Organization: MAFINDO
Applicant: Harry Sufehmi
Assessor: Yenny K
Edits made by the organization after this assessment
IFCN Staff wrote:
Conclusion and recommendations
Yenny K wrote:
Mafindo is very prolific in fact-checking social media posts, looking at claims across political divides and concerning various topics. It has established a good track record and reputation as one of the leading fact-checking organizations in Indonesia. It is also one of the initiators and founders of Cek Fakta, a fact-checking collaborative initiative in the country: https://cekfakta.com/about. It's recommended that the potential reach of the false claims (number of shares, number of video views) isn't captured in the screenshots only but also stated clearly in the text of the fact-check.
Unfortunately, Mafindo has failed to submit adequate information for the IFCN assessment. One is information on its funding and spending that should be made available on its website. The other is, it doesn't give examples of corrections made or requests for corrections it handled in the past year -- unclear whether it's because no corrections were made in the past year.
I recommend to continue to have IFCN's certification, but its submissions need to be edited and updated with some more information, particularly on funding and spending, and also examples of corrections.
Yenny K recommended Accept with edits
Section 1: Organization
Criterion 1a
Proof of registration
Evidence required: Please provide evidence that the signatory is a legally-registered organization set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking or the distinct fact-checking project of a recognized media house or research institution.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
MAFINDO is an official association organization established on November 19, 2016, Deed No. 1 dated November 19, 2016 made by the notary ISMA JANUARTI, SH., M.KN.
Decree Establishment of Association of AHU-0078919.AH.01.07.TAH YEAR 2016 Minister of Law and Human Rights
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant is a legally registered fact-checking organization. It has also provided a copy of registration document that shows its status as a legal entity, issued by the Indonesian Ministry of Law and Human Rights.
done_all 1a marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 1b
Archive
Evidence required: Insert a link to the archive of fact checks published in the previous three months. If you do not collect all fact checks in one place, please explain how the fact-checking is conducted by your organization.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
https://turnbackhoax.id/
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant has published an average of more than one fact-check per week over the past three months.
The fact-checks are published on its Facebook group, https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/, its Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/TurnBackHoax/, and also its website, https://turnbackhoax.id/
done_all 1b marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Section 2: Nonpartisanship and Fairness
Criterion 2a
Body of work sample
Evidence required: Please share links to ten fact checks that better represent the scope and consistency of your fact-checking. Provide a short explanation of how your organization strives to maintain coherent standards across fact checks.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
hoax to provoke : https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/09/03/salah-suntingan-video-merry-riana-indonesia-bubar/
https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/09/03/salah-semua-yang-berbau-jawa-di-jayapura-hancur/
https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/09/02/salah-ledakan-bensin-karena-dering-ponsel/
health / medical hoax : https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/09/02/anak-perempuan-6-tahun-gangguan-jiwa-karena-banyak-ikut-les/
https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/08/22/salah-lari-menggunakan-jaket-akan-lebih-cepat-kurus/
mental illness hoax : https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/08/24/salah-korban-main-game-kalo-sudah-kena-syaraf-seperti-ini-bagaimana-coba/
financial hoax : https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/08/27/26565/
food hoax : https://turnbackhoax.id/2019/08/26/klarifikasi-sudah-tidak-ada-lagi-dendeng-babi-di-aceh-besar/
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From https://www.turnbackhoax.id/tentang-kami/kode-etik/ :
Our organization adheres to the following principles :
Fairness / non-partisanship : This is a must. Truth / falseness must be declared as such, regardless of who / when / where.
Independence : To ensure our fairness, we will maintain our independence. We reject any contributions with attached conditions that may endanger it.
Openness / non-discriminacy : We welcome people from all walks of life. We will not tolerate any kind of discrimination.
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Our fact-checkers / hoax busters are required to adhere to the following code of ethics :
Fairness : Say the truth / falseness as it is.
Neutral : Non-partisanship, our only allegiance is to justice & fairness.
Focus : on anti-hoax activities. Do not delve into petty debates.
Honour : do not do actions which will tarnish our honour & reputation.
Law obedience : obey the law. Do nothing that may break any laws.
Non-discriminacy : honour & respect all, regardless of their race / faith / etc.
Persuasive approach : prioritize persuasive engagement, not confrontational.
In checking the facts, the first thing we do is seek clarification from the authorities in the mainstream media or verified social media. In addition we find out the history that occurred from the beginning and make comparisons with the previous facts seen from different points of view.
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant fact-checks cover a variety of subjects, and don't concentrate on one side of the political topic. Mafindo fact-checks not only claims made by opposing political camps in Indonesia, but also non-political claims, including medical, food and financial hoaxes.
The fact-checks usually, though not always, includes screenshots of the social media posts, and state the reach of the claim, such as the number of video views and the number of shares.
The claims are assessed using the same standards. Mafindo has also shared a link that explains its code of ethics: https://turnbackhoax.id/tentang-kami/policies-kebijakan/kode-etik/.
done_all 2a marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 2b
Nonpartisanship policy
Evidence required: Please share evidence of your policy preventing staff from direct involvement in political parties and advocacy organizations. Please also indicate the policy your organization has as a whole regarding advocacy and supporting political candidates.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant's code of ethics, listed on its official website here: https://www.turnbackhoax.id/tentang-kami/kode-etik/, states its neutral, non-partisanship policy.
