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Faktisk.no

Organization: Faktisk.no
Applicant: Olav Østrem
Assessor: Ester Appelgren

Background

Faktisk.no is an established Norwegian fact-checker. This application is an application for renewal. There has been changes over time to the website and as the organisation has grown and the funding seems to have been secured fact-checker's website appears as almost pure perfection. 

Assessment Conclusion

It was a pleasure to evaluate Faktisk.no yet another time. It is a very impressive fact-checker.There were only a few minor things that I noticed that I could complain about. These things have now been revised.

on 23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago)

Ester Appelgren assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language


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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)

https://w2.brreg.no/enhet/sok/detalj.jsp?orgnr=919036508 (Norwegian company registration authority) This is an application for renewal. There is no change in our purpose or organization. Here is the link to the relevant page of our website: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss

There has been no major design-changes since our last application.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Faktisk.no is a registered organization.


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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?

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

1. Non profit Faktisk.no was launched July 5th 2017 as Norways first independent fact-checking organization to counter the spread of misinformation and disinformation in the public discourse.

2. currently 14 people work for Faktisk.no. There is one editor-in-chief/CEO, one news editor, four fact checkers, one video reporters, one project manager, one analytics manager and five teachers. We are hiring one fact-checker and one social media reporter at the moment. 

3. We fact check the public discourse on all platforms. We also have a school department for fact-checking, source criticism and information literacy for children and young adults. And we teach fact checking and investigative journalism to journalists, students e.t.c. This project is named "Tenk." (Think), and is a separate department within our organization, and not part of the editorial team. ( www.tenk.faktisk.no ). Last but not least, we have an insight and analytics department for better monitoring and understanding of information disorders in the Norwegian and Nordic public discourse. This latter initiative is part of the NORDIS project, building a Nordic EDMO hub together with Källkritikbyrän in Sweden, TjekDet in Denmark, Faktabaari in Finland and the universities of Aarhus, Bergen, Uppsala and Helsinki.

4. To do more of the above - and succeeding with building a sustainable insight and analytics department and NORDIS Hub. 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago)

The applicant is a fact-checking organization. Over the years, it has expanded its operation, but still within the fact-checking area, such as offering lectures and special teaching activities for school children.


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

All of our fact checks, fact stories e.t.c are published at www.faktisk.no

We also post videos and simple debunks directly on facebook as posts: www.facebook.com/faktisk/ and on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQz_Ho0jf2x0CCHbVWRfySw/videos and on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/faktisk.no/

We also publish updated and case based learning resources in fact checking for teachers and schools at https://tenk.faktisk.no/ (the site for our school-project Tenk (Think)) and on the FB and Instagram pages for Tenk (https://www.facebook.com/tenk.faktisk / https://www.instagram.com/tenk.faktisk/)

We currently have a problem with our search-engine, making it hard to chronologically list our latest fact-checks and fact-stories. Therefore we've included them here from today and back to January 1st. 2023: 

Feil om offentlig ansatte i Finland

https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zkxx9/feil-om-offentlig-ansatte-i-finland

Olav Thon misbrukes i Facebook-annonser - ble feilaktig meldt død

https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0o666/olav-thon-misbrukes-i-svindelannonser-ble-feilaktig-meldt-dod

Hva kan vi lære av fortidens klimaendringer? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/06eex/hva-kan-vi-laere-av-fortidens-klimaendringer

Det stemmer at 100 000 flere er i jobb i privat sektor https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jdppr/det-stemmer-at-100-000-flere-er-i-jobb-i-privat-sektor

Dette vet vi om «milliontrygdene» i Oslo https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zlee8/dette-vet-vi-om-milliontrygdene-i-oslo

Nei, vi er ikke på vei inn i en ny mini–istid https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z255d/nei-vi-er-ikke-pa-vei-inn-i-en-ny-miniistid

Ja, økt CO₂ har ført til en grønnere planet https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0qkx2/ja-okt-co-har-fort-til-en-gronnere-planet

Nei, sola styrer ikke klimaendringene https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jep9m/nei-sola-styrer-ikke-klimaendringene

De fleste anmeldelsene til Spesialenheten legges bort https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jeppw/de-fleste-anmeldelsene-til-spesialenheten-legges-bort

