Organization: FactCrescendo
Applicant: Vinod Rathi
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur
Background
The applicant is a team of a legally registered organization. The team has been set up exclusively for fact checking. It has fact-checking sections in several Indian and Asian languages and it hopes to expand its work to challenge climate misinformation in various Indian languages. It has published an average of at least one fact check a week in the English language, and additionally several fact checks in various Indian and Asian languages. Most of these are related to issues in the public interest. The applicant does not receive any funding from any political party or state and its output is not controlled by any such entity.
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. It does not focus on any one side and it has explained how it selects claims to check. It clearly mentions sources it quotes so that users can reasonably conclude if the sources can influence the findings of the fact checks. It is non-partisan and demands non-partisanship from its employees.
The applicant is transparent about sources, providing links so that the user can replicate the fact check. Though it uses primary sources mainly, it has used secondary ones, too. Most key elements of claims have been checked against more than one named source of evidence. Sources are identified so that the user might reasonably conclude if their interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
The applicant is a unit of a transcription company and is entirely supported by that company, with no outside funding, and it says so on its website. A page on the website clearly explains the applicant’s organizational structure and describes how editorial control is exercised and by whom. This page also details the professional biographies of those who work in the editorial. Users can directly communicate with the editorial team through email—the applicant provides email ids of the team members along with their professional biographies.
The applicant’s website explains the methodology its uses to select, research, write and publish fact checks. It selects claims to check based on the importance of the claim and explains why it has selected a claim. In its fact checks, the applicant sets out relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as evidence that appears to undermine it. It uses the same standards to judge evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. Where possible, the applicant has made an effort to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence. It also actively encourages readers to send in claims to fact check.
The applicant’s corrections policy is easily visible on its website and clearly explains what it covers and what it does not. The applicant states that so far this year it has had no occasion to make corrections. However, in the past it has made corrections transparently. The applicant informs users that if they feel that it is violating the principle of the IFCN, they can complain and provides a link to the relevant page in the IFCN website.
Assessment Conclusion
The application may be accepted.
Kanchan Kaur assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
The main publishing language 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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
HO, Fact Crescendo is part of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited (CTPL). We are one of the leading facts checking organizations from India. We offer fact-checking in various Indian mainstream and regional languages namely Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese and Bengali. We also operate in Srilanka, Myanmar, Afghanistan, Bangladesh and Cambodia, where we offer fact-checking in English, Sinhalese, Tamil (Srilankan), Burmese, Pashto, Dari and Khmer.
Crescendo Transcription is a private limited company incorporated in India. Our services include fact-checking, market research, language translation and transcription support services. We are a Start-Up company recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade in India.
Fact Crescendo functions as an independent fact-checking division and has a separate dedicated team that solely works on fact-checking. We also work with various platforms to moderate content and fact-check content that is going viral and is likely to have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
For more detailed information on our company and operating procedures, you can view the below links.
https://www.factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
https://factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
https://www.factcrescendo.com/ownership-and-funding-info/
Note: Please find attached our:
1. Certificate Of Incorporation
2. Self-Attested letter stating that Fact Crescendo is CTPL's independent fact-checking division.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago)
The applicant is part of a legally registered organization. This team has been set up for fact checking and details can be found on the website.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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?
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fact Crescendo started operations in June 2018. We began the company with an intention of creating a platform to curb misinformation using regional mediums to boost awareness at the grassroots levels.
There was a lot of fake news circulating in India at that point of time and there were very few organizations who were operational in the dedicated fact-checking space. With the upcoming elections in India in 2019 we understood that it was the need of the hour to create a platform that would help curb misinformation and protect society from the potential dangers of fake news.
Fact Crescendo has a total employee strength of 40 people. The team comprises of fact-checkers, webmasters, video producers, editors, language editors, accounting and billing teams, community managers. A complete list with the names and profiles can be viewed through the following link:- https://www.factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
Crescendo Transcription Private Limited (CTPL) is the parent company of Fact Crescendo. Besides Fact Crescendo which is our Fact-Checking division, CTPL offers services in market research, language transcription and translations.
Our plan is to broaden our Fact-Checking base by expanding our reach in additional regional Indian languages and leveraging our experience in other countries in the APAC region. This year we hope to extend our collaboration with new players in the social media space to broaden our fact-checking field. We are also looking at setting up a full-fledged vertical that would focus on Climate Misinformation in various Indian languages.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The team has been setup exclusively for fact checking and hopes to expand its work to Climate Misinformation in various Indian languages. It already has fact-checking sections in several Indian and Asian languages.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fact Crescendo produces a large volume of fact-checks, mostly related to the viral claims trending on social platforms & claims submitted by our readers through various mediums.
