Factly’s Fact-Check unit is a part of Factly Media & Research. Factly Media & Research is an independent organization working in the areas of Content Creation, building Information & Data Tools, Open Data Research & Consulting. Factly’s content can be divided into Data Journalism – Data Stories, Explainers, Fact- Checks (Debunking Fake News/Misinformation), Video Production etc.

Fact-Checking is an important part of Factly’s work where we not only fact-check viral content that has a real-world impact but also work with platforms to address the growing menace of misinformation. The dedicated Fact-Checking project that can be accessed from the main menu on the website. This application is for renewal since the validity of the earlier assessment is ending in December 2020.

Factly Media & Research is a for-profit firm registered in 2016 and is also registered with the Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME). We generate revenue from partnerships with social media platforms, research & consulting services in the area of open data, training & capacity building in the areas of ‘Data Journalism’ & ‘Fact-Checking’.

The certificate of registration is available on the about us page. (https://factly.in/about/) and is also uploaded here.

The applicant is a unit of a legally registered organisation working in the realm of content creation, data and information. 

1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?

Factly was launched in early 2016. In the early years, the focus was on simplifying public data & information and making it more meaningful to the common man, through data stories, policy explainers, explainer videos etc. All the stories/content is based on official & factual information from government & public sources. During 2017, we began fact-checking to address the growing menace of misinformation which included both claims of important personalities & viral misinformation. Currently, we fact-check claims in the areas of politics, Health, Science, History, Policy, Data, Government Schemes, Major events and Statements made by those in public office. We also have a special focus on debunking misinformation related to government policy, data, fake government schemes.

2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?

Thirteen persons work in the fact-checking team across 3 different languages. A few of them are part-time. The team has fact-checkers, editors, video producer, video editor, designer. The profiles are provided on the fact-check team page. (https://factly.in/fact-check-team/)

3. What different activities does your organization carry out?

Factly works in the areas of Content Creation, building Technology Tools around public information & public data, Open Data Research & Consulting. Factly’s content can be divided into Data Journalism – Data Stories, Explainers, Fact- Checks (Debunking Fake News/Misinformation), Video Production etc.

4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?


 The following are the broad goals of our fact-checking operations for the coming year

• Migrate the website to our own custom-built CMS specially designed for fact-checking
• Build a dedicated fact-check website for Healthmisinformation
• Build small but important tools to aid the work of fact-checkers (like this one with the help of the IFCN grant - https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/the-fact-checking-development-grant-has-awarded-22-projects-in-12-countries-meet-the-grant-winners/)
• Expand the work on our WhatsApp Fact-Check tipline to reach more people
• Make process improvements to fact-check operations

The applicant unit has been set up exclusively for fact-checking. It has been working in the area for over three years. It's defined goals aim and bringing more robust tools to aid fact checking and expand its work and reach. 

Factly regularly does fact-checks on a wide variety of issues & topics in the areas of politics, Health, Science, History, Policy, Data, Government Schemes, Major events and Statements made by those in public office. We publish more than 25 fact-checks per week on average and more than 100 fact-checks a month. Quite a few fact-checks in the last 6-8 months have been on COVID-19. We have also launched dedicated micro-sites for COVID-19 fact checks.

All our fact-check articles are available on a dedicated link that can be accessed from the main menu of the organization’s website. The articles are listed by date of publishing. The following are the links to the entire archive. We could provide a list in excel if required.

• Fact-Checks in English: https://factly.in/category/english/
  
  
• Fact-Checks In Telugu: https://factly.in/category/telugu/
  
  
• Fact-Checks related to Government Policy, Data, Schemes etc.: https://factly.in/category/fact-check/
  
  
• Fact-Checks related to COVID-19: https://factly.in/category/fake-news-coronavirus/
  
  
• Dedicated COVID-19 website in English: https://www.covid19.factly.in
  
  
• Dedicated COVID-19 website in Telugu: https://www.covid19-telugu.factly.in

The applicant has been publishing fact checks regularly for over a year. It publishes easily over one a week. 

Almost all of our fact-checks are in the public interest. We will be happy to provide any additional information as may be required. 

Most of the applicant's fact checks are about claims that could have an impact on the society and the public. They are in the public interest.

We have not received any funding from any state or political actor in the previous financial year (2019-20). Our fact-check operations are independent and have no relationship with any state agency or political party. We have a strict non-partisanship policy (https://factly.in/non-partisanship-policy/) that bars any such association for fact-checkers. 

During COVID-19, we partnered with the local public radio, local state government & other community radio stations to debunk misinformation related to COVID-19 for larger impact & amplification. This was done free of charge in the public interest and did not involve any finances. We also organize capacity building workshops in debunking misinformation for a variety of stakeholders including students, civil society, media & state agencies etc. These are also done free of charge.

