Istinomjer is a project developed by the Civic Association "Why not?" which is a legal entity registered in the register of civic associations within the Ministry of Justice of FBiH on January 9th 2001 under No. 56, Book 1 of the register, with registration number 03-054-992/97-2.

Decision on the Registration along with the Statute of the organization is attached in the application.

https://zastone.ba/en/programs/responsible-government/istinomjer/ 

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/

Note: Zasto ne website is currently under construction, so there is a chance that it won't work at some point.

The applicant is a distinct unit within a legally registered organization, and details of this are easily found on its website.

1. Our work started in 2010 when we presented the results of the fulfillment of pre-election promises given for the 2006-2010 term. Istinomjer was established as an initiative that focuses on the promotion of the responsibility of political parties participating in the executive branch, as well as holders of public office who have responsibility towards the citizens of BiH. Goal was to direct the political and public discourse in BiH as much as possible towards the promotion of political responsibility as a fundamental principle of democracy.

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/ 

2. Our team currently has 9 members, of which one member is a project manager, two members are editors and researchers, one member is a creative manager while the other five members are researchers. The positions of the Istinomjer team members as well as their biographies can be found here.

https://istinomjer.ba/istinomjer-tim/

3. In addition to evaluating the statements of public office holders from BiH in terms of their consistency/inconsistency, truthfulness/untruthfulness and fulfillment of the promises they make in their public appearances on a daily basis, Istinomjer is implementing several other activities. In the 2018-2022 term, Istinomjer was monitoring the degree of fulfillment of pre-election promises at the level of the BiH Council of Ministers, the Government of Republika Srpska and the Government of Sarajevo Canton (all three governments that were formed in this canton during this term). In addition, we monitor the level of fulfillment of about 1,000 pre-election promises in 16 local governments in Bosnia and Herzegovina. For all the mentioned promises, Istinomjer, after the first 100 days of work, and after the first, second, third and fourth year of work, publishes a report on the work of that level of government and the degree of fulfillment of the given pre-election promises.

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/

https://istinomjer.ba/predizborna_obecanja/opci-izbori/2018-2022/

https://istinomjer.ba/predizborna_obecanja/lokalni-izbori/2020-2024/

Due to the fact that the Istinomjer is part of the CA "Why Not?" it is worth mentioning several other projects that our organization is implementing, such as Raskrinkavanje- online fact-checking platform; Javna rasprava - a platform that enables and facilitates citizens to directly participate in decision-making processes in BiH, as well as the opportunity to communicate with elected and appointed representatives in the legislature; Glasometar - an application for checking the voting preferences of voters, POINT - a regional conference of civil society organizations from seven countries in Southeast Europe that are intensively involved in the use of new technologies in their work.

More information on the activities carried out by "Why not?" can be found here.

https://zastone.ba/en/projects/

https://zastone.ba/en/category/news/

4. Since the General Elections were held two months ago, we are currently still waiting for the formation of the executive power. Only after the formation will we be able to make a decision about which levels of government we plan to follow and in what way. In addition, next year we certainly plan to publish a report on the fulfillment of promises at the Local level, but we also plan to work on strengthening the brand of our platform.

The unit is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking the statements of public officeholders and monitoring the degree of fulfillment of pre-election promises.

In the six months prior to application, Istinomjer published over 100 fact-checks available at this link (https://istinomjer.ba/izjave/istinitost-page/). 

The statements of the officials were assessed as true, true to a greater or lesser extent, semi-true, unfounded or, as is most often the case, as untrue.

The applicant has published an average of 5 fact-checks a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.

Almost all 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 well-being of the general public and society.

Our organization has no commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians or political parties in the country. Our work is funded exclusively by international organizations which share our beliefs of objectivity and impartiality. Donors have no influence on our work. The work we do is performed strictly in line with our methodology and non-partisanship policy, which ensure objectivity and impartial approach to topics, research and ratings, regardless of who the “actors” are.

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/

The applicant’s editorial output is not, in the view of the IFCN, controlled by the state, a political party, or a politician.

 All information about our non-partisanship policy can be found at this link.

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/ 

The applicant receives funding from foreign state sources, and 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.

