As indicated in the About Us section of the project website (see: https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb), FactCheck Georgia is a project of Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS), a non-partisan, non-governmental policy watchdog and think tank (https://grass.org.ge/en). GRASS is legally registered at the National Agency of Public Registry. Please find the registration document attached below.

The About Us section on the GRASS's website outlines the mission of the organization and mentions the date it was established (https://grass.org.ge/en/grass-is-gundi). In addition, the information about the founders of the organization (see: https://grass.org.ge/en/grass-is-gundi/damphudzneblebi), as well as about the board members (https://grass.org.ge/en/grass-is-gundi/board) are accessible for the public. 

FactCheck Georgia is the project implemented by Georgia's Reforms Associates, which is non-profit and non-government organisation. This is confirmed by the Georgian State Registry of Non-Commercial Organisations. This is also stated at the section About us of the website&

Established in 2013, FactCheck Georgia (https://factcheck.ge/en) is an innovative media project in Georgia, piloted and actively implemented by Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS). As of now, fifteen people work for the project, out of which ten people represent fact-check experts, who specialize in different fields, such as journalism, economics, law and judiciary, international relations, public policy and good governance, education, propaganda and disinformation, etc. Other five people include project director, project coordinator, project assistant, financial manager and driver, who ensure the management and technical operation of the project. 

FactCheck’s main objectives are as follows: (1) providing precise, accurate and evidence-based information to readers; (2) increasing the accountability and responsibility of politicians to their constituencies; (3) promoting the development of fact-based political rhetoric; (4) fighting against fake news and propaganda by providing verified facts to our readers. To this end, FactCheck’s team monitors MPs, the president, government officials and other public figures and highlights the factual accuracies and inaccuracies in their statements. In addition, FactCheck verifies fake news and disinformation narratives being disseminated in social networks/media outlets and provides the public with true and correct information.

At the moment, apart from monitoring the statements of public figures, FactCheck Georgia is focused on exposing COVID-19-related misinformation and implements an information campaign to increase the public awareness and immunity against manipulation. Furthermore, the project plans to actively FactCheck the upcoming parliamentary elections and verify the statements, promises and party programs of different political forces, public figures and election candidates. Other than this, our team will continue to monitor and analyze actual public policy decisions and developments over the coming year. 

The team of 15 people constantly working on the factchecking publishing the results of analysis of wide range of topics including the crucially important like COVID-19. They seem to have clear plans pf activities for the next half of a year.

Since 2013, FactCheck Georgia published over three thousand articles. All articles can be accessed through this link – Georgian: https://factcheck.ge/ka/stories/archive; English: https://factcheck.ge/en/stories/archive. Only selected articles are published in English. Fact checks published during the last three months are as follow:

1. Statement: We are the number-three country in the world in terms of the tax burden. It would be impossible for us to provide incentives to business by further tax cuts or tax preferences. Verdict: MANIPULATION OF FACTS.

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38363-we-are-the-number-three-country-in-the-world-in-terms-of-the-tax-burden-it-would-be-impossible-for-us-to-provide-incentives-to-business-by-further-tax-cuts-or-tax-preferences

2. Statement: The government spends GEL 525 million more on bureaucracy. Verdict: MOSTLY FALSE

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38371-the-government-spends-gel-525-million-more-on-bureaucracy

3. Statement: As compared to 2012, the Georgian Dream increased bureaucratic expenses by GEL 1 billion. Verdict: MOSTLY FALSE

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38380--as-compared-to-2012-the-georgian-dream-increased-bureaucratic-expenses-by-gel-1-billion

4. Statement: If in 2014 the share of remittances from Russia constituted 50% of the total remittances, this figure is halved today and amounts to 25%. Verdict: True

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38396-koba-gvenetadze-if-in-2014-the-share-of-remittances-from-russia-constituted-50-of-the-total-remittances-this-figure-is-halved-today-and-amounts-to-25

5. Disinformation: How the Kremlin Exploits the Coronavirus to Circulate Disinformation. Verdict: Fake News

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38391-how-the-kremlin-exploits-the-coronavirus-to-circulate-disinformation

6. Disinformation: Linking 5G to the Coronavirus. Verdict: Fake News

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38423-disinformation-linking-5g-to-the-coronavirus

