Organization: Mala Espina Check
Applicant: Tomás Martínez
Assessor: Ramón Salaverría
Background
Mala Espina Check is a Chilean fact-checking organization founded in 2019, which is applying to be signatory of the IFCN Code of Principles for the first time.
Assessment Conclusion
Mala Espina Check has satisfactorily corrected all the deficiencies detected in the first round of assessment. Ather the improvements and edits made, the applicant meets all the criteria. My recommendation to the board is to accept the application as compliant.
Ramón Salaverría assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Mala Espina Check es una organización chilena de verificación de datos fundada en 2019, que solicita ser signataria del Código de Principios de la IFCN por primera vez.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years 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/
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In the first round of assessment, it was determined that the applicant did not meet this criterion due to the reasons explained below:
Mala Espina Check is a Chilean fact-checking organization launched in November 2019, after the beginning of the social protests in that Latin American country. The website just generally mentions that it is a project set up by the journalist Tomás Martínez and that it is bound to the company Mala Espina Check EIRL. It also adds that this organization is a member of the LATAM Chequea alliance.
However, contrary to what is requested of the signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles, no evidence has been provided about the legal status of the company. The information provided in the 'about us' page is also very general and unspecific. In order to assess this criterion 1.1 as compliant, we kindly invite the applicant to provide evidence of the legal status of its publishing company.
Upon reception of this negative assessment, the applicant made the necessary improvements. As a result of these changes, the problems were solved and in the second round of assessment the deficiencies were found corrected: it provided documentation that proves the legal status of the company, which was added to the website. Therefore, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years 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 three people and a fourth will join in April. 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?
During this year our main objective is to counteract misinformation about the vaccination process against Covid19 through the Latam Chequea alliance, of which we are the only Chilean member to participate, and also verify misinformation about the electoral process in the country.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check has provided, with sufficient detail, 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: 4 journalists and 1 webmaster.
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 comprise: 1) "counteract(ing) misinformation about the vaccination process against Covid19" , 2) "verify(ing) misinformation about the electoral process in the country".
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
We meet this criteria. www.malaespinacheck.cl
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In the first round of assessment, it was determined that the applicant did not meet this criterion due to the reasons explained below:
Contrary to what is requested of the signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles, Mala Espina Check has not provided any list of fact-checks published recently. It has just indicated its URL as a proof of meeting this criterion.
In order to assess this criterion 1.3 as compliant, we kindly invite the applicant to provide in a spreadsheet a list of the fact-checks performed and published over the six months prior to the date of the application. Also, as Mala Espina Check is a member of the LATAM Chequea alliance, a distinction should be made between the fact-checks re-published from other organizations and those effectively produced by the applicant itself.
The applicant submitted the requested additional information, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
As needed, more than 75% of the 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 subjects covered are quite diverse, with a significant focus on Chilean politics. Within the period of time comprised of this assessment (May. 2020 - April 2021), a large part of fact-checks concentrated on Covid-19 pandemic, something totally understandable.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years 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.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
According to the information provided by the applicant, Mala Espina Check has no commercial, financial and/or institutional relationships to theChilean state, politicians or political parties. So far, their only support has come from LATAM Chequea alliance and from the support received from the Chilean branch of Konrad Adenauer Foundation, in a manner that has not been detailled in the application and which, for the sake of transparency, we kindly invite them to disclose.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
We do not receive support from states or political parties.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check declares not to receive any funding from local or foreign state or political sources.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
For all the checks, sources with reliable and official information were used and based on that information a rating of true, false or imprecise was concluded, meeting the same standard whether the person whose statements were verified be of any political tendency.
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/falso-camila-vallejo-nicolas-maduro-estallido-social/
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/chequeo-pinera-onu/
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The non-partisanship has been adequately demonstrated by providing, as requested, ten examples of fact-checks to Chilean politicians parties and leaders of all the political spectrum.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
In the Methodology section
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In the first round of assessment, it was determined that the applicant did not meet this criterion due to the reasons explained below:
Mala Espina Check has presented evidence of a page where it generally describes its fact-checking methodology. However, this page does not sufficiently reveal the applicant's commitment to non-partisanship. It just declares that it "has no political affiliation, thus guaranteeing neutrality in its work" (in Spanish "no tiene afiliación política garantizando así la neutralidad en su trabajo").
In order to assess this criterion 2.2. as compliant, the applicant should be more specific and transparent at explaining the policy followed to avoid any unduly concentration of its fact-checking on any ideological side. Besides providing such a policy to this application, it should also be published on the website.
