Organization: Maldita.es .
Applicant: Clara Jiménez Cruz
Assessor: Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura
Background
Maldita.es is a fact-checking operation from Spain. It was founded in 2018, after being a side project for a group of journalists dedicated to fight misinformation and disinformation online. With several different thematic sections, they are dedicated to check claims of social impact online, and are in the process of becoming a foundation.
Assessment Conclusion
The fact-checking operation of Maldita.es is solid. They employ high-standards when using sources and checking claims, are transparent in their methods and show responsibility when choosing which claims to check. A special note goes to their several thematic sections and their division of claims per political party, which render their work even more interesting.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Maldita.es es una operación de verificación de datos de España. Fue fundado en 2018 por un grupo de periodistas dedicados a combatir la desinformación en línea. Emplean altos estándares al usar fuentes y verificar reclamos, son transparentes en sus métodos y muestran responsabilidad al elegir qué reclamos verificar. Una nota especial va a sus diversas secciones temáticas y su división de reclamos por partido político, que hacen aún más interesante su trabajo. Están en proceso de convertirse en una fundación.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
We are non-profit association dedicated to fact-checking. We're currently registered under the name ASOCIACION MALDITA CONTRA L A DESINFORMACIÓN: PERIODISMO, EDUCACIÓN, INVESTIGACIÓN Y DATOS EN NUEVOS FORMATOS. We're registered in the Registro Nacional de Asociaciones: Sección: 1• 1 under the number 616385. Our Tax registration number is G88206487. We're currently in the process of becoming a Foundation.
Our registered bylaws and our registration number are both on our website:
https://maldita.es/malditas-cuentas-de-donde-vienen-donde-van-nuestros-ingresos/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago)
The applicant is correctly registered as an organization.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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?
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Maldita.es was legally founded on September 27, 2018 under the name Maldita Association against disinformation: journalism, education, investigation and data in new formats Section: 1 • 1 National Number: 616385. Our bylaws can be accessed here: https://es.scribd.com/document/456561523/Estatutos-Asociacion-Maldita?secret_password=bp7WTxz558QDs4w9AV7z
Before 2018 Maldita was already an operating fact-checker but we didn’t have a legal entity: we were a group of journalists dedicated to a project in our spare time.
In the quest for Maldita.es to be transparent and supervised by civil society, a year ago it embarked on the path of becoming a foundation. The Maldita.es Foundation against disinformation: journalism, education, research and data in new formats, which only needs the Registry of Foundations to grant a registration number and while it works as a foundation in the process of formation. Our bylaws for the foundation can be accessed here: https://es.scribd.com/document/456562725/ESTATUTOS-FUNDACIO-N-MALDITA-ES
Maldita.es’ operations started to as non-profit media outlet to fight disinformation and promote transparency through fact-checking and data journalism techniques. Its main mission is to provide citizens with tools, technology and information that allows them to build informed opinions and make informed choices.
Currently 29 people work for Maldita.es either full, part time, as external collaborators or as interns:
Direction: CEO and Editor in Chief
Maldito Bulo (debunking): Coordinator and 5 journalists
Maldito Dato (political fact-checking): Coordinator and 3 journalists
Maldita Ciencia (science and health): Coordinator and 2 journalists
Maldita Migration (migration): 1 journalist
Maldito Feminismo (gender): 1 journalist
Maldita Hemeroteca (archive): 1 journalist
Community: 1 coordinator, 1 community manager and 1 graphic designer
Projects: 1 impact coordinator and 1 editorial coordinator
Maldita Tecnología (Technology): 1 journalist
Maldita Educa (Media literacy): 1 coordinator and 1 technician
Technology: 2 developers
Administration: 1 accountant
Maldita.es is divided into sections which target specific themes and audiences.
Maldito Bulo dedicated to fact-check digital misinformation selected through crowdsourcing techniques https://maldita.es/malditobulo/
Maldito Dato dedicated to fact-checking political discourse with data journalism techniques, journalistic investigation using resources to access public information, and promoting government transparency. https://maldita.es/malditodato/
Maldita Hemeroteca dedicated to verify political speech using archive resources. https://maldita.es/malditahemeroteca/
Maldita Ciencia dedicated to the scientific dissemination and fact-check of topics related to health, food, physics, chemistry or any topic related to science. https://maldita.es/malditaciencia/
Maldita Tecnología use journalism, tools and education to answer questions about privacy, data usage, technology ethics and digital rights. https://maldita.es/malditatecnologia/
Maldita Migración verifies misinformation around migrants and hate speech. https://migracion.maldita.es/
Maldito Feminismo fact-checks misinformation around gender issues. https://feminismo.maldita.es/
Maldita Te Explica is our section dedicated to explainers about politics and current events in general https://maldita.es/maldita-te-explica/
Maldita Educa is our media literacy project which develops and creates educational content on critical thinking and fact-checking https://educa.maldita.es/
In the coming year, we believe that we need to get much more involved in advising regulators on how to fight misinformation: we acknowledge that one of the risks that the current situation has is the fact that a bad internet regulation willing to tackle misinformation can damage freedom of speech and democracy as a whole and that our expertise should be put to service to prevent that.
