Organization: FactChecker.in
Applicant: Krishna Karthik Madhavapeddi
Assessor: Surekha Deepak
Background
FactChecker is a dedicated Fact Check initiative of The Spending & Policy Research Foundation and are registered as a Charitable Trust. They run India Spend a website that publishes data driven stories.
Assessment Conclusion
FactChecker has complied with all the criteria and may be accepted.They have published more than the required number of fact checks.
Most of the stories they debunk have a strong impact. They have a clear non partisanship policy.
There is no evidence of any political influence on the stories selected or the way in which they are written.
Sources are clearly linked and referenced. The fact checks are replicable. They mostly use official data to debunk claims.
Stories from all sides of the spectrum are covered. There is no evidence of any bias.
The applicant does not claim any financial dependence on the state or political actors, nor is there evidence of an affiliation to any political party.
The fact checks cover a variety of subjects, and most aspects of the topic. The process followed is well explained and carried out. The claim is selected based newsworthiness it’s impact especially in the issues they focus on - health, sanitation, law and justice, education, environment, employment, innovation, science, environment and disadvantaged groups.
All claims are checked using similar standards.
The applicant mentions the sources used in the fact checking process clearly.
There is no evidence that the sources that could influence the findings.
The website clearly shows the ownership, They are a fact checking unit of the The Spending & Policy Research Foundation. They mention the list of trustees and patrons who have contributed to more than 5 % of their revenue.
The organizational structure is mentioned on the website and the team is listed.
They use the same standards across all fact checks they publish.
The corrections policy is clearly listed on the website.
Surekha Deepak assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Language used is English
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactChecker.in is a dedicated Fact Check initiative of The Spending & Policy Research Foundation which also runs www.indiaspend.org, India’s first data journalism initiative. We are located in Lower Parel in Mumbai and are registered as a Charitable Trust with the Charity Commissioner, Mumbai. (Details here: https://www.factchecker.in/about-us/)
Factchecker.in has also listed its funders in much greater detail in this section https://www.factchecker.in/trustees-patrons/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
FactChecker is a dedicated Fact Check initiative of The Spending & Policy Research Foundation and are registered as a Charitable Trust.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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?
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
FactChecker is India’s first dedicated Fact Check initiative started in early 2013. We have been picking claims/statements made by public figures or government reports and check for veracity and context. In February 2014, we decided to spin it off into a separate website. We at FactChecker are committed to bringing our readers verified fact-checks on matters related to policy, health & sanitation, law & justice, education, environment and science.
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
Here’s our team and their professional biographies: https://www.factchecker.in/our-team
3. What different activities does your organisation carry out?
We pick up on issues where we feel there is a strong need to examine data that is in public domain. Other than fact-checks, we also write:
- Explained: As the title says, we explain terms and trends making news in an educative manner to ensure the reader has all the background they need.
- Data Dive: Data are often presented as and when it's released and in an isolated manner, sometimes only compared with the previous year. In this section, we look at what the trend shows for the past five years or more on issues that matter.
- Context Check: Often the statements or claims made by public figures are correct when presented alone, but in the larger scheme of things, they don't seem as relevant. So, here we provide context and veracity to the claim
- Myths & Facts: Debunking common misconceptions related to mainly health issues is what this section is aimed at.
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
We want to ensure fact-checks are well rounded and aren’t limited to being true or false. Often, claims are found to be true, but misleading as the context and historical perspective is missing. In such cases, we provide context to the claim in question. We want to increase coverage and our social media presence to beat false news at the pace at which it travels.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
FactChecker is India’s first dedicated Fact Check initiative started in early 2013. They have been picking claims/statements made by public figures or government reports and fact checking it. FactChecker says they are committed to publishing verified fact-checks on policy, health & sanitation, law & justice, education, environment and science.
The website lists six people, other than the editor and Asst Editor the designations of the other staff are not mentioned.
Other than fact-checks, they have sections that explain the news, data driven stories, stories that provide context and a section that debunks health misconceptions.
They want to include context and historical perspective to the fact checks, provide context to the claim and increase coverage and our social media presence to beat false news at the pace at which it travels.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Factchecker.in has published 185 articles in the past year. These include 87 fact-checks and 13 context checks.
