'DELFI Melo Detektorius' is a fact checking project of the largest Lithuania media outlet 'DELFI Lietuva'. Our fact checking unit was set up in 2018.

Starting as a project focused on checking solely speeches and claims made by Lithuanian political figures we now also check various public claims made online by users of social networks and information found on other Lithuanian news media outlets.

Since 2020 we also do fact-checks in Russian language using the same information verification standarts.

You can find more information about our fact checking unit here (in Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=apie

And here (in Russian): https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/o-nas

You can find more information about our parent organisation here: https://www.delfi.lt/apie/

Evidence of 'DELFI Lietuva' legal registration: see attached document 'Delfi pazymejimas.pdf'

The applicant has provided sufficient information about its status.

1. 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' was set up in 2018 to promote fairness and accuracy in Lithuanian news outlets and Lithuanian social network accounts and to increase confidence in media.

2. Currently there are 5 professional journalists that are doing fact-checks in 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' in Lithuanian and Russian language. Every 'DELFI Lietuva' journalist is free to join 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' after hearing short introduction on how to find and search claims to check, how to add new articles on our platform and comply with code of principles.

3. 'DELFI Lietuva' is the biggest news website in Lithuania and carries out wide range of activities. 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' is one of our projects dedicated solely to fact checking and maintaining quality journalism standarts.

4. Since 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' started it's operation in 2018 our fact-checking channel has vastly expanded. Considering the nature of disinformation in Lithuania and the fact that significant amount of our countries population are used to getting their news from Russian language sources since 2020 we added new fact-checking language to our initiative and now we are doing fact-checks in Lithuanian and Russian languages. 'DELFI Lietuva' and experts from 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' are also actively involved in other partnerships related to disinformation detection, research on disinformation and misinformation and media literacy such as DIGIRES and BECID. For the coming year we plan to explore various forms of delivering out fact-checks such as video fact-checking, explainer videos, interactive fact-checks and invest more resources in media literacy training and continuous communication with academia which could help to come up with the new automated solutions for fact-checkers and new research on the effects of disinformation and effectiveness of media literacy interventions.

The provided information shows that the applicant fully meets the IFCN criteria.

All of the articles published in Lithuanian can be found here: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=naujienos

All of the articles published in Russian can be found here: https://www.delfi.lt/ru/detektor-lzhi/?page=novosti

In the spreadsheet above we listed all our articles published in 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' (Lithuanian and Russian version) over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.

The applicant has consistently published fact-checks exceeding more than one fact check per week.

Fact checks published by the applicant over the three previous months have broad thematic coverage. Fact-checking is done in a balanced way.

'DELFI Melo Detektorius' is not funded by any state or political actors and does not accept such funding. We declare this information publicly: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=remejai (in Lithuanian) and here https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/sponsory (in Russian)

The applicant's status fully complies with the understanding of non-partisan organization. Its activity demonstrates an independent editorial policy in producing content, including fact checks.

We do not accept funding from any state or political actors. We set out how we are funded here. None of our funding sources have the power to influence content of 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' : https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=remejai (in Lithuanian) and here https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/sponsory (in Russian)

The applicant does not receive funding local or foreign state or political sources.

For each fact-check that we do in ‘DELFI Melo Detektorius’ we use the same methods described in our ‘Methodology’ section: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija (in Lithuanian)

https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/metodologiya (in Russian)

At first, a journalist has to find a suitable claim to check. We do not check predictions nor information that is an obvious lie and does not need any proof. A journalist uses various sources to find doubtful claims – by listening to broadcasts, conducting search in social networks, listening to government discussions, reading articles in various media outlets as well as using dedicated information scraping and keyword searching platforms.

When a claim is selected a journalist must decide whether specific claim needs expert opinion or if it is provable by enclosing scientific studies, statistics and official information provided by competent institutions. We also use information verification tools such as Reverse Image Search, Invid We Verify, Storyful Multisearch, YouTube Data Viewer, WayBack, Google Public Data Explorer etc.

We encourage all our team members to link source page next to each important finding. It is also a must to include source table at the end of each fact-check so information we provide would be easy to trace by a reader.

Each of our fact-checks has the same structure. At first, we briefly introduce a claim that we are going to check. In the beginning of each article we include a section for those who do not intent to read the full article but wants more concentrated information on wether certain claim is true or false. This section is divided into two parts - the claim we check and our short verdict. The third part is our commentary section where we reveal the whole fact-checking process, provide expert commentaries and list all our used sources. We always give priority to primary sources. In each article we also include a screenshot or archived link to dubious claim to prove its existence. At the end of each fact-check readers can find detailed list of all used sources.

Our goal is to provide easy traceable information on most crucial topics so we always give priority to claims made about recent events or false claims that might do harm for the reader if not disproved and explained correctly.