Jo, sammenhengen mellom CO₂ og klima er bevist mange ganger https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z3rmn/jo-sammenhengen-mellom-co-og-klima-er-bevist-mange-ganger

Hver fjerde nordmann er klimaskeptiker https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jx882/hver-fjerde-nordmann-er-klimaskeptiker

Amnesty Norges KI-flause går verden rundt https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/j1ddg/amnesty-norges-ki-flause-gar-verden-rundt

Misbrukes i falsk bitcoin-reklame https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jx8mg/misbrukes-i-falsk-bitcoin-reklame

Nei, FN vil ikke avkriminalisere sex mellom voksne og barn https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/j1dmw/nei-fn-vil-ikke-avkriminalisere-sex-mellom-voksne-og-barn

Nei, det er fortsatt ikke grafénoksid i koronavaksinen https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z5xm6/nei-det-er-fortsatt-ikke-grafenoksid-i-koronavaksinen

Over 49 000 bygninger trenger bedre sikring mot skred https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jn293/over-49-000-bygninger-trenger-bedre-sikring-mot-skred

Nei, Norge svelger ikke fem EØS-rettsakter per arbeidsdag https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z96wn/nei-norge-svelger-ikke-fem-eos-rettsakter-per-arbeidsdag

Truer TikTok rikets sikkerhet? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0vpd2/truer-tiktok-rikets-sikkerhet

Desinformasjon om barnevern spres i Norden https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zml9r/desinformasjon-om-barnevern-spres-i-norden

Falske bilder av Trump-arrestasjon sprer seg på Twitter https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0gp5g/falske-bilder-av-trump-arrestasjon-sprer-seg-pa-twitter

Er virkelig nordmenn mindre lykkelige enn resten av Norden? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z41mv/er-virkelig-nordmenn-mindre-lykkelige-enn-resten-av-norden

Feil om prissjokk for boligeiere fra Finansavisen https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z827x/feil-om-prissjokk-for-boligeiere-fra-finansavisen

Hvor vanlig er straffavbrudd? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/j7lvl/hvor-vanlig-er-straffavbrudd

Flere feil om norsk innblanding i Nord Stream-sabotasjen https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zw8np/flere-feil-om-norsk-innblanding-i-nord-stream-sabotasjen

Reinen har mindre enn 40 prosent av landarealet å beite på https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zpd11/reinen-har-mindre-enn-40-prosent-av-landarealet-a-beite-pa

Miljøaktivister har rett om utslipp fra Equinors olje https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0o6r9/miljoaktivister-har-rett-om-utslipp-fra-equinors-olje

Hva den ferske overgreps- og voldsundersøkelsen forteller oss https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jyy9e/hva-den-ferske-overgreps-og-voldsundersokelsen-forteller-oss

NRK-glipp om størrelsen på amerikansk Ukraina-støtte https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zkx94/nrk-glipp-om-storrelsen-pa-amerikansk-ukraina-stotte

Ett år med desinformasjon, krigsløgner og falske narrativ https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/06emn/ett-ar-med-desinformasjon-krigslogner-og-falske-narrativ

Slik har desinformasjonen om krigen endret seg https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z25mo/slik-har-desinformasjonen-om-krigen-endret-seg

Jon Almaas misbrukes i falsk bitcoin-reklame https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jdp8w/jon-almaas-misbrukes-i-falsk-bitcoin-reklame

Hvor god er den norske strømstøtten? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jep1m/hvor-god-er-den-norske-stromstotten

Insekter som menneskemat – er det farlig? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zle9m/insekter-som-menneskemat-er-det-farlig

Er det flere ungdommer som bruker narkotika? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z5xy6/er-det-flere-ungdommer-som-bruker-narkotika

Flere feil i «rett i dass»-regnestykket til Borten Moe https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0qk62/flere-feil-i-rett-i-dass-regnestykket-til-borten-moe

Færre sykehjemsplasser med eldreminister https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0rgoy/faerre-sykehjemsplasser-med-eldreminister

Nei, det ligger ikke an til en tidobling av nordmenn over 90 innen 2060 https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/j1d8w/nei-det-ligger-ikke-an-til-en-tidobling-av-nordmenn-over-90-innen-2060