7. Analytics on Coronavirus: Plaquenil is not Given for Prophylaxis or to Patients without Symptoms.

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38432-plaquenil-is-not-given-for-prophylaxis-or-to-patients-without-symptoms

8. Statement: None of the large infrastructure projects have been stopped. Verdict: Without Verdict

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38461--none-of-the-large-infrastructure-projects-have-been-stopped

9. Analytics: Does Government Assistance Meet the Subsistence Minimum?

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38470-does-government-assistance-meet-the-subsistence-minimum

10. Statement: Foreign direct investments have dropped by 50%. Verdict: Half True

Link: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38474--foreign-direct-investments-have-dropped-by-50

11. Statement: Georgian Dream government made our country poorer. We have increased unemployment and increased state debt. Verdict: Mostly False

Link: https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/38455--ქართულმა-ოცნებამ-ქვეყანა-გააღატაკა-უფრო-მეტი-უმუშევარია-უფრო-მეტი-ვალი-დაედო-ჩვენს-ბიუჯეტს

12. Statement: In order for the president to pardon him, it’s not necessary for Gigi Ugulava to plead guilty. Verdict: True

Link: https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/38368-გიგი-უგულავას-მხრიდან-დანაშაულის-აღიარება-არ-არის-აუცილებელი-იმისთვის-რომ-პრეზიდენტმა-მისი-შეწყალების-საკითხი-განიხილოს

13. Statement: The report from the European Commission gives a positive assessment to all issues. Verdict: Lie

Link: https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/38365--ევროკომისიის-ანგარიშში-პრაქტიკულად-არცერთი-საკითხი-არ-აქვს-დატოვებული-დადებითი-შეფასების-გარეშე 

Besides verifying the statements of public politicians and political forces, during the last three months, GRASS has mainly focused on the information campaign on social media to promote better awareness about COVID-19. Specifically, we have been exposing virus-related hoaxes and developed a guideline (see: shorturl.at/ekFO9) for readers on how to avoid misinformation; we have actively promoted recommendations of WHO, the government and other relevant authorities in smart data visuals and video clips; A separate section on Coronavirus see: (https://factcheck.ge/en/covid-19) was added to the project’s web-page to make it easier for the public to access the most significant information and updates on the pandemic in an orderly manner; we joined #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance and translated a number of relevant articles for Georgian audience; FactCheck Georgia is actively contributing to the database that gathers all of the falsehoods that have been detected by the alliance (see: https://www.poynter.org/ifcn-covid-19-misinformation/?covid_countries=0&covid_rating=0&covid_fact_checkers=47413). In total, over fifty pieces was dedicated to coronavirus. 

Mostly FactCheck.ge is producing and publishing stories on the daily basis, sometimes several stories per day. I tracked their archive back to the November 2019 and see that the flow and the frequency of the stories production and publication is in a right order.

I looked through the stories back to March 2020 https://factcheck.ge/ka/stories/archive?page=8 and find them well done in compliance to factcheck methodology. The topics of factchecking are socially important and cover a lot of issues providing reliable information to the audience.

FactCheck Georgia does not maintain any kind of commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship with the state, politicians or political parties. Nor we have received funding or support from foreign as well as local state or political actors. As the methodology document of the project points out, FactCheck Georgia is politically independent and nonpartisan (see: https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია). Its nonpartisanship is proved by the articles published on the project website and the verdicts, which are based on objective analysis of information. Donor organizations, such as USAID, National Endowment for Democracy, German Marshall Fund, European Endowment for Democracy, Embassy of the Kingdom of the Netherlands in Georgia, US Embassy in Georgia will also confirm the impartiality of the project based on the partnership process and reports submitted.

According to the guideline document for FactCheck-analysts (please see attached), project team members are obliged to leave their political preferences behind and maintain absolute nonpartisanship during fact-checking. In addition, biographies of FactCheck team members are transparent and published on the project website (see: shorturl.at/ghlz5), demonstrating that they are not affiliated with political parties.