Here are links to 10 articles that demonstrate how our methodology is reflected in our work:

1. War in Ukraine (Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/interaktyvu/ar-lenkijoje-aptiktas-rusiskas-aliuminis-irodo-kad-sankcijos-neveikia.d?id=93973531 

2. War in Ukraine (Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/interaktyvu/ar-ukraina-legalizavo-kanapes-tam-kad-greiciau-istotu-i-es.d?id=94035357 

3. Policy (Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/is-dalies-melas/ar-es-siulys-ispirkti-120-proc-ukininku-zemes-vertes-tam-kad-jie-visam-laikui-liautusi-ukininkave.d?id=94011535 

4. Health (Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/is-dalies-melas/ar-xix-amziaus-pabaigoje-buvo-tik-7-ligos-ir-12-vaistu.d?id=93921437 

5. Health (Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/melas/ar-tiesa-kad-po-mirties-visi-lietuvos-gyventojai-taps-donorais.d?id=93859715 

6. War in Ukraine (Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/melas/ar-tikrai-vilniuje-yra-stepono-banderos-gimnazija.d?id=93844053 

7. Policy (Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/is-dalies-melas/ar-tiesa-kad-lietuvos-vaikai-mokysis-musulmonu-sunitu-tikejimo-ir-taip-bus-sunaikinta-viskas-kas-lietuviska.d?id=92963179 

8. Politicians (Russian):  https://www.delfi.lt/ru/detektor-lzhi/lozh/pravda-chto-glava-litovskogo-parlamenta-uprekala-boga-za-pomoshch-rossii-93974817 

9. War in Ukraine (Russian): https://www.delfi.lt/ru/detektor-lzhi/interaktivny/manipulyaciya-ukrainskie-bezhency-massovo-pokidayut-litvu-i-rvutsya-v-rossiyu-93786909 

10. History (Russian): https://www.delfi.lt/ru/detektor-lzhi/chastichnaya-lozh/govoril-li-stalin-chto-pensiya-eto-zarplata-za-vospitanie-vnukov-i-za-sohranenie-preemstvennosti-pokoleniy-93202279 

The provided links demonstrate that the applicant has consistently followed to the non-partisanship rules in their fact-checks.

Lithuanian version: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija

Russian version: https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/metodologiya

The provided information explain how the applicant ensures a balanced approach to fact checking and how it considers the reach and relevance of claims.

The selected fact checks published in 2021/2022 fully comply with the IFCN criteria. Fact checkers disclose relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

The applicant is not affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate.

We respect different political views but we do not allow our team members to engage in any political activity or support candidates or advocacy organizations. In order to ensure this every 'DELFI Lietuva' employee has to sign a code of principles document in which they agree not to be involved in any political parties or advocacy organizations while working for 'DELFI Melo Detektorius'.

Here you can find a link to our code of principles which is publicly displayed: https://www.delfi.lt/apie/?wid=7268 

The applicant has provided a link where its policy on non-partisanship is clearly set out.

The randomized sample of fact checks suggests that the applicant ensures that users can replicate the fact checking.

A randomized sample demonstrates that the applicant tends to use reliable primary and secondary sources.

A randomly selected sample of fact checks indicates that the applicant controls all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence.

A randomized sample of fact checks suggests that the applicant identifies the relevant interests of sources where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

'DELFI Melo Detektorius' is a fact-checking project lead by one of the biggest news outlets in Lithuania 'DELFI Lietuva'. We declare this status publicly here (in Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=remejai ; https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=apie and here (in Russian): https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/sponsory ; https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/o-nas

The applicant has provided detailed information about its funding during the past three years.

Our status described in 'About Us' section (in Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=apie

(in Russian): https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/o-nas

Our status described in 'Support' section (in Lithuanian): https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=remejai

(in Russian): https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/sponsory 

The applicant has a clear, transparent and verifiable ownership structure.

In 'About Us' section under pharagraph 'Journalists' we have listed all our staff members with their functions and short biographies: (in Lithuanian) https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=apie (in Russian): https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/o-nas

All 'DELFI Lietuva' journalists willing to take place in 'DELFI Melo Detektorius' project are free to join. In order to start fact-checking new team member must participate in short presentation about how to find claims to check, how to add new fact-checks to our system and what methodology we use to verify content. https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=apie

The provided links set out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.

https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=apie (in Lithuanian)

https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/o-nas (in Russian)

The provided links reveal the professional biography of all those who are involved in producing the editorial output.

We encourage our readers to send claims to verify or contact us in case they spotted a mistake made by us or our claims lack evidence or there are new circumstances that are important to mention in our aticles in 'About Us' section: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=apie (in Lithuanian), https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/o-nas (in Russian) or 'Methodology' section: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija (in Lithuanian), https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/metodologiya (in Russian)

We also have a dedicated field in our front page menu called 'Siųsk faktą' in Lithuanian version and 'Отправьте факт' in Russian version which means 'Send a fact'. It leads to a special form our readers can fill in for us to get their proposed claim to verify via email (marked in red in screenshots provided). 