Since the organization works on a variety of issues including open data, another team within the organization works with academia & specific state agencies on evangelizing open data (to encourage the state to publish more data in the public domain). The partnership with state agencies for this work has no relation or impact on our fact-checking work and both are independent. 

The applicant has stated that it has not received any state or political funding in the previous year. Though the applicant works with some state agencies in the area of open data, it has clearly stated that this partnership has no impact or relationship with its fact-checking operations. 

We have not received any funding from any state or political source in the last financial year (2019-20). Hence not applicable. 

The organisation has stated that it has not received any funding from local or foreign state or political source in the last financial year. This criteria, therefore, does not apply. 

We consistently make efforts to fact-check claims which are made by or about the government, by or about major politicians & political parties, claims made in general on government rules or policies/schemes, manipulated images/videos that can cause real-world harm, misinformation on miracle cure or health-related misinformation, misinformation that denigrates or glorifies well-known personalities, individuals etc, misinformation in the areas of finance, technology among other things.  We do around 100 fact checks every month as listed in the links above on a wide variety of topics.

We have a detailed methodology that is meticulously followed for every fact check. The sources used for fact-checking are government sources and other credible sources. Each of the source/evidence is hyperlinked in the fact check. The rating methodology is also standardized as explained in detail in the methodology. (https://factly.in/factchecking-methodology/)

To fact-check claims and represent data in easily understandable formats, we use charts, comparison and graphs etc. The methodology & sources are consistent across all our articles on diverse claims. The following is a list of 30 recent fact-checks that demonstrate our non-partisanship and the variety of topics we cover

This photo of Rajnath Singh writing ‘Om’ and ‘Swastik’ on Rafale fighter jet is an edited one - https://factly.in/this-photo-of-rajnath-singh-writing-om-and-swastik-on-rafale-fighter-jet-is-an-edited-one/

Unrelated video falsely shared as PM Modi celebrating his birthday with industrialists - https://factly.in/unrelated-video-falsely-shared-as-pm-modi-celebrating-his-birthday-with-industrialists/

Old fictional character ‘MLA Anil Upadhyay’ revived again as ‘Congress MLA Anil Upadhyay’ - https://factly.in/old-fictional-character-mla-anil-upadhyay-revived-again-as-congress-mla-anil-upadhyay/

Rahul Gandhi did not call himself a fool in this video - https://factly.in/rahul-gandhi-did-not-call-himself-a-fool-in-this-video/

UP topped the states in crime against women, while the rate of crime against women speaks otherwise - https://factly.in/up-topped-the-states-in-crime-against-women-while-the-rate-of-crime-against-women-speaks-otherwise/

Hyderabad floods - This video of people swimming in floodwaters is from Pakistan, not Hyderabad (India) - https://factly.in/this-video-of-people-enjoying-while-swimming-in-the-floodwaters-is-from-pakistan-not-from-hyderabad/

Farmers Protest - 2013 photo falsely linked to the farmers’ present protest against the Agriculture laws - https://factly.in/2013-photo-falsely-linked-to-the-farmers-present-protest-against-the-agriculture-laws/

Ayodhya Ram Mandir - This video of a truck with billboards displaying the Ayodhya Ram Mandir visuals is from Sydney (Australia) - https://factly.in/this-video-of-a-truck-with-billboards-displaying-the-ayodhya-ram-mandir-visuals-is-from-sydney-australia/

India-China Standoff - Old videos being reshared in the light of the latest standoff between Indian and Chinese soldiers - https://factly.in/old-videos-being-reshared-in-the-light-of-the-latest-standoff-between-indian-and-chinese-soldiers/

No, the kidneys were not robbed by this Mumbai hospital on the pretext of COVID-19 - https://factly.in/no-the-kidneys-were-not-robbed-by-this-mumbai-hospital-on-the-pretext-of-covid-19/

This photo was taken in Russia during the ‘Pancha-Tattva: Installation of deities’ ceremony in 2019. - https://factly.in/this-photo-was-taken-in-russia-during-the-pancha-tattva-installation-of-deities-ceremony-in-2019/

The woman being vaccinated in this video is not Russian President Vladimir Putin’s daughter. - https://factly.in/the-woman-being-vaccinated-in-this-video-is-not-russian-president-vladimir-putins-daughter/

‘Timeline of the Universe’ given by NASA is falsely shared as ‘Structure of the Universe’ - https://factly.in/timeline-of-the-universe-given-by-nasa-falsely-shared-as-structure-of-the-universe/

No huge rock or ‘2020 RK2’ will hit the Earth’s surface on 07 October 2020 - https://factly.in/no-huge-rock-or-2020-rk2-will-hit-the-earths-surface-on-07-october-2020/

FRDI Bill, 2017 has been withdrawn by the government in 2018 itself - https://factly.in/frdi-bill-2017-has-been-withdrawn-by-the-government-in-2018-itself/

