Organization: dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
Applicant: Stefan Voss
Assessor: Stephan Mündges
Background
The German Press Agency (dpa) is a well-established, professional news agency. It was founded in 1949 and has been an integral part of German news journalism for decades. The agency is owned by over 170 media companies. This ownership structure ensures dpa's independence.
dpa's fact checking unit is well-known in journalism. With 28 journalists the fact checking team has a considerable size and due to the dissemination of fact-checks through dpa's customers and their cooperation with large digital platform companies such as Meta, dpa's fact checks can achieve considerable reach. dpa has been a signatory of the code of principles since 2019.
Assessment Conclusion
The applicant meets all criteria. On its website dpa publishes detailed accounts of how they work, their journalistic standards, organizational structure, editorial independence and corrections policy.
dpa's fact checking unit regularly publishes many fact checks concerning relevant issues. In the review of a randomised sample of the applicant's fact checks I found some minor deviations from the IFCN's principles (for details see criterias 3.2, 3.4, 5.2 and 5.5). However, these are negligible considering that in almost all reviewed fact checks principles were adhered to.
Stephan Mündges assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Der dpa Faktencheck ist mit seinem vergleichsweise großen Team, den zahlreichen Kooperationen und Ausspielwegen sowie mit der Menge an produzierten Faktenchecks eine der tragenden Säulen des Factchecking im deutschsprachigen Raum.
Die Kriterien des IFCN werden bei dieser Re-Akkreditierung voll erfüllt sowohl hinsichtlich der zur Verfügung gestellten Dokumentation auf der Website als auch der veröffentlichten Faktenchecks.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The German Press Agency (dpa) was founded in 1949 and is one of the globally leading independent news agencies, comparable in purpose and structure to the Associated Press (AP).
These are the first six paragraphs of the articles of incorporation of our company: http://docs.dpaq.de/14286-gesellschaftsvertrag.docx
We mainly produce editorial content like text, photos, infographics, audio, and video coverage as well as online content. Our clients are publishing houses, corporations, and organizations. Around 1000 journalists in 54 German locations as well as in 95 locations abroad work for the company. https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#faktencheck-regelnbusiness dpa gathers facts, conducts interviews with sources, covers and analyses newsworthy developments strictly based on the rules and principles established in our editorial statutes. No story is ever published if it hasn't been checked by at least two dpa journalists. Being right is always preferred to being first. Trust and truth are immensely important to everything we do. The business model is based on reliability. Errors and mistakes, which can happen, are always swiftly and transparently corrected
(see chapter Korrekturregeln: https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#faktencheck-regeln).
More information about our editorial principles: https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#aufbau-und-redaktionelle-grundsaetze
Fact-checking is the main part of our daily work in the editorial department since every information and story we publish has to be fact-checked beforehand. But we are also publishing dedicated fact-checking formats on a regular basis.
All details on our dedicated fact-checking operation: https://www.dpa.com/faktencheck
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?
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
1. Deutsche Presse-Agentur has been publishing fact checks since 2013 (http://docs.dpaq.de/17395-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2021-02-17-15_59_12.pdf) .
The first of our fact checks referred to politicians' claims in that year of the Bundestag elections. Since then, we have significantly expanded our fact-checking activities. In spring 2019, the dpa fact check team became a partner in the Facebook (Meta) project.
Meanwhile, in addition to the regular agency checks in German, dpa also offers fact checks in cooperation with Facebook in six European countries: Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands, Luxembourg.
2. Around 30 journalists work in the dpa fact-checking team. We have two editorial hubs in Berlin and Brussels as well as our own fact-check writers in the Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria and Switzerland.
3. In dpa's regular agency service, the fact checkers published about 60 fact checks in 2021. These texts go automatically to all dpa customers in Germany.
(https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#aktuelle-dpa-faktenchecks)
As part of the fact check cooperation with Facebook, dpa published more than 1,800 fact checks in German, Dutch and French last year.