The applicant provides users with convenient means to communicate with the "Melo Detektorius" editorial team.

https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija (in Lithuanian)

https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/metodologiya (in Russian)       

The applicant has published on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish fact checks.

The analysis of a random sample shows that the applicant selects claims taking into account their reach and relevance, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.

The randomly selected sample suggests that fact checkers provide relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.

The randomly selected sample shows that the applicant assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.

The randomly selected sample suggests that the applicant seeks to contact those who made the claim in order support the evidence. If the person who makes the claim fails to reply this does not impede the fact check. If a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker continues checking the original claim.

We describe requirements we apply when searching for claims to verify in our 'Methodology' section: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija (in Lithuanian) and https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/metodologiya (in Russian)

Under the same section we provide our email and encourage readers to contact us if they have found suspicious claim.

We also include form to send us claims to check in the main menu under section 'Siųsk faktą' in Lithuanian version and 'Отправьте факт' in Russian version. 

The applicant encourages users to send in claims for fact-checking via its webpage.

You can find our corrections or complaints policy here, under 'Taisymų politika' section: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija and under 'Политика поправок' section in Russian version: https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/metodologiya 

The applicant has a coherent correction and complaint policy. This policy and the code of conduct is available on the applicant's website.

The applicant's webpage 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.

Our corrections policy as well as invitation to contact us via email if any mistake is spotted or conclusion made by us requires deeper explanation can be found here: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija (in Lithuanian) and here https://www.delfi.lt/ru/detektor-lzhi/?page=metodologiya (in Russian).

If we receive a request for correction we immediately take these steps: 1. Evaluate if the request for correction is based on facts and what are the evidence provided; 2. After evaluation we contact the requester with our decision either explaining how we corrected the article or why the correction request has been denied; 3. If the correction request proofs we made a mistake or need to clarify information in our fact-check we state in the headline that the article has been corrected and add the correction after the first paragraph in cursive with the date indicating when the correction was made (if the correction was made because we received a request for correction). If we modified an article not because we received a specific request but because the new evidence came out after we published a fact-check we state that correction has been made in the headline and include an explainer what has been changed or added within our fact-check in the paragraph related to the correction that has been made.

Here we provide two examples of how we altered our articles after receiving correction request (1st example) and after we realised we overlooked the new evidence that were important in the context of our fact-check without receiving any specific request for correction (2nd example).

1. https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/melas/skleidzia-mela-kad-per-sermenis-buvo-isniekintas-velionis-markas-zingeris.d?id=93164845

After we published this article on 24 April, 2023 we received a message stating that the headline with a question mark we used at first may mislead the readers especially when the topic talks about the recently deceased famous author and public person from Lithuania Markas Zingeris. We also received a request to immediately remove quatation from the false source used in an article (even though within our fact-check we explained that the source we quote is a false one) because it uses non-appropriate language and may harm the reputation of a deceased M. Zingeris and the institution he was related with (Vilna Gaon Museum of Jewish History). After evaluation we have decided to change the headline of an article into clearer one and remove the quote from the false source as it does not change the meaning and final verdict of our fact-check but may help to protect the dignity of the people and institutions mentioned in an article. We highlighted that correction has been made in the headline and after the first paragraph.

2. https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/melas/ar-tikrai-europos-komisija-leido-vabzdzius-naudoti-visuose-maisto-produktuose-ir-koki-poveiki-sveikatai-daro-juose-esantis-chitinas.d?id=92665975

After publishing this article on 28 February, 2023 we have noticed that our fact-checker missed important information regarding European Comission's decision to authorise frozen, paste, dried and powder forms of Alphitobius diaperinus larvae (lesser mealworm) as a novel food on 5 January 2023. When we saw that this information was overlooked we added the correction under relevant paragraph within our article stating this fact. We also marked that the article has been been updated with the date of an update. This new information did not have an effect on overall rating of our fact-check.

The attached examples show that the fact checkers are subject to quality control and that their fact checks are corrected or supplemented if necessary.

We include this information in our 'Methodology' section: https://www.delfi.lt/news/melo-detektorius/?page=metodologija (in Lithuanian)

https://www.delfi.lt/ru/stranica/detektor-lzhi/metodologiya (in Russian)

This applicant has provided a link where it inform about users' rights to make a claim to IFCN.

You can find 'DELFI Lietuva' corrections policy here under 'Netikslumų pataisymo politika' section: https://www.delfi.lt/apie/ It is valid for all 'DELFI Lietuva' units. 

The applicant has provided sufficient information that that "Delfi Lietuva" adheres to an open and honest correction policy.