Organization: Mala Espina Check
Applicant: Tomás Martínez
Assessor: Ramón Salaverría
Background
Operating in Chile since 2019, Mala Espina Check is a fact-checking organization that became IFCN signatory for the first time in 2021.
Assessment Conclusion
Mala Espina Check complies with all the requirements of the IFCN Code of Principles. The applicant adequately addressed three requests of changes for criteria 2.5, 4.2 and 6.4, where deficiencies were found in a first round of review. As these issues have been properly tackled and resolved, the recommendation to the IFCN Board is to renew the accreditation of the applicant.
Ramón Salaverría assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Activo en Chile desde 2019, Mala Espina Check es una organización de verificación informativa que se convirtió por primera vez en signataria de IFCN en 2021.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
In this link we have information about our organization. We are a legally registered organization and our only purpose is fact-checking. https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
About us
Mala Espina Check is an independent project that was born a month after the social outbreak in Chile, founded by the journalist Tomás Martínez. This company has been legally constituted since June 2020 Communications Tomás Alberto Martínez del Río E.I.R.L. in the corresponding organisms of Chile.
Its objective is to be one of the Chilean citizens to fight against disinformation, which has increased the contribution since the beginning of the crisis.
This site aims to be a tool to clear up community doubts regarding incorrect information that appears, especially on social networks.
Mala Espina Check has no political affiliation, thus guaranteeing neutrality in its work.
As a company we must seek resources to finance our project, for which we have several ways: grants, crowdfunding and subscriptions.
Virtual office: Guardia Vieja 181, office 506. Providencia.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Mala Espina Check is a Chilean fact-checking organization launched in November 2019. As requested to the signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles, the applicant has presented evidence of the legal status of the company, a document that is also linked in the Sobre nosotros (About us) page on its website.
In this regard, and after being bound since June 2020 to the company Comunicaciones Tomás Alberto Martínez del Río EIRL, as of Nov. 9, 2022, Mala Espina Check is now owned by the for-profit company Capacitaciones y Comunicaciones Santomé SpA, whose general manager (gerente general) remains to be Tomás Alberto Martínez del Río, chief editor of Mala Espina Check.
Beyond this change in the ownership, no changes have been detected in the activities and purposes of this fact-checking organization.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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?
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
1. When and why did your fact-check operation start?
-Our data verification operation was born in November 2019 as a result of the social outbreak in Chile, with the aim of verifying misinformation about this process.
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their functions?
-We currently work for five people. The functions are research, editing, verification, creation of audiovisual content.
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
-Nowadays we only dedicate ourselves to verify misinformation without any other activity. Our director has participated in various talks on fact-checking at a local and international level, but in a personal capacity.
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation for the next year?
For next year our main objective is to create an educational area where we will offer courses on fact checking to the community.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As requested, Mala Espina Check has provided sufficiently detailed information about:
1. The year (2019) and the reasons why this fact-checking operation started. The applicant states that this project was bor as "a result of the social outbreak in Chile, with the aim of verifying misinformation about this process".
2. The composition of the team, which remains the same size (5 employees: the chief editor, 3 journalists and 1 web developer) of the year 2021, when this organization was awarded the IFCN accreditation for the first time:
3. The activities carried out by Mala Espina Check, which are entirely focused on fact-checking.
4. The goals that this organization is pursuing in the forthcoming year, which are focused on developing an educational area, aimed at offering fact-checking courses to the Chilean community.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
Here our work and verifications link. We shared with Ferdi Oszoy by email: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19dCnIc3eD2nEyniHjHwgWayMPwiWCEao8mP7LFJ_q2Y/edit#gid=0
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Over the period of six months considered for this assessment (May. 2022 - Oct. 2022), Mala Espina Check has published 169 fact-checks, on average around 7 fact-checks a week, as it has been confirmed with the help of a spreadsheet provided by the applicant which lists all the fact-checks. As requested, no weeks have been found with less than one fact-check published.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the view and knowledge of the assessor, Mala Espina Check does not seem controlled by the state, any political party or politician. More than 75% of the applicant’s fact-checks focus on claims related to issues that relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society in Chile. The topics comprise a very diverse set of topics (politics, health, foreign affairs...) from Chile and abroad.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We do not have any financing relationship with the State or with any political party. We have only received support from the Latam Chequea alliance through our work and from the Konrad Adenauer Foundation based in Chile and Google News Initiative.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
According to the information provided to this assessment, Mala Espina Check does not have any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationships with the Chilean state, politicians or political parties over the year assessed. According to its statement, the applicant only received support from the Latam Chequea alliance, the Chilean branch of the Konrad Adenauer Foundation, and Google News Initiative.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We do not receive support from states or political parties.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Mala Espina Check declares not to receive any funding from local or foreign state or political organizations.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
For the verifications, the methodology of going to the official source, original source and alternative source is used, letting the facts indicate the conclusion.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As requested, Mala Espina Check has demonstrated sufficiently its non-partisanship by providing ten examples of fact-checks to political leaders and parties from all the political spectrum in Chile.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
In the Methodology section
Politics and Impartiality
When it comes to public discourse, Mala Espina guarantees to select phrases without discriminating political orientation, ideology or religion. These must have been expressed publicly, either in the media, documents, official speeches or press outlets.