Istinomjer treats every political party and political option in BiH alike and applies the same standards and methodology when fact-checking accuracy of claims made by all sides of political spectrum.

Bosnia and Herzegovina has a very complex political system with a number of political parties at all levels of government - state, entity and cantonal levels as well as at the level of local governments. This administrative division, paired with ethnic divide (both inherent to the constitutive system and practiced in everyday politics) produces a divided media sphere, where political actors usually receive different treatment based on their relation to these factors (administrative level and ethnic group).

Istinomjer fact-checks statements from across the political spectrum in BiH, applying the same standards and methodology to claims made by all political actors. We also track campaign promises of all the political parties in ruling coalitions on the two top administrative levels and promises of mayors of several municipalities from both entities and from 4 different cantons. These are all competing (and often belligerent) political actors, coming from different ethnopolitical and ideological backgrounds and all are tracked and rated in the same way.

Considering that we cannot fact-check all of the statements and promises, we choose those that are newsworthy in terms of dealing with current “hot topics” and issues that affect people’s lives, or those that have weight for citizens as voters (particularly when following pre-election campaigns).

We are nonpartisan and strive to be impartial when drawing attention to the inaccurate statements of all political actors. However, as our work is centered around promotion of political accountability, it is inevitably focused more on some political actors than the others. Specifically, we put stronger focus on the parties and political figures who hold executive power, particularly since we also track these parties’ pre-election promises. We also encourage the readers to point us to the possible false statements, unfulfilled promises, or any other relevant “fact- checking material” that we might have missed.

Links to examples of our fact checks, proving the scope and consistency of our work, can be found below:

Examples of statements rated for truthfulness/untruthfulness:

https://istinomjer.ba/entitet-republika-srpska-ne-moze-samostalno-provoditi-izborne-procese/

https://istinomjer.ba/bh-blok-nije-imao-dovoljan-broj-mandata-za-formiranje-kantonalnih-vlada-2018-godine/

https://istinomjer.ba/adis-ahmetovic-neistinito-o-izbornim-rezultatima-u-nsrs/

https://istinomjer.ba/izvoz-iz-rs-u-zemlje-eu-iznosi-70/

https://istinomjer.ba/durakovic-je-prvi-nezavisni-kandidat-izabran-na-funkciju-potpredsjednika-rs/

https://istinomjer.ba/preporuka-o-kandidatskom-statusu-bih-nije-uslovljena/

https://istinomjer.ba/jos-su-tri-dionice-na-koridoru-vc-u-fazi-projektovanja/

https://istinomjer.ba/bih-nije-jedina-zemlja-u-regiji-koja-nema-ambasadu-ujedinjenih-arapskih-emirata/

https://istinomjer.ba/o-przenim-insektima-i-pravopisu/

https://istinomjer.ba/campara-nije-ostvario-najbolji-rezultat-na-listi-sda-na-opcim-izborima-2018-godine/

Examples of statements rated for consistency/inconsistency:

https://istinomjer.ba/nesic-napada-snsd-a-sam-glasao-za-podzica-i-turkovic/ 

https://istinomjer.ba/kako-je-i-najavio-sarovic-podnio-ostavku-na-mjesto-predsjednika-sds-a/

https://istinomjer.ba/hadzibajricu-obraz-nije-dozvolio-da-se-kandiduje-na-opcim-izborima-ove-ali-jeste-prije-cetiri-godine/

https://istinomjer.ba/beslija-odlucna-u-uvodjenju-taksi-vozila-za-osobe-s-invaliditetom/

https://istinomjer.ba/covic-ipak-nije-podrzao-stav-evropske-unije/

https://istinomjer.ba/neutralan-stav-samo-kada-nam-odgovara/

https://istinomjer.ba/izetbegovic-ipak-najavio-moguce-odgadjanje-izbora/

https://istinomjer.ba/sdp-napustio-pregovore-o-izmjenama-izbornog-zakona-bih/

https://istinomjer.ba/sahman-ipak-napustila-sbb/

https://istinomjer.ba/sarovic-dosljedan-po-pitanju-uvodjenja-pojedinacnih-sankcija/

