Organization: FactCrescendo
Applicant: Vinod Rathi
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur
Edits made by the organization after this assessment
IFCN Staff wrote:
Hi Kanchan Ji,
Thank you for your assessment, please find below our response.
1. You felt that Fact Crescendo usually explains how a claim is fact-checked, but not always in such detail that readers could check for themselves.
A: To ensure we comply with this aspect now we have started publishing articles under 3 core headers:
Narrative in Social Media
Our Fact Check
In Conclusion
This is done for making it easier for readers to understand the “What,” “Who,” “When,” “Where,” “Why” & “How” of any article we publish.
Also recently, we have started including where required and possible, links of images, tweets, webpage etc from an online archive www.archive.is.
All this is done so that readers can easily fact check by themselves the various links and images in an article, even if originals are removed.
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.
Please check the below articles for your reference:
Link 1: https://factcrescendo.com/fact-check-pso-shoots-the-wife-son-of-a-judge-in-gurugram/
Link 2: https://factcrescendo.com/fact-check-ias-topper-giving-a-ride-to-her-rickshaw-wala-father/
Link 3: https://factcrescendo.com/fact-check-oral-polio-vaccine-opv-contamination/
2. You felt that the Fact Crescendo website does not provide statistics on the frequency of reader-submitted fact checks.
A: To comply with this we have now put up a counter displaying “Total Number of Reader Submitted Fact Checks”, this counter has been included in the “Submit For Fact Check” page instead of “Correction Page”. We did this as we felt that “Total Number of Reader Submitted FactChecks” should be displayed on the page where submissions are actually done. In case required, we can also add the same counter on “Corrections Page”. Link: https://factcrescendo.com/factcheck/
3. You felt that though the organisation has published a clear corrections policy that explains how mistakes are corrected, it does not mention a time frame, nor does it list corrections on a public page.
A: To comply with this we have now listed all article corrections and clarifications which we have done so far on a public page named “Correction Page”, for readers to view and read. This correction list contains all articles, which have been corrected by Fact Crescendo Team, post publication due reader requests or through due diligence at our end. We have put the details of the original mistake and how we corrected it.
Link: https://factcrescendo.com/correction-page/
Link: https://factcrescendo.com/the-truth-behind-needle-jabbing-video/
Also in our correction policy now we have put a time-frame of 10 days maximum for the correction process and article resubmission process to take place.
Link: https://factcrescendo.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/09/FC-CORRECTION-SUBMISSION-POLICY.pdf
From the assessor:
The applicant has made all necessary changes. The application may be accepted.
Conclusion and recommendations
Kanchan Kaur wrote:
Fact Crescendo is a fact-checking project of a legally-registered commercial transcription company.
The site has an archive of fact checks, beginning June, though there are indications that the fact-checking division only got up and running in August this year. In June and July, it has published a fact-check on an average of one a week--four in each month. The number of fact checks picks up in August.
Most fact-checks are clearly explained and cover wide-ranging subjects.
The organisation implements its policy on preventing staff from involvement in political parties or advocacy organizations through clauses in its appointment letters and employee handbooks.
The applicant’s methodology, mentioned on its website, usually explains how a claim is fact-checked, but not always in such detail that readers could check for themselves.
The team and its roles are clearly indicated.
Readers can get in touch through several ways—at the end of each post, a contact us page, space to submit fact-checks, email address and a WhatsApp number. However, the website does not provide statistics on the frequency of reader-submitted fact checks.
Though the organisation has published a clear corrections policy that explains how mistakes are corrected, it does not mention a time frame, nor does it list corrections on a public page.
The applicant could be asked to list corrections on a public page that also provides data on reader-submitted fact checks. It could also be asked to explain its work in a manner that readers could check for themselves.
Kanchan Kaur recommended Accept with edits
Section 1: Organization
Criterion 1a
Proof of registration
Evidence required: Please provide evidence that the signatory is a legally-registered organization set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking or the distinct fact-checking project of a recognized media house or research institution.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago)
Hi,
FactCrescendo is part of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited. Crescendo Transcription is a private limited company based out of India. FactCrescendo is Crescendo Transcription Private Limited's independent digital news platform and has a separate dedicated team solely working for fact checking news/claims.
