Organization: First Check
Applicant: Jisha Krishnan
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur
Background
The applicant is a unit of a legally registered organisation that is clearly focused on fact-checking. The website has published one story a week in the beginning of the last year, but as the pandemic progressed, it has published fact checks regularly, more than one a week. Most fact checks focus on health-related issues and are in the public interest. The website has made it very clear that it has no relationship with any state, politicians or political parties.
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for equivalent claims. It has identified its sources clearly and readers can reasonably understand if the sources have any interests that could influence the validity of the evidence provided. The applicant is not affiliated it with, nor shows any support or advocacy for any political party or politician. It has set out a clear non-partisanship policy on its website and has explained its policy for its staff.
The applicant identifies sources of all significant evidence used and provides links to help readers replicate fact checks and to let them know the interests of the sources and how those interests might influence the evidence provided.
The applicant has declared that it is a unit of an independent media organisation that is legally registered in the country. The applicant has made a statement on its website about its ownership. Its parent organisation also has a statement about the unit on its website.
In its About Us page on the website, the applicant clearly sets out the professional biographies and roles of its team members, making it quite clear by whom editorial control is exercised. The applicant encourages users to communicate with its editorial team through the Contact Us page.
The applicant’s methodology is explained very clearly. It chooses claims to check based on the reach and importance of the claim, and sets out evidence that supports the claim as well as that undermines it. It assesses the evidence on the same standards for equivalent claims, irrespective of who made the claim. The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check on its homepage. It also explains the basis on which it selects its claims to check.
The applicant and its parent organization have a clearly stated corrections policy that sets out clearly how major mistakes are handled. It would help for it to provide a time frame within which mistakes will be corrected. The applicant has stated that no correction request has been made in the past year.
Assessment Conclusion
The application may be accepted.
Kanchan Kaur assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
The main publishing language is English.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
First Check runs under the banner of Health Analytics Asia. It is owned and run by OW DataLeads which is legally registered in New Delhi, India as a private limited (media) company. Our registration incorporation certificate number is U72900DL2018PTC334085. It is founded by Syed Nazakat, an award-winning journalist and media entrepreneur https://firstcheck.in/about-us/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant is a unit of a legally registered organisation. Its website explains its background.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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?
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
1) We published our first 'fact-checked' story on July 26th, 2019 after we launched Health Analytics Asia on July 12th, 2019. The platform is dedicated to cover health related subjects with focus on data and fact-checking. A unique aspect of our initiative is that we work and collaborate with doctors in the process of story-telling. After the successful launch of Health Analytics, we developed and launched a dedicated health fact-checking initiative called First Check. First Check is a unique collaborative pan-Asia project in terms of its format and approach. This initiative is bringing journalists, doctors and technologists together to identify and combat medical misinformation, rumours and unscientific claims. From vaccines and infectious viruses to cancer drugs and lifestyle diseases, there are thousands of fake health news stories, hoaxes and rumours flooding the internet. While some of this information may only result in a little confusion as to what you should eat or how much exercise you need, others can have more serious effects.
We at First Check aim to debunk unscientific claims and medical misinformation. We investigate, research and verify dubious claims and fake information gaining momentum on the internet including social media and traditional media and ensure that we provide correct, error free reportage while debunking misleading claims on health issues.
2) The fact check team consist of 12 members. Besides our editorial team we have 32 volunteer fact-check members who are doctors, public health researchers and data scientists based in 11 Asian countries. Details about our editorial team are here: https://firstcheck.in/about-us/ and details about our volunteer doctors and members can be found here: https://firstcheck.in/meet-our-fact-checkers/
3) First Check primarily focusses on fact-checking medical misinformation. It's parent company DataLEADS run India's biggest fact-checking training network which is funded and supported by Google News Initiative. The network has so far trained 21,000+ journalists, media educators, fact-checkers and journalism students in more than 10 languages across India, benefitting hundreds of newsrooms and universities. The network’s activities have also led to the launch of many key fact-checking initiatives, helped them become a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and resulted in an exponential surge in the number of fact-checking stories across languages and platforms. DataLEADS also runs Health Analytics Asia which is a award-winning health reporting website.
4) Moving forward, our goal includes to further strengthen our pan-Asia network of journalists, fact-checkers and doctors and have more members to detect and counter damaging misinformation on public health issues in Asia.
We are also keen to expand and amplify the voices of doctors by sharing their views and expertise via Health Analytics Asia and First Check.