Kan man stole på kreftprøven av livmorhalsen? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z3ron/kan-man-stole-pa-kreftproven-av-livmorhalsen

Nei, Oslo har ikke landets beste sykehjemsdekning https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z965n/nei-oslo-har-ikke-landets-beste-sykehjemsdekning

Nei, Norge har ikke den aller laveste arbeidsledigheten i Europa https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jn2e3/nei-norge-har-ikke-den-aller-laveste-arbeidsledigheten-i-europa

Enkelte oppdrettsselskaper kan måtte betale over 100 prosent i skatt https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0vpm2/enkelte-oppdrettsselskaper-kan-matte-betale-over-100-prosent-i-skatt

Nei, det stemmer ikke at 97 prosent av tungtransporten sklir forbi grensekontroll https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0gpeg/nei-det-stemmer-ikke-at-97-prosent-av-tungtransporten-sklir-forbi-grensekontroll

Hekkans upresist om Salikatts ølreklame på sosiale medier https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zmlxr/hekkans-upresist-om-salikatts-olreklame-pa-sosiale-medier

Hvit måned – har det effekt på sikt? https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z82nx/hvit-maned-har-det-effekt-pa-sikt

Norge tjener store penger på Putins krig https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z41ov/norge-tjener-store-penger-pa-putins-krig

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, the applicant has published on average 2 or more fact-checks a week, which is well above the threshold. For this assessment, I noticed it was not possible to get an overview of the published stories for the 6-month period on the website of Faktisk.no. However, the applicant has provided links to the published fact-checks with their application. This list of published articles made it possible to do the assessment. 


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

My assessment of a randomised sample of published articles is that the topics of the fact-checks are all in the interest for the Norwegian general public. The variation of topics is impressive and encompasses politics, war, the pandemic, climate change, issues regarding the oil industry, domestic violence, to name a few.


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Faktisk.no is a non partisan and independent non profit media company. We do not receive direct operational funding or support from foreign or local state or political actors over the previous financial year. However, we are owned by six of Norways largest media companies, where the state owned public broadcaster NRK is one of them.

We did apply for, and receive, approximately 1,4 MNOK from the Innovation and development grant scheme given by the Norwegian Media Authority as part of the Norwegian Media support scheme. This grant was given as support for building our new insight and analytics department. More about these scheme: https://www.medietilsynet.no/mediestotte/innovasjons--og-utviklingstilskudd/

We are also part of the nordic EDMO-hub NORDIS, which is funded by European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) grant money. EDMO is an independent consortium funded by the EU. More about EDMO here: https://edmo.eu/edmo-at-a-glance/

Our school project "Tenk", which is a different department within our organization, received in 2022 a government grant over the state education budget. This grant will probably continue. Tenk is however a separate part of Faktisk, not involved in the editorial fact-checking work. Their finances are also separate at large.

Regardless of this, all grant providers, donors and owners must abide our organization being independent, transparent and non-profit. We do not accept external guidelines or requirements for how our school project (or the rest of the organization) prioritizes or performs its work. Tenk follows the same strict ethical code of conduct as the rest of the organization. Editorial independence is secured by law in Norway, and by the various ethical code of conducts accepted by all established media organizations and their editors. 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The organization is independent and receives funding from the major Norwegian media companies (including PSM). Sources of funding is stated on a separate and informative webpage.


done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We have several pages about us and our organization: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss (About us) / https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi (How we work) / https://www.faktisk.no/redaksjonen-og-styret (Editorial staff and the board) / https://www.faktisk.no/finansiering (Finances).

These page provides full information about: Our owners, the editorial staff, the school project Tenk (Think), our board of directors, our finances, our articles of association, a translation of the Fact-checkers code of principles, our internal ethics rules for Faktisk.no e.t.c.

The first "About us" page begins by explaining our commitment to free and independent journalism, and how we are bound to follow the ethical code of practice for the Norwegian press, the Norwegian editors code of conduct, the IFCN code of principles and our affiliations.

Also, we have a page explaining our finances in detail: https://www.faktisk.no/finansiering which discloses our full financial statements and accounting year by year from our launch in 2017. Also we try to keep a public update on our current accounting for the current year.

