Organization: FactCheck Georgia
Applicant: Paata Gaprindashvili
Assessor: Oleg Khomenok
Background
FactCheck.ge is long-term IFCN signatory. It has strong background and previous experience in factchecking, newsroom team does important work revealing truth and debunking disinformation.
Assessment Conclusion
FactCheck.ge is fully meets all criteria for signatories.
Oleg Khomenok assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
უაღრესად პროფესიონალური და პატივმოყვარე გუნდი, რომელიც ასრულებს მნიშვნელოვან სამუშაოს სამოქალაქო საზოგადოებისთვის.
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.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The About Us section of the program website (see: https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb) mentions that FactCheck Georgia is a program 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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Georgia is the special project of Georgia's Reforms Associates (GRASS), non-government and non-profit organisation legally registered in Georgia that is confirmed by the copy of Registration Certificate that was added to the application. This information is published on https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Established in 2013, FactCheck Georgia (https://factcheck.ge/en) is a program piloted and implemented by Georgia’s Reforms Associates (GRASS). Program staff includes up to twenty-five people, out of which fifteen represent fact-check experts specializing in different fields, such as journalism, economics, law and judiciary, international relations, public policy and good governance, education, propaganda, disinformation, etc. The rest of the staff members include managerial and administrative personnel, such as the program director, program coordinator, program assistant, financial manager, social media manager, and so on.
In September 2020, FactCheck Georgia established a partnership with Facebook, Since September 2020, FactCheck Georgia has been a partner to Meta’s (Facebook) third-party fact-checking program. Within the program, FactCheck Georgia reviews the veracity of the content spread on Meta’s platforms. FactCheck Georgia’s work within the program is guided by the principles of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and Meta's Fact-Checking Program policy. This partnership has made it possible for FactCheck to outreach those information ecosystems on Facebook, where disinformation is most prevalent. We regularly offer internship opportunities to young people in Georgia, together with training them and involving in relevant program activities.
FactCheck’s main objectives are to (1) provide precise, accurate, and evidence-based information to readers; (2) increase the accountability and responsibility of politicians to their constituencies; (3) promote the development of fact-based political rhetoric; (4) fight against fake news and online hoaxes by providing verified facts to our readers. To this end, FactCheck’s team monitors political statements and highlights the factual accuracies and inaccuracies, respectively. In terms of fighting against dis/misinformation and online hoaxes, FactCheck team monitors Facebook as well as different online media outlets on a daily basis.
Over the coming year, FactCheck will continue to conduct its regular work, which includes fact-checking parliamentary sessions, political talk-shows, and the statements of the government's team and opposition political forces. In addition, the program will work towards increasing awareness of the local population in political processes before the upcoming 2024 parliamentary elections. We will provide the public with up-to-date information on actual public policy issues covering not only statements of politicians but also analyzing the most significant political decisions, economic, social, healthcare, and legal issues and cases, legislative initiatives, party programs, and activities, etc.
Furthermore, debunking fake news and online hoaxes will remain to be another central dimension of the program. To this end, we will continue to monitor relevant social and traditional media platforms, as well as individual accounts to expose their malign activities and diminish the penetration of manipulative information in the Georgian public. In this sense, the following topics will be a priority for the FactCheck Georgia's debunking team: the war in Ukraine, health-related misinformation (Covid-19 and Monkeypox - which are largely used by disinformation sources to mislead the public in Georgia), as well as domestic political developments that often become a subject of manipulation by different actors in Georgia both on traditional and new media channels.
FactCheck will also continue to engage fact-checkers in ethnic minority-populated regions of Samtskhe-Javakheti and Kvemo Kartli as well as two other regions, such as Adjara and Gori, to analyze the issues of local importance. As our work demonstrated for the past two years, local communities in these regions are very responsive to our findings, and sustaining these efforts will contribute to further improving our level of outreach and engagement as well as increased resilience towards disinformation.