Please check the below links for detailed information
https://factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
https://factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
Fact Crescendo is a fact-checking project of a commercial transcription company. It is legally registered.
done_all 1a marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criterion 1b
Archive
Evidence required: Insert a link to the archive of fact checks published in the previous three months. If you do not collect all fact checks in one place, please explain how the fact-checking is conducted by your organization.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago)
Please find below the link to the archive of all fact checks published.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The site has an archive of fact checks, beginning June. In June and July, it has published a fact-check on an average of one a week--four in each month. The number of fact checks picks up in August and continues in September.
done_all 1b marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Section 2: Nonpartisanship and Fairness
Criterion 2a
Body of work sample
Evidence required: Please share links to ten fact checks that better represent the scope and consistency of your fact-checking. Provide a short explanation of how your organization strives to maintain coherent standards across fact checks.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
Please find below the links to ten FactChecks published that better represent the scope and consistency of our FactChecking.
2. https://factcrescendo.com/did-56-women-died-after-using-sanitary-pads/
3. https://factcrescendo.com/fact-check-viral-image-of-grandmother-granddaughter-picture-going-viral/
5. https://factcrescendo.com/guy-in-army-uniform-accuses-kerala-cm-of-hindering-rescue-work/
6. https://factcrescendo.com/no-big-communal-riot-in-last-4-years-bjp-minister/
7. https://factcrescendo.com/did-ratan-tata-refuse-to-sell-tata-sumo-to-pakistan/
8. https://factcrescendo.com/fake-video-of-communal-violence-in-post-election-karnataka/
9. https://factcrescendo.com/delhi-cm-kejriwal-retweets-misleading-video/
10. https://factcrescendo.com/is-rahul-gandhi-watching-porn-on-his-smartphone-fact-check/
Please also read our Code of Principles.
Fact Crescendo (www.factcrescendo.com) is an independent digital news platform and we have a policy to ensure that our journalists are not affiliated to any political party or an advocacy group and we are fair and transparent in our editorial opinion. Fact Crescendo fact-check claims using the same standard for every fact check. We do not concentrate our fact-checking on any one side. We follow the same process for every fact check and let the evidence dictate the conclusions.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The fact checks cover wide-ranging subjects. Most fact-checks are explained clearly.
done_all 2a marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criterion 2b
Nonpartisanship policy
Evidence required: Please share evidence of your policy preventing staff from direct involvement in political parties and advocacy organizations. Please also indicate the policy your organization has as a whole regarding advocacy and supporting political candidates.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
Hi Kanchan Ji,
PFA the scanned images of three documents, these are for Gargi Patki. Similarly we sign all the 3 for all employees at Fact Crescendo.
1. Offer Letter – This is the letter given to a “Probable Hire”, this letter tells them that we at Fact Crescendo are ready to offer him/her a job at our organisation and also tells him/her clearly the terms and conditions of the employment. On point number 7 you will see that we clearly tell the person what we expect from them when it comes to being “non-partisan”, this way we clearly prevent our staff from being biased or involved in political parties or advocacy organisations. We also do a check on their Social media Accounts like FB, LinkedIn and Twitter to check if they are associated with any political organisation etc. If things go right, only then we go to step 2 below.
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 mentioned we clearly state that if the employee has any association with a political part his/her employment can be terminated. This way we clearly prevent our staff from being biased or involved in political parties or advocacy organisations.
3. Employee Hand Book – This is given to all employees once they join in, in this also on page no 4, Point named - Code of Conduct, point 2 and 3 clearly state that employees can not have any political associations, they cannot give in any biased fact checks also. All the above 3 documents are signed by the employee. Apart from this during the whole recruitment process several times it is reiterated that any employee of Fact Crescendo cannot have any involvement with Political Parties or Advocacy Organisations. They are told that all their work at fact Crescendo has to be unbiased and true.