It doesn't support a candidate in any election nor advocate or take policy positions on issues not strictly related, though it doesn't have specific policies that prevent staff from active involvement in political parties and political advocacy organizations.
done 2b marked as Partially compliant by Yenny K.
Section 3: Transparency of Sources
Criterion 3a
Sources Policy
Please share a brief and public explanation (500 words max) of how sources are provided in enough detail that readers could replicate the fact check. If you have a public policy on how you find and use sources for your fact-checking, it should be shared here.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
We utilize FAFHH (Forum Anti Fitnah, Hasut, dan Hoax) as the central place to do our work (fact checking) together (crowdsourcing) : https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/
To ensure integrity, we implement very strict rules, as follows :
FAFHH REGULATIONS:
# Without undermining the enthusiasm to work together, because after all that is a good thing, you must always cite your sources.
# FAFHH was established with the aim that people can obtain the truth. Free from hoax, hasut, and slander.
# FAFHH is a NEUTRAL forum. We are not in favor of any camp. Our only allegiance is to the truth : https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/permalink/325007307831811
# HOW TO POST:
(1) Quote the Hoax / Slander.
(2) Explain the facts.
(3) Include evidence of relevant screenshots: because sometimes the original articles can be lost / deleted.
(4) Example: https://goo.gl/ZznNJr
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
In Mafindo's fact-check reports, key sources are always clearly referenced and/or linked in a manner that readers can easily understand and replicate the fact check, should they wish to do so.
Sources used are usually the highest-quality evidence possible, or the most credible media sources.
done_all 3a marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Section 4: Transparency of Funding & Organization
Criterion 4a
Funding Sources
Evidence required: Please link to the section where you publicly list your sources of funding (including, if they exist, any rules around which types of funding you do or don't accept), or a statement on ownership if you are the branch of an established media organization or research institution.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
According to the latest financial report (ending Aug 31, 2018), the applicant's revenue came entirely from donation. The report also lists an overview of its spending.
However, as a stand-alone organization, it does not have a page on its site detailing its funding and financing.
cancel 4a marked as Non compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 4b
Staff
Evidence required: Please link to the section detailing all authors and key actors behind your fact-checking project with their biographies. You can also list the name and bios of the members of the editorial board, pool of experts, advisory board, etc. if your organization has those.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The names of the organization's fact checkers, called hoax busters, are listed on its website here: https://turnbackhoax.id/tentang-kami/team-profile/ but not their titles. It doesn't publish or list the names of the key actors/founders online. Their names are only available in Mafindo's legal entity registration document.
done 4b marked as Partially compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 4c
Contact
Evidence required: Please link to the section where readers can get in touch with the organization.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Mafindo's website lists a generic contact email, email form and also social media accounts on its websites, which are quite easy to find: https://www.mafindo.or.id/about/ and also https://turnbackhoax.id/tentang-kami/kontak-kami/.
done_all 4c marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Section 5: Transparency of Methodology
Criterion 5a
Detailed Methodology
Evidence required: Please link to a section or article detailing the steps you follow for your fact-checking work.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/permalink/551452071853999/
(1) Quote the Hoax / Slander (2) Category (3) Source (4) Explain the facts (5) Include evidence of relevant screenshots: because sometimes the original articles can be lost/deleted.
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant explains its fact-checking methodology on its Facebook group, which explains the rules and also the steps in fact-checking here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/permalink/814396688892868/, which is explained further here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/permalink/814386372227233/.
The fact-checking methodology information can be found in the "About" section of Mafindo's Facebook group but not in its website.
done_all 5a marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 5b
Claim submissions
Evidence required: Please link to the page or process through which readers can submit claims to fact-check. If you do not allow this, please briefly explain why.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant's "Hoax Reporting" page, https://turnbackhoax.id/lapor-hoax/, explains how readers can send claims to fact-check, which is via email, SMS or WhatsApp messages.
The information on sending claims to fact-check is also available in the "About" section of its Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/fafhh/about/ and also the "About" section (under Impressum) of its Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pg/MafindoID/about/?ref=page_internal.
done_all 5b marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Section 6: Open & Honest Corrections Policy
Criterion 6a
Corrections policy
Evidence required: Please link to the page with your policy to address corrections. If it is not public, please share your organization's handbook.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Mafindo explains its general public corrections policy on its website here: https://turnbackhoax.id/tentang-kami/policies-kebijakan/koreksi-open-honest-correction-policy/.
It says the corrections will be linked to the original fact-check report, and also gives links how readers can contact them if there are possible corrections need to be made.
done 6a marked as Partially compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 6b
Examples of corrections
Evidence required: Please provide two examples of a correction made, or correction requests handled, in the past year.
MAFINDO
04-Sep-2019 (5 years ago)
Yenny K Assessor
22-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant provided two links from two fact-check reports published in 2016, but neither are examples of corrections that had been made. It is unclear if this is due to no corrections have been requested in the past year or due to other reasons.