We want to continue investing on developing technological tools that can help our fact-checking operations and others in the battle against misinformation and we also want to partner with researchers and incorporate academic profiles to our operation in order to conduct investigations using all the data around misinformation that we have gathered throughout the years.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The applicant's answers are thorough. Their structure is solid and clear.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
We divide our fact-checking operation in two different main branches:
- Maldito Bulo, our debunking section: https://maldita.es/malditobulo/
- Maldito Dato, our political fact-checking section: https://maldita.es/malditodato/
Furthermore, we have sections for specific topics that we feel need attention, although any fact-check listed in them will also be in the general section:
- Maldita Ciencia: https://maldita.es/malditaciencia/
- Maldita Migración: https://migracion.maldita.es/
- Maldito Feminismo: https://feminismo.maldita.es/
We publish an average of 7 articles a day of which at least 3 are fact-checks.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The applicant has an extensive track of fact checks published, well over the requested threshold.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The applicant publishes fact checks regarding relevant social issues, and those are related to the welfare of society.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
All our commercial, financial and institucional relationships are public. Every year we publish our accountability report, you can see the last one presented here: https://es.scribd.com/document/468425195/Malditas-Cuentas-2019
We also publish a report for our users in our web page of our incomes and expenses:
https://maldita.es/malditas-cuentas-de-donde-vienen-donde-van-nuestros-ingresos/
We have no commercial, financial or institutional relationship to the state or political parties within our country or elsewhere. As part of our job we engage with politicians when asking them to correct data, when we fact-check their statements or when we need clarification on something. We are open to meeting all political parties as experts on our field and we have done so with all governments in office since we started operating.
We do have a commercial relationship with some local and regional governments for Media literacy courses and trainings in fact-checking that are not expected to represent more than 1’5% of our annual budget.
For 2020, Maldita.es has received 3 grants from public resources (the Spanish Government and the European Union) none of them are directly related to our fact-checking operation: they cover aside specific and predefined projects around technology understanding, research, media literacy and cybersecurity.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The appplicant is transparent about their sources of funding, which are well explained in their website. Transactions are public as well. They don't seem to have any kind of relation to politicians or political parties.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The three grants are listed and deeply explained and with additional information on links in our website: https://maldita.es/malditas-cuentas-de-donde-vienen-donde-van-nuestros-ingresos/
Furthermore, we have a neutrality policy that applies to all the members of the team and we specify in all our projects that the editorial decisions depend only on us and are driven by our methodologies. Here you can find our neutrality policy: https://maldita.es/politica-de-neutralidad/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Funding from governments is displayed in their Revenues page. The application of those specific funds is explained thoroughly. Moreover, their neutrality policy is clear on how they resolve issues of independence.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
MALDITO BULO
We verify claims using the same standard for every piece. We do not concentrate our fact-checking on any one side, since we have a process in which we rank the viralization of disinformation according to its spread on social media together with the reports of our community. We follow the same process on every issue and search for the necessary data to debunk a piece of misinformation no matter who it may benefit. We do not take policy positions on the issues we fact-check. We decide what to fact-check first considering virality and dangerosity to public health, social peace, etc. Here are some examples:
No, Pablo Casado no hizo "el gesto del tiro en la cabeza mirando a Pedro Sánchez" durante el debate de investidura ni hay pruebas de que Europa Press haya publicado dicha afirmación como pie de foto
No, no hay pruebas de que Santiago Abascal haya tuiteado "casi 10.000 sanitarios contajiados"
https://maldita.es/malditobulo/2020/03/28/santiago-abascal-twitter-contagiados/
No, este tuit que asegura que Casado y Abascal han planeado una moción de censura para el 13 de mayo no es de 'El Mundo': es una cuenta parodia
No, Pedro Sánchez no ha sido imputado por un delito de prevaricación por ignorar a las autoridades sanitarias europeas
¿Qué sabemos de los "14 médicos" que "cuidan a Pedro Sánchez en La Moncloa"? No es algo nuevo aprobado por este Gobierno: es un convenio de asistencia sanitaria que incluye a "otros altos dignatarios" que se va renovando desde 1997
Pablo Iglesias e Irene Montero no tienen bloqueada una planta del Gregorio Marañón
No hay pruebas de que Pablo Iglesias haya dicho que 'es preferible que las mujeres españolas se casen con inmigrantes musulmanes y africanos y no con españoles'
No, la herida de la diputada de Vox Rocío de Meer en un acto en Sestao (Bizkaia) no es falsa
https://maldita.es/malditobulo/2020/06/29/herida-falsa-rocio-de-meer-vox-sestao-pais-vasco/
No, Cayetana Álvarez de Toledo no ha tuiteado que quienes tienen una furgoneta de Correos pintada de la bandera LGTBI 'son comunistas': es una cuenta 'fake'
¿Qué sabemos sobre la frase que se asocia a Mª Jesús Montero que dice que recortar los sueldos de los ministros "sería populismo" y que España tiene que "prepararse para los recortes"?
