Organization: Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
Applicant: Jonathan Pariente
Assessor: Laurent Bigot
Background
Le Monde is one of the main French daily newspapers, created in 1944. It claims non-partisan treatment of current affairs and is one of the pioneers of fact-checking in France, with Liberation.
Its fact-checking section, called "Les Décodeurs", was created exclusively for fact-checking purposes. it has been operating as a political fact-checking blog since 2009 and as a specific part of LeMonde.fr since 2014.
"Les Décodeurs" has complied with the criteria of the IFCN code of principles every year since 2017.
Assessment Conclusion
According to my assessment, Les Décodeurs are compliant with most of the principles enacted by the IFCN.
But they must improve some points :
CRITERION 6.2
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs more clearly mention its correction policy now ... but there is still something missing to correct for the next time.
- the mention "correction" does not say precisely which error was corrected in the article.
- the correction policy does not say that some complaints may justify no response.
CRITERION 6.5
Les Décodeurs doesn't provide a link to its parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy, but explains again that “such a policy statement is in the works and shoud be published in September”… We suggest that the IFCN gives credit to Les Décodeurs for this criterion and to check the next time if the mention has appeared.
For each of them, corrections can be made easily.
Laurent Bigot assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Le Monde est l'un des principaux quotidiens français, créé en 1944. Il revendique un traitement non partisan de l'actualité et est l'un des pionniers de la vérification des faits en France, avec Libération.
Sa section de fact-checking, intitulée Les Décodeurs, a été créée exclusivement à des fins de vérification des faits. Elle a d'abord fonctionne comme un blog de vérification des propos des personnalités politiques depuis 2009 puis comme une section spécifique du site LeMonde.fr depuis 2014, élargissant son propos notamment à la démystification de rumeurs sur Internet et les réseaux sociaux. Les Décodeurs respectent chaque année depuis 2017 les critères du code de principes de l'IFCN.
Les Décodeurs se montrent respectueux de la grande majorité des critères de l’IFCN. Pour ce qui est des 6.2 et 6.5, la nature très factuelle des éléments manquants les rend relativement faciles à corriger et améliorer pour la prochaine évaluation.
CRITÈRE 6.2
Les Décodeurs évoquent plus clairement désormais sa politique de correction... mais il manque encore des choses à corriger pour la prochaine fois :
- la mention "correction" ne dit pas précisément quelle erreur a été corrigée dans l'article.
- la politique de correction ne dit pas que certaines plaintes peuvent justifier l'absence de réponse.
CRITÈRE 6.5
Les Décodeurs ne fournissent pas de lien vers la politique de correction honnête et ouverte de leur société de médias mère, mais expliquent à nouveau qu'«une telle charte est en préparation et devrait être publiée en septembre»… Nous suggérons que l'IFCN accorde le crédit aux Décodeurs pour ce critère et vérifier la prochaine fois si la mention est apparue.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde is a company registered in Paris (registration number 433 891 850), editing a newspaper and online articles. The fact-checking and datavizualisation department comes with 10 principles, aiming to give contexte and facts to the readers, transparency of all our sources, etc.
https://moncompte.lemonde.fr/mentions-legales
http://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago)
Le Monde is a legally registered French media outlet.
All the evidences of Le Monde's legal registration are quite easy to find and they are presented in the “Mentions légales” (bottom of the home page) through its ISSN and CPPAP numbers, here: https://moncompte.lemonde.fr/mentions-legales
"Les Décodeurs" (https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/) is the distinct fact-checking section of Le Monde. Its description is available on the website here: http://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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?
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
1. Les Décodeurs column of Le Monde was created in 2014. It was a fact-checking blog focused on fact-checking political speeches since 2009.
2. 12 full-timed people work at Les Décodeurs (2 managers, 1 all around journalist, 2 programmers, 4 data journalists, 3 fact-checkers).
3. Le Monde is a news organization. It also organizes cultural events (like Le Monde Festival, once in a year), and publishes cultural and political books and DVD.