As for the organization, GRASS is non-partisan and with its activities, it only aims to benefit the public interests. GRASS as a whole and FactCheck Georgia, in particular, do not advocate for any political party or candidate. Nonpartisanship is one of the major requirements applied to job candidates during the selection process. In addition, if any member of the organization will decide to join or advocate for any political organization, it automatically results in termination of the labor agreement and he/she is dismissed from GRASS. In several cases, particular members of FactCheck Georgia left the project in pursuant of a political career. Their membership at FactCheck Georgia was suspended prior to their engagement in political activities.   

Factcheck.ge looks like fully independent of the any state and political influence, I didn't find online any claims blaming them in being connected to any state body or political party. The project is supported by a range of international donors.

N/A 

The site has the statement at the bottom stating "The views and opinions expressed on this website belong to Factcheck.ge and are not the views and opinions of project support organisations". (See attached screenshot)

1. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38119-the-unemployment-rate-has-been-falling-in-2018-the-unemployment-rate-decreased-by-1-2-percentage-points-and-reached-12-7-which-is-the-lowest-figure-in-the-last-15-years – Mamuka Bakhtadze, Prime Minister of Georgia (former). Verdict – Mostly False

2. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38126-of-georgia-s-2-5-billion-cubic-metres-of-natural-gas-consumption-95-is-from-azerbaijan  Natia Turnava, Minister of Economy of Georgia. Verdict – True

3. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38240-money-allocated-in-2019-is-unprecedentedly-high-the-ministry-has-never-had-gel-2-billion-which-is-gel-420-million-more-as-compared-to-the-previous-year-as-of-1-september-2019-we-provided-funds-for-work-with-the-value-of-gel-964-million-which-is-54-more-asMaia - Maia Tskitishvili, Minister of Regional Development and Infrastructure. Verdict – Half True

4. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38297--fewer-people-leave-the-country-under-the-georgian-dream-government – Davit Songhulashvili, Chairman of the Parliamentary Committee of European Integration. Verdict – Manipulation of Facts.

5. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38125-the-government-failed-to-keep-what-they-inherited-the-economic-growth-rate-the-gel-exchange-rate-and-tariffs-which-they-promised-to-halve - Otar Kakhidze, MP from the opposition party, European Georgia-Movement for Liberty. Verdict – Mostly True

6. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38282--as-compared-to-2012-the-gdp-per-capita-has-increased-by-40 - Badri Japaridze, founder of the political movement-Lelo. Verdict – Mostly False. Vs – Beka Liluashvili, the economic advisor to the prime minister. Verdict –True

7. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38139-the-partnership-fund-has-been-making-a-loss-for-four-years-and-this-loss-constitutes-gel-700-million - Levan Koberidze, independent MP, Verdict – Half-True

8. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38371-the-government-spends-gel-525-million-more-on-bureaucracy - Nika  Melia, MP from the Opposition Party, United National Movement. Verdict – Mostly False

9. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38273-georgia-has-anti-dumping-legislation - Vladimer Kakabadze, Judge of the Supreme Court of Georgia. Verdict – Lie

10. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38161-according-to-information-published-by-the-international-edition-of-global-finance-georgia-is-among-the-top-ten-attractive-in-terms-of-being-promising-countries - Koba Gvenetadze, the President of the National Bank of Georgia. Verdict – Mostly True

These examples demonstrate that FactCheck Georgia is committed to nonpartisanship and fairness. No matter fact-check is applied to the representatives of the government or opposition parties, verdicts are issued in compliance with the accuracy of their statements. Archive materials published on the project web-page proves that FactCheck Georgia responds directly to the importance of adhering to the principles of defendable fact-based research, journalistic integrity on the highest of professional levels, unbias and fairness in reporting, and the accountability and transparency of sources.

Fact-checkers work according to an internal FactCheck Guideline document developed in 2013. The document has been subject to several updates and improvements and to a large degree, corresponded to the FactChecker’s Code of Principles before it was established. FactCheck Guideline contributes to maintaining coherent standards by establishing a set of rules for fact-checkers concerning the structure of articles, writing style, duties, terms, timelines, and procedures, etc. (please see attached).

In addition, monitoring, evaluation, and reporting are ongoing throughout the course of the project. The project team regularly meets to discuss project activity and implementation, propose and implement troubleshooting mechanisms as needed and prepare and submit all internal and donor reports according to pre-established timelines.