Please also find the link to our Nonpartisanship Policy
https://factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
Also we have attached a letter for the same.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The organisation has a clear policy on preventing staff from from involvement in political parties. It has produced appointment letters and employee handbooks that state that employees should not be involved in political parties or advocacy organisations.
done_all 2b marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Section 3: Transparency of Sources
Criterion 3a
Sources Policy
Please share a brief and public explanation (500 words max) of how sources are provided in enough detail that readers could replicate the fact check. If you have a public policy on how you find and use sources for your fact-checking, it should be shared here.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years 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 read the part: Transparency of Methodology in our Code Of Principles.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The applicant has mentioned the methodology on its website. It also usually explains how it fact-checked, but not always in such detail that readers could check for themselves.
done 3a marked as Partially compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Section 4: Transparency of Funding & Organization
Criterion 4a
Funding Sources
Evidence required: Please link to the section where you publicly list your sources of funding (including, if they exist, any rules around which types of funding you do or don't accept), or a statement on ownership if you are the branch of an established media organization or research institution.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
To know about our Funding Sources please visit
https://factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
Please read the part: Transparency of Funding & Organisation in our Code Of Principles.
FactCrescendo is a part of Crescendo Transcription Private limited. Which has 2 Founders cum Directors Vinod Rathi and Rakhi Rathi and has been self-funded by the founders.
Please find attached Audited Financial returns of Crescendo Transcription Private Limited which enlists all the commercial welfare. On page 8 you can clearly see the name of the 2 directors and the share holding percentage.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The applicant's website indicates that it is a branch of a transcription company. The applicant has also attached audited financial returns of the transcription company.
done_all 4a marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criterion 4b
Staff
Evidence required: Please link to the section detailing all authors and key actors behind your fact-checking project with their biographies. You can also list the name and bios of the members of the editorial board, pool of experts, advisory board, etc. if your organization has those.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
Please find the details of all our people who take -care of the fact checking vertical.
https://factcrescendo.com/aboutus/
Please read “OUR TEAM” section on ‘ABOUT US’ page.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The team, its roles are clearly indicated.
done_all 4b marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criterion 4c
Contact
Evidence required: Please link to the section where readers can get in touch with the organization.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
Readers can contact us or submit claim/news or even correction requests to us through these channels:
1. Comment Form in each post we publish on our website.
2. Contact Us Form in our 'Contact Us' Page.
3. 'Submit For Fact Check' Page.
4. Email us at info@factcrescendo.com.
5. Fact Checking Hotline: We have a Fact Crescendo WhatsApp number +91- +91-8077187753.
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/factcrescendo/
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 from multiple contact channels.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The applicant provides several ways for readers to get in touch--at the end of each post, a contact us page, space to submit fact-checks, email address and a WhatsApp number.
done_all 4c marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Section 5: Transparency of Methodology
Criterion 5a
Detailed Methodology
Evidence required: Please link to a section or article detailing the steps you follow for your fact-checking work.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
You can read in details about our methodology below
https://factcrescendo.com/code-of-principles/
Please read the part : Transparency of Methodology in our Code Of Principles.
We follow all the policies, procedures and methodologies meticulously.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The methodology used by the applicant is mentioned in its website.
done_all 5a marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criterion 5b
Claim submissions
Evidence required: Please link to the page or process through which readers can submit claims to fact-check. If you do not allow this, please briefly explain why.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
Please find below the link through which readers can submit claims to fact-check.
https://factcrescendo.com/correction-submission-policy/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The applicant invites readers in several ways to send claims to fact-check. However, it does not provide statistics on the frequency of reader-submitted fact checks.
done 5b marked as Partially compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Section 6: Open & Honest Corrections Policy
Criterion 6a
Corrections policy
Evidence required: Please link to the page with your policy to address corrections. If it is not public, please share your organization's handbook.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
We have an open policy to address corrections. We are always open towards constructive feedback and accept corrections and apply them to better our standards.
You can see the detailed policy here
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The organisation has published a clear corrections policy that explains how mistakes are corrected, though it does not mention a time frame.
done_all 6a marked as Fully compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criterion 6b
Examples of corrections
Evidence required: Please provide two examples of a correction made, or correction requests handled, in the past year.
FactCrescendo
27-Aug-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
07-Sep-2018 (6 years ago) Updated: 6 years ago
The examples provided do not seem to be that of correction requests. The one that sort of indicates is of correction requests does not have the original mistake. Also, corrections are not listed on a public page, though the policy is.