4. Our two main focuses are : fighting against disinformation regarding the Covid-19 crisis ; covering the US presidential race and its political hoaxes.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde is a leading French daily newspaper, created in 1944. It claims non-partisan treatment of current events and is one of the pioneering fact-checking media in France, with Liberation.
Its fact-checking section, called "Les Décodeurs" is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking. it works as a political fact-checking blog since 2009 and as a specific part of LeMonde.fr since 2014.
The team has 12 people.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Les Décodeurs publishes reports regularly about the accuracy of claims. It does so with approximately one fact-check daily over the previous three months. All its work is published here: https://www.lemonde.fr/verification/
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
"Les Décodeurs" have published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the three months prior to the date of application.
We can read them here:
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
On average, at least 75% of "les Décodeurs" 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.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde receives fundings from the French state as part as a support program for the press.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
"Le Monde - Les Décodeurs editorial output is not, in our view, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.
Le Monde receives subsidies to the press from the French State...
But Le Monde does not mention the amounts concerned, nor the proportion of these amounts in its balance sheet.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
While it was true for previous years, Le Monde did not receive any State funding in 2019, hence therewere no statement to be made.Le Monde has made a public statement about its shareholders, who vow to abide to Le Monde ‘seditorial independence.https://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2010/11/03/la-charte-d-ethique-et-de-deontologie-du-groupe-le-monde_1434737_3236.html#huit-anchor-devoirs-et-droits-de
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde says it didn’t receive press aid and subsidies from the French state (funding from local state) in 2019, although it was one of the first beneficiaries in previous years. So it doesn’t have to provide a statement on its site how it ensures its funders do not influence the findings of its reports...
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Les Décodeurs’ journalists selected several fact-checks to prove the non-partisanship of their work:
For each fact-check, we isolate a claim, look for sources, and provide a conclusion based on available evidences.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs fact-checks use the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim. I didn't find any example of unfair treatment...
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
We've added a paragraph to our chart:“Enfin, nous ne nous interdisons de fact-checker aucun membre d’aucun parti, qu’il soit augouvernement ou dans l’opposition, simple élu ou au sommet de l’Etat. Nous veillons dans la mesuredu possible, et en fonction de l’actualité, à apporter la contradiction à toutes les figures politiques quifont le débat public, dès qu’une affirmation contestable le mérite.”
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs team explains how it selects the claim to check and seems to consider the reach and importance of claims it selects to check; and it publishes an explaination on its website to set out how it selects claims to check, here: https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html#huit-anchor-2-la-verification-de
And Les Décodeurs’ journalists explain how they ensure they do not unduly concentrate their fact-checking on any one side.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde - Les Décodeurs' team discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes and any commercial or other such relationships it has.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde - Les Décodeurs is not as an organization affiliated with any party, any politician or political candidate.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
cf 2.2
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs' team explains its policies to preserve its non-partisan way of fact-checking claims here:
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde - Les Décodeurs identifies the source of significant evidence used in its fact checks.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde - Les Décodeurs uses (most of the time) the best available primary sources of evidence.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde - Les Décodeurs checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde - Les Décodeurs identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les décodeurs doesn't confirm whether it is 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. But...
"Les Décodeurs" (https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/) is the distinct fact-checking section of Le Monde. Its description is available on the website here: https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html
All the evidences of Le Monde's legal registration are quite easy to find and they are presented in the “Mentions légales” (bottom of the home page) through its ISSN and CPPAP numbers, here: https://moncompte.lemonde.fr/mentions-legales
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Les décodeurs is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house called Le Monde, but doesn't share a link to the statement on its website about its ownership.
We found on its website a statement about its ownership, here:
https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les décodeurs doesn't share a link to the statement on its website where the team sets out its organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
We found that Le Monde-Les décodeurs presents its organizational structure here :
https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/l-equipe-des-decodeurs_4365082_4355770.html
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les décodeurs doesn't share a link to the statement on its website where the team sets out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in its organization’s editorial output.