President’s rule is imposed even during Narendra Modi as Prime Minister - https://factly.in/presidents-rule-is-imposed-even-during-narendra-modi-as-prime-minister/

No, the government does not incur a loss of Rs. 2600 crores due to scribbled notes - https://factly.in/no-the-government-does-not-incur-a-loss-of-rs-2600-crores-due-to-scribbled-notes/

Data: Is India’s GDP growth rate the worst among major economies for April-June 2020? - https://factly.in/data-is-indias-gdp-growth-rate-the-worst-among-major-economies-for-april-june-2020/

Station bail is not abolished. Central government hasn’t made any changes to section 41A CrPC - https://factly.in/amendments-made-to-the-code-of-criminal-procedure-act-in-2008-2010-are-intact/

Section 66A (IT Act) was struck down by the Supreme Court in 2015 - https://factly.in/section-66a-it-act-was-struck-down-by-the-supreme-court-in-2015/

Beware of bogus websites offering free laptops, smartphones, and scholarships in the name of Government - https://factly.in/beware-of-bogus-websites-offering-free-laptops-smartphones-and-scholarships-in-the-name-of-government/

False and unverified COVID-19 claims are being circulated in the name of UNICEF - https://factly.in/false-and-unverified-covid-19-claims-are-circulated-in-the-name-of-unicef/

COVID-19 related deaths are covered under PMJJBY but not under PMSBY - https://factly.in/covid-19-related-deaths-are-covered-under-pmjjby-but-not-under-pmsby/

Mobile Tower Installation Fraud: At least a decade old but still continues - https://factly.in/mobile-tower-installation-fraud-at-least-a-decade-old-but-still-continues/

Unrelated photos falsely shared as those of ‘Special Frontier Force (SFF)’ - https://factly.in/unrelated-photos-falsely-shared-as-those-of-special-frontier-force-sff/

This tweet of Prashant Bhushan’s fight against BJP agents in Supreme Court is Fake - https://factly.in/this-tweet-of-prashant-bhushans-fight-on-bjp-agents-in-supreme-court-is-fake/

Old video of IC3 Institute founder Ganesh Kohli is falsely attributed to Google CEO Sundar Pichai - https://factly.in/old-video-of-ic3-institute-founder-ganesh-kohli-is-falsely-attributed-to-google-ceo-sundar-pichai/

A fight over Ganesh statue installation in Hyderabad is shared with a false communal narrative - https://factly.in/a-fight-over-ganesh-statue-installation-in-hyderabad-is-shared-with-a-false-communal-narrative/

AP Swachh Survekshan Rankings were selectively shared to mislead people - https://factly.in/ap-swachh-survekshan-rankings-were-selectively-shared-to-mislead-people/

Supreme court of India has not changed its moto from ‘Satyameva Jayate’ to ‘Yato Dharmastato Jayah’ - https://factly.in/supreme-court-of-india-has-not-changed-its-moto-from-satyameva-jayate-to-yato-dharmastato-jayah/

The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claims. 

As an organization, we remain committed to objectivity and non-partisanship. Our clearly laid down methodology ensures that objectivity remains the cornerstone of every fact-check. The methodology is explained in detail here (https://factly.in/factchecking-methodology/)

The applicant has a section on its website where it explains its methodology in detail. 

There have been no instances of conflict of interest and hence no such disclosure.

The applicant has stated that it has not run into any situation so far where interests of sources may influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. 

We have a strict non-partisanship policy (https://factly.in/non-partisanship-policy/)

The applicant has a non-partisanship policy that it adheres to. It does not support any political party, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions.

Every employee of Factly is briefed at the time of joining about our non-partisanship policy. A document with this effect is also signed at the time of joining (https://factly.in/non-partisanship-policy/). One such agreement signed with an employee is attached.

The applicant has clearly explained its non-partisanship policy for staff and has attached a copy of a letter issued to staff at the time of joining, demanding non-partisan behaviour from the staff. 

Each & every Fact-Check contains hyperlinks to the public (government) data sources or links to documents obtained under the Right to Information (RTI)  or links to relevant news stories, images or videos, all from credible sources. For fact-checking claims related to political leaders & government, Factly uses only public (government) data/information for the purpose of fact-checking. We do not use data/information from any private source (except for global & respected multilateral organizations) for such fact checks.

The source of the 'claim' is also hyperlinked (like a press release, a relevant government website, relevant social media message, news story, video etc). We also reach out to relevant government officials, public representatives etc. if there is a need to establish the claim. These sources are adequate for any reader to fact-check the claim themselves. The detailed methodology is on the website.

The applicant identifies all sources that it quotes, providing links to the sources. Therefore, users can replicate the fact-check themselves. 

