Organization: Fakt Yoxla
Applicant: Fakt Yoxla
Assessor: Sarphan Uzunoğlu
Background
I have found that this initiative has become much more in line with IFCN principles than in the past. I considered the application as appropriate, assuming that they shared information such as staff information and funding sources that they said they shared with IFCN.
Assessment Conclusion
The lack of an internationally recognized IFCN signatory fact-checking actor has been felt for a long time in dealing with the political situation of Azerbaijan and the toxic information environment created by the international and national political actors in the country. The basis of my assessment was sensitivity to meeting this need.
The old structure of the institution was very intertwined with a political NGO operating in different fields, which was forced away from transparency.
The new structure, the changed analysis processes and the changes made to the website have moved me in a much more positive direction in my evaluation this year. My problems with the old version of the site/applicant were already related to these structural situations, not core activities.
In this context, I propose that the application be accepted, taking into account the situation in the country and the security/privacy needs of the actor.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Azərbaycanın siyasi vəziyyəti və ölkədə beynəlxalq və milli siyasi aktorlar tərəfindən yaradılmış zəhərli informasiya mühiti ilə bağlı beynəlxalq səviyyədə tanınmış IFCN-i imzalayan fakt-chekinq aktyorunun olmaması uzun müddətdir hiss olunur. Qiymətləndirməmin əsasını bu ehtiyacın ödənilməsinə olan həssaslıq təşkil edirdi.
Qurumun köhnə strukturu şəffaflıqdan uzaqlaşdırılan müxtəlif sahələrdə fəaliyyət göstərən siyasi QHT ilə çox iç-içə idi.
Yeni struktur, dəyişdirilmiş təhlil prosesləri və vebsaytda edilən dəyişikliklər məni bu il qiymətləndirməmdə daha müsbət istiqamətə apardı. Saytın/ərizəçinin köhnə versiyası ilə bağlı problemlərim artıq əsas fəaliyyətlərlə deyil, bu struktur vəziyyətlərlə bağlı idi.
Bu kontekstdə ölkədəki vəziyyət və aktyorun təhlükəsizlik/məxfilik ehtiyacları nəzərə alınmaqla ərizənin qəbul edilməsini təklif edirəm.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla is an officially registered non-profit organisation. It was created by Institute for Democratic Initiatives(IDI) in 2019, but it was separated from IDI and registered as an independent organisation on 28 May 2021 in Georgia.
Its status can be checked through the 406331063 identification code.
https://enreg.reestri.gov.ge/main.php?m=new_index&l=en
The proof of the official registration has been presented on the website
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
It is an officially registered independent organization. They have releevant information on their website.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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?
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. Fakt Yoxla was exclusively founded for fact-checking purposes. Because the political-social background of the country necessitates fact-checking in Azerbaijan, Fakt Yoxla operates since 2019 March.
Azerbaijan is one of the countries with severe restrictions on media freedom. Azerbaijan is ranked 154th out of 180 nations in the Reporters Without Borders media freedom index, whereas Georgia and Armenia are ranked 89th and 51st, respectively. Media independence is decreasing, which creates opportunities for misinformation, fake news, and manipulation to spread. That was one of the motivations behind the creation of Fakt Yoxla. The organisation aims to enable Azerbaijani citizens to hold politicians and media organizations accountable for their statements and materials.
2. Fakt Yoxla has no volunteers now. It has 18 members including fact-checkers, editors, experts and i.e.
3. Main activity carried out by Fakt Yoxla is fact-checking. So far, more than 720 written, 230 video and 125 photo materials have been prepared. Fakt Yoxla also contributes to the media literacy of society. 8 training sessions regarding media literacy were organised for more than 20 youngsters from Azerbaijan with the facilitation of foreign experts. Successful participants joined the Fakt Yoxla team and prepared more than 75 written/video materials for Fakt Yoxla. Fakt Yoxla prepares video materials regarding media literacy as well.
4. For the upcoming years, Fakt Yoxla also plans to organise public training sessions to train people about how to check the facts on their own. Additionally, it targets the following:
-continuation of the current work
-extending the number of video content
-organising cross-border projects with the IFCN members
-creating an app of Fakt Yoxla on App Store and Play Store
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. Their initial motivation is well described.
2. Provided information is very general but ok.
3. Main action and supporting actions are relevant.
4. Their future goals are well set and relevant.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla permanently publishes materials related to fact-checking. Thus, weekly fact-checking materials have been published in Azerbaijani. Some of the materials which may be interesting to international media are translated into the English language. We are providing the links to the pieces that have been created and elaborated by our contributors below.