Naturally, FactCheck recognizes the possibility that mistakes can occur in the process of writing and finalizing the articles. Therefore, should politicians or public figures disagree with our assessment of their statements (or any of our readers as well), FactCheck encourages them to provide us with a relevant argument. Received proofs are closely examined by the FactCheck board and in the event of their validity, we revise or amend our research as well as the verdict accordingly.

The examples and further analysis of the stories shows that Factcheck.ge is following the standards of non-partisanship and fairness, select the topics and claims in unbiased way.

FactCheck Georgia's web-page publishes thorough methodology (https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია) detailing FactCheck’s working principles, which complements with the code of principles elaborated by International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). The methodology explains the whole working routine of the project as regards the following: how do we identify facts for verification; what kind of topics are given priorities for analysis; how do we collect data; how verdicts are issued, etc.

According to this methodology, one of the objective of our work is to keep the balance. Although FactCheck’s analysts select statements for verification based on facts given in the statements, it can happen frequently that we find numerous statements of one party/politician whilst none can be found on other party/politician., Here we are not to blame; however, we still try to equally cover all the parties/politicians and make sure that articles dedicated to their statements are somehow equal as well. This approach is particularly important during the election campaign period.

There is a link to the methodology of the factcheck used by the team at the section About us. It provides clear explanation of the procedures and methods used.

Producing their stories FactCheck.ge team in appropriate cases discloses sources status in the story and specific interest of the source to give the reader deeper understanding of the context. 

Factcheck.ge shows neutrality and equal approach toward all parties, politicians providing no support to anybody. 

The methodology of FactCheck Georgia (see: https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია) outlines three key objectives of our work, which are as follow: (1) Finding the Truth – It is FactCheck’s top objective to show the reader where the truth is. (2) Transparency of Sources – Making references to all sources used in an article. (3) Multiple Verification – Verification of facts and data as many times and as many sources as possible. In addition, it precisely determines the major standards and principles for FactCheckers to conduct their work. Depending these principles leave no space for partisanship and make our work unbiased and objective.

Furthermore, As a verified signatory of IFCN, we also publish its main principles (https://factcheck.ge/en/სარედაქციო-კოდექსი) on our website let readers know to what standards we are adhering as an organization. Finally, FactCheck Georgia works in consideration with the internal guideline for FactCheck analysts (please find attached), which mentions non-partisanship as the main obligation for FactCheck team members. 

THe methodology document on the site explains the key criteria of non-partisanship.

In all stories that I checked, the factcheck summaries were structured as how-to-do guidance based on the open sources (mostly documents) that gives the readers the opportunity to replicate the factcheck on their own. 

In all reviewed stories, the proofs are based the primary sources, mostly official public data or documents.

If the facts that are checked can be proven by several different sources6 Factcheck.ge is using more than one source as proofs.

In most of cases the proofs are based on the official and public data so this is stated in the stories since official data could lie as well. In some cases the interest of the source is stated for the transparency and understanding of the context.

FactCheck Georgia is a project of Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS), an independent, non-partisan, non-governmental policy watchdog and think tank (https://grass.org.ge/en). GRASS is legally registered at the National Agency of Public Registry. Please find the registration document attached below.

FactCheck.ge is the project implemented by Georgia's Reforms Associates, non-profit, non-government independent organisation legally registered in Georgia.

The About Us section on GRASS's website mentions that GRASS is a non-partisan, non-governmental policy watchdog and multi-profile think tank which provides policy recommendations to the government, conducts research-based analysis and raises public interest and awareness on a wide range of public policy issues (see: shorturl.at/kyBH1). GRASS publicly lists sources of funding for each project, including for FactCheck, on its web-page.

See: http://grass.org.ge/en/projects/

FactCheck Georgia places the badges of the project donor organizations on its website:

See: https://factcheck.ge/en/პროექტის-მხარდამჭერები

On both websites of FactCheck.ge and GRASS there are notifications that GRASS is implementing FactCheck project as well as information about sources of funding.

A supreme managing body of GRASS is a board, which is composed of respected individuals from academic and CSO fields (sea the biographies of board members: https://grass.org.ge/en/grass-is-gundi/board. The board is responsible for determining the strategic direction of the organization and ensuring its independence from political or any kind of malign influence. 