Examples of ratings for fulfillment/non-fulfillment of promises:

https://istinomjer.ba/alen-hedo-blize-dobijanju-posla-u-gradskoj-upravi-gorazde/

https://istinomjer.ba/okoncana-izgradnja-centra-za-djecu-i-omladinu-s-poteskocama-u-razvoju-u-trebinju/

https://istinomjer.ba/pocetak-izgradnje-olimpijskog-bazena-u-mostaru-u-narednih-mjesec-dana/

https://istinomjer.ba/usvojen-budzet-republike-srpske-hoce-li-i-nova-vlada-biti-imenovana-do-kraja-godine/

https://istinomjer.ba/pocela-podjela-besplatnih-higijenskih-ulozaka-u-svim-srednjim-skolama-u-ks/

https://istinomjer.ba/do-ljeta-pocinju-radovi-na-izgradnji-tramvajske-pruge-do-hrasnice/

https://istinomjer.ba/turisticki-vauceri-dostupni-za-gradjane-ke-fbih/

https://istinomjer.ba/smanjenjem-stope-poreza-i-doprinosa-do-povecanja-plata/

https://istinomjer.ba/nova-sportska-dvorana-u-doboju-nije-izgradjena-u-roku-od-18-mjeseci/

https://istinomjer.ba/sdp-bih-ce-imati-svog-kandidata-za-predsjednistvo-bih/ 

The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgment for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.

Istinomjer treats every political party and political option in BiH equally and applies identical standards and pre-established methodology when checking the accuracy of statements and promises of all parties.

Since we cannot verify all statements and promises, we choose those that are currently of public interest, that are important for the daily life of citizens, or that are important for informing voters during the election campaign.

Istinomjer's non-partisan and seeks to maintain impartiality when drawing attention to the inaccurate statements of all political actors. However, as the work of Istinomjer is primarily focused on the promotion of political responsibility, it is inevitable that more political attention will be paid to some political actors. In particular, our focus is always more on those political parties and politicians who participate in the executive branch, especially since Istinomjer also monitors the fulfillment of pre-election promises of these parties. Therefore, we want to encourage readers to point out potential incorrect statements, unfulfilled promises, but also other relevant and verifiable public appearances of political actors that we may have missed.

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/  

The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, but its work is focused more on those actors who hold executive power, naturally.

The applicant 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.

In the assessed sample of work, there was no evident need for disclosure of relevant interests of the sources the applicant quotes, or 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.

The applicant is not 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.

We have a strict employment policy, where we check background of employees during job application, so no one working within our organization, especially Istinomjer cannot engage in partisan political activity or make contributions to candidates or advocacy organizations.

Our previous and current activities, performed both within the Istinomjer and the entire organization, have always been independent from any political influence, as well as from our own personal political and other beliefs. Our work is solely funded by international organizations and embassies, who share our belief in the objectivity, impartiality and influence on public opinion.

As an organization, we engage in promoting government transparency and political accountability, so we always did and will always support policies and legislation that helps Bosnian-Herzegovinian society move towards more transparent and accountable governance, regardless of which political party or person introduces these policies or legislation.

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/  

The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, there is no evidence the applicant’s staff gets involved in advocacy or publicizes 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.

The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in its fact-checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish.

The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available.

Based on the assessed sample of work, 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 to the topic.

In the assessed sample of work, there was no evident need for the applicant to identify the relevant interests of the sources it uses in cases where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

Istinomjer is one of two fact-checking platforms, in addition to Raskrinkavanje, of parent organization CA ”Why not?”, as noted in our “About” page. Information about legal status and scope of work of CA “Why not?” as the parent organization can be found here. CA "Why not" is a registered legal entity registered in the register of civil associations with the Ministry of Justice of the FBiH from January 9, 2001, under number 56, book 1 of the register, with registration number 03-054-992 / 97-2.

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru 

https://zastone.ba/organizacija

The applicant has a page on its website detailing its main source of funding and the legal form in which it is registered (as a non-profit).

Istinomjer is a project of the CA "Why not?", founded in 2001. It is a non-profit medium whose work from beginning has been financially supported by the National Endowment for Democracy (NED).

https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/ 

The applicant, as one of two fact-checking units of the parent organization, makes a statement on ownership on the website.