Attaching a spreadsheet with all the links.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
The applicant has published more than the required number of fact checks required for compliance.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
The applicant complies with this requirement. The stories they choose to debunk are clearly important and have an impact on the well being of society.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We do not receive any such support. The funders have been mentioned in much great detail here https://www.factchecker.in/trustees-patrons/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
There does not seem to be any political influence on the stories selected or the way in which they are written. Stories from all sides of the spectrum are covered. The fact checks do not carry a bias. They have clearly listed the sources of funds and details of the trustees as well.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Not applicable
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
They do not receive any funds from political sources
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
1. Opposition Leaders Make Misleading Claim about GST on Crematorium Services: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/opposition-leaders-make-misleading-claim-of-gst-on-crematorium-services-827479
2. Kejriwal, Sisodia Make Untrue Claims About Delhi's Surplus Revenue: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/kejriwal-sisodia-make-untrue-claims-about-delhis-surplus-revenue-825811
3. Fact-check: Is West Bengal as Safe as Mamata & Party Claim?: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/west-bengal-safety-political-killings-mamata-banerjee-tmc-factcheck-817609
4. Ahead of UP Polls, Akhilesh Yadav & UP Govt Make Claims That Don't Check Out: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/ahead-of-up-polls-akhilesh-yadav-up-govt-make-claims-that-dont-check-out-793598
5. All 80 Crore Beneficiaries Under PMGKAY Never Got Free Food Grains: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/pmgkay-food-beneficiaries-target-factcheck-768380
6. VK Paul Claimed India Met July Target for Vaccine Supply, But Did It?: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/vk-paul-claimed-india-met-july-target-for-vaccine-supply-but-did-it-766789
7. CPCB erred in report on biomedical waste arising from COVID-19: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/cpcb-erroneous-report-covid19-biomedical-waste-766162
8. Is Extreme Poverty Below 1% as IMF Paper Claims?: https://www.factchecker.in/explained/is-extreme-poverty-below-1-as-imf-paper-claims-813977
9. UP's Economy Not as Far Behind Before 2017 as Yogi Claims: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/ups-economy-not-as-far-behind-before-2017-as-yogi-claims-802327
10. PM Modi Misquoted on Oil Dependency; What He Actually Said Also Untrue: https://www.factchecker.in/fact-check/pm-modi-misquoted-on-oil-dependency-what-he-actually-said-also-untrue-806022
Factchecker.in focuses on claims instead of who is making them. At FactChecker.in, we do not like adjectives, we do not like opinion. Emotion is not our thing. Data are. Facts are. Reportage is.
We have factchecked claims by members of most political parties and also kept an eye on international organisations, government and institutional reports and other public figures. In the stories listed above, we have fact-checked claims by members of the Aam Aadmi Party, Bharatiya Janata Party, Congress and the Communist Party of India, a report by the International Monetary Fund and Central Pollution Control Board.
The claim, be it true or false, often requires more perspective. One such example of that is the above-mentioned article on an IMF paper claiming that India's food security scheme Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana helped avert rise in extreme poverty during pandemic. We highlight here how the methodology points at gaps in the findings of the report.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
The fact checks cover a range of topics the fact checks are not limited to one side of the political spectrum. Most of the fact checks are based on using official sources and data. They follow the same process for all claims they fact check.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Here is the methodology Factchecker.in follows from selecting to publishing a story: https://www.factchecker.in/about-us
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
The methodology followed for the selection of claims is clearly explained. The focus is on areas considered important including health, sanitation, law and justice, education, environment, employment, innovation, science, environment and disadvantaged groups. The process is also explained - they mainly rely on the use of official data to verify.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
The applicant mentions the sources and method used in the fact checking process clearly. Official data from government databases, global think tanks, research firms are used to debunk the claims. They also add context and historical perspective to help understand the issue better.There is no evidence of any influence over the fact checks published.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
There is no evidence of the applicant’s affiliation to any political party.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Presenting facts objectively and portraying events/issues in a neutral and unbiased manner are FactChecker’s priorities. Here is the link to our non-partisanship policy mentioned on the website https://www.factchecker.in/non-partisanship-policy
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
The applicant states its non partisan policy clearly. Employees are expected to avoid public expression or demonstration of their political views.
They state their non-partisan policy clearly on the website. Team members are not allowed to affiliate with any political party or advocacy organisation to avoid any potential conflict of interest. They list out activities that staff are asked to refrain from, these activities are in line with the non partisan policy.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant identifies the sources and evidence in the claims debunked. Sources are linked and referenced. The fact checks are replicable.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant’s fact checks are compliant with this requirement they use multiple sources for the fact checks they publish. In addition to the official data, reports, contact the sources and experts to bring in context to the fact check.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant’s fact checks are compliant with this requirement they use multiple sources for the fact checks they publish. In addition to the official data, reports, contact the sources and experts to bring in context to the fact check
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The sources are clearly identified so the reader can conclude if there is any influence of a source on the story.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactChecker.in is an initiative of The Spending & Policy Research Foundation which also runs www.indiaspend.org, India’s first data journalism initiative. So, Factchecker.in is the fact-checking unit of a parent organization.