In the attached spreadsheet, we have provided some of our fact-checks done in various Indian, Srilankan, Afghani, Cambodian, Bangladeshi & Burmese languages between 30th November 2021 and 01st December 2022.
Also, the complete repository of factchecks can be viewed on our website under “Archives”
1. HINDI - https://www.factcrescendo.com/archives/
2. MARATHI - https://marathi.factcrescendo.com/archives/
3. MALAYALAM - https://www.malayalam.factcrescendo.com/
4. GUJARATI - https://gujarati.factcrescendo.com/
5. TAMIL - https://tamil.factcrescendo.com/archives/
6. ENGLISH - https://english.factcrescendo.com/
7. ODIA - https://odia.factcrescendo.com/archives/
8. ASSAMESE - https://assamese.factcrescendo.com/archives/
9. BANGLA - https://bangla.factcrescendo.com/archives/
10. SINHALA - https://srilanka.factcrescendo.com/archives/
11. SRILANKA (TAMIL) - https://srilanka.factcrescendo.com/tamil/archives/
12. BURMESE - https://myanmar.factcrescendo.com/archives/
13. Cambodia - https://cambodia.factcrescendo.com/archives/
14. Afghanistan - https://afghanistan.factcrescendo.com/archives/
15. Bangladesh- https://bangladesh.factcrescendo.com/archives/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week in the English language. It has published additional fact checks in various Indian and Asian languages.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Attached is a spreadsheet that has a few of our Factchecks produced between 01-March- 2022 till 19-December-2022.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Most of its fact checks are related to issues in the public interest.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This is not applicable to us – as Fact Crescendo does not have any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries we cover.
We have not received any funding or support from foreign, local state or political actors.
You can check our ownership and funding info here - https://www.factcrescendo.com/ownership-and-funding-info/
You can check our commitment to non-partisanship here - https://www.factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
We have also attached our Financial Returns for the year ending March 2022 for your reference.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant says it does not receive any funding from any political party. Its output is not controlled by the state, or a political party or a politician.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
N/A
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This does not apply.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. https://english.factcrescendo.com/2022/08/24/pm-modi-was-not-instigate-violence-against-upper-caste/
3. https://gujarati.factcrescendo.com/child-kidnapping-gang-rumour-in-the-tadkeshwar-area-of-surat/
4. https://marathi.factcrescendo.com/false-claim-viral-about-paralysis-pills-in-luppo-cake-found/
5. https://english.factcrescendo.com/2022/07/09/mumbai-police-warning-against-receiving-calls-from-140-number-is-misleading-and-untrue/
6. https://marathi.factcrescendo.com/students-did-not-remove-tricolor-and-place-saffron-flag-in-shivamogga-college/
7. https://www.malayalam.factcrescendo.com/students-being-punished-without-uniform-at-school-twisting-with-communal-angles/
8. https://tamil.factcrescendo.com/anti-caa-protest-video-being-reshared-with-fresh-narrative/
9. https://tamil.factcrescendo.com/old-pictures-being-shared-now-and-connected-with-tripura-violence/
10. https://marathi.factcrescendo.com/scripted-video-shared-as-death-due-to-shock-to-brain-mobile-charging/
13. https://www.malayalam.factcrescendo.com/not-enough-evidence-to-suggest-hot-water-and-pineapple-cure-cancer/
14. https://www.malayalam.factcrescendo.com/old-hoax-adayar-cancer-centre-gives-free-blood-cancer-medicine-viral-again/
15. https://assamese.factcrescendo.com/japan-has-not-banned-the-use-and-production-of-microwave-ovens/
16. https://tamil.factcrescendo.com/these-people-not-died-in-caterpillar-bite/
17. https://odia.factcrescendo.com/2022/01/18/fact-check-covid-vaccine-making-people-impotent-is-a-myth/
18. https://english.factcrescendo.com/2022/02/02/explainer-is-neocov-new-variant-of-coronavirus/
19. https://marathi.factcrescendo.com/who-did-not-say-87-percent-indian-to-get-cancer-due-to-packaged-milk/
20. https://marathi.factcrescendo.com/fake-chart-of-covid-omicron-variant-release-schedule-in-the-name-of-who-goes-viral/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fact Crescendo strives to maintain superior standards across all its fact checks. We meticulously follow the same methodology for every fact check and let the evidence dictate the conclusions.
To know how we select claims to check we request you to please visit - https://www.factcrescendo.com/methodology-2/
As an independent fact-checking website, Fact Crescendo follows a rigorous and fair process to ensure that the unbiased truth is presented to our readers and social media followers. All such fact-checking is done from a neutral standpoint without any prejudice to either party in keeping with the guidelines of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), Our competent journalists and researchers make sure that both online tools such as reverse searches, maps, Invid., streetviews etc and offline statements (if required) are captured in the stories to give our viewers a comprehensive and factual narrative based on factual supporting evidences.