Links of articles:
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/Deputat-SHeherin-merkezinde-mitinq-teshkil-etmek-olmaz
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/MDB-mekaninda-Metbuat-SHurasi-ilk-defe-Azerbaycanda-yaradilib
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/Deputat-Elman-Nesirovun-Eli-Kerimli-haqqinda-iddiasi
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/Haci-Zeynalabdin-Taghiyev-Pakistana-peyvend-gonderibmish
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/Toplum-TV-nin-ushaq-olumu-ile-baghli-iddiasi
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/Sumqaytin-goruntusune-dair-iddia
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/Fransada-shagirdlere-qarshi-irqi-ayri-sechkiliye-dair-iddia
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
They don't publish very often but they meet the criteria. Especially as they are covering an area there are no other applicants or signatories from it is satisfactory enough.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
While selecting the claims, Fakt Yoxla gives priority to the claims that may pose a serious threat towards public health, and democratic governance, as well as, that may lead to manipulation of public opinion regarding the political, legal, economic, and COVID-19-related issues. The targets are tv channels that are directly and indirectly funded from the state budget (including private TV), news websites that broadcast in Azerbaijan and are ranked in the top 100 by reliable rating agencies, and materials that are published on social media accounts with more than 10,000 followers.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
They've done work dealing with the universal misinformation that's often spread on social media. They have confirmed the news/content that is contrary to scientific reality or based on exaggeration. They also included international politics from time to time.
They are also active in international politics. They do not seem very active on the local policy of the country. Still, this is not so problematic in terms of criteria and social benefit eligibility.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
Fakt Yoxla checks the statements of local politicians and public figures or news pieces of local media outlets. Fakt Yoxla has no financial or institutional relationship with the state, politicians or political parties. Financial sources of Fakt Yoxla are based on foreign donors - NGOs.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Their statement is in line with IFCN principles. I found no contradictory information.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As it was stated, Fakt Yoxla does not receive funding from the above-mentioned sources.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Their statement is in line with IFCN principles. I found no contradictory information.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Monitoring and selecting topics - All fact-checkers monitor media on a daily basis, and find relevant topics to work on. They gather once a week and select relevant topics with the involvement of editors and experts.
Checking - Chief editor appoints topics to the fact-checkers and they start to work on them.
Publishing - After experts and editors give their opinions, fact-checkers edit the article for the last time and the article is published.
We strongly comply with the methodology of our outlet during the fact-checking:
https://faktyoxla.info/pages/Methodology
As a piece of evidence we are presenting several links for your attention:
1. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of the chairman of the opposite REAL party on the exclusion of Russia from the Council of Europe.
https://faktyoxla.info/articles/Ilqar-Memmedov-Rusiya-Avropa-SHurasindan-xaric-edildi
2. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of the news presenter of the independent YouTube channel Pressklub TV Kamran Hasanli.
3. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of the famous writer Nadir Guliyev about the involvement of the U.S. and the U.K. in the Bucha massacre.
4. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of the chairman of the Centre for Social Research about the budget of Azerbaijan.
5. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Science regarding the number of academic publications in Azerbaijan.
6. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of the deputy of the Azerbaijani Popular Front Party regarding the amount of pension in Azerbaijan.
https://faktyoxla.info/articles/AXCP-sedrinin-muavini-Azerbaycan-Gurcustandan-ashaghi-pensiya-verir
7. Fakt Yoxla checked the news piece published by independent media organisation Toplum Tv regarding the number of death of children.
https://faktyoxla.info/articles/Toplum-TV-nin-ushaq-olumu-ile-baghli-iddiasi
8. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of the chairman of the AG party regarding tax fines in the U.S.
https://faktyoxla.info/articles/Tural-Abbasli-ABSH-da-vergiden-yayinmaya-gore-ceza-60-70-ildir
9. Fakt Yoxla checked the statement of MP Siyavush Novruzov regarding salary and pensions in Azerbaijan.
10. Fakt Yoxla cheched the statement of the President Ilham Aliyev regarding foreign credits.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
They pursue a balanced publishing attitude in a country where balanced publishing is difficult. I think the analyzes they offer as examples in terms of the language and content they use are satisfactory.
In their analysis of national and international policy actors, they have adopted a method of knowledge itself, regardless of who disseminates the information.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla regularly follows and monitors the flow of trends in social media and the statements made by public figures. During the monitoring process, each member of the monitoring group individually finds out and indicates the statements with public importance. While selecting the claims, priority is given to the claims that may pose a serious threat towards public health, and democratic governance, as well as, that may lead to manipulation of public opinion regarding the political, legal, economic, and COVID-19-related issues. The targets are tv channels that are directly and indirectly funded from the state budget (including private TV), news websites that broadcast in Azerbaijan and are ranked in the top 100 by reliable rating agencies, and materials that are published on social media accounts with more than 10,000 followers.