E.g. Unrelated photos falsely shared as those of ‘Special Frontier Force (SFF)’ - https://factly.in/unrelated-photos-falsely-shared-as-those-of-special-frontier-force-sff/

The applicant mostly uses primary sources, but where they are not available, it uses secondary sources and provides links to them. 

E.g.: An Unrelated old image is falsely shared as the situation of flood-hit Bihar - https://factly.in/an-unrelated-old-image-is-falsely-shared-as-the-situation-of-flood-hit-bihar/

The applicant checks important elements of claims against more than one source of evidence where ever possible. 

No such instance. 

The applicant has stated that a situation has not risen where it has had to state the relevant interests of sources where those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. 

Factly is an independent registered for-profit organization & the Fact-Checking unit is part of this larger for-profit entity. All the details are in the ‘About Us’ page (https://factly.in/about/). The official registration certificate of the organization is also on this page. Names of each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year (2019-20) are also listed on this page. (https://factly.in/about/).

The applicant is an independent organistion set up for fact-checking. Its About Us section in the website also lists out funding sources that account for 5 percent or more of its total revenue. 

Please refer to (https://factly.in/about/) for details of our legal entity and funding

The applicant has clearly stated on its website its legal status and its ownership. 

The organisation is run by the founder & Chief Editor, Rakesh Dubbudu and fact-check team is led by Editor Bharat Guniganti. The names of the team members including its editors are listed on the team page. The editorial control is exercised by the Chief Editor Rakesh Dubbudu & Editor Bharath Guniganti, as explained in the methodology section.
Team Page - https://factly.in/fact-check-team/

Methodology -  https://factly.in/factchecking-methodology/

The applicant's website has a page where it lists its team and organisational structure. Its Methodology page also explains how editorial control is exercised. 

https://factly.in/fact-check-team/

The applicant's website has a page where it lays out the professional biographies of its team. 

The page has a dedicated e-mail ID which is directly accessed by the editors and also a WhatsApp helpline number where readers can get in touch and also submit claims

https://factly.in/contact/

The applicant encourages visitors to get n touch with its editorial team, apart from submitting claims. 

The methodology can be accessed from the About Us section on the main menu

https://factly.in/factchecking-methodology/

The applicant has a section on its website that clearly explains the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks. 

The applicant checks claims that are mostly in the public interest, depending on their reach and importance. 

In its fact checks the applicant sets out evidence that seems to support the claim as well as evidence that seems to undermine it. 

The applicant assesses the merits of the evidence in equivalent claims by the same standards, irrespective of who made the claim. 

The applicant, where possible, tries to contact the person who made the claim, to seek supporting evidence. It, nevertheless, carries out the fact-check even if it hasn't been able to contact the person who made the claim. 

Users have multiple options to reach out to us with claims they would like us to fact check. We have a WhatsApp helpline (+91 92470 52470), the link to which is available at the end of every fact-check. We also have a dedicated e-mail ID to which users can share their fact-checks.

Users can also contact us by filling the form on the following page. We also encourage readers to reach us on Facebook Page or Twitter Handle all of which are detailed in the following page.

https://factly.in/contact/

The applicant has a Contact Us page which encourages users to send in claims to check. It also encourages them to send claims through WhatsApp, Twitter and Facebook. Also, at the end of each fact check, the applicant provides a link users can use. It might help for it to explain what can be fact-checked and what isn't fact-checkable. 

The corrections policy is listed on the corrections page (https://factly.in/corrections-policy/) with details of a dedicated email. 

The applicant has a clear corrections and complaints policy that is easily accesible on its website. 

https://factly.in/corrections-policy/

The applicant's corrections and complaints policy clearly sets out what it does or does not cover. It explains how various kinds of mistakes are handled and in what time frame. 

We have not received any correction request in the last 12 months. However, the following are a few fact-checks where we have included updates. Updates are made when additional information is available. These are not corrections, but updates intended to inform users of latest developments.

‘Drone boy’ Prathap has not been appointed as a scientist in DRDO by PM Modi - https://factly.in/drone-boy-pratap-has-not-been-appointed-as-a-scientist-in-drdo-by-pm-modi/

Journalist Rajdeep falls for fake news, tweets former President Pranab Mukherjee has passed away - https://factly.in/journalist-rajdeep-falls-for-fake-news-tweets-former-president-pranab-mukherjee-has-passed-away/

The applicant makes corrections openly and transparently. Users can see both versions. 

We have linked it on the corrections policy page informing users about the complaints page on the IFCN website (https://factly.in/corrections-policy/)

In the Corrections Policy page, the applicant informs users that if they believe it is violating the IFCN code, they may inform the IFCN. A link is clearly provided. 

The earlier corrections policy is applicable to the entire organization. (https://factly.in/corrections-policy/)

The applicant has stated that the Corrections Policy holds good for the entire organisation.