In addition, as a medium we do not receive financing from political parties or movements. Although each member of Mala Espina Check may be registered in them, this should not affect their professional work as part of our environment.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Mala Espina Check has presented evidence of a page disclosing publicly its policy to perform fact-checks. There it briefly explains that "the selection of the material is made mainly based on the viralization of the content on the different platforms, and according to the public relevance of the topic to be addressed". Although this policy description is somewhat limited and a further development would be advisable, it is deemed valid.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a random review of a number of fact-checks published over the previous year (May. - Oct. 2022), no evidences have been found of any commercial interest that might influence the fact-checking activity of Mala Espina Check.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a random review of fact-checks published since May to October 2022, no trace has been found of any political interest that might influence the fact-checking activity of the applicant.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
In About Us
Politics and Impartiality: When it comes to public discourse, Mala Espina guarantees to select phrases without discriminating political orientation, ideology or religion. These must have been expressed publicly, either in the media, documents, official speeches or press outlets.
In addition, as a medium we do not receive financing from political parties or movements,
Although each member of Mala Espina Check may be registered in them, this should not affect their professional work as part of our website.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has a loose and little developed policy of non-partisanship, that allows staff members "may be registered" in political parties, expecting that "this should not affect their professional work as part of our website" (asssesor's translation).
This looseness as regards the political affiliation of the staff members is deemed objectionable. In order to strengthen the non-partisanship of Mala Espina Check, we kindly recommend the applicant to be more restrictive in this aspect, not allowing in any case the possibility of having employees enrolled in political parties of any ideology.
cancel 2.5 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
20-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
- The applicant has a loose and little developed policy of non-partisanship, that allows staff members "may be registered" in political parties, expecting that "this should not affect their professional work as part of our website" (asssesor's translation).
This looseness as regards the political affiliation of the staff members is deemed objectionable. In order to strengthen the non-partisanship of Mala Espina Check, we kindly recommend the applicant to be more restrictive in this aspect, not allowing in any case the possibility of having employees enrolled in political parties of any ideology.
The applicant agreed to make its policy of non-partisanship more restrictive. After the edits, this policy now reads as follows: "For an independent, neutral and impartial exercise of journalism, Mala Espina Check does not allow members of political parties or movements on its team" (assessor's translation).
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a random review of a number of fact-checks published over the previous months, the use of links to back fact-checks found in Mala Espina Check is deemed sufficient and adequate. These resources allow users to easily verify by themselves the relevant information published.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
According to the assessor's knowledge, the sources used by Mala Espina Check to back fact-checks are well diversified, relevant and sound.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a random review of a number of fact-checks published over the six months prior to this assessment (May - November 2022), no unduly concentration in any specific sources has been detected in Mala Espina Check.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The sources used by Mala Espina Check are free-access and reliable, so that readers can conclude the interests that could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. No examples have been found of cases where the applicant has contextualized the sources used to back its fact-checks, explaining why some sources have been used instead of others.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We confirm that we are an independent organization.
In this link in About Us section https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ The link to the company constitution is marked on this site.
Mala Espina Check is an independent project that was born a month after the social outbreak in Chile, founded by journalist Tomás Martínez. This company has been legally incorporated since June 2020, Communications Tomás Alberto Martínez del Río E.I.R.L. in the corresponding agencies of Chile.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Under the legal name of Mala Espina Check, owned by the for-profit company Capacitaciones y Comunicaciones Santomé SpA, the applicant is an independent fact-checking media organization. As requested, it has provided proof of its legal status.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ In this link is marked the constitution for the company.
About us
Mala Espina Check is an independent project that was born a month after the social outbreak in Chile, founded by the journalist Tomás Martínez. This company has been legally constituted since June 2020 Communications Tomás Alberto Martínez del Río E.I.R.L. in the corresponding organisms of Chile.