The daily decision in GRASS are made by the central staff of the organization, including the director, project manager, project coordinators and financial manager. FactCheck editor is accountable to the director (see the organizational chart attached). However, the director is solely engaged in managerial side of the project and does not interfere in the editorial activities. As noted in the FactCheck Georgia's methodology (see: https://bit.ly/2UTboPv) editorial procedures are as follow: 

When FactCheck’s analyst finishes an article, he/she informs FactCheck’s editor (and chief economist if the article is on economy) and the process of redacting the article begins. In the process of editing the article, the editor provides comments on the content and style as well as remarks of a technical character as required. In this process, the article might return to the author with respective comments/remarks until it is finalised. In addition, the editor and the author of an article make an agreement on the final verdict, based on criteria applied to each verdict. The article cannot get published on FactCheck’s website without a respective consensus being reached. 

The board page is on the GRASS web-site with appropriate bios of members. Editorial team info is located on https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/team This section also provides information about team members. The management and decision making process is described in methodology. https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/%E1%83%9B%E1%83%94%E1%83%97%E1%83%9D%E1%83%93%E1%83%9D%E1%83%9A%E1%83%9D%E1%83%92%E1%83%98%E1%83%90 

GRASS Team: https://grass.org.ge/en/grass-is-gundi/our-team 

Editorial team info is located on https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/team This section provides relevant information about team members including bio and position in the newsroom. 

In the end of the FactCheck Methodology document (see: https://bit.ly/2UTboPv) readers are invited to interact with FactCheck Georgia should they have any questions. To this end, e-mail address, telephone numbers and Facebook address is indicated. In addition: 

- Readers can send their claims through contact section of the project web-page, which allows them to directly send their message to the project team - https://factcheck.ge/en/contact

- FactCheck offers a service, Check Your Fact, which gives the public an opportunity to verify facts that are of particular interest to them - https://factcheck.ge/en/check-your-fact

- Each article has a comment section, where readers can express their claims or opinions about the research - http://factcheck.ge/en/; 

FactCheck.ge gives the readers several options to communicate with editorial team through the web-site, social networks and email.

FactCheck Methodology: https://bit.ly/2UTboPv

Please find attached the guideline document below:              

THe link to methodology is on the front-page of the site.

Most of claims analysed by me were about COVID-19, the importance is evident, the rest were connected to finances, economy of Georgia and were socially important.

The team members/authors in claims are using both facts that are proving the fact is true and that it is false.

It looks evidently that FactCheck.ge has equal and neutral approach in their claims.

In a couple of stories I saw the quotes of the people who's statements had been checked and it gave more credibility ti the stories.

FactCheck offers a service, Check Your Fact (shorturl.at/dfxBT), which gives the public an opportunity to verify facts that are of particular interest to them. Readers can also send their claims through contact section of the project web-page (https://factcheck.ge/en/contact) which allows them to directly submit their messages to the project team. In addition, each article has a comment section, where readers can express their claims or opinions about research (http://factcheck.ge/en/). Other than the FactCheck website, readers can submit their claims and opinions through project’s Facebook page (shorturl.at/coDK2). 

There are several ways to submit the claim for checking including Check Your Fact module https://factcheck.ge/ka/check-your-fact and via social networks. There is an explanation of the claims appropriate for factchecking on the Georgian version of CheckYourFact page.

Correction policy is part of the project’s methodology. Particularly, FactCheck Georgia allows for the possibility that a mistake can occur in its work. Therefore, in the case politicians or citizens disagree with particular research and judgment, FactCheck Georgia urges them to send relevant argumentation in a written form. Received proofs are closely examined by the FactCheck board in due time and in the event of their validity, research, as well as the verdict, is revised or corrected accordingly.

In the case, if a significant piece of information is added to the research/article, but the addition does not lead to a change of the verdict, we revise our article; however, if the added piece of information alters the issued verdict the article is corrected. This practice serves the purpose of ensuring maximum objectivity and political impartiality in FactCheck’s work.

Please see "Rectifying Mistakes in FactCheck’s Article" in the FactCheck Methodology: https://bit.ly/2UTboPv  

Mistakes correction policy is a part of methodology that is published on the front-page.