Fakt Yoxla strictly selects the contents in terms of public importance, regardless of the status and/or position of the person who made this particular claim. Furthermore, we should mention that Fakt Yoxla is not checking the judgemental and/or personal sentiments of any politician over the facts and societal issues, as we are primarily dealing with the checking facts themselves.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
There is a page devoted to methodology and it is publicly available to everyone in the audience.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago)
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
There are uses of quotations on a regular basis on the website. There seems to be consistency among quotes in terms of formatting too. Content-wise, the affiliations of scientists, politicians, and other public figures are articulated.
I haven't seen any example contradicting to criteria. However, perhaps a clear statement about this should be added to the methodology. An additional requirement on how these experts are identified and selected. Of course, expert opinions are behind in the knowledge hierarchy, but they often cause the biggest problem.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
I found neither institutional nor individual traces of ties to any political movement. There is no partisan attitude in the contents either.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the Methodology section, Fakt Yoxla declares its non-partisanship:
Fakt Yoxla does not concentrate its fact-checking on any one side. It follows the same process for every fact check and let the evidence dictate the conclusions. There is a clear obligation for fact-checkers to be objective and follow the rules of methodology while writing an article. They have to keep their prejudices out of every article and only look at the real facts. Every article is checked by the team to avoid the risk of any individual point of view. Team members are not allowed to contribute or be members of any political party or advocacy organisation to refrain from any potential conflict of interest.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/pages/Methodology
Fakt Yoxla checks the statement of figures from the government, opposition, and independent sources.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The statement about the relevant criterion is satisfactory and publicly available.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Methodology-wise: Linking and reference usage could be observed in all of the examples I examined. I did not encounter any problems. It can be said that they use a reference prioritization system that is faithful to the source hierarchy they mentioned in the methodology.
Format-wise: The link is defined in all cases where it is needed. Since the links are visible in the context of the format, it presents a reassuring structure. The choice of the color red for links is a good choice in this context.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Although they work in a challenging information environment, they are good at processing scientific and statistical information and prioritizing the most appropriate information to be used within the methodology.
I have not come across any example that contradicts the methodology and criteria on the subject.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Generally, items reviewed are not items that require multi-reference verification or deep investigation. This makes it easy to not have too many problematic cases with this criterion.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Information on affiliations and interests (such as title and former title) are provided in the analyses. I have not come across a non-pattern example that does not meet this criterion.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla is an officially registered non-profit organisation. It was created by Institute for Democratic Initiatives(IDI) in 2019, but it was separated from IDI and registered as an independent organisation on 28 May 2021 in Georgia.
Its status can be checked through the 406331063 identification code.
https://enreg.reestri.gov.ge/main.php?m=new_index&l=en
The proof of the official registration has been presented on the website
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Their legal status is in line with the criteria. However, there is no proof that shows at least 5% of this organization's revenue or a statement regarding why they didn't provide any. I don't require them to do so on their website, however, I'd be glad to know if they shared relevant details with the IFCN.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla has provided IFCN with detailed information regarding funding.
Fakt Yoxla is an independent registered non-profit organization. Despite the fact that it was founded by the Institute for Democratic Initiatives (IDI) in 2019, it was split from IDI and registered as an independent organization in Georgia on May 28, 2021. The identifying code 406331063 can be used to check its status.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
They split from their original institute and became an independent fact-checking focused unit afterwards.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Leyla Mustafayeva is the chief editor of Fakt Yoxla. Detailed information about her can be found at the below-mentioned link:
https://www.faktyoxla.info/pages/Who-are-we
The work process on the articles has been shared in the methodology:
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Only the biography of the chief editor of the institution is available on the website. Other editors and analysts are not named. I think this would be acceptable due to the political conditions of the country, the fact that it is an "exile fact-check center". There is at least one legal representative, unlike the previous application.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Members of independent media organizations and non-governmental organizations are unfortunately subjected to a great deal of intimidation as a result of state entities' administrative abuse of discretion. Human rights and civil freedoms are routinely violated in practice. According to the Freedom House, Azerbaijan is considered a “not free” country which scored 2 out of 40 in political rights and 7 out of 60 in civil liberties. To safeguard the security of our employees, we are unable to display all of their names on the website due to human rights violations and persecution of activists who deal with independent research.