In terms of content, we will complement our investigative and analytical journalism with multimedia storytelling to widen audience and contribute to equipping the Georgian population with proper knowledge and skills to consume information. Besides written articles, we will apply user-friendly and creative forms of reporting, such as video clips, data visuals, infographics, and posters, as well as introduce a new component – FactCheck Podcasts, which will serve to diversify our content even more and build a better connection with our audience. Our articles will be published in Georgian, Armenian, Azerbaijani, and Russian languages, with some selected materials also translated into English for foreign audiences. In addition, the partnership will be strengthened or established with relevant nationwide and regional media outlets to share or refer to the program content for wider dissemination.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
As it stated on the website FactCheck Georgia initially was set up for exclusively fact-checking purposes and until now is performing this mission publishing fact-check pieces in five languages. FactCheck Georgia is regional partner of Meta (Facebook) third-party fact-checking program.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Since 2013, FactCheck Georgia published over four thousand articles. All articles can be accessed through this link – Georgian: https://factcheck.ge/ka/stories/archive; English: https://factcheck.ge/en/stories/archive.
All articles have a publication date indicated. As you can see on the web page, at least one article is published in Georgian language per day over the past year. Some articles are published in English, Russian, Azerbaijani, and Armenian languages.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tracking of the publications feed had proven that within last six months FactCheck Georgia had published daily factchecking publications in Georgian language. Several stories per week were published at the English language stories feed. Also FactCheck Georgia is publishing every month several publications in Armenian, Azeri, and Russian languages.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Analysis of previous three month publications topics on the website showed that FactCheck Georgia is focusing on socially important issues including politics, economy, and other topics arranged in convenient way (geographically, by names and by topics) that have a direct impact on public welfare.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Georgia does not have any kind of commercial, financial, and/or institutional relationship with the state, politicians, or political parties. As the methodology document of the program 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 program website and the verdicts, which are based on an objective analysis of information.
According to the guideline document for FactCheck analysts (please see attached), program 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 program website (see: https://factcheck.ge/ka/chven-shesaxeb/team), 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 decides to join or advocate for any political organization, it automatically results in the termination of the labor agreement, and he/she is dismissed from GRASS.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Based on the content analysis and editorial policy and statement it is evident that FactCheck Georgia does't have any relations with local state ad political actors, does not support any political party or candidate.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck has never received funding from local state actors. As for foreign donors, in the past FactCheck was funded by US Embassy in Georgia and Dutch Embassy in Georgia. This information is accessible both on the project website (https://factcheck.ge/en/პროექტის-მხარდამჭერები) and organization website (http://grass.org.ge/en/projects/). Funding from respectful foreign embassies prove once again that FactCheck Georgia is committed to highest journalistic standards. Editorial independence of the project is set out in the methodology (https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია) and internal guideline documents.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The support provided by the Embassy of Netherlands, US Embassy and USAID does not affect editorial policy and it is clearly stated that: "The views and opinions expressed on this website belong to FactCheck.ge and are not the views and opinions of project support organisations".
There is a detailed description of how FactCheck Georgia is setting up editorial independence and impartiality here https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია .
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness
To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
- 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
- 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
- 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
- 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.
Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
1. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/40127--saakashvili-takes-purees-and-natural-juices-this-is-food-this-is-no-longer-a-medical-prescription-this-is-food-which-the-prisoner-takes - Rati Bregadze, minister of justice, verdict – Lie.
2. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/40049--investments-in-tbilisi-decreased-fivefold-in-the-last-four-years - Ana Bibilashvili, political movement – Lelo, verdict – Half True
3. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/40374--there-were-107-million-bottles-of-wine-exported-from-georgia-to-62-countries-in-2021-which-is-a-historic-maximum - Irakli Gharibashvili, prime minister, verdict – True
4. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/41002--according-to-the-imf-s-preliminary-estimates-georgia-is-ranked-third-in-the-world-and-first-on-the-eurasian-continent-in-terms-of-the-gdp-growth-rate-in-usd-the-gdp-will-double-in-the-next-six-years-and-exceed-usd-9-000 - Irakli Gharibashvili, prime minister, verdict – Manipulation
5. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/40420--bureaucracy-salaries-mayors-chairs-of-municipality-councils-etc-have-increased-by-gel-194-million - Mikheil Saakashvili, leader of the United National Movement party, verdict – Mostly True
6. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/40699-according-to-the-first-two-months-data-there-is-a-substantial-growth-as-total-growth-figure-of-january-and-february-reached-16-3-naturally-it-has-its-own-reasons-in-addition-to-base-effect-there-is-a-large-growth-in-regard-to-export - Lasha Khutsishvili, minister of finance, verdict – Half True
7. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/40662--the-government-has-indeed-spared-no-effort-for-the-vaccination-process - Zurab Azarashvili, minister of health, verdict – Lie
8. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/40822-the-unemployment-rate-in-georgia-is-at-a-historic-high - Ana Natsvlishvili, political movement – Lelo, verdict – Lie
9. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/41071--this-year-for-the-first-time-in-the-history-of-the-independent-georgia-moldova-is-ahead-of-us-in-terms-of-the-gdp-per-capita - Giorgi Vashadze, political party – Strategy Aghmashenebeli, verdict – mostly false
10. https://factcheck.ge/en/story/41031--in-2021-russia-was-the-third-largest-petroleum-product-exporter-to-georgia-whilst-russia-has-become-the-largest-oil-exporter-for-georgia-during-the-war - Elene Khoshtaria, political party – Droa, verdict – Mostly True
These examples demonstrate that FactCheck Georgia is committed to nonpartisanship and fairness. Specifically, 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 program web page prove 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, unbiased 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).
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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The fact-checks provided in the links shows that Factcheck Georgia is using the same standards and professional approach in fact-checking.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Georgia's web page publishes a 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 program 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 objectives 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 parties/politicians. 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.
A methodology of how debunking online hoaxes and mis/disinformation works is also published on the same section on FactCheck.ge. FactCheck's debunking team monitors online media and social networks through Meta's analytical tool CrowdTangle. FactCheck Georgia also reviews the veracity of online content submitted by its readers. The following criteria are considered when selecting online claims for verification, provided by Meta and readers, as well as those revealed as a result of FactCheck Georgia’s own monitoring: 1) whether a specific claim is verifiable; 2) the importance and relevance of the information to society; 3) the virality of the claim and its possible impact on society.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Applicant is using advanced and detailed methodology of selection of selection of clams explaining the sources of claims, decision making principles, factors and reasons. This document is published here https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Based on the analysis of randomly selected stories published during last year it is evidently seen that FactCheck Georgia is using the same methodology for all claims, the sources used by FactCheck.ge to confirm facts are neutral and don't influence the accuracy of the factcheck, so the reader might reasonably conclude the interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Content analysis of randomly selected stories published during last year had shown no evidences of support of any political party or politician or company, publications reviewed are neither supporting any policy nor advocating any initiative.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
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 on 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 of the internal guideline for FactCheck analysts (please find attached), which mentions non-partisanship as the main obligation for FactCheck team members.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The Code of conduct and Methodology published on https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია) have clear statements regarding preventing possible conflict of interest or support of political parties or any kind of bias or partisanship.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources
To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria
- 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
- 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
- 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
- 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Random check of stories published during last year confirmed that in all cases FactCheck.ge identifies the sources of information proving or undermining facts that are checked including direct links to reliable information or source so the audience can replicate the journalists work..
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
All the fact-check pieces that were randomly selected and analysed are based on the primary sources.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Random check of several stories published during last year had shown that the FactCheck Georgia team is always looking for more than one source of facts and evidences and doing in-depth analysis of the claims that are verified.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Based on the analysis of the content, it is evidently seen the unbiased approach, using neutral sources for verification of facts, so the reader might reasonably conclude the interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided, and if it goes about politicians FactCheck Georgia clearly notices the interest of these sources.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization
To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
- 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
- 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
- 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
- 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.
Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Georgia is a program 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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck.ge is the project of NGO Georgian Reforms Associates (GRASS) that is registered as non-profit and non-government organisation. The website of GRASS has the page https://grass.org.ge/en/projects with the spreadsheet containing all sources of funding of FactCheck.ge.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
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 program, including for FactCheck, on its web page.