Also, attaching documents to show the legal status of the organisation.
The organisation that contributed more than 5% of total donations in the financial year 2020-21 is Lal Family Foundation. This has been mentioned on the 'Trustees & Patrons' page on the website: https://www.factchecker.in/trustees-patrons/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Factchecker.in is the fact-checking unit of a parent organization. It is an initiative of The Spending & Policy Research Foundation which also runs www.indiaspend.org that focuses on data journalism.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactChecker.in is an initiative of The Spending & Policy Research Foundation (Details here: https://www.factchecker.in/about-us). The details of how we are funded are public, updated periodically and can be accessed here: https://www.factchecker.in/trustees-patrons/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is compliant with this requirement. The website clearly shows the ownership, lists out the trustees as well as those who have funded them.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The editorial team is mentioned on the 'Our Team' page here https://www.factchecker.in/our-team
This has been updated to show just the core team and their roles in the functioning of the initiative.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The oraganisational structure is clearly mentioned on the website.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The ‘Our Team’ page (https://www.factchecker.in/our-team) on the website has detailed bios of all our regular authors. The bios of our contributors are mentioned below their stories.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Brief biographies of the fact checking team are available on the website.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Our 'Contact Us' page invites readers to send in suggestions, and share knowledge, insights, ideas, etc (https://www.factchecker.in/contact-us). We are also accessible through our social media handles (https://twitter.com/FactCheckIndia & https://www.facebook.com/factcheckerindia/), and engage with readers.
In addition to that, we have launched an 'Ask Us' page for those who spot claims by public figures and want to flag them to us to verify (https://www.factchecker.in/ask-us)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Contact details are clearly provided on the website.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Here is a detailed description of the process FactChecker follows right from identifying claims to publishing fact-checks: https://www.factchecker.in/about-us
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The methodology is clearly explained on the website.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The claims are selected without any bias and are selected based on impact and in areas that are important. This is in addition to the request for factchecks they get from readers.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant explains the claims and the sources for the claim. The fact checks provide explanations for the evidence they use to counter the claim.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
They follow a process where claims are fact checked and all evidence is considered and are of the same standard. As they explain they use official data and provide context to the claim, contact the person/institution who made the claim, speak to experts.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Where possible they have contacted people who have made the claim.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We encourage users to write to us if they come across any claims that need verification. It's mentioned on FactChecker's website here https://www.factchecker.in/contact-us. We are also accessible through our social media handles (https://twitter.com/FactCheckIndia & https://www.facebook.com/factcheckerindia/).
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The website gives details for readers to send in claims to check. They have a helpline number, and social media contact and email for this.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We urge readers to write to us if they find any discrepancy or error on our website. Any corrections we make to fact-checks are prominently acknowledged. Here is our corrections policy https://www.factchecker.in/correction-policy
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The corrections policy is clearly listed on the website.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The policy shows they are open to making correction and direct the reders to send in any errors or discrepancies they come across.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Every effort is made to ensure that our fact-checks represent correct, latest and the most relevant data. We also provide links to the original sources so that our readers can verify the claims themselves. We acknowledge all errors and clarifications, and publish them prominently on the website and our social media handles. We have had one such instance in the past year:
On August 23, 2021, in the article titled ‘UP Tops in No. of MSMEs: Nirmala Sitharaman’, FactChecker erroneously mentioned that Sitharaman was wrong, but we had only verified FM's claim against the number of registered MSMEs tabled in Lok Sabha. When we later came across MSME Ministry's annual report that sourced data from the NSS 2015-16 report, we found a different number and corrected the article with the following editor’s note.
“Editor's Note: This story was originally published on August 23, 2021 and then updated with corrections on August 26, 2021. We regret the error of only verifying Sitharaman's claim against the number of registered MSMEs. We have updated the information above that UP does top the list of estimated number of MSMEs in the country.”
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is compliant and has provided an example of the corrections in accordance to the stated policy.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The bottom of the homepage (https://www.factchecker.in/) has the IFCN badge with the link and we also have a grievance redressal page (https://www.factchecker.in/grievance-redressal)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The link to the IFCN complaints page is listed
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
FactChecker.in
05-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
FactChecker is an initiative of the Spending & Policy Research Foundation, which is a policy research organisation and not a media company.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
28-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The parent company is not a media company but a policy research organisation