Germany: https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/
Belgium: https://dpa-factchecking.com/belgium/
Netherlands: https://dpa-factchecking.com/netherlands/
Luxembourg: https://dpa-factchecking.com/luxembourg/
Austria: https://dpa-factchecking.com/austria/
Switzerland: https://dpa-factchecking.com/switzerland/
4. The Deutsche Presse-Agentur team has set itself the additional goal of circulating fact checks not only in pure text form. Since the beginning of 2021, dpa has been working on distributing fact checks as online graphics as well as in short videos. dpa also started a cooperation with Spotify and thus produced a podcast on fact checks.
Because, in our view, there have been far too few journalistic fact checkers in Germany so far, dpa wants to strengthen the German media houses' capabilities in this regard. In the Faktencheck21 project, dpa has trained more than 80 daily newspapers as well as radio and television stations in digital research and verification techniques. This project - supported by Google - will be continued in 2022.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago)
Per partnership agreement, dpa has to deliver its editorial products exclusively to the clients, while it is not allowed to publish its German language content directly to readers. For that reason we are not able to publish our fact-checks directly on our own website. But we are able to link to recent publications of our content on clients' websites as well as providing screen shots from the material in our archives.
Link list: https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#aktuelle-dpa-faktenchecks
dpa-Factchecks regularly published by clients:
Westfälische Nachrichten (Münster): https://www.wn.de/Welt/Faktencheck
Grafschafter Nachrichten (Nordhorn): https://www.gn-online.de/faktencheck/
dpa also factchecks social media content in cooperation with Facebook. The articles with information about the factchecks are published here:
Germany: https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/
Belgium: https://dpa-factchecking.com/belgium/
Netherlands: https://dpa-factchecking.com/netherlands/
Luxembourg: https://dpa-factchecking.com/luxembourg/
Austria: https://dpa-factchecking.com/austria/
Switzerland: https://dpa-factchecking.com/switzerland/
All of these factchecks are also published on our client portal and can be used for publication by all of our clients.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
APRIL 2022
14.4. MOSKAU MIT FALSCHEN BELEGEN ZU KRAMATORSK-ANGRIFF
https://www.boyens-medien.de/artikel/politik-ausland/moskau-mit-falschen-belegen-zu-kramatorsk-angriff.html
https://www.zdf.de/nachrichten/politik/kramatorsk-rakete-faktencheck-ukraine-krieg-russland-100.html
dpa-Version: http://docs.dpaq.de/18505-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-04-22-12_33_20.pdf
13.4. SO VIEL SPRIT SPART EIN TEMPOLIMIT AUF DER AUTOBAHN
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/verbraucher/ein-faktencheck-so-viel-sprit-spart-ein-tempolimit-auf-der-autobahn/28267710.html
https://www.saarbruecker-zeitung.de/nachrichten/politik/inland/sprit-preise-sparen-ist-tempo-130-auf-den-autobahnen-sinnvoll_aid-68106679
dpa-Version: http://docs.dpaq.de/18504-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-04-22-12_29_29.pdf