MALDITO DATO
We verify political claims using the same standards for every piece. We do not concentrate our fact-checking on any one side but do not generate a false balance either: we listen approximately to the same amount of time from each political party and publish only fact-checks which are false or need further context. Here are some examples:
Las afirmaciones falsas de Pedro Sánchez sobre el coronavirus, el confinamiento y los datos de España en la votación de la segunda prórroga del estado de alarma
Pablo Casado lleva más de 500 días diciendo que Aznar "creó 5 millones de empleos": es falso
Los gráficos incorrectos de Ayuso y Aguado sobre el número de altas e ingresos en hospitales madrileños: comparan datos acumulados con datos diarios
https://maldita.es/malditodato/2020/04/11/graficos-ayuso-aguado-altas-ingresos-hospitalizados/
Es falso que Inés Arrimadas se convierta "en la primera mujer que lidera un partido político a nivel nacional" como dice Ignacio Aguado
Es falso que el lunes "52 diputados" de Vox asistieran "a trabajar al Congreso" como dice Pablo Echenique: fueron 16
Las afirmaciones falsas de Vox sobre el ingreso mínimo vital: no es para "todos los que lleguen en patera", se necesita un año de residencia legal en España y la trata no es lo mismo que el tráfico de personas
https://maldita.es/malditodato/2020/06/07/afirmaciones-falsas-vox-ingreso-minimo-vital/
Es falso que Nueva Zelanda haya implantado "el confinamiento total" en comparación con España como dice Quim Torra
https://maldita.es/malditodato/2020/03/25/confinamiento-total-nueva-zelanda-coronavirus-quim-torra/
Es falso que después del cogobierno andaluz PSOE-IU, en 2015, "vino la caída más gorda de IU" en la "historia de Andalucía" como dice Teresa Rodríguez
Santiago Abascal acusa al Gobierno de estar "ocultando información" sobre el coronavirus porque varias socialistas salieron el 8M con guantes de látex: los guantes se han usado otros años y no los usaron durante toda la manifestación
Es falso que "el Gobierno siempre ha dicho que el uso de la mascarilla era recomendable" desde el decreto de estado de alarma como dice Salvador Illa
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The process of fact checking is carried equally among claims. They follow relevant evidence and expose their method.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
MALDITO BULO
Our Maldito Bulo methodology is public in this link: https://maldita.es/metodologia-de-maldito-bulo/
We select what we are going to debunk based on two variables:
Virality: It is measured according to reports from our community and virality on social networks such as Twitter and Facebook or if it is broadcast by a public figure or on a web page or media with public reach. We will not publish a denial of a hoax that has had practically no impact in order not to amplify it, except in dangerous situations.
Dangerousness: there are hoaxes that appear in particularly delicate crisis situations such as attacks or natural catastrophes, those that affect public health or social coexistence, which we will try to stop from the first moment we detect them.
MALDITO DATO
Our Maldito Dato methodology is public in this link:
https://maldita.es/metodologia-de-maldito-dato/
The Maldito Dato team monitors the statements of Spanish politicians made publicly, that is, through the media, at events or through social networks. We do not concentrate our fact-checking on any one side but do not generate a false balance either: we listen approximately to the same amount of time from each political party and publish only fact-checks which are false or need further context.
