Fast Check CL is a fact-checking media outlet, legally registered as Tlön Comunicaciones SpA. Their legal representative is Mr. Fabián Padilla Arenas.You can find these legal details on the footer's home page, also more information on our about page: www.fastcheck.cl/nosotros/.

Established in 2019 on social media and later expanded to include a website in 2020, Fast Check CL stands as a Chilean organization dedicated to fact-checking. It is under the ownership of Tlön Comunicaciones SpA, a profit-oriented company. The ownership details are explicitly stated in various sections of the organization's website, including the About Us and Finance pages.

To facilitate the evaluation process, the applicant has provided in criterion 4.1 the necessary legal information alongside the details specified. For upcoming IFCN accreditation renewals, the applicant is kindly invited to include a link to the same document on the Fast Check CL website, particularly within the About Us page.

1. Fast Check CL was created in october 22, 2019, after a month of a several violent protests and riots. In this context, known as “Estallido Social”, people began to spread a huge amount of viral misinformation and “fake news”. Because of this, we saw the need to create an Instagram profile, named Fast Check CL (@fastcheckcl), —inspired in fact checking discipline and the quickness who should publish— who fight disinformation, which was spread mostly on social media, about human rights, politics and public order. If you want to read more about us, and our history, please check: www.fastcheck.cl/historia/

2. Currently, our team is composed of five people (full staff members): You can find this information at: www.fastcheck.cl/equipo/

· Fabián Padilla – CEO & Editor-in-chief

· Isidora Osorio – Deputy editor

· Elias Miranda – Journalist/Fact checker

· Maximiliano Echegoyen — Journalist/Fact checker

· Valentina Casanova — Journalist/Community Manager

And also we have one freelance fact checking: Lucas Vergara and a freelance designer: Patricio Vera.

3. We do fact-checking and investigative journalism mostly. But also, we participate in educational, academic, and public initiatives by free. This 2023, our CEO was invited by the Ministry of Science to participe in the first Advisory Commission against Disinformation: https://www.minciencia.gob.cl/areas/comision-contra-la-desinformacion/ and also, we publish our first academic paper in collaboration with chilean academics in the disinformation field: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/13/9/5347

4. We have three main goals for this coming year: 1) The first goal is to create a sustainable journalism model to keep Fast Check CL safe. 2) The second goal is create a new regional department to add regional fact-checking and de-concentrate our agenda 3) The third goal is to expand Fast Check CL to other countries in Latin America: Perú and Bolivia, most probably

Fast Check CL has provided comprehensive information on the following aspects:

1) The inception of this fact-checking operation in 2019, accompanied by detailed explanations of the reasons behind its establishment. Additionally, the organization has shared information about its developments since its launch.

2) The personnel at Fast Check CL, as stated by the applicant, comprises 5 individuals with clearly defined roles. However, during the assessment conducted on November 5, 2023, the assessor observed that the team was comprised of 4 workers and 3 freelance collaborators. This check indicates a reduction in the number of team members compared to 2021 and 2022.

3) The diverse activities undertaken by Fast Check CL, encompassing both fact-checking and media literacy initiatives.

4) The objectives set by Fast Check CL for the 2023-24 season, which include: 1) Continued efforts to ensure the economic sustainability of the organization, 2) Creation of a new regional department to add regional fact-checking, and 3) Establishment of international collaborations with similar organizations

Fast Check CL has published 337 fact checking articles between May 1, 2023, to October 10, 2023.

On average we have 12,5 fact checking articles per week in this period.

We add an excel to show raw data.

Upon examining the spreadsheet of fact-checks released by Fast Check CL, totaling 337 articles conducted in the six months leading up to the application date (May 1 - October 10, 2023), it is affirmed that the applicant significantly surpasses the threshold, averaging 12.5 fact-checks per week. These figures are 25% above those presented in the previous year.

Over 75% of the fact checks issued during the evaluated period concentrated on scrutinizing claims associated with matters influencing the welfare or well-being of individuals, the public, or Chilean society at large. These fact-checks span a diverse range of subjects, including but not limited to national politics, health, and environmental issues. They are tied to news events unfolding both within Chile and internationally.