11.4. SCHADEN OSTERFEUER DER UMWELT? EIN FEINSTAUB-CHECK
https://www.br.de/nachrichten/wissen/feinstaub-durch-osterfeuer-schaedlich-fuer-die-umwelt,T2fmkmJ
https://www.berliner-kurier.de/berlin/wie-sehr-schaden-osterfeuer-der-umwelt-darum-warnt-meteorologe-kachelmann-vor-loderndem-holz-li.222583
dpa-Version: http://docs.dpaq.de/18503-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-04-22-12_25_09.pdf
8.4. HAUSFRIEDENSBRUCH ALLEIN DURCH MASKENTRAGEN? WARUM DAS QUATSCH IST
https://www.rnd.de/panorama/maskenpflicht-weggefallen-hausfriedensbruch-durchs-maskentragen-warum-das-quatsch-ist-7ASRRZ7GSMJOQ6XPD7IRH7TEK4.html
https://www.ruhr24.de/service/aldi-lidl-edeka-maskenpflicht-supermarkt-kunde-corona-pandemie-mund-nasen-schutz-infektion-91477107.html
dpa-Version: http://docs.dpaq.de/18502-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-04-22-12_05_26.pdf
6.4. RUSSLANDS AUSSAGEN ZU LEICHEN MEDIZINISCH NICHT HALTBAR
https://www.zeit.de/news/2022-04/06/russlands-aussagen-zu-leichen-medizinisch-nicht-haltbar
https://www.stern.de/politik/ausland/faktencheck--russlands-aussagen-zu-leichen-in-butscha-nicht-haltbar-31762290.html
dpa-Version: http://docs.dpaq.de/18501-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-04-22-11_54_57.pdf )
4.4. FAKTENCHECK ZU LEICHEN VON BUTSCHA: FALSCHE VORWÜRFE AUS MOSKAU
https://www.radioeins.com/faktencheck-zu-toten-in-butscha-falsche-vorwuerfe-aus-moskau-11468541/
https://www.abendblatt.de/politik/ausland/article235000799/Faktencheck-zu-Toten-in-Butscha-Falsche-Vorwuerfe-aus-Moskau.htmlhttps://www.abendblatt.de/politik/ausland/article235000799/Faktencheck-zu-Toten-in-Butscha-Falsche-Vorwuerfe-aus-Moskau.html
dpa-Version: http://docs.dpaq.de/18500-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-04-22-11_50_20.pdfhttp://docs.dpaq.de/18500-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-04-22-11_50_20.pdf
MARCH 2022
18.3. IMPFSTOFF: VERDACHTSFÄLLE SIND KEINE GESICHERTEN NEBENWIRKUNGEN
https://www.schwaebische.de/portale/gesundheit_artikel,-faktencheck-mega-nebenwirkungen-bei-biontech-_arid,11486841.html
dpa-Version https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/220317-99-560212/
16.3. VITAMINPRÄPARAT: NUR „TEURER URIN“ ODER AUCH SCHÄDLICH?
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/wissen/verkaufsboom-in-der-pandemie-kann-die-einnahme-von-vitaminpraeparaten-auch-schaedlich-sein/28169584.html
https://www.rhein-zeitung.de/artikelarchiv_artikel,-vitaminpraeparate-teurer-urin-oder-sogar-schaedlich-_arid,2384978.html
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-16.3.2022.pdf
14.3. DICK UND DUMM DURCH WEIZENMEHL?
https://www.aachener-zeitung.de/wissenschaft/faktencheck-dick-und-dumm-durch-weizenmehl_aid-67271167
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-14.3.2022.pdf
11.3. MYTHEN UM DIE NACHTRUHE: IST NACKT SCHLAFEN UNHYGIENISCH?
https://www.sueddeutsche.de/gesundheit/gesundheit-mythen-um-die-nachtruhe-ist-nackt-schlafen-unhygienisch-dpa.urn-newsml-dpa-com-20090101-220311-99-476030
https://www.pharmazeutische-zeitung.de/sechs-mythen-um-die-nachtruhe-131958/
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-11.3.22.pdf
4.3. DIESER HETZREDNER IST NICHT WOLODYMYR SELENSKYJ
https://www.juedische-allgemeine.de/juedische-welt/faktencheck-ist-das-viel-geteilte-video-mit-praesident-selenskyj-authentisch/