See: http://grass.org.ge/en/projects/
FactCheck Georgia places the badges of the program donor organizations on its website:
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck is noted as the project at Grass website https://grass.org.ge/en/projects
At the same time GRASS is noted as the founder of FactCheck.ge at https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
A supreme managing body of GRASS is a board, which is composed of distinguished academics and CSO representatives (see 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 decisions in GRASS are made by the central staff of the organization, including the director, program managers, program coordinators, and financial manager. FactCheck editor is accountable to the director. However, the director is solely engaged in the managerial side of the program and does not interfere with editorial independence. As noted in the FactCheck Georgia's methodology (see: https://bit.ly/2UTboPv) editorial procedures are as follows:
When FactCheck’s analyst finishes an article, he/she informs FactCheck’s editor (and chief economist if the article is on the 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 finalized. After the editing stage of the article is finished, the editor-in-chief and the author of an article agree on the final verdict and the article is then published on FactCheck’s website. If the two cannot reach a respective consensus, the verdict issue is reviewed by the editorial board and the decision is made through voting.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The organisational management procedure, responsibilities and duties, as well as editorial control system are in a good shape and described here https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Team: https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/team (please click on the names for biographies)
GRASS Team: https://grass.org.ge/en/grass-is-gundi/our-team
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Both GRASS and FactCheck.ge have sections at their websites with detailed information about team members including biographiess.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
At 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 are indicated. In addition:
- Readers can send their claims through the contact section of the program web page, which allows them to directly send their message to the program 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
- We also engage with the audience mostly with the Facebook page, where readers can comment on each of our content or directly send inbox messages to our team.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The users are encouraged to communicate through several channels including webpage itself, mailing, social media accounts.
Contact button located at the top of the landing page that leads to this page https://factcheck.ge/en/contact is easily to be found and gives fast solution to those who would like to give a feedback to the newsroom.
"Check your Facts" button is another good option to communicate.
Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn social networks are another channels of communication with the audience.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology
To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria
- 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
- 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
- 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
- 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
- 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
- 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.
Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Methodology: https://bit.ly/2UTboPv
Please aslo find attached the guideline document below:
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The file of Fact-checking Guide provided additionally show fair and professional approach to the methodology of fact-checks.
Thorough and detailed methodology is also published here https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
All randomly selected and analysed stories published during last three month showed using the same approach and methodology in selecting claims principles as well as verification process and are explaining the importance of providing trustworthy information to the people. The topics selected for verification are based on importance to the society and public interest criteria.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
All randomly selected and analysed stories published during last three month show that the newsroom is seeking equally for both, proving and undermining claim facts providing them to the reader.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Review of a randomly selected stories published during last three month showed that FactCheck.ge has an equal, unbiased and neutral approach to the sources of claims as well as to the sources proving claims with equal treatment and standards to all of them.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Review and analysis of randomly selected stories published during last three month showed that FactCheck.ge newsroom is seeking to contact those who made the claim as well as using alternate sources.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck offers a service, Check Your Fact (https://factcheck.ge/en/check-your-fact), which gives the public an opportunity to verify facts that are of particular interest to them. Readers can also send their claims through the contact section of the program web page (https://factcheck.ge/en/contact), which allows them to directly submit their messages to the program team.
In addition, we engage with the audience with our Facebook page, where readers can comment on each post or directly send inbox messages to our team (https://www.facebook.com/Factcheck.ge). In case they provide relevant comments, we encourage users to submit their claims for further verification.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Georgia is encouraging users to submit their requests for fact-checking.
"Check your Facts" button located at the upper right corner of the screen is the excellent tool leading to the form that anybody can fill and submit.
Another tool is the Facebook profile for encouraging users to send facts to be checked as well as placing video explainers and using chatbot.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy
To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria
- 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
- 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
- 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
- 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
- 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.
Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Correction policy is part of the program's methodology. Particularly, FactCheck Georgia allows for the possibility that a mistake can occur in its work. Therefore, in the case politicians or readers disagree with particular research and judgment, FactCheck Georgia urges them to provide their claims and arguments. The received information is 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 case 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 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
In addition, concerning the articles that are used for Facebook’s third-party fact-checking program, FactCheck Georgia has published a separate guideline on issuing corrections and appeals for the Facebook publishers (see: https://factcheck.ge/en/Dispute-Correction). We have also created a separate email address (appeals@factcheck.ge) that is used for the appeals/correction requests within FactCheck’s work of Facebook’s third-party fact-checking program.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck.ge has advanced correction and complaints policy published here https://factcheck.ge/en/chven-shesaxeb/მეთოდოლოგია and on https://factcheck.ge/en/Dispute-Correction
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Reviewing of FactCheck.ge correction policy and dispute/correction guideline had proven that both documents meet the criteria and set the rules of identifying, treating, correcting mistakes as well as correcting/updating verdicts and ratings.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Three corrections were made during the previous year.
The first one was made to the following article: https://factcheck.ge/en/story/41094--reconstruction-of-the-aforementioned-sights-kutaisi-hundred-steps-stairs-and-the-colchis-fountain-will-begin-very-shortly
Initially, FactCheck’s verdict for this statement was FALSE. After communication with Kutaisi City Hall, the verdict was amended and respectively, our conclusion was also modified and relevant changes were made in the text. In the initial version of the article, prior to the amendment, the wording of the conclusion was as follows: “Therefore, that part of the Mayor’s statement that contracts have been signed and companies will start work very shortly is true. However, in the case of the Hundred-Steps Stairs, despite multiple extensions of the deadline, work is still incomplete. Therefore, FactCheck concludes that Ioseb Khakhaleishvili’s pledge is being kept, although the protracted process is precisely indicative of those shortcomings which Mr Khakhaleishvili denied in this statement. As a result, FactCheck gives a FALSE verdict to this statement.”
The second correction was made to the following article - https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/40309. The article was published within Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program and was debunking a manipulative story that spread on Facebook and wrongly attributed a fake quote to one of the Georgian activists (Varlam Goletiani). Initially, the article named one of the online media agencies, “Rezonansi” as one of the platforms where misinformation was spread. “Rezonansi” submitted its appeal through our appeal channel specifically designed for disputes concerning articles that are produced within Third-Party Fact-Checking Program. “Rezonansi” provided their arguments, proving that their content did not include false attribution. FactCheck.ge’s editorial board considering their arguments, decided to lift the ranking from "Rezonansi". The article was updated with an editor’s note, explicitly noting what was corrected.
The third correction was made to the following article - https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/40853. This correction was not made due to an external appeal, but the mistake was found in-house. The article was about Oleksiy Arestovych, adviser to the President of Ukraine. Social media posts were spread claiming that Mr. Arestovych said the following: “If the West does not actively help Ukraine, millions of Ukrainians will go to the side of Russia, and then the West will have to defend itself from Russia." Initially, the debunking article at FactCheck.ge said that the quote was entirely fabricated. However, later it was confirmed that he indeed had made such a statement. Immediately a correction was made to the article, explaining the mistake in the first edition and also resulting in a change to the rating. The corrected article includes the word “corrected” in the title.
In yet another case, minister of economy Natia Turnava appealed to FactCheck to change the verdict concerning her statement. After reviewing the verdict, FactCheck decided not to make any changes and informed the minister about justification in writing. Specifically, her arguments about the growth of FDI did not take into consideration inaccurate figures, as well as dynamics of the context. As a result, her statement was rated as Lie. For more information, please see the article: https://factcheck.ge/ka/story/40313-fdi-იზრდება-და-ადრე-არსებული-ნეგატიური-დინამიკა-შეცვლილია
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Provided examples had proven that correction policy of FactCheck.ge is correctly implemented, appropriately and honestly enforced and applied in the cases where correction or update is needed.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.
FactCheck Georgia
09-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck Georgia publishes the code of principles on its site (https://factcheck.ge/ka/სარედაქციო-კოდექსი). The same page 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.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The Code of conduct published here https://factcheck.ge/ka/სარედაქციო-კოდექსი has all needed information so if the website user will need to file the complaint to IFCN it can be easily done.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Oleg Khomenok.
Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.
Oleg Khomenok Assessor
26-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactCheck.ge is solely factchecking project and has all information on the own web-site.