Its objective is to be a contribution to Chilean citizens to fight against disinformation, which has increased since the beginning of the crisis.
This site aims to be a tool to clear up the community's doubts regarding incorrect information that appears, above all, on social networks.
Mala Espina Check has no political affiliation, thus guaranteeing neutrality in its work.
As a company we must seek resources to finance our project, for which we have several ways: grants, crowdfunding and subscriptions.
Virtual office: Guardia Vieja 181, office 506. Providencia.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The financial information disclosed by the applicant on the Sobre nosotros (About us) page provides a broad description of its funding scheme. Disclosed funding sources include 1) crowdfunding, 2) fact-checking services thorugh LatamChequea, 3) Google News Initiative, and 4) Konrad Adenauer Foundation.
Surprisingly, disclosed funding sources do not mention programmatic advertising, which is widespread throughout the website. Moreover, some of this programmatic advertising (at least when the website is browsed from Spain) show sometimes unreliable ads with clickbait and/or explicit content. For the sake of coherence, this assessor respectfully advises the owner of Mala Espina Check to setting up the programmatic advertising so that such unreliable content is removed from the website.
cancel 4.2 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
20-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In a first round of assessment, the assessor deemed that the applicant did not meet this criterion due to the reasons explained below:
The applicant agreed to remove the clickbait and/or explicit content from the website. In a second round of review, no such objectionable content was found in the applicant's website anymore.
Surprisingly, disclosed funding sources do not mention programmatic advertising, which is widespread throughout the website. Moreover, some of this programmatic advertising (at least when the website is browsed from Spain) show sometimes unreliable ads with clickbait and/or explicit content. For the sake of coherence, this assessor respectfully advises the owner of Mala Espina Check to setting up the programmatic advertising so that such unreliable content is removed from the website.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ In this link we updated the team bios with more details about our professional careers.
Team
Tomas Martinez, journalist. Director of Mala Espina Check. Journalist from the Finis Terrae University. In November 2019 he founded this fact checking website of which is a charge of editorial control. Before, he worked as a reporter for Politics in La Tercera, La Segunda, Pulso, T13.cl. In these last two media he was editor of Politics. He also worked in public service. Email: contacto@malaespinacheck.cl
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Detailed information about Mala Espina Check's workforce is available in the Equipo (Team) page the website, indicating the respective role in the organization.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ In this link we updated the team bios with more details about our professional careers.
Team
Tomas Martinez, journalist. Director of Mala Espina Check. Journalist from the Finis Terrae University. In November 2019 he founded this fact checking medium. Before, he worked as a reporter for Politics in La Tercera, La Segunda, Pulso, T13.cl. In these last two media he was editor of Politics. He also worked in public service. Email: contacto@malaespinacheck.cl
Francisca Toledo, journalist from the Diego Portales University. She did her internship at Mala Espina Check during the summer of 2021 and then returned to our team. She worked on the report The Evangelical Expansion in Chile, which obtained an honorable mention in the Journalism of Excellence Award from the Alberto Hurtado University. In Mala Espina she verifies content on coronaviruses and vaccines, in addition to preparing explanatory articles. Email: francisca.toledo@malaespinacheck.cl
John Alday. Journalist from the Diego Portales University. He practiced it at Mala Espina Check and is currently a writer of explanatory notes and verifications. Email: john.alday@malaespinacheck.cl
Camila Ramírez, journalist from the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile. She did her internship at Mala Espina and is currently part of the team as a disinformation verifier and in charge of social networks. Email: camila.ramirez@malaespinacheck.cl
Germán Jara, Web developer and Journalist from Diego Portales University. He is the developer of the website MalaEspinaCheck.cl, specialized in the design and development of digital media, with experiences working for diverse media such as El Dinamo, El Desconcierto, Grupo Dial and Grupo Copesa. Website.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Short biographies of Mala Espina Check team members are published on its website, including their email addresses so that they can be reached by anyone.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
If you suspect information that may be false, write to contacto@malespinacheck.cl or send us the information through Twitter or Instagram to the account @malaespinacheck or to our WhatsApp line +56974473146. https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/metodologia/
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Several means of contact (email, WhatsApp,Twitter, Facebook, Instagram) are available on the applicant's website.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
In Methodology section https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
Methodology
Mala Espina Check carries out its verifications based on two methods: First, according to the information that our readers send us through social networks, email or WhatsApp, and also through an investigative work by the team to detect misinformation. in the various social networks, in addition to public discourse.