We have also a new website for our school project Tenk (www.tenk.faktisk.no), where we follow the same transparency as Faktisk: https://tenk.faktisk.no/om-oss (About us) https://tenk.faktisk.no/finansiering (Finances).

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant does an excellent job in explaining the different collaborations they have including statements of sources of income.


done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Nei, det stemmer ikke at 97 prosent av tungtransporten sklir forbi grensekontroll https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0gpeg/nei-det-stemmer-ikke-at-97-prosent-av-tungtransporten-sklir-forbi-grensekontroll

Nei, Oslo har ikke landets beste sykehjemsdekning https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z965n/nei-oslo-har-ikke-landets-beste-sykehjemsdekning

Flere feil i «rett i dass»-regnestykket til Borten Moe https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0qk62/flere-feil-i-rett-i-dass-regnestykket-til-borten-moe

NRK-glipp om størrelsen på amerikansk Ukraina-støtte https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zkx94/nrk-glipp-om-storrelsen-pa-amerikansk-ukraina-stotte

Flere feil om norsk innblanding i Nord Stream-sabotasjen https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/zw8np/flere-feil-om-norsk-innblanding-i-nord-stream-sabotasjen

Feil om prissjokk for boligeiere fra Finansavisen https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z827x/feil-om-prissjokk-for-boligeiere-fra-finansavisen

Nei, det er fortsatt ikke grafénoksid i koronavaksinen https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/z5xm6/nei-det-er-fortsatt-ikke-grafenoksid-i-koronavaksinen

Nei, FN vil ikke avkriminalisere sex mellom voksne og barn https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/j1dmw/nei-fn-vil-ikke-avkriminalisere-sex-mellom-voksne-og-barn

Det stemmer at 100 000 flere er i jobb i privat sektor https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jdppr/det-stemmer-at-100-000-flere-er-i-jobb-i-privat-sektor

Olav Thon misbrukes i Facebook-annonser - ble feilaktig meldt død

https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0o666/olav-thon-misbrukes-i-svindelannonser-ble-feilaktig-meldt-dod

The selection above show in our opinion our diverse and impartial fact-checking, based on current affairs, virality and the criterias and methodology described. We left our scale behind in 2021 and are focusing on a written conclusion instead. This to have more focus on the context and often complexity of a fact-check, and not on the color of the rating (less polarizing).

We also publish a large number of so called fact-stories ( https://www.faktisk.no/sjangere/artikkel ), providing in depth or background on topics regarding current misinformation and disinformation. These does not necessarily conclude like a standard fact-check - however they follow the same strict rules regarding high standards, impartiality and non bias. During the pandemic, this format has in large been preferred on covid-related matters, as it has been about science in progress with far to many unknowns. The same goes for covering the Ukraine war, which has broadened our scope into verification as part of fact checking. 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The majority of the fact-checks are ambitious, based on multiple sources both primary and secondary. It does not appear as if the fact-checks are impartial in any way. Claims are fact-checked from all sorts of politicians and the topics are very diverse. Often times, the applicant's fact-checks include interesting and impressive extra material such as data journalistic visualisations.


done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi (How we work)

Also, since we are part of the 3PFC-partnership with Facebook, we have a thorough description of how this works as well: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/facebook  

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, there is a section that explains what types of claims that can be fact-checked.


done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

I did not find passages in the fact-checks in the sample that discussed interests of those that make false claims. I did not see any discussion on commercial interests, except for the stories that focus on the oil-industry. Thus, I would not say this criteria is fulfilled, but I would not say it is not. Stating possible interests of those that make false claims without having proof of their interests could also be seen as specualtion.


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In my assessment, I did not find any evidence of that Faktisk.no shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, rather the opposite. 


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We are completely open about key actors, boards, current and former staff e.t.c here: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss (About us)

Our staff and board: https://www.faktisk.no/redaksjonen-og-styret (Editorial staff and board)

About the School-department and their staff: https://tenk.faktisk.no/om-oss

See also answer 1.6. 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There is a special page where all staff have bios. The independence of the organisation is clearly stated on several parts of the website.


done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There are in the majority of the assessed fact-checks multiple sources, both primary and secondary. There are links and plenty of visual material. 