dpa-Version https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/220303-99-368112/)
4.3. ANGEBLICHES FOTO VON SELENSKYJ IST EINE FÄLSCHUNG
https://www.saechsische.de/ukraine-konflikt/faktencheck-selenskyi-foto-mit-hakenkreuz-ist-faelschung-5649094.html
dpa-Version https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/220304-99-382145/
FEBRUARY 2022
26.2. WANN IST DER FRÜHLING ENDLICH DA? https://www.infranken.de/ratgeber/alltagstipps/fruehjahrsmuedigkeit-fruehlingsgefuehle-15-grad-grenze-und-co-fakten-und-mythen-zum-fruehling-art-5400793
https://www.wz.de/panorama/faktencheck-wann-ist-der-fruehling-endlich-da_aid-66688567
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-26.2.2022.pdf
14.2. DEUTSCHLAND BESONDERS STRENG? GLOBALER CORONA-REGEL-INDEX TRÜGERISCH https://www.rnz.de/wissen/wissenschaft_artikel,-faktencheck-sind-deutschlands-corona-regeln-besonders-streng-_arid,821593.html
https://www.ksta.de/ratgeber/gesundheit/faktencheck-hat-deutschland-im-weltweiten-vergleich-besonders-strenge-corona-regeln--39461080
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-14.2.2022pdf.pdf
3.2. KAUM MENSCHENLEBEN GERETTET? LOCKDOWN-STUDIE IN DER KRITIK https://www.waltroper-zeitung.de/ueberregionales/kaum-menschenleben-gerettet-lockdown-studie-in-der-kritik-w1721197-11000145092/
https://www.n-tv.de/wissen/Lockdown-Studie-stoesst-bei-Experten-auf-Kritik-article23103722.html
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/18445-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2022-03-28-17_03_13.pdf
JANUARY 2022
25.1. OMIKRON JETZT? WARUM SICH DER EIGENE SCHUTZ WEITERHIN LOHNT https://www.wr.de/gesundheit/omikron-jetzt-warum-sich-der-eigene-schutz-weiterhin-lohnt-id234400961.html
https://www.berliner-kurier.de/gesundheit/omikron-jetzt-mit-absicht-mit-corona-infizieren-experten-warnen-li.207945
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-25.1.2022_2.pdf
25.1. HAT SCHOLZ‘ BEKENNTNIS ZUR IMPFPFLICHT DIE STIMMUNG GEDREHT?
https://www.rnd.de/politik/allgemeine-corona-impfpflicht-hat-olaf-scholz-die-stimmung-gekippt-OYU5JBSXCUDT6CAMTSXVKVQMIY.html
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-25.1.2022.pdf
4.1. SORGE UNTER JUNGEN MENSCHEN: MACHT DIE CORONA-IMPFUNG UNFRUCHTBAR?
https://www.zeit.de/news/2022-01/04/macht-die-corona-impfung-unfruchtbar
https://web.de/magazine/gesundheit/faktencheck-corona-impfung-unfruchtbar-36483972
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-4.1.2022.pdf
3.1. BEHAUPTUNGEN PENSIONIERTER PATHOLOGEN ÜBER COVID-IMPFUNGEN LAUT FACHGESELLSCHAFT „NICHT WISSENSCHAFTLICH FUNDIERT“
https://www.nordbayern.de/panorama/faktencheck-todliche-folgen-der-corona-impfung-das-steckt-hinter-der-pathologie-konferenz-1.11691824
https://www.gea.de/reutlingen_artikel,-behauptungen-der-reutlinger-pathologie-konferenz-im-faktencheck-_arid,6548284.html
dpa-Version https://www.dpa-factchecking.com/germany/211230-99-545744/)
DECEMBER 2021
27.12. EIN JAHR IMPFEN: SCHWERE NEBENWIRKUNGEN EXTREM SELTEN
https://www.focus.de/gesundheit/coronavirus/nebenwirkungen-impftote-und-spaetfolgen-im-fakten-check-so-gefaehrlich-sind-die-impfstoffe-gegen-das-corona-virus-wirklich_id_31352756.html
https://www.rnd.de/gesundheit/corona-und-impfungen-kaum-schwere-nebenwirkungen-nach-einem-jahr-impfen-OPESBYYB4AGFGKSHXAUQSWN36M.html
