified and proceed to remove the tag or provide you with more assistance in understanding the context around your content! By removing the content, we would unfortunately not be able to do anything more and the penalty will remain!
But they also can use these links :
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Congo Check declares itself an IFCN signatory, at the bottom of each page, like here :
"Congo Check, being a signatory to the code of principle of the International Fact-Checkers Network (IFCN), submits to the principles of transparency and impartiality. If in any way you believe that one of our articles violates these principles (see the video here https://youtu.be/OVrx_2OYuTg) you can contact us at info@congocheck.net. You can also report your concerns to the IFCN, by writing to them at info@poynter.org. Please read the IFCN Complaints Policy here: https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy."
There's a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.
The statement should also be mentioned in the A PROPOS page.
cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
09-Nov-2022 (2 years ago)
Congo Check declares itself an IFCN signatory, at the bottom of each page, like here :
"Congo Check, being a signatory to the code of principle of the International Fact-Checkers Network (IFCN), submits to the principles of transparency and impartiality. If in any way you believe that one of our articles violates these principles (see the video here https://youtu.be/OVrx_2OYuTg) you can contact us at info@congocheck.net. You can also report your concerns to the IFCN, by writing to them at info@poynter.org. Please read the IFCN Complaints Policy here: https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy."
There's a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.
The statement is also mentioned in the A PROPOS page.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.
Congo Check
23-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
https://www.congocheck.net/protocole-de-correction/
But also, on the bottom of each article, they can read this :
Notice from Congo Check to the online community in Democratic Republic of Congo, Central African Republic, Congo-Brazzaville and French-speaking Africa: If your content is tagged as fake, partially fake, missing context, photo or video retouched... don't delete it! Modify it, with the update of the verification article that we put at your disposal, then report it to us! Or make an appeal if you think that our verification article does not contain enough factual elements capable of calling for the modification of your content. Our team will then be notified and proceed to remove the tag or provide you with more assistance in understanding the context around your content! By removing the content, we would unfortunately not be able to do anything more and the penalty will remain!
Laurent Bigot Assessor
29-Oct-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Not concerned.