I found one dead link in a story about the amount of energy it takes to produce Hydrogen. Apart from that dead link, the number and selection of sources are impressive ranging from public authorities, companies, scientists, and those that have made the claim in the first place to name a fww.


done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, the sources are mostly primary. I only found a very small number of fact-checks based on secondary sources only, such as summary articles with aggregated fact-checks on the war in Ukraine or on the covid-19 vaccine often presenting a collection of previously published fact-checks of the applicant.


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, multiple sources are used, and often additional public data has been analysed and compiled into visualizations creating a rich material that accompanies primary sources. In only one case did I find a fact-check that did not use more than one source. It was a story about domestic violence, that more took on the form of an interview with the lead scientist of a report.


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, I would say this criteria is fulfilled. In only one case, there was an article that was made together with the Journalism department at OsloMet, and here the researchers were not named in the article there was only a reference to the department and it was not clear how these researchers helped out in creating the story.


done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We are an independent organization. This is the link to the Norwegian Central Coordinating Register for Legal Entities: https://w2.brreg.no/enhet/sok/detalj.jsp?orgnr=919036508

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, the applicant is a registered organiations. Furthermore, on the bottom of every page the registration number of the organisation is provided. 


done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Here is the link to our "About"-page: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss

Here is the link to our "Finance transparency"-page: https://www.faktisk.no/finansiering

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, there is a separate page stating the funding.


done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Here is the link to our "About"-page: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss 

Faktisk.no
27-Aug-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Here's the link to our organizational structure: https://www.faktisk.no/redaksjonen-og-styret

This is the place where the staff are listed.

On top of the list is myself, who currently serves as editor in chief (but normally functions as news editor), and under the headline «Redaksjonen» you'll find the four members of our newsroom (they are listed both as fact checkers, journalist and video journalist), but in the end they're all fact checkers.

As of now, we're one editor and four journalists/fact checkers.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There is a section describing the editorial staff. It is somewhat unclear to me what the difference in tasks in the newsroom is between the roles "journalist and project leader", "journalist" and "fact-checker". This could perhaps be clarified in the section, this is how we work.


cancel 4.3 marked as Request change by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
29-Aug-2023 (1 year ago)

There is a section describing the editorial staff. It is somewhat unclear to me what the difference in tasks in the newsroom is between the roles "journalist and project leader", "journalist" and "fact-checker". This could perhaps be clarified in the section, this is how we work.


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, the leadership is clear, however see comment for 4.3.


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We inform and link to our contact details through a huge "Do you know of anything we should fact-check?" above the footer of every page - as well as in the corrections-section on our "How we work"-page: https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi

The details and emails to all our staff is provided here: https://www.faktisk.no/redaksjonen-og-styret

Also, the emails to all our fact-checkers are linked in their bylines in every fact-check.

Most of our daily dialog is on social media, through our fb-page https://www.facebook.com/faktisk

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, there are multiple opportunities to reach out to the staff at Faktisk.no 


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

This is the "How we work"-page: https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi

This also links to a more thorough explainer about our Facebook Third Party Fact-checking Program partnership: https://www.faktisk.no/facebook 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There is an informative page that explains the method. Furthermore, there are several sections and one main page hat explains how Faktisk.no works with Facebook. 


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The selection of topics that have been fact-checked is impressive. They seem to be based on that they have been viral in Norway or the world, or are often times based on that they have appeared in public debates. They are all very much in the interest of the general population with a careful consideration of the Norwegian context.


done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, this depends on the kind of fact-check, but I found several stories where parts of a false claim was explained as true. The complexity of the stories makes it possible to actually distinguish between what is true and what is not in a more in-depth manner.


done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

I did not find any evidence of that there would be differences between the methods used for fact-checks depending on political party of those that made a claim.


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Those that made a claim seems to be almost always contacted for comments. Many times they have responded, sometimes in-depth.


done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

As earlier mentioned, above the footer of every published fact-check and page there is ha huge encouragement to send us claims to check. Also we do in the dialog on social media and with a thorough description of our methodology in our methodology-page: https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi

On Faktisk.no we ask readers to send us claims by e-mail: kontakt@faktisk.no and we receive claims through our active twitter account twitter.com/faktisk_n

Our footer has all the relevant links to both our contact mail, corrections, editor in chief e.t.c.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, it is clearly described what the audience can expect if they send in claims they wish should be fact-checked. It is very easy to find contact details.