Fast Check CL from 2019 to our present day, did not receive any funding from the Chilean State, politics, political parties from Chile, or any other political organization. Also, Fast Check CL did not receive international funding from other foreign states or political organizations. To see details, visit: www.fastcheck.cl/financiamiento    

As per the statement submitted for this assessment and the details accessible on the applicant's website, Fast Check CL did not engage in any commercial, financial, or institutional associations with the Chilean state, politicians, or political parties during the assessed year.

Fast Check CL from 2019 to our present day, did not receive any funding from the Chilean State, politics, political parties from Chile, or any other political organization. Also, Fast Check CL did not receive international funding from other foreign states or political organizations. To see details, visit: www.fastcheck.cl/financiamiento    

Fast Check CL discloses pertinent details regarding its sources of income and funding structure. The organization is dedicated to preventing any interference from local or foreign states or political entities.

1) (right wing) (Video) “Evelyn Matthei anuncia tercer proceso constituyente si Chile rechaza en diciembre”: #Engañoso. https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/04/28/video-evelyn-matthei-anuncia-tercer-proceso-constituyente-si-chile-rechaza-en-diciembre-enganoso/

2) (right wing) Tuit de Sebastián Piñera: “Vine a Cúcuta a defender los DDHH de todos los venezolanos (…) serán bienvenidos en mi país y se les dará refugio, comida y salud gratis”: #Falso. https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/04/10/tuit-de-sebastian-pinera-vine-a-cucuta-a-defender-los-ddhh-de-todos-los-venezolanos-seran-bienvenidos-en-mi-pais-y-se-les-dara-refugio-comida-y-salud-gratis-falso

3) (left wing) (Imagen) “Hoy un transeúnte le gritó (un insulto) a Gabriel Boric”: #Falso. https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/05/10/imagen-hoy-un-transeunte-le-grito-un-insulto-a-gabriel-boric-falso/

4) (center wing) Eduardo Frei Ruiz-Tagle: “Incomprensible decisión del gobierno del Presidente Boric de prohibir el ingreso a los ciudadanos de Iquique y Valparaíso (…)”: #Falso. https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/05/22/eduardo-frei-ruiz-tagle-incomprensible-decision-del-gobierno-del-presidente-boric-de-prohibir-el-ingreso-a-los-ciudadanos-de-iquique-y-valparaiso-falso/

5) (left wing) “El gobierno prometió retiros en campaña”: #Falso. https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/04/28/el-gobierno-prometio-retiros-en-campana-falso/

6) (left wing) “Gobierno de la Región Metropolitana celebró convenio con Carmen Gloria Jackson, hermana de Giorgio”: #Falso. https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/07/12/gobierno-de-la-region-metropolitana-celebro-convenio-con-carmen-gloria-jackson-hermana-de-giorgio-falso/

7) (left wing) (Imagen) “Es Karen Araya de la lista D19, profesora y candidata a consejera por la Región Metropolitana”, ultrajando la bandera: #Falso https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/05/05/imagen-es-karen-araya-de-la-lista-d19-profesora-y-candidata-a-consejera-por-la-region-metropolitana-ultrajando-la-bandera-falso/

8) (center wing) “La tasa de desocupación alcanza un 9,0%, un aumento de 1,1 puntos en solo un año”: #Real https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/10/02/la-tasa-de-desocupacion-alcanza-un-90-un-aumento-de-11-puntos-en-solo-un-ano-real/

9) (right wing) “(Imagen) “Jose Antonio Kast no puede ejercer como abogado”: #Falso”. https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/05/30/imagen-jose-antonio-kast-no-puede-ejercer-como-abogado-falso/

10) (right wing) Imagen) “Indultados por Boric: 13. Indultados por Piñera: 9.467”: #Engañoso https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/04/13/imagen-indultados-por-boric-13-indultados-por-pinera-9-467-enganoso/

Fast Check CL uses the same verification method for all fact checking articles, regardless of political color.