dpa.Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-27.12.2021.pdf
14.12. CORONA BEI KINDERN: WIE SICHER SIND DIE SCHULEN?
https://www.allgaeuer-zeitung.de/welt/politik/corona-bei-kindern-wie-sicher-sind-die-schulen_arid-355843
https://www.ksta.de/ratgeber/familie/corona-faelle-bei-kindern-wie-hoch-ist-die-ansteckungsgefahr-in-den-schulen--39304580
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-14.12.2021.pdf
9.12. STREIT IM TV: WEIDELS AUSSAGE ÜBER INTENSIV-BELEGUNG
https://www.tagesspiegel.de/politik/turbulentes-wortgefecht-ueber-intensiv-belegung-weidels-aussage-ueber-geimpfte-und-ungeimpfte-im-faktencheck/27882744.html
https://www.msn.com/de-de/nachrichten/other/mehr-geimpfte-als-ungeimpfte-weidels-aussage-%C3%BCber-intensiv-belegung-im-faktencheck/ar-AARGIns
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-_9.12.2021.pdf)
8.12. KORREKTUR: AFD-POLITIKER NENNT FALSCHE ZAHLEN ZU IMPFNEBENWIRKUNGEN
https://www.berliner-zeitung.de/news/faktencheck-afd-politiker-nennt-falsche-zahlen-zu-impfnebenwirkungen-li.199639
dpa-Version https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-8.12.2021.pdf
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago)
dpa is an independent and 100% privately organised news agency that is fully financed on the free market since its foundation in 1949. We do not receive funding or support from the state, politicians or political parties.
https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#aufbau-und-redaktionelle-grundsaetze
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Applicant provides sufficient information to prove that there is no commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians or political parties. The applicant's ownership structure is a safeguard against these kinds of ties.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago)
We do not receive funding or support from the state, politicians or political parties.
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
n.a.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
- Corona myths: which falsehoods about the vaccine flourish (http://docs.dpaq.de/17294-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2021-01-27-19_23_35.pdf)
In this fact check we examined key claims on the corona virus, like "The Corona vaccines could lead to infertility" or "An mRNA vaccination leads to gene changes". In our assessment we proof that most of these viral claims are unsubstantiated and false
- What protects class rooms against Corona? (https://www.dpa-news.de/mediaobject.jsf?moid=68434653&nh=n6pf27.0)
In this text, we ask whether mobile air purifiers are the ideal solution for schools to protect themselves from Corona. The fact check lists more than half a dozen studies and statements on the topic. Our assessment is: Researchers have found that impact ventilation is more effective.
- Were the rising Corona numbers really unforeseeable for politicians? (https://www.dpa-news.de/mediaobject.jsf?moid=68839883&nh=n6pf27.2)
After one year of the corona pandemia we asked ourselves if the high numbers of sick people was really unforeseeable for politicians. In our fact check, we have documented several detailed forecasts by renowned virologists. More than a dozen sources were used. Our assessment: Scientists had been warning about the rising Corona numbers.
- Millions of jobs and vaccinations for all? A fact check on Biden's speech (https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-29-04.2021.pdf)
In this fact check, we examine the claims made by the US President in his speech after 100 days in office. It's about jobs, economic growth, Corona vaccinations and international cooperation. Some of the checks explicitly point out that a claim is exaggerated or that important context is missing.
- What is the truth about the alleged "bans" of the Green Party? (https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-12.06.2021.pdf)
During the election campaign before the Bundestag elections, the opposition party "The Greens" was accused of planning tough bans in case of an election victory. The fact check refutes most of the allegations as "false", but also arrives at ratings such as "inaccurate" and "partially false".
- Why the occupancy of intensive care beds is often misinterpreted (http://docs.dpaq.de/17551-screencapture-dpa-news-de-mediaobject-jsf-2021-04-19-14_24_16.pdf)
In this fact check, we look at the warning from medical professionals that intensive care units are running out of beds. The claim: There is only a lack of capacity in the intensive care units because beds were massively reduced in the past. The authors analysed data on the utilisation of the intensive care in detail.
- Is there good Corona protection even without a noticeable vaccination reaction? (https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-14.07.2021.pdf)
In this fact check, different expert sources for a medical topic are evaluated. The conclusion: Symptoms of illness after vaccination are no indicator of the strength of vaccination protection.
- What is it about punched ballots? (https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-12.08.2021_1.pdf)
Prior to the 2021 federal election, dpa had published a series of fact checks on claims about the electoral process. This fact check explains very compactly that a hole in the ballot paper or a cut corner should help blind people to vote. The relevant section from the Federal Election Code is quoted as evidence.