The selection of the statements or messages that are verified is carried out through a weighting system that is based on the viralization of the statement itself or on the possible political or social repercussion it may have. We only check figures or statements based on alleged facts or statistics, not opinions.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Their methodology is well explained in a section in their website, as well as their policy on how to choose what to check.They take impact, virality and danger in account.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The applicant describes the nature of the sources and what is their relation to the topic at hand.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The applicant has a balanced array of fact checks, not focusing on any one side.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
We have a public neutrality policy that applies to the whole organization and can be checked here: https://maldita.es/politica-de-neutralidad
"At Maldita.es we believe that the neutrality and non-partisanship of the journalistic contents that we carry out is essential to maintain our credibility and the trust of our community.
Therefore, although members of our team can participate in social and political events individually, they will never do so in the name of Maldita.es.
We understand that, as members of civil society, team members can take sides on political issues as long as they do so on their behalf and not on behalf of the the organization. In addition, if a member of the team accepts some type of position within a political party that would mean their immediate disengagement from the project.
In the same way, if there is a conflict of interest between a member of the team and a journalistic issue, that member would be separated from the management of that specific topic to protect the honesty and credibility of the contents of Maldita.es."
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The applicant's policy on neutrality is clear and forbids members of participating in political events in the name of the company.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Sources are identified and linked whenever possible. When using the Transparency Law, the applicant publishes a specific section on methodology.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Sources used tend to be primary, only resorting to secondary when necessary.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The evidence is usually checked against more than one sourc.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The sources used usually don't have conflict of interest, but they are always well identified.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
Maldita.es is an independent organization set up as a not-for-profit association that in 2020 is in process of becoming a Foundation. This are the association bylaws: https://es.scribd.com/document/456561523/Estatutos-Asociacion-Maldita?secret_password=bp7WTxz558QDs4w9AV7z
And this are the foundation bylaws (due to a delay in the Spain’s government authorization process we are waiting for a registration number to officially become a foundation): https://es.scribd.com/document/456562725/ESTATUTOS-FUNDACIO-N-MALDITA-ES
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The applicant is officialy registered as an independent organization.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
At Maldita.es we believe that transparency is essential, that is why every year we make our income and expense accounts public together with our yearly budget. We also publish our bylaws at this link: https://maldita.es/malditas-cuentas-de-donde-vienen-donde-van-nuestros-ingresos/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Revenue sources, their division, and their history are well displayed in their webpage. The same page show the registration of the company.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In this link, permanently updated, we make our values and missions public, along with the profile and position of each of the members of the Maldita.es team: https://maldita.es/quienes-somos/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Professionals are displayed in the About page. Leadership roles are highlighted.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Although all the team’s biographies are updated on the previous link, we also set up a separate page linked on our methodologies explaining who are the editors that can vote fact-checks here: https://maldita.es/editores-con-voto-segun-la-metodologia-de-maldito-bulo/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Workers, their positions and their bios are displayed in the About page.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
All our strategy as an organization is related with talking back and forth with our audience. They can reach out to us on social media (where all our messages are open and accessible); they can write to us through WhatsApp; they can send us direct e-mails (which are listed within the methodology but also at the bottom of the webpage); they can write to us on our App and they can also reach out through our plug-in. In addition, users are invited to send their fact-checking proposals through a specific section called La Buloteca in which they can work together with us in the debunking process: https://maldita.es/buloteca
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
There are several touch points where users can communicate with the team. Their twitter handles are available on the About page. Email and social networks are available on the footer of the page. There is a banner encouraging users to send WhatsApp messages.
Also, the section La Buloteca is a very interesting initiative on investigation with the community. Participation is heavily encouraged there.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Maldito Bulo's methodology: https://maldita.es/metodologia-de-maldito-bulo/
Maldito Dato's methodology: https://maldita.es/metodologia-de-maldito-dato/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The methodology is thoroughly explained in their two pages (regarding Bulo and Dato)
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Claims checked are of social importance, especially regarding rumors on the internet. The importance of the claim, when not self-explanatory, is usually on the first paragraphs.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Evidences are used in the fact checking in a balanced way. Two examples can be seen here: https://maldita.es/malditaciencia/2020/08/11/falsedades-publicacion-vacunacion-forzosa-existencia-coronavirus-covid-19/ / https://maldita.es/malditobulo/2020/08/10/no-los-infartos-no-ocurren-mas-a-menudo-en-la-ducha-y-no-tienes-que-empezar-mojandote-los-pies-para-evitarlos/
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Evidences are assessed with the same high-standards, even in different types of claims.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The claims checked by the applicant often come from online rumors, so in those cases the person who makes the claim is not contacted. When checking claims of politicians and other important actors, the person who claims them is often contacted.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
We permanently campaign on social networks and through television and radio programs where we collaborate by providing our users with the phone number of our WhatsApp and all our social media accounts: https://twitter.com/malditobulo/status/1275331665569755136
On this number we receive an average of 350 queries posted by users a day.