On the website, just the biography of the editor-in-chief is listed.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/pages/Who-are-we
However, we have provided IFCN with detailed information about the staff.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The desire to ensure the anonymity of contributors is reasonable considering the political conditions of the targeted country. If the IFCN staff has satisfactory knowledge on the subject, I think there is no problem.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla has a “Connect with us” button on the website for readers. They may communicate with the editorial team via this section. Additionally, users may send their messages through Facebook, Whatsapp, Instagram, and Telegram to the editorial team.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/connect-with-us
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
They use a functional (but progressive) communication mechanism. With more call to action buttons, more people can be encouraged to submit anonymous and public claims.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the methodology section, Fakt Yoxla informs people about the process of preparing the articles. How the topics are selected, what kind of tools are used by authors, and how experts and public figures participate in the process are mentioned.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
There is a methodology that can be easily accessed on the websites.
I think it has an understandable structure. But since they are in a foreign country to the verification experience, maybe it can be explained how the process works with "case studies" and similar methods.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Firstly, the “Fakt Yoxla” team monitors permanently the statement of public figures which have been published on different media organs. Fakt Yoxla regularly follows and monitors the flow of trends in social media and the statements made by public figures. During the monitoring process, each member of the monitoring group individually finds out and indicates the statements with public importance. While selecting the claims, priority is given to the claims that may pose a serious threat towards public health, and democratic governance, as well as, that may lead to manipulation of public opinion regarding the political, legal, economic, and COVID-19-related issues. The targets are tv channels that are directly and indirectly funded from the state budget (including private TV), news websites that broadcast in Azerbaijan and are ranked in the top 100 by reliable rating agencies, and materials that are published on social media accounts with more than 10,000 followers.
Fakt Yoxla strictly selects the contents in terms of public importance, regardless of the status and/or position of the person who made this particular claim. Furthermore, we should mention that Fakt Yoxla is not checking the judgemental and/or personal sentiments of any politician over the facts and societal issues, as we are primarily dealing with the checking facts themselves.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the content I have examined, I have come across analyzes based on categories such as "objective data" rather than "subjective expression". Scientific evidence also supported each other, albeit with very minor differences.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
There are many analyzes based on the data of institutions such as statistical institutions of different countries' institutions or independent scientific institutes. It is difficult to say that the standards applied in general are weak or not in-line with each other. I've seen a balance among the credibility of sources used in most cases.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla contacts those who made claims rarely because:
1. It is not secure for authors to contact public figures.
2. Public figures rarely respond to calls or reply to messages.
However, sometimes it is possible to contact public figures. For example, in this case, Fakt Yoxla contacted the person that the statement is about.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/articles/Deputat-Isa-Qember-26-neferin-olum-hokmune-qol-chekib
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The institution's specific political/security status makes it difficult to meet this criterion.
However, this need not change radically, as subjective expert commentary and source interpretation are preferable in the absence of some other information sources.
The case sample they have already submitted shows that in some cases they reach experts and witnesses.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The “Check Your Fact” section on the website allows people to send their facts to check. In this section, it is clearly stated what kind of facts we check.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/check-fact
Additionally, we permanently share posts on social media accounts such as Facebook, Instagram and so on to make the audiences aware that they have an opportunity to check their facts.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Their section on the website allows people to send their facts to check. In this section, they provide what kind of claims can be checked and how people can send their claims.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Correction policy has been mentioned in the methodology.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/pages/Methodology
A “Connect with us” section on the website has also been created. Those who disagree with the decision can send their opinions to the specified email address or to the inboxes of social media accounts, including Whatsapp.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
They have a complaints policy available on their web site under methodology article.
They also created a separate connect with us section that has similar function.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We have presented information in "Methodology"
https://www.faktyoxla.info/pages/Methodology
Additionally, the "Connect with us" section allows people to inform Fakt Yoxla about the mistakes in the materials,
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
There is a methodology part compatible with this criterion. It is written in easy-to-understand language and does not seem likely to raise questions for the public.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the last 12 months, we had received 2 requests to correct the text of the materials.
One of them was about the statement of the Chairman of the Journalists' Trade Union. The article was corrected and the fact-meter changed from lie to false
The second material was about the new laws on political parties.
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Examples provided regarding the correction of the error made in the fact-checking processes complies with the criteria in terms of form and content.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla announce in its methodology that if they believe Fakt Yoxla violates the IFCN code, they may inform the IFCN through provided links.
https://www.faktyoxla.info/pages/Methodology
https://www.faktyoxla.info/pages/Metodologiya
"If you believe that Fakt Yoxla violates the IFCN code, you may inform the IFCN using the complaint page on the IFCN website."
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No problem regarding this criteria.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Sarphan Uzunoğlu.
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.
Fakt Yoxla
09-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Fakt Yoxla is not unit of a media company. It is an independent non-profit organisation. However, it has a correction policy on its website:
Sarphan Uzunoğlu Assessor
19-Dec-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No problem regarding this criteria.