An example of this can be analyzed in cases 2 and 3, where it was verified whether those involved carried out the actions attributed to them on social networks. In the first case, it was possible to corroborate that there were no records of the tweet attributed to former president Sebastián Piñera, which is why it was classified as false, while in the second case it was shown that the photograph was taken completely out of context, thanks to a video that showed that President Gabriel Boric actually greeted a passerby. 

Something similar occurs in cases 6 and 9, which had greater complexity. In the first, official sources and documents were used to deny that the sister of a former minister had obtained public money, while in the second case, the Judiciary was used to deny that the former presidential candidate and opponent of the current government cannot practice as a lawyer.

It should be noted that in all these examples were qualified according to the evidence obtained and background information, whether false, misleading or real, and regardless of the political sector it could benefits.

Fast Check CL has effectively demonstrated its non-partisanship by furnishing the requested ten examples of fact-checks directed at politicians, political parties, and leaders spanning the entire political spectrum in Chile.

Method: www.fastcheck.cl/metodo and Impartiality Policy www.fastcheck.cl/politica-de-imparcialidad         

Fast Check CL has provided evidence of a webpage where it publicly outlines its ten-step fact-checking methodology. This approach draws inspiration from well-established fact-checking organizations around the world. The applicant is dedicated to upholding non-partisanship and avoiding undue concentrations on any particular ideological side. This policy is regarded as both sound and transparent.

Following a random examination of fact-checks released between November 2022 and October 2023, no evidence has been found indicating any commercial interests that could potentially influence the fact-checking endeavors of the applicant.

After a random review of fact-checks published November 2022 to October 2023, no trace has been found of any political interest that might influence the fact-checking activity of the applicant.

You can visit: www.fastcheck.cl/politica-de-imparcialidad under the subheading "Imparcialidad de Equipo" and also in www.fastcheck.cl/equipo each member declare if there have any participation in a political party o group. In our case, none of their 5 members have a political link with any organization.

In compliance with the request, the applicant articulates its non-partisanship policy for staff on its website. According to this policy, members of the organization are obligated to disclose any affiliations with political parties or groups. Notably, none of the five members of this organization has declared any such relationships.

The use of links to substantiate FastCheck CL's fact-checks is considered satisfactory and appropriate. These resources enable users to independently verify the pertinent information published.

FastCheck CL employs a well-rounded, pertinent, and reliable array of sources to substantiate their fact-checks. These sources commonly comprise media outlets, both national and international, and publications on social networks.

The sources used by FastCheck CL are appropriately contextualized. Based on a random assessment of a selection of fact-checks, the overall assessment for this criterion is positive.

The applicant effectively identifies the sources supporting its fact-checks, and when additional contextualization of the information sources is required, it is adequately provided. Overall, this criterion is deemed to be in compliance.

Fast Check CL is an independent fact-checking media outlet, legally registered as Tlön Comunicaciones SpA. All legal information is on the pdf which we attached here.

Fast Check CL is a part of the privately owned, for-profit company named Tlön Comunicaciones SpA, which is under the sole ownership of the managing editor and publisher, Fabián Padilla Arenas. Although information regarding the legal status of the company has been included with this application, it is not entirely disclosed on the applicant's website. 

Fast Check CL is a private organization and for funding information you can check our Finance website: www.fastcheck.cl/financiamiento. In this website you will find our company status and the source and the percentage of each of this source mean for our finance. As you can see, we have three main sources: 1) Tech alliances, 2) Advertising, 3) Subscriptions. We do not receive any public or state finance. 

Important: We don't share the real amounts, and just the percentage of each one, because this issue could affect our financial private strategy to have more partners and resources in our very concentrated and competitive market. Also, we have private agreements who forbid us to share amounts, detailed services, and other legal issues.