The applicant improved the information provided on the fact-checking methodology and its commitment to non-partisanship. Therefore, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
After a random review of a number of fact-checks published over the previous year, no trace has 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
No trace has been found of any political or ideological interest that might influence the fact-checking activity of Mala Espina Check.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
In ABout Us
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
Política e Imparcialidad: Si se trata del discurso público, Mala Espina garantiza seleccionar frases sin discriminar orientación política, ideología ni religión. Estas deben haber sido expresadas de manera pública, ya sea en medios de comunicación, documentos, discursos oficiales o puntos de prensa.
Además, como medio no recibimos financiamiento de partidos ni movimientos políticos,
Si bien cada integrante de Mala Espina Check puede estar inscrito en ellos, esto no debe incidir en su labor profesional como parte de nuestro medio.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Contrary to what it is requested to signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles, Mala Espina Check does not disclose on its site any policy on non-partisanship for staff. The applicant is kindly invited to develop and publish such policy.
cancel 2.5 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago)
Contrary to what it is requested to signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles, Mala Espina Check does not disclose on its site any policy on non-partisanship for staff. The applicant is kindly invited to develop and publish such policy.
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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The users of Mala Espina Check can reasonably verify the relevant information by themselves, thanks to the background links provided in the articles. After a random review of a number of fact-checks published over the previous months, an adequate use of links to back fact-checks has been found.
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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
According to the assessor's knowledge, the sources used by Mala Espina Check to back fact-checks are 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check is consistent at checking key elements of claims against more than one source of evidence, when relevant. After a random review of a number of fact-checks published over the previous year (May 2020 - April 2021), the overall assessment for this criterion is positive.
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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
When needed, Mala Espina Check contextualizes the sources used to back the fact-checks, so that readers can easily detect any interests that could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
We confirm that we are an independent organization.
In this link in About Us section https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check self-defines broadly as an "independent project (...) founded by journalist Tomás Martínez". However, no details are provided about is for-profit or non-for-profit nature. No details are provided either about the nature of its publishing company, Mala Espina Check EIRL. The applicant is invited to provide more details and evidence about the legal status and financial purpose of this organization.
cancel 4.1 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In a first round of assessment, this weakness was detected:
Mala Espina Check self-defines broadly as an "independent project (...) founded by journalist Tomás Martínez". However, no details are provided about is for-profit or non-for-profit nature. No details are provided either about the nature of its publishing company, Mala Espina Check EIRL. The applicant is invited to provide more details and evidence about the legal status and financial purpose of this organization.
Upon reception of this suggestion, the applicant made the necessary improvements and edits, providing a clear information about its publishing company. The name of this company was corrected, and now is disclosed as Comunicaciones Tomás Alberto Martínez del Río E.I.R.L.
As a result of these changes, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ In this linkes is marked the constitucion for the company.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
As indicated in the assessment of the criterion 4.1., Mala Espina Check does not provide clear information about is for-profit or non-for-profit nature. No details are provided either about the nature of its publishing company, Mala Espina Check EIRL. The limited information on this subjetc should be expanded, in order to be assessed as compliant.
cancel 4.2 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In a first round of assessment, this weakness was detected:
As indicated in the assessment of the criterion 4.1., Mala Espina Check does not provide clear information about is for-profit or non-for-profit nature. No details are provided either about the nature of its publishing company, Mala Espina Check EIRL. The limited information on this subjetc should be expanded, in order to be assessed as compliant.
Upon reception of this suggestion, the applicant made the necessary improvements and edits, providing a clear information about its publishing company. The name of this company was corrected, and now is disclosed as Comunicaciones Tomás Alberto Martínez del Río E.I.R.L.
As a result of these changes, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ In Team Section
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ In this link we updated the team bios with more details about our professional careers..
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check provides very basic information about its team: 4 journalists and 1 webmaster. Just their names and the universities where they studied are disclosed, without any additional information or means of contact. Only in the case of the founder of the project, the journalist Tomás Martínez, a slightly more detailed information is available; the only email account of the applicant is referred to this person. No additional details are provided about the professional biographies of the workers, their social media accounts and, especially, their possible links to political parties or activism movements. As this fact-checking organization does not disclose any policy to avoid partisanship, for the sake of transparency, it would be advisable to disclose if any of the current (and future) staff members belong to any politcal party and/or social movement. All in all, the information provided about the editorial team is deemed very limited, so we kindly suggest to improve and expand it.
cancel 4.3 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In a first round of assessment, this weakness was detected:
Mala Espina Check provides very basic information about its team: 4 journalists and 1 webmaster. Just their names and the universities where they studied are disclosed, without any additional information or means of contact. Only in the case of the founder of the project, the journalist Tomás Martínez, a slightly more detailed information is available; the only email account of the applicant is referred to this person. No additional details are provided about the professional biographies of the workers, their social media accounts and, especially, their possible links to political parties or activism movements. As this fact-checking organization does not disclose any policy to avoid partisanship, for the sake of transparency, it would be advisable to disclose if any of the current (and future) staff members belong to any politcal party and/or social movement. All in all, the information provided about the editorial team is deemed very limited, so we kindly suggest to improve and expand it.