We found that Le Monde-Les décodeurs presents these biographies here:
https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/l-equipe-des-decodeurs_4365082_4355770.html
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
This special page is featured on Les Décodeurs’s homepage. It is meant to gather every informationneeded by the reader in the same place.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs encourage users to communicate with them, here:
https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html#huit-anchor-3-nous-proposer-une-
Even if this statement is quite hidden in a special page dedicated to the ethical charter of the team...
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les décodeurs doesn't share a link to the statement on its website that explains the methodology the team uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
We found such a statement here:
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde-Les décodeurs selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and rarely explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde-Les décodeurs sometimes tries to set out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde-Les décodeurs 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.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In view of what we have observed, Le Monde-Les décodeurs sometimes tries to seek where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
6/11/2020Le Monde - Les Décodeurs Application Correctionshttps://docs.google.com/forms/d/1dH4FpqOilA4qc-6LmQ1qbSKOS6vT4elmrOyL7cJ2a4Q/edit#responses4/7Criteria5.6Les Décodeurs’s policy regarding what is considered fact-checkable and how we evaluate readers’submissions is detailed here : https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.htmlWe added a sentence to make it more explicit : “Nous évaluons chaque proposition reçue en évaluant sasource de provenance, son niveau de véracité, sa viralité et l’importance de son thème pour le grandpublic.”
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs encourage users to send in claims to check here:
They don’t really make it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable, but they explain what they consider, in the team, as a fact-checkable claim.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
We have added three links to examples of recent corrections.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs provide a link to where the team publishes on its website its corrections or complaints policy, here:
https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html#huit-anchor-4-la-politique-de-co
They also provide a short report with evidence, showing how it adhered to the corrections policy over the previous year.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
This is true. Such situations are handled on a case by case basis. For instance, when we mistakenlyreported that Xavier Dupont-de-Ligones had been arrested, Le Monde openly rewrote the article, thentold the entire story of how and why this error had been made. https://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2019/10/12/affaire-dupont-de-ligonnes-retour-sur-l-emballement-policier-et-mediatique-autour-de-l-arrestation-en-ecosse_6015292_3236.htmlhttps://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2019/10/12/affaire-dupont-de-ligonnes-retour-sur-l-emballement-policier-et-mediatique-autour-de-l-arrestation-en-ecosse_6015292_3236.html
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
21-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
We detailled our explanations
Lorsqu’un article des Décodeurs contient une erreur qui nécessite une correction, celle-ci est clairement indiquée par la mention « Correction » en bas de l’article, accompagnée de la date de modification et d’une phrase expliquant ce qui a été corrigé (voir par exemple ici, ici, ici, ici ou encore ici). La mention relative à la correction indique aux lecteurs s’il s’agit d’un élément mineur de l’article comme une donnée erronée ou d’un élément qui nécessite de réviser le titre et/ou le verdict de l’article.
En cas d’erreur majeure, la rédaction du Monde publie un article pour en expliquer les tenants et les aboutissements (par exemple, ici).
La mention « Correction » est distincte de la mention « Mise à jour » qui signale l’ajout d’une nouvelle information dans un article, ultérieure à sa publication.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs' policy doesn't set out clear definitions of how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response.
The team explains that “such situations are handled on a case by case basis”…
cancel 6.2 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
22-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs' policy doesn't set out clear definitions of how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response.
The team explains that “such situations are handled on a case by case basis”…
_____________________________________________________________________
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs more clearly mention its correction policy now ... but there is still something missing to correct for the next time:
- the mention "correction" does not say precisely which error was corrected in the article
- the correction policy does not say that some complaints may justify no response.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
Three exemples of corrections made during the past 12 monthes were added in the correction sectionof our chart
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs provide “three exemples of corrections made during the past 12 months” in the correction section, her:
The team answer seems to indicate that no correction request has been made in the previous year…
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
A new segment has been added to Les Décodeurs’ chart about our partnerships. 5. Les partenariats des Décodeurs Les Décodeurs ont noué en 2018 un partenariat rémunéré avec Facebook visant à lutter contre lesfausses nouvelles. Celui-ci consiste à publier des articles de vérification centrés sur les publicationspopulaires sur le réseau social, puis à les mettre à disposition de ce dernier. L’objectif est d’informer lesusagers de Facebook de la véracité des contenus qu’ils partagent ou consultent.