- Only a few Corona infections on trains - is that true? (https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-01.09.2021.pdf)
Here, an official claim by the Federal Ministry of Health is examined. The question is whether fewer people are actually infected with Crona on trains. The fact check comes to the conclusion that at the time it was unclear in 90 percent of the cases where exactly the infected people had contracted the disease.
- Dangerous hype about a worming agent - Ivermectin can be highly toxic (https://www.dpa.com/fileadmin/user_upload/Faktenchecks/dpa-news-de-mediaobject-30.11.2021.pdf)
This fact check takes an in-depth look at the question of whether ivermectin is an effective agent against covid-19. The basis of the claims are small studies that are taken as evidence. The fact check evaluates a variety of sources and comes to the conclusion that the claim is not backed up by the study results.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Our fact-checking rules
- https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#faktencheck-regeln
Definition of our fact-checks (→ 1. question)
- https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#faq
Unbiased work (→ 10. question)
- https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#faq
Criteria for our claims' selection (→ 8. question)
- https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#faq
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Nothing to add
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
This criteria was not applicable in the sample of reviewed fact checks.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Nothing to add
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Journalists working for dpa are free and independent in their reporting. We mustn't declare any preferences or support for political parties, religious or cultural beliefs, any industry or other interest group.
The employment contracts of every editioral staff states clearly: "The employee is obliged to obeying the fundamental rules of the Deutsche Presse-Agentur (dpa), which state that the production of dpa services has to be impartial and independent from incfluences by parties, groups.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Example of a fact check on a scientific topic (comparison flu disease / Corona) with many sources:
https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/220225-99-287269/
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In this fact-check on election notifications dpa has directly contacted several election officers.
https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/210908-99-141906/
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Overall, the applicant meets the criteria. In the randomised sample of fact checks one fact check was discovered that relied solely on secondary sources (https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/220413-99-904329/).
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
This is about an unsubstantiated quote by the former German Chancellor Otto von Bismarck about Ukraine. Not only is the managing director of the Bismarck Foundation interviewed. In addition, the fact check shows why it is highly unlikely that Bismarck would comment on a state of Ukraine that did not exist in his time.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
This fact check deals with the alleged increase in the number of dead pilots due to Corona vaccinations. The source is the communication from the pilots' association Alpa. The text makes it clear that Alpa's blog post may also have other causes. Furthermore, dpa quotes experts as saying that thromboses very rarely occur after vaccination.
https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/211215-99-396455/
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Overall, the applicant meets the criteria when applicable. In the randomised sample of fact checks one fact check was discovered regarding a claim about the Russia-Ukraine war (https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/220428-99-75380/). The fact check relied mostly on statements given by the German Bundeswehr and the US Army. Both are not impartial on this matter, a fact which should have been addressed by the text.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We are a fact-checking section of a parent organization.
dpa fact-checking is an editorial department of the Deutsche Presse-Agentur.
https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#c12159:~:text=Das%20dpa%2DFaktencheck%2DTeam%20ist%20eine%20Redaktion%20der%20Deutschen%20Presse%2DAgentur.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Editorial organization
- https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#c12159:~:text=Redaktionelle%20Organisation
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#faq (→ Question 8 & 9)
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Overall, the applicant meets the criteria. However, the reach of false claims is not mentioned in several cases even though social media metrics about their reach could possibly be accessible.
In one instance reviewed the selection of a false claim is debatable. The fact check concerns a faked screenshot of a tweet which was circulated on Twitter. The archived tweet with the fake screenshot shows 354 retweets, 73 quote tweets - it is debatable whether this false claim should have been selected to check. The fact check might have given oxygen to a false claim that otherwise would have gone by mostly unnoticed.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
dpa tries to write the fact checks as balanced as possible. This means that we avoid any kind of one-sidedness in our fact checks.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
There is a golden rule in our fact check team: It doesn't matter "who" said something. For us, only "what" was said is important.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Whenever it is necessary and useful, dpa's fact-checking team tries to contact those, who made the claim. We document this contact in our fact checks. In the case of online allegations, contact is often not possible.
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Overall, the applicant meets the criteria where applicable. As many fact checks concern obscure claims posted on social media the origin of a false claim cannot be determined.