The details provided by Fastcheck CL on its Finance page (Financiamiento) offer a comprehensive overview of its funding structure. Despite the applicant asserting three primary revenue sources (tech alliances, advertising, and subscriptions), the disclosed data on the website reveals that as much as 97% of total revenue in 2022 derived from services provided to Meta Platforms Inc., with only 3% originating from subscriptions and no revenue attributed to advertising (0%). 

www.fastcheck.cl/equipo

As per the request, Fast Check CL provides information about its team composition (Equipo), consisting of four members whose respective levels of responsibility are clearly disclosed.

www.fastcheck.cl/equipo

Brief biographies of Fast Check CL team members are available on its website, along with their email addresses, facilitating accessibility for anyone wishing to contact them.

www.fastcheck.cl/contacto  and www.fastcheck.cl/politica-de-correcciones/ 

Several means of contact (email, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn, Facebook, and WhatsApp) are available on the applicant's website. 

www.fastcheck.cl/metodo and www.fastcheck.cl/sistema-de-calificacion/ 

Fast Check CL transparently reveals its fact-checking methodology and the criteria used to categorize content as true (real), incomplete (incompleto), old (añejo), vague (impreciso), deceptive (engañoso), false (falso), unreal (irreal), or unverifiable (inverificable). The methodology, inspired by procedures developed by reputable fact-checking organizations, is considered robust and dependable.

Based on a random review of several fact-checks published in the six months leading up to this assessment, no instances of non-compliance with this criterion have been identified for FastCheck CL.

After reviewing a sample of fact-checks, the assessor concludes that FastCheck CL upholds principles of transparency and fairness in handling claims.

There is no evidence indicating the potential use of varying standards for fact-checking based on the identity of the claimant or the subject being examined.

Upon reviewing a random sample of the applicant's fact-checks, no instances were identified that align with the objectionable situations outlined in this criterion. With no evidence of misconduct or violation of this aspect of the Code of Principles, the assessment is positive.

In Fast Check CL, we encourage our users to send claims and all kinds of misinformation through our digital and social media channels: mail, Facebook, X, Instagram, Discord, and WhatsApp. Also, we encourage our users to read all the politics on our website. Finally, we include a specific URL answering which content can and cannot be fact-checked here: www.fastcheck.cl/inchequeable  

Both the applicant's corrections policy and the criteria to determine which claims can be verified and which can not are deemed sound.

www.fastcheck.cl/politica-de-correcciones

Fast Check CL enables users to submit claims and corrections (Correcciones). Should an error be identified by anyone, the applicant pledges to investigate it promptly and, upon confirmation, incorporate a clearly labeled correction into the relevant article within 48 hours.

The corrections policy is robust, and it is elucidated with sufficient detail, allowing readers to anticipate how their claims will be addressed in advance.

Fast Check CL contemplates within its journalistic work the maximum rigor and accuracy in its publications, that is why we have a policy of corrections to rectify and update the information whenever necessary, encouraging the community to actively participate in this process of content production.

An example of this is the correction included in the post entitled:

1) (Video) Aviones están fumigando a la gente: #Falso

https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/04/11/video-aviones-estan-fumigando-a-la-gente-falso/ 

In this fact checking post, we change some technical matters, specifically about the type of gas who it's expelled from planes. We first write this white gas from planes was "condensed vapor", but through or community corrections, we specify that this white gas was "aerobatic smoke". 

On a second occasion, we change again a technical matter about senator Campillay condition.

2) (Imagen) “Fabiola Campillai captada mirando su celular”: #Falso

https://www.fastcheck.cl/2023/01/26/imagen-fabiola-campillai-captada-mirando-su-celular-falso/ 

This change can be possible because our community warns us about the how is correct use of wording for blind people in spanish. We first put "non-sighted person", but then, with many comments on our social media, people telling us to change this and put "blindness". This change was accepted because is important to us to be very careful and precise about lenguaje, and public recomendations.

Every time Fast Check CL adds a correction to its posts, these are at the beginning of the post, they are written in italics and include the date of rectification. You can check the correction policy at the following link: https://www.fastcheck.cl/politica-de-correcciones 

For the purpose of this assessment, the applicant has provided two instances (1, 2) of fact-checks that were corrected during the assessed period (Nov. 2022 - Oct. 2023), and they received appropriate responses.

https://www.fastcheck.cl/nosotros in subtitle “Signatarios de IFCN"

Fast Check CL informs users on how to proceed in case they want to inform the IFCN of any violation of the Code of Principles. Such reference is clearly accessible in the bottom of every fact-check.

Fast Check CL is not a fact checking unit of a media company.  

Fast Check CL operates as an independent media organization and is not affiliated with any parent media company.