Information about journalists and researchers, as well as information about editors, project manager and creative manager of Istinomjer team can be found here.

https://istinomjer.ba/istinomjer-tim/ 

A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear by whom editorial control is exercised.

Information about journalists and researchers, as well as information about editors, project manager and creative manager of Istinomjer team can be found here.

https://istinomjer.ba/istinomjer-tim/ 

A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure, play a significant part in its editorial output.

On the home page of our official website it is possible to find the "Ask the Istinomjer" section through which interested readers can send us a specific statement or promises from public officials that they would like us to investigate.

https://istinomjer.ba/pitajte-istinomjer 

The applicant provides easy means on its website and via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.

The link below provides detailed methodology of our fact-checking work. If necessary, methodology can be translated into English and provided to you.

https://istinomjer.ba/metodologija/ 

The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact-checks.

The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and if needed explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.

When needed, 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.

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.

The applicant seeks when needed to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that this is often not needed or possible with online claims, and if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this does not impede the fact-check.

Readers can submit requests for fact-checks of claims made by political actors by filling the form that is especially prepared for these purposes, which is easily accessible and visible on the main page of our website. The section is called "Ask the Istinomjer".

Please see link below: http://istinomjer.ba/pitajte-istinomjer/

Readers can also submit requests for fact-checks of claims made by political actors by sending us an email with the claim, which is stated on the main page of our website. Also, our readers can contact us through our Facebook/Twitter/Instagram page and ask for the specific claim to be checked.

Readers can also participate in the monitoring of the pre-election promises, by sending us their inputs on fulfillment of each individual promise. Every promise has a form which can be used to submit additional data about that promise.

Please check the link below for an example:

https://istinomjer.ba/predizborna-obecanja/besplatan-gradski-prevoz-za-penzionere-i-ucenike/ 

The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, and on the methodology page of the website it makes clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and how.

Our correction policy can be found here.

http://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/

The applicant has a corrections policy that is easily visible and accessible on the applicant’s website.

The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, and how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact-check, are handled.

During 2022 (so far) we had 13 additions to the texts, however, none of those additions affected the final grade that was given. Most of the corrections and additions were related to the inclusion of additional information such as answers or reactions in the text, but none of those things affected the bottom line. Here are some examples:

https://istinomjer.ba/neophodna-izgradnja-sistemskih-rjesenja-i-prepoznavanje-femicida-kao-posebnog-krivicnog-djela/ - The analysis was originally published on October 20, 2022. year, and it was amended on 21.20.2022. after Istinomjer received a response to the inquiry from the Agency for Gender Equality of BiH and the Gender Center of FBiH.

https://istinomjer.ba/ambasada-sad-a-ocijenila-tvrdnje-o-uplati-miliona-jeleni-trivic-kao-jeftini-politicki-trik/ - Note 9/20/2022: The response of Sarajevo International Airport was included in the text the day after publication.

Note 9/21/2022: The text originally stated that Jelena Trivić is a candidate for a member of the Presidency of Bosnia and Herzegovina. This information was subsequently corrected and replaced with the correct information that Trivić is a candidate for president of Republika Srpska.

https://istinomjer.ba/bih-nije-jedina-evropska-zemlja-koja-ne-koristi-skenere-na-biralistima/ - After the text was published on August 12, 2022. on the same day, a paragraph was added on the use of technology for voter identification at polling stations, which did not affect the final assessment.

https://istinomjer.ba/nacionalna-grupa-predmeta-izucava-se-u-federaciji-bih/ - After the observed error, 3.8.2022. the text was corrected and the part "In March of this year the Ministers of Education of the two entities signed the Interim Agreement on meeting the special needs and rights of returnee children" was changed to "The Ministers of Education of the two entities signed the Interim Agreement on meeting the special needs and rights of returnee children 18 years ago returnee children".

Where credible evidence was provided that the applicant had made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant made a correction fast, openly, and transparently.

Information about complaints regarding the IFCN Code can be found in the section "Correction of incorrect statements" on our about page - https://istinomjer.ba/o-istinomjeru/ 

The applicant, as an existing signatory, on its corrections page, where it also declares itself an IFCN signatory, informs users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.

N/A