In addition we have our community of members (whom we call "Maldit@s") who bring their talents and experience to help us deny information. This community of more than 40,000 users receives constant communications through newsletters and messages that allow them to be part of our verification process: https://comunidad.maldita.es/u/register
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The section for Buloteca encourages users to send claims. Also, the WhatsApp number is proeminently disokayed in several pages. Their page on Methodology also explains how they elect what to check.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Link to corrections policy: https://maldita.es/politica-de-rectificacion/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The corrections policy is easily findable in the About section.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The corrections policy is clear, but could have more information on what it covers. For instance, what type of mistake requires correction in the articles? What types of things wouldn't be corrected if asked? This would help clarify the corrections policy.
cancel 6.2 marked as Request change by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
21-Aug-2020 (4 years ago)
The corrections policy is clear, and was updated to include more details ln what ir covers.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
In the past year several readers have reached out to us to correct information we han published. When that happens the editors who have a methodological vote revise the claim and how the fact-check has been done and if they conclude that the fact-check is subject to a correction it will be done following our public corrections policy as described on our website: https://maldita.es/politica-de-rectificacion/
We all screw up from time to time and at Maldita.es we believe that if that happens you have to rectify it. We promise to be transparent when correcting our own mistakes and to do so on maldita.es and on our social networks. If the errors affect the meaning of the verification, the word CORRECTION will go in the headline when it comes to rectifying.
Sometimes we add information to an article, change something or qualify a phrase that we think is not being well understood. Whenever we do, we mark it with an asterisk and explain at the end of the article what has changed and why it has.
Between june 2019 and june 2020 these are the corrections we have done which are accessible on our website:
CORRECCIÓN: Es verdadero que en Madrid Central sólo circula el "1,5% del tráfico" como decía Begoña Villacís https://maldita.es/malditodato/2019/08/01/es-falso-que-en-madrid-central-solo-circula-el-155-del-trafico-como-dice-begona-villacis/
CORRECCIÓN: Sánchez mantiene la paridad en el Consejo de Ministros y se convierte en el segundo presidente con más ministros https://maldita.es/malditodato/2020/01/12/el-nuevo-gobierno-paritario-y-el-tercero-mas-numeroso-de-la-historia/
CORRECCIÓN No, el Índice de Producción Industrial no ha "caído un 5%" desde que Sánchez "llegó al Gobierno" como dice Pablo Casado https://maldita.es/malditodato/2019/09/11/es-falso-que-el-indice-de-produccion-industrial-ha-caido-un-5-desde-que-sanchez-llego-al-gobierno-como-dice-pablo-casado/
CORRECCIÓN: ¿Qué sabemos sobre el número 22.426 que se canta en la Lotería de Navidad pero que no aparece en el listado oficial de premios? Loterías y Apuestas del Estado dice que fue cantado por error https://maldita.es/malditobulo/2019/12/30/no-el-22-426-no-ha-sido-premiado-en-la-loteria-de-navidad-de-2019-el-video-en-el-que-las-ninas-cantan-el-numero-ha-sido-manipulado/
CORRECCIÓN: ¿Qué sabemos del escrito atribuido al músico Felipe Campuzano en el que llama a Pedro Sánchez "antiespañol" por "querer pactar con partidos que están y gobiernan fuera de la ley"? https://maldita.es/malditobulo/2019/11/18/no-no-hay-pruebas-de-que-el-musico-felipe-campuzano-le-haya-escrito-a-pedro-sanchez-llamandole-antiespanol-por-querer-pactar-con-partidos-que-estan-y-gobiernan-fuera-de-la-ley/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The methodology on how to carry mistakes is sound. The articles signpost the correction in the headline and along the article. The text itself is corrected. Eventually, the category of the claim may be changed.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
The IFCN signatory stamp is in a relevant place in our page, the image redirects to a link where users get information about the Maldita being signatory of the IFCN code of principles an a link to the IFCN complaints form
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Readers are informed on where to post a compaint about an IFCN code violation.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Maldita.es .
10-Jul-2020 (4 years ago)
DOESN'T APPLY
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
03-Aug-2020 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Not applicable.