The selection of the material is made mainly based on the viralization of the content on the different platforms, and according to the public relevance of the topic to be addressed.
During the reporting, the original and official sources are contacted, as well as alternative sources such as experts or specialists in the subject to carry out a thorough and objective check.
In the case of phrases or figures, these are selected based on their public relevance, and in terms of images and videos, they are used to verify the available technological tools.
The sources used are always cited, we do not work or publish issues off the record.
Regarding the grading system we use, these are:
True: The phrase or fact proved to be real after contrasting sources and data.
True, but… : The fact or sentence has consistency, but it omits data, elements or part of its context.
Inaccurate: The fact or statement is consistent with the available information, but omits data or takes it out of context.
Misleading: The fact or statement may have consistency, but shows that it could have been manipulated to mislead.
False: The fact or statement turns out to be false after contrasting different sources and data.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Mala Espina Check discloses in a reasonable way its fact-checking methodology, as well as the criteria to qualify content as 'true', 'true, but...', 'false', 'vague', and 'deceptive'. Although more detailed information on this subject should be advisable. the overall assessment is deemed positive.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Based on a random review of a number of fact-checks published over several months prior to this assessment, enough examples have been found that Mala Espina Check selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Drawing upon a number of randomly selected fact-checks, the assessor has come to the conclusion that Mala Espina Check commits to transparency and fairness when processing claims.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No evidence has been found of the eventual usage of different standards for fact-checking, depending on who made the claim, or the subject checked.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In a random sample of fact-checks, no examples were found of the objectionable situations indicated for this criterion. In absence of any evidence of misbehaviour or infringement of this part of the code of principles, the assessment of Mala Espina Check is positive.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
In the complaints, corrections and rectifications section, the call to verified readers and characters to question our work is made explicit if required. Our social networks, WhatsApp line, and email are open and public. https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Mala Espina Check allows users to send claims and corrections through different means of contact, committing itself to responding to claims within 48 hours.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ Updated the information in this link with limited period time 48 hours maxim.
Complaints, corrections and rectifications
If you suspect information that may be false, write to contacto@malespinacheck.cl or send the information through Twitter or Instagram to the @malaespinacheck account or to our WhatsApp line +56974473146
If for any error we qualify the information wrongly, we will rectify and edit the article. Your complaints for this can also be sent to contacto@malaespinacheck.cl or through our social networks www.twitter.com/@malaespinacheck or www.instagram.com@malaespinacheck or www.facebook.com/@malaespinacheck
If anyone involved in the published news or any reader requests a correction or clarification, it will be published in its entirety on our site malaespinacheck.cl, and our readers will be informed of it, if necessary, Mala Espina Check, will respond to said clarification .
The response of our media to the request will have a period of 48 hours.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As part of the fact-checking methodology, the corrections policy is deemed sound and professional. As requested, it is adequately explained in the website.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The corrections policy is adequate and it is explained with sufficient detail, so that readers can know in advance how their claims will be handled.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We have not received any requests for corrections during the last year.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
By the time this assessment was performed (November 2021), no correction had to be published upon request.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
If you think we are violating the Code of Principles of the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) you can send us an email to contacto@malaespinacheck.cl https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/metodologia/
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the methodology page, Mala Espina Check informs users on how to proceed in case they want to inform the IFCN of any violation of the Code of Principles.
However, the applicant indicates its own email address as the contact to which user are invited to send their reports on such violations. This is inadequate, since it is the web of IFCN which should be indicated for submitting such claims, more especifically this page of IFCN Complaints Policy.
cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
20-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
- In the methodology page, Mala Espina Check informs users on how to proceed in case they want to inform the IFCN of any violation of the Code of Principles.
However, the applicant indicates its own email address as the contact to which user are invited to send their reports on such violations. This is inadequate, since it is the web of IFCN which should be indicated for submitting such claims, more especifically this page of IFCN Complaints Policy.
Upon this request of edits, the applicant agreed to change the email address to which it suggested sending the complaints. Now it clearly explains that such complaints should be sent directly to the IFCN and, as requested, it provides a link to the IFCN Complaints Policy page to do so: "If you believe that we are violating the Code of Principles of the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) you can send a request to IFCN in this form" (assessor's translation).
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Ramón Salaverría.
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.
Mala Espina Check
01-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We are not media company.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
13-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Mala Espina Check is a standalone fact-checking organization, independent from any other media organization.