Les Décodeurs sont par ailleurs membres depuis 2017 de l’International Fact-check Network (IFCN), unréseau international de médias spécialisés dans la vérification de faits. Ce partenariat permet à nosjournalistes d’échanger avec des confrères fact-checkeurs de toute la planète, d’accéder à une basemondiale d’infox, ainsi que de bénéficier de fonds occasionnels.
Il engage également Le Monde à la transparence sur son actionnariat et son indépendance éditoriale,ses processus de sélection des assertions vérifiées, ou encore les corrections apportées en casd’erreur. Les lecteurs du Monde peuvent par ailleurs informer l’IFCN en cas de manquement du Monde àces engagements.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
21-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
A new segment has been added to Les Décodeurs’ chart about our partnerships. 5. Les partenariats des Décodeurs Les Décodeurs ont noué en 2018 un partenariat rémunéré avec Facebook visant à lutter contre les fausses nouvelles. Celui-ci consiste à publier des articles de vérification centrés sur les publicationspopulaires sur le réseau social, puis à les mettre à disposition de ce dernier. L’objectif est d’informer lesusagers de Facebook de la véracité des contenus qu’ils partagent ou consultent.
Les Décodeurs sont par ailleurs membres depuis 2017 de l’International Fact-check Network (IFCN), unréseau international de médias spécialisés dans la vérification de faits. Ce partenariat permet à nosjournalistes d’échanger avec des confrères fact-checkeurs de toute la planète, d’accéder à une basemondiale d’infox, ainsi que de bénéficier de fonds occasionnels.
Il engage également Le Monde à la transparence sur son actionnariat et son indépendance éditoriale,ses processus de sélection des assertions vérifiées, ou encore les corrections apportées en cas d’erreur. Les lecteurs du Monde peuvent par ailleurs informer l’IFCN en cas de manquement du Monde à ces engagements.
+ All three mistakes are corrected
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs provide a link to show where on its site the team informs users that if they believe it is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, here:
But there are some errors in their explanation:
- IFCN doesn’t mean International fact-check network but International fact-checking network;
- the link to the complaints page on the IFCN site is wrong (https://www.poynter.org/contact-us/) and should be replace by this one: https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy
- the team doesn’t declare itself an IFCN Code of Principles signatory but as an IFCN partner…
cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
22-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde-Les Décodeurs provide a link to show where on its site the team informs users that if they believe it is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, here:
The link to the complaints page on the IFCN site is ok now
- the team declares itself an IFCN Code of Principles signatory but as an IFCN partner…
______________________________________________________
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.
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.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
28-Apr-2020 (4 years ago)
This is indeed true. Such a policy statement is in the works and shoud be published in September.
Le Monde - Les Décodeurs
21-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Le Monde doesn't have yet a full policy of corrections, but it is in the work and will hopefully be live before the end of the year.
Still, as explained in our chart, any major mistake by Le Monde will be fully explained to its readers https://www.lemonde.fr/les-decodeurs/article/2014/03/10/la-charte-des-decodeurs_4365106_4355770.html#huit-anchor-4-la-politique-de-co
Another exemple : when we mistakenly reported that Xavier Dupont-de-Ligones had been arrested, Le Monde openly rewrote the article, then told the entire story of how and why this error had been made. https://www.lemonde.fr/actualite-medias/article/2019/10/12/affaire-dupont-de-ligonnes-retour-sur-l-emballement-policier-et-mediatique-autour-de-l-arrestation-en-ecosse_6015292_3236.html
Laurent Bigot Assessor
16-May-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
As the fact-checking unit of a media company called Le Monde, Les Décodeurs didn't provide a link to its parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy.
The team explains that “such a policy statement is in the works and shoud be published in September”…
cancel 6.5 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
22-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Les Décodeurs doesn't provide a link to its parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy, but explains again that “such a policy statement is in the works and shoud be published in September”…
We suggest that the IFCN gives credit to Les Décodeurs for this criterion and to check the next time if the mention has appeared.