In one instance, which was reviewed, those who made the false claim were not contacted (https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/211111-99-956077/), even though it could have been possible.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
On its website dpa encourages the users to interact with the team of fact checkers.
https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/#kontakt
Translation:
Is there an assertion of high social relevance that the Deutsche Presse-Agentur should check with a fact check from its point of view? If such an irritant topic seems important to you, then write to us at the following address:
faktencheck[at]dpa.com
For this we absolutely need the following information:
Which topic or which allegation is it about?
Who made the claim (please link to public document/website/video/post)?
Please answer specifically: Why do you think this allegation is so relevant nationwide that dpa should investigate it?
What impact would it have in your view if dpa did not send a fact check on the proposed topic?
Of course, you can also send tips on possible errors in our fact checks and give us other suggestions to the address faktencheck[at]dpa.com.
----
Furthermore dpa plans to add the following text to every fact check published:
Translation:
This fact check was produced as part of Facebook's Independent Fact Checking programme. Detailed information about this programme can be found here. (https://www.facebook.com/journalismproject/programs/third-party-fact-checking/how-it-works)
Explanations from Facebook on how to deal with accounts spreading misinformation can be found here. (https://www.facebook.com/business/help/2593586717571940?id=673052479947730)
If you have any substantive objections or comments, please send them to faktencheck@dpa.com with a link to the Facebook post in question. Please use the appropriate templates for this. (https://www.facebook.com/business/help/222310042516957)
Notes on objections can be found here. https://www.facebook.com/business/help/997484867366026
Furthermore dpa asks to send in claims to check via Whatsapp
https://www.dpa.com/de/unternehmen/faktencheck/whatsapp-faktencheck#whatsapp-faktencheck
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Stephan Mündges Assessor
05-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The corrections policy is rather broad. The definitions of what it does and does not cover do not go into any details. Within the policy there is mention of "Missverständnissen, Irrtümern oder einfachen Schreibfehlern [misunderstandings, mistakes, or typos]". However, it clearly states how mistakes are handled and examples are given of what corrections look like.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Stephan Mündges.
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.
dpa Deutsche Presse-Agentur GmbH
21-Mar-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Because of the B2B business model, dpa rarely has direct contact with users. This is - besides the high reliability of our fact checks - one of the reasons why there are very few direct reader comments on errors.We check every reader comment very carefully. If we are accused of errors, we follow up the comments in detail. Sometimes, however, it happens that it is not in fact an error in the fact check. Rather, users have not understood the meaning of fact checks in general or the topic of a fact check in particular.
First example
In April 2022, an attentive reader noticed that we had miscalculated fuel consumption in Germany by a factor of 1000 in a fact check. The mail was answered immediately and the error in the fact check was corrected.
Correction: In the 7th paragraph, it should read: In 2020, the fuel consumption of vehicles in Germany alone was over 42 billion liters (instead of: millions). The energy consumption was corrected accordingly: 380 billion kWh (instead of: 171 600 000 kWh).
Reader's mail: http://docs.dpaq.de/18507-fehler.jpg
Link: https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/220406-99-816701/
Second example
In early 2021, a reader emailed us to point out an error in one of our fact checks. Specifically, it was about a misleading postscript on vector vaccination. We have corrected the fact check accordingly and added the following explanation in our fact-check:
Correction: In the ninth paragraph, the sentence "Vaccines mostly consist of a harmless virus into which the genetic code of a pathogen is inserted (vector vaccination)." was replaced by: "Vaccines contain previously attenuated pathogens or parts thereof."
Reader's mail: http://docs.dpaq.de/18511-fehler_.jpg
Link: https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/201223-99-793868/
Third example
An attentive reader noticed that we had used an incorrect year in a fact check about the storming of the Capitol in Washington. We have corrected the fact check and written the correct year.
Note: A first version of the text incorrectly mentioned 6 January 2020 as the date of the rally. We have corrected the error.
Reader's mail: http://docs.dpaq.de/18510-fehler1.jpg
Link: https://dpa-factchecking.com/germany/210107-99-933484/