Upon reception of this suggestion, the applicant made the necessary improvements and edits. As a result of these changes, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
In Team Section https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In Team Section https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ We updated the information in this link.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
As noted in the assessment of criterion 4.3, the information on staff members is just a brief description of their past education. It does not include their professional biographies. We advise Mala Espina Check to provide full information about their staff, revealing any possible links with political parties, and including a summary of their professional career and means of contact.
cancel 4.4 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In a first round of assessment, this weakness was detected:
As noted in the assessment of criterion 4.3, the information on staff members is just a brief description of their past education. It does not include their professional biographies. We advise Mala Espina Check to provide full information about their staff, revealing any possible links with political parties, and including a summary of their professional career and means of contact.
Upon reception of this suggestion, the applicant made the necessary improvements and edits. As a result of these changes, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ In complaints, corrections and rectifications section
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/ Updated the information in this link.
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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check displays in its 'About us' page just one means of contact: an email address. However, as it can be found on their Twitter account, Mala Espina Chek is also using other means of contact such as a mobile number and social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. In order to improve the communication of the users with the editorial team, these additional means of contact should be more clearly displayed in the website.
cancel 4.5 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In a first round of assessment, this weakness was detected:
Mala Espina Check displays in its 'About us' page just one means of contact: an email address. However, as it can be found on their Twitter account, Mala Espina Chek is also using other means of contact such as a mobile number and social media accounts on Facebook and Instagram. In order to improve the communication of the users with the editorial team, these additional means of contact should be more clearly displayed in the website.
Upon reception of this suggestion, the applicant made the necessary improvements and edits. As a result of these changes, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
In Methodology section https://www.malaespinacheck.cl/sobre-nosotros/
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Based on a random review of a number of fact-checks published over several months prior to this assessment, no infringement has been found of this criterion. The selection of claims by the applicant seems 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Drawing upon a number of randomly selected fact-checks published by Mala Espina Check, the assessor has come to the conclusion that hte applicant 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In the random sample of fact-checks used for this assessment, the assessor has not found cases of infringement of this criterion. In absence of any apparent misbehaviour, the assessment is deemed as compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
No examples of corrections have been added to the application, so the assessment of this criterion is based only on the corrections policy disclosed in the applicant's website. According to that policy, Mala Espina Check encourages users to propose claims to check, provide data and knowledge, as well as warn about possible errors in the checks. Therefore, the assessment of this criterion is positive.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years 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
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check allows users to send claims and corrections, only by email. It does not commits itself to responding to these claims within a limited time period.
As measures for improvement, the appliocant is invited to expand the diversity of means of contact allowed to receive correction requests, as well as to announce the maximum delay excpeted to publish corrections, if needed.
cancel 6.1 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In a first round of assessment, this weakness was detected:
Mala Espina Check allows users to send claims and corrections, only by email. It does not commits itself to responding to these claims within a limited time period.
As measures for improvement, the applicant is invited to expand the diversity of means of contact allowed to receive correction requests, as well as to announce the maximum delay excpeted to publish corrections, if needed.
Upon reception of this suggestion, the applicant made the necessary improvements and edits. As a result of these changes, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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.
Mala Espina Check
20-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
We updated the information in this link www.malaespincheck.cl/sobre-nosotros
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The corrections policy is explained in reasonable detail, so that users can know in advance how their claims will be handled. However, no information is provided about how much time might take to get response. This minor defficiency should be fixed.
cancel 6.2 marked as Request change by Ramón Salaverría.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
26-Aug-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
In a first round of assessment, this weakness was detected:
The corrections policy is explained in reasonable detail, so that users can know in advance how their claims will be handled. However, no information is provided about how much time might take to get response. This minor defficiency should be fixed.
Upon reception of this suggestion, the applicant made the necessary improvements and edits, commiting itself to responding to corrections within a period of 48 hours. As a result of these changes, the assessment of this criterion was upgraded to compliant.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
So far in our 16 months of work no one has sent us a correction request
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
By the time this assessment was performed (May 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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
We are not existing signatories.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Mala Espina Check is not an existing IFCN signatory, so the evidence indicated in this criterion is not required.
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
23-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
We are not a media company.
Ramón Salaverría Assessor
02-May-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
According to the information provided by the applicant, this fact-checking organization is independent from any other media organization. Therefore, the corrections policy of the applicant is the only one ruling.