Every story is cleared for publishing by the editorial head who ensures all the required evidences are listed
The commitment that Fact Crescendo abides by are listed in our Code of Principles which can be viewed on the below link.
https://www.factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
Please also find attached a self-attested letter for our non-partisan policy.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant does not focus on any one side. Most of its fact checks are in the public interest and it explains how it selects claims to check.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.factcrescendo.com/ (INDIA)
https://srilanka.factcrescendo.com/ (SRILANKA)
https://myanmar.factcrescendo.com/ (MYANMAR)
https://cambodia.factcrescendo.com/ (CAMBODIA)
https://afghanistan.factcrescendo.com/ (AFGHANISTAN)
https://bangladesh.factcrescendo.com/ (BANGLADESH)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant clearly mentions the sources it quotes so that users can reasonably conclude if the sources can influence the findings of the fact checks.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://www.factcrescendo.com/ (INDIA)
https://srilanka.factcrescendo.com/ (SRILANKA)
https://myanmar.factcrescendo.com/ (MYANMAR)
https://cambodia.factcrescendo.com/ (CAMBODIA)
https://afghanistan.factcrescendo.com/ (AFGHANISTAN)
https://bangladesh.factcrescendo.com/ (BANGLADESH)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is not affiliated with nor shows support to any political organization.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please find attached the scanned images of three sample documents. All employees employed with Fact Crescendo are required to sign these documents as a part of our company non-partisan policy.
1. Offer Letter – This is the letter given to a “Probable Hire”, this letter informs an incumbent that we at Fact Crescendo are ready to offer him/her a job at our organization and also mentions the terms and conditions of their employment. Under point number 7 you will see that we clearly inform the incumbent as to what is expected from them when it comes to being “non-partisan”. This way we are able to caution our employees from being biased or involved in political parties or advocacy organizations.
2 Appointment letter - This is given to the employee once they finish the training / induction and other formalities. On page 2 point number 8 you will see that we clearly state that, if the employee has any association with a political party his/her employment can be terminated. This way we clearly ensure that our employees are not biased or involved in political parties or advocacy organizations.
3. Employee Hand Book – This is given to all employees once they join in. On page 4, under Code of Conduct, point 2 and 3 clearly mention that employees are not permitted to associate themselves with any political organizations, and must ensure that their fact checks are completely free for any individual bias .
All the above 3 documents are signed by the employee. Apart from this as a process we conduct employee background checks-Prior to hiring, we also do a check on the incumbent’s social media accounts like Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter and references to check if they are associated with any political organization etc. Only after they have cleared their background check do we proceed with their employment.
Please also find the link to our Nonpartisanship Policy mentioned in our Code of Principles which clearly underlines / states Fact Crescendo's policies as an organization.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Its non-partisanship policy for staff is mentioned in its website and it has produced employee-related documentation to prove that it demands that its employees be non-partisan.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please find below the detailed description of the methodology we use, this gives all readers enough data to replicate the fact check.
You can find it here: https://factcrescendo.com/methodology-2/
Also, you can know more about our methodology by reading the part: Transparency of Methodology under Code of Principles.
To ensure we comply with this aspect we publish articles under 3 core headers:
1. Narrative in Social Media
2. Our Fact Check which includes our research with factual evidences, all our fact-checks include an image card summarizing the Fact Check claim and the facts based on evidences.
3. Conclusion which is in a distinct box - lines out the claim title, name of the fact-checker and the result. So that our readers can easily at one glance know the result of the fact-check.
This is done with the objective of making it simpler for readers to understand the “What,” “Who,” “When,” “Where,” “Why” & “How” of any article we publish. We include links of images, tweets, web-page, source name, source designation, source profile etc from an online archive www.archive.is where ever required or available. All this is done so that readers can easily verify the details themselves. We believe in the principle of Transparency in sources & methodology and we will continuously strive to improve our website so that readers can easily verify our information and have enough details so as to replicate our fact checks.
Please check the below articles for your reference along with a word doc attached:
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant identifies sources of all significant evidence, providing links so that the user can replicate the fact check.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant mainly uses primary sources, but has used secondary sources, too.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Most key elements of claims have been checked against more than one named source of evidence.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant clearly identifies the sources it uses so that user might reasonably conclude if the interests of the sources could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fact Crescendo is the fact-checking section of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited (CTPL). We are a leading fact-checking organization in India and offer fact-checking in various Indian languages namely Hindi, Marathi, Malayalam, Tamil, Gujarati, Odia, Assamese and Bengali. We also operate in Srilanka, Myanmar, Afghanistan and Cambodia, where we offer fact-checking in English, Sinhalese, Tamil (Srilankan), Burmese, Pashto, Dari and Khmer..