In mid-2021, we plan to host our third Misinformation in Medicine Summit with focus on COVID-19 vaccination to raise awareness about vaccination and health fact-checking
Next year, our plan is also launch a fortnightly Pan-Asia Health literacy newsletter will be published to build awareness and campaign against misinformation.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The unit is part of an organisation that is clearly focused on fact-checking. It has been conducting fact-checking workshops and has been enabling people to set up fact-checking websites. It plans to take this initiative forward with more workshops, conferences and newsletters.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We have published one fact check a week in 2019. With a rising misinformation around Covid-19, we actively published more than one or two fact-checks weekly. You may find all the details in the file attached.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The website has published one story a week in the beginning of the last year, but as the pandemic progressed, it has published fact checks regularly, more than one a week.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
All our fact-check stories can be found here:https://firstcheck.in/fact-checked/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Most of the fact checks made by the applicant focus on health-related issues and are in the public interest.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
First Check is an initiative of Health Analytics Asia which is run by OW DataLeads – an independent media organisation registered as a private limited company in India. We do not accept donations or any support/funding from political/religious parties or from the government.
OW DataLeads Pvt Ltd is a for profit entity and gets its income from content creation, media literacy and fact-checking training, media events, and data visualisation as well as our membership programme of Health Analytics Asia. More details about membership can be checked here: https://www.ha-asia.com/become-a-member/
Organisations that contributed more than 5 per cent of total OW DataLeads revenues in the year 2019-2020 are:
· Internews
· World Health Organisation
· Konrad Adenauer Stiftung
· New York University
· Asia News Network
The details about the ownership can be checked on this page: https://firstcheck.in/incorporation-and-partnership/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The website has stated that it does not receive any funding, foreign, or local, from state or political actors. It has also explained its sources of funding.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Not applicable
First Check
26-Jan-2021 (3 years ago)
Not applicable
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
This criteria is related to the earlier one. The applicant needs to state clearly in 1.5 that it has not received any political support. Then, this can become Not applicable.
cancel 1.6 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Jan-2021 (3 years ago)
This criteria is not applicable since the applicant has stated that it has not received any funding from local or foreign political sources.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In Philippines, polio vaccine blamed for polio return https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=2856
Social media ads are misleading people about the effects of a major HIV prevention drug https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=2776
Misinformation rampant on social media over coronavirus https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=2887
Chinese social media abuzz with false claims about coronavirus outbreak in India https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=3295
No, wet tissues cannot be replaced with respiratory masks to prevent corona virus https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=3623
Research has not established that Indians have the genes and immunity to fight Covid-19 https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=4475
Social media posts of South Koreans fleeing to China as coronavirus spreads are false https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=3556
No, ozone sterilization will not protect you from Covid-19 https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=4727
A video promoting bogus cancer treatments is going viral https://firstcheck.in/details-data/?dataid=1826
The above stories were fact-checked after our readers and social media monitoring team highlighted these stories. We select claims that are misleading or have no scientific evidence and are viral and harmful. We cover governments, politicians, pharmaceutical, health and biotechnology sector industries. Above stories are examples of how we choose content and verify with the help of our volunteer team of doctors. We carefully select stories, collect evidence, examine documents and research papers and seek help of our doctors to detect and combat medical misinformation.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for equivalent claims, following the same process for all fact checks and lets the evidence decide the conclusions.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Fact-checking health and medical misinformation is at the heart of First Check. From the beginning, we are focussed on how bad science or lack of understanding misleads people to practice at home remedies, halt vaccination, fall into the trap of misleading advertisements and fake advices about life-threatening diseases. Misinterpretation of science adds to confusions and we at First Check are determined to fight against the rising tide of medical misinformation with clear and unbiased reporting. We cover and fact-check stories from across Asia dealing with different aspects of public health and medicine: https://firstcheck.in/methodology/
In the process of fact-checking, we consider the following:
1) Is the statement, content, video or text misleading?
2) Is the content, video or social media message gaining wide popularity?
3) Is the content, video or social media message harmful?
4) Has it been already fact-checked? If yes, is there a scope to explain the science behind it which might have been missed in the earlier fact-check.
5) Would a typical person read it and immediately believe it thereby causing real-world harm?
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant focuses mainly on health-related fact checks. It considers the reach and importance of the claim it selects to fact check. It has published a statement on its website to that effect.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has identified its sources clearly and readers can reasonably understand if the sources have any interests that could influence the validity of the evidence provided.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant is not affiliated it with, nor shows any support or advocacy for any political party or politician.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
You may like to see this: https://firstcheck.in/about-us/
First Check
26-Jan-2021 (3 years ago)
The website has a page where we have mentioned all about our non-partisan policy, you may like to check it here: https://firstcheck.in/non-partisan-policy/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant needs to set out a non-partisanship policy on its website. It does not seem to have one at the moment. It also needs to explain its non-partisanship policy for its staff. It would very much help if the applicant produced a copy of an employment letter or an agreement that staff have to sign promising non-partisanship when they join the organisation.
cancel 2.5 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has set out a clear non-partisanship policy on its website. It has also explained its non-partisanship policy for its staff.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used. It also provides links to help readers replicate the fact checks.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant mostly uses primary sources. Where they are not available, it uses secondary sources.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant checks key elements of claims against more than one source.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In its fact checks, the applicant identifies all sources it uses, thereby letting the reader know the interests of the sources and how those interests might influence the evidence provided.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Yes, First Check is a flagship fact-checking platform of OW DataLeads which is an independent media organisation and registered as a private limited company in India.