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Our correction policy is thoroughly described in our methodology-section "How we work": https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi - and is also directly announced on our front page and on the footer of every page generated on Faktisk.no. The Footer also link to our ethical guidelines and a translated version of the IFCN Code of Principles: https://www.faktisk.no/vedtekter-etikkregler-og-faktasjekkplakaten

When it comes to policies: Our "How we work" section ( https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi ) has a translated version of the IFCN Code of Principles, and outlined the policy of article 5: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy.

In our translation, we state: "We have a transparent corrections policy and follow it always. Our corrections are clearly marked and openly published in compliant with our corrections policy, to make sure our readers sees the correct version."

Also, as previously described, we outline our "House ethics rules" ( https://www.faktisk.no/vedtekter-etikkregler-og-faktasjekkplakaten ), which comes in addition to the Norwegian Press Association's Code of Ethics, which applies to us ( https://presse.no/pfu/etiske-regler/vaer-varsom-plakaten/vvpl-engelsk/ ). These bind us to fair treatment of all sources.

To comply to the standards of media outlets in Norway, our footer encourage readers to contact us if they have a complaint, linking to our correction policy. The footer also includes the name and email address to the editor-in-chief, as well as our general contact address. It also hyperlinks to the Norwegian Press Association's Code of Ethics, the Norwegian Editor's Association’s Code of Ethics, and to the IFCN Code Of Principles.

Also, we publish full bios and contact details for all our staff in the About us section. Every fact-check has a byline with the name and email link to the fact-checkers who wrote the article.

We also have a very active dialogue with our readers by email, Twitter and Facebook page - were the discussion is live almost 24/7.

In addition: Any changes or corrections in a fact-check into a separate section at the end of the fact-check (in example: https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jy9mm/sa-mye-har-mdg-politikeren-floyet-pa-to-ar ), we also have added a separate change/correction logg, which can be followed both on our statistics-section or by RSS-feed: https://www.faktisk.no/endringer

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, there is a clear and very informative description of how corrections are made and how to complain. 


done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

My assessment is that the policy is met. The descriptions of what can be expected in terms of getting a claim fact-checked is very clearly explained.


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Any changes or corrections in a fact-check into a separate section at the end of the fact-check (in example: https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/jy9mm/sa-mye-har-mdg-politikeren-floyet-pa-to-ar ), we also have added a separate change/correction logg, which can be followed both on our statistics-section or by RSS-feed: https://www.faktisk.no/endringer

All corrections and changes are dealt with this way, and minor disputes mostly solved without further issue.

The Norwegian Association's Code of Ethics, (https://presse.no/pfu/) which also applies to us, gives the public right to complain to the Norwegian Press Complaints Commission. There has been one such complaints against us since our last assessment:

https://presse.no/pfu-sak/055-22/

The Commission acquitted us on all counts in this case. The process shows that we follow the policy accordingly.

Most cases for the Press Complaints Commission are publicly streamed for transparency - and generates media attention.

This is an article (and the stream) about this case: https://presse.no/pfu-nyhet/stream-og-saksliste-til-pfu-mote-22-juni/

We have, as far as we know, not received any complaints through IFCN. 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There have been corrections over the last 6-month period. The design of the website makes it easy to spot these corrections.


done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Our correction policy is thoroughly described in our methodology-section "How we work", also with the link to IFCNs complaints policy: https://www.faktisk.no/slik-jobber-vi.

This is also directly announced on our front page and on the footer of every page generated on Faktisk.no.

The Footer also link to our ethical guidelines and a translated version of the IFCN Code of Principles: https://www.faktisk.no/vedtekter-etikkregler-og-faktasjekkplakaten        

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Yes, it is clear how to contact IFCN for complaints. I did however find a dead link to the IFCN regarding the previous assessments. 


done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.

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.

Faktisk.no
15-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We are not.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
23-Jul-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Faktisk.no does not belong to a parent media company.


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Ester Appelgren.