Crescendo Transcription is a private limited company incorporated in India providing fact-checking, research and language translation and transcription services. We are a start-up recognized by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
Fact Crescendo is an independent fact-checking division of CTPL and has a separate dedicated team solely working on fact-checking. We work with various platforms to monitor content and fact-check content that is going viral and is likely to have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
Please check the below links for detailed information
https://www.factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
https://factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
https://www.factcrescendo.com/ownership-and-funding-info/
Please also find attached a letter stating that Fact Crescendo is a part of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited. And the company registration certificate of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is a unit of a transcription company and is entirely supported by that company, with no outside funding.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Kindly refer to the link for our company details and funding details:
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
It makes a statement on ownership in its website.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fact Crescendo is headed by a dedicated team including its founders Vinod Rathi and Rakhi Rathi. Please visit - https://www.factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
All the details of the team and their profiles are listed here.
The organization is headed by the founders Vinod Rathi and Rakhi Rathi. The editorial team is headed by Harish Nair who takes the position of the Managing Editor for Indian Languages, similarly we have Sahan Perera who heads and takes charge of Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka & Myanmar as a Managing Editor.
The names of the team members including language editors were updated in the About us section https://www.factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
A page on the website clearly explains the applicant’s organizational structure and describes how editorial control is exercised and by whom.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please visit - https://www.factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
This page has the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in our organization’s editorial output.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This page also details the professional biographies of those who work in the editorial.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Below the profile of each team member their Email ID's are mentioned, this way anyone who wants to get in touch with anyone in the team can reach out to them immediately.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Users can directly communicate with the editorial team through email—the applicant provides email ids of the team members along with their professional biographies.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please visit -
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant’s website has a statement about the methodology its uses to select, research, write and publish fact checks.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
It selects claims to check based on the importance of the claim and explains why it has selected a claim.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In its fact checks, the applicant sets out relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as evidence that appears to undermine it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicants uses the same standards of judging evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Where possible, the applicant has made an effort to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Readers can contact us or submit claim/news or even correction requests through these channels:
1. Comment Form in each post we publish on our website is provided at the end of the fact-check and at the start of each story there is a "Leave a comment" icon.
2. Contact Us Form on our 'Contact Us' Page.
3. Submit For Fact Check' Page (this page 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, the time frame for us to fact check the claim, the total number of user requests etc) - https://www.factcrescendo.com/factcheck/
4. Email us at info@factcrescendo.com / appeals@factcrescendo.com
5. Fact Checking Hotline / BOT: We have a Fact Crescendo WhatsApp number +91-9049053770.
6. Readers are invited to forward a new story or a message on various Fact Crescendo social media handles, that they would like to get fact-checked or corrected.
Our Social Media handles are listed on our website and are as below
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CrescendoFactCheck/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/FactCrescendo
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPhvZQreCvgcLCCr80jVM7A
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/factcrescendo/
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/factcrescendo/
Overall, any reader can contact Fact Crescendo through multiple contact channels.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant actively encourages readers to send in claims to fact check. It also explains what can be fact checked and its methodology.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Please visit - https://www.factcrescendo.com/correction-submission-policy/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant’s corrections policy is easily visible on its website.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The policy clearly explains what it covers and what it does not.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Out of the 5420 number of total articles produced during the last year, there were no corrections made to our stories and none of the articles received any factcheck correction request from our readers.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant states that so far this year it has had no occasion to make corrections. However, in the past it has made corrections transparently.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
You can see this towards the end of both our policies at –
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant informs users that if they feel that it is violating the principle of the IFCN, they can complain and provides a link to the IFCN website.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
FactCrescendo
20-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fact Crescendo is the fact-checking section of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited (CTPL). Crescendo Transcription is a private limited company incorporated in India providing fact checking, research and language translation and transcription services. Fact Crescendo is the unit which does fact checking in CTPL. Please find attached the link to honest and open corrections policy of Fact Crescendo, our corrections page also enlist the corrections we have done since our inception.
Link to honest and open corrections policy - https://www.factcrescendo.com/correction-submission-policy/
Link to corrections page - https://www.factcrescendo.com/correction-page/
Fact Crescendo is not a part of any Media company.
The parent company ”Crescendo Transcription Private Limited” (www.crescendotranscriptions.com) is an IT services company that specializes in providing support services to Market research companies related to Transcriptions & Translations.
Fact Crescendo is an independent vertical of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited with a dedicated team of editors, fact-checkers, researchers producing fact-check articles.
Hence please find attached the link to honest and open corrections policy of Fact Crescendo and our corrections page.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
16-Jan-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The parent company is not a media company but a transcription outfit.