First Check
26-Jan-2021 (3 years ago)
First Check is an initiative of Health Analytics Asia which is run by OW DataLeads – an independent media organisation registered as a private limited company in India. We do not accept donations or any support/funding from political/religious parties or from the government.
OW DataLeads Pvt Ltd is a for profit entity and gets its income from content creation, media literacy and fact-checking training, media events, and data visualisation as well as our membership programme of Health Analytics Asia.
You may check like to check the certificate of incorporation here: https://firstcheck.in/incorporation-and-partnership/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has declared that it is a unit of an independent media organisation that is legally registered in the country. However, it needs to share proof of this status.
cancel 4.1 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has declared that it is a unit of an independent media organisation that is legally registered in the country.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
You may like to check our parent company's 'About Us' page to know more about our ownership https://dataleads.co.in/about-us
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has made a statement on its website about its ownership. Its parent organisation also has a statement about the unit on its website.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Meet our team and know about their roles here: https://firstcheck.in/about-us/
First Check
26-Jan-2021 (3 years ago)
First Check is an independent fact-checking arm of Health Analytics Asia established by an award-winning journalist Syed Nazakat who is the founder of the organization. First Check is led by Nabeela Khan who is the deputy editor of Health Analytics Asia. She is leading a team of editors and fact-checkers and is responsible for story selection, verification and editing of fact-checked stories. The initiative is supported by a volunteer team of doctors based in 13 Asian countries. More details about them can be checked here: https://firstcheck.in/meet-our-fact-checkers/ and all the details about editorial team can be checked here: https://firstcheck.in/about-us/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In its About Us page on the website, the applicant lists out its team and its biographies, but does not really set out an organisational structure. Through the biographies, it is quite clear by whom editorial control is exercised. It might help for the applicant to set out an organisational structure.
cancel 4.3 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In its About Us page on the website, the applicant lists out its team and its biographies, but does not really set out an organisational structure. Through the biographies, it is quite clear by whom editorial control is exercised.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Here is a brief profile of all our staff members, their roles and interests: https://firstcheck.in/about-us/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant's website clearly sets out the professional biographies and roles of its team members.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We encourage our users to contact us via email, telephone and contact us forms which are under the 'Contact Us' section here: https://firstcheck.in/contact-us/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has a Contact Us page through which users can communicate with its editorial team.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Our methodology to fact-checks can be read here: https://firstcheck.in/contact-us/
First Check
26-Jan-2021 (3 years ago)
We have mentioned our methodology in detail on the First Check website here: https://firstcheck.in/methodology/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has provided the wrong link. However it does have a page on its website that explains its methodology very clearly. It needs to change the link it has submitted in its application.
cancel 5.1 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has a page on its website that explains its methodology very clearly.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant chooses claims to check based on the reach and importance of the claim.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant, in its fact checks sets out evidence that supports the claim as well as that undermines it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant assess the evidence on the same standards for equivalent claims, irrespective of who made the claim.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant tries to contact the source who made the claim, but carries on with the fact check nevertheless.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We encourage our readers to send us fact-checks to verify through a form which can be found on home page https://firstcheck.in/
We highlight that everything sent cannot be feasibly fact checked as we select the most newsworthy fact-checks.
First Check
26-Jan-2021 (3 years ago)
Readers send us suggestions via a form on the home page of our website or by emailing to editor.haindia@gmail.com. We ensure that we fact-check submissions by readers. However, as we can’t feasibly check all claims, we select the most newsworthy ones based on editorial judgement, subject relevance and interest.
Also, we ensure that the claims have the following
· We only check claims that are related to public health and medical misinformation.
· We mostly focus on claims related to Asia's public health and other claims related to public health which have not been fact-checked by other organisations.
· We also examine impact and virality of the claims - Would a typical person read it and immediately believe it thereby causing real-world harm?
· We select content to fact-check based on criteria including editorial interest, how widely something has been shared
You may like to check this on our website when you click on right side 'drop your messages here': https://firstcheck.in/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check on its homepage, but it does not explain what they can expect to be fact checked and what isn't fact checkable.
cancel 5.6 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Jan-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check on its homepage, and explains how claims are selected to be fact checked.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
If we make an error we will correct it and notify it at the bottom of the article, here is the detailed corrections policy page you may like to check: https://firstcheck.in/correction-policy/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has a clearly stated corrections policy that is accessible on its website.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The policy sets out clearly how major mistakes are handled. It would help for it to provide a time frame within which mistakes will be corrected.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
There has been no correction request in the previous year.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The applicant has stated that no correction request has been made in the past year.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We are not an IFCN signatory
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
This criteria is not applicable since the applicant is not an IFCN signatory.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
First Check
11-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Health Analytics Asia has a clear and honest corrections policy, it can be read here: https://www.ha-asia.com/correction-policy/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
26-Dec-2020 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The parent organisation of the applicant has a clearly stated corrections policy.