The policy sets clearly how mistakes can be found, what and in which way they will be corrected.

Namely:  

Rectifying Mistakes in FactCheck’s Article

FactCheck acknowledges that in certain cases it could be wrong. Therefore, FactCheck offers the authors of the statements that we have verified (or any other stakeholders) to submit their comments and arguments in the case when they disagree with our research and conclusions. Our team will analyse comments and arguments and if they are proven correct, we will amend both our research and the verdict. If importation information which was not previously reflected in the research is added to an article/research study but this does not change the verdict, we will update the article. However, in the case when there is additional information which changes the verdict, we will amend the respective article. It is visibly indicated in the updated or amended article upon whose request or based upon what argument it was updated/amended. In addition, such articles are published anew on FactCheck’s website and Facebook page.

1. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/38358-georgia-s-strategic-or-partisan-communications?fbclid=IwAR1Ue1yRVPrRGWuFiZ6Bxe9iUJoC4-y8OtfRiFeeH5eOqiS2xtHxoEB_D7c

Editor’s Note: In the initial version of the article, published on 23 September 2016 was indicated as the date of the establishment of the structural unit of strategic communications of the Ministry of Defence. After a reader’s comment, the article was updated and ascertained that the initial decision for launching StratCom at the Ministry of Defence was made following the Minister’s decree of 13 August 2015. On 23 September 2016, the Strategic Communications Department was abolished and it was incorporated as a division within the Department of Strategic Communications and Public Relations. The updated version of the article also includes comments from the former Minister of Defence, Tinatin Khidasheli, and the former Head of the Strategic Communications Department, Giorgi Molodini, in the footnote.

2. https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/38443-25-ია-მთელი-ქვეყნის-სახნავ-სათესი-მიწების-დამუშავებული?fbclid=IwAR3Iru8VyaAsyq2pZ7vj9pJLnbZD7uSDzBE67G1Y62M0ZPfNHBVyK86LdBA

Editor's note: This article (only Georgian version available) analyzes the statement of the head of the political movement "Lelo", Mamuka Khazaradze, according to whom only 25% of agricultural land is cultivated. Using the most recent data of 2014, describing figures of agricultural lands, initial verdict was Half-True. However, upon communication with the author of the statement, it was clarified that his claim derived from the 2004 data. There is considerable difference between the data of 2004 and 2014, while relevant state institutions failed to provide us with complete information to conclude the analysis. Therefore, initial verdict was changed by "Without Verdict". However, we continue our efforts to obtain additional data to have a complete picture. 

3. https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/38329-2019-წლის-დასაწყისში-ვამბობდით-რომ-ახალი-საინვესტიციო-პორტფელი-იქნებოდა-3-მილიარდი-ლარი-დღეის-მდგომარეობით-ეს-ნიშნული-არის-უკვე-4-მილიარდი-ლარი?fbclid=IwAR1urIR9s84CECNSgYvu7OWvtKJF7t0essFUV0MvaqU-BsUeF1ihMYaZFPw

Editor's Note: Initial verdict of this article (only Georgian version available), which is related to creating new jobs in Adjara region of Georgia, was Half-True. After publishing the article, representatives of minister of finance and economy contacted us and disagree with our analysis. As identified, documents provided by the ministry included incorrect data. In addition, they claimed that the author of the statement did not specifically refer to the number of jobs created through new investments, but he indicated to overall number of new jobs. Although, the context of this statement make us think that this is not the case, we cannot prove otherwise. Therefore, the initial verdict was changed into "without verdict" and we let readers make their own conclusions. 

The examples provided are showing responsible approach to th correction of mistakes.

FactCheck Georgia publishes the code of principles on its site (see: https://factcheck.ge/en/სარედაქციო-კოდექსი). The same pages allows readers to submit a complaint to IFCN, If they believe that FactCheck Georgia is violating these principles. A link to the complaints page on the IFCN site is also provided.

At the first and last paragraphs of the Editorial Code of principles https://factcheck.ge/ka/სარედაქციო-კოდექსი there are statements required by this criteria.

N/A 

Since GRASS is a think-tank but not the media, this criteria is not applicable.