MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism. https://www.mindanews.com/about/

It was founded in 2001 by independent, professional Mindanawon journalists who left the country’s most widely-circulated Manila-based broadsheet to tell the stories of Mindanao from the lenses of Mindanao.

With second-hand computers and funds pooled from family and friends to enable us to start operations, we embarked on the MindaNews journey with a vision to be “the leading provider of accurate, timely and comprehensive news and information on Mindanao and its peoples, serving economically, politically and culturally empowered communities” and a mission to “professionally and responsibly cover Mindanao events, peoples and issues to inform, educate, inspire and influence communities.”

On May 25, 2001, we e-mailed the first of what would be a daily dispatch of news and photos, and set up the website, www.mindanews.com as a weekly in early May 2002 and as a daily in February 2003, its transition hastened when the Buliok War broke out in the midst of peace negotiations between the government and the Moro Islamic LIberation Front, a group fighting for the right to self-determination of Muslims in Mindanao.

MindaNews has formed a regular fact-checking unit, called MindaNews Fact Check, which is composed of a senior editor and a reporter. The team was trained with fact-checking tools in September 2021 and published its first fact-checked piece in October 2021. Aside from producing fact-checking stories, the duo also produce news and feature articles, photos and videos for the parent organization.

Mindanao Institute of Journalism

The Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MinJourn), a non-stock, non-profit media organization registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with registration number CN201700385, is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media.

MinJourn started as the Mindanao News and Information Cooperative Center in 2001 and continues to adhere to the principles of professionalism, non-partisanship and social responsibility on which it was founded.

MinJourn seeks to promote knowledge and public awareness of Mindanao issues through publication, training, databank and research services; provide news and information to news organizations and the general public through its news service, MindaNews; and, help improve the journalism profession in Mindanao.

Vision

The Mindanao Institute of Journalism is the leading provider of accurate, timely and comprehensive news and information on Mindanao and its peoples, serving economically, politically and culturally empowered communities.

Mission

Professionally and responsibly cover Mindanao events, peoples and issues to inform, educate, inspire and influence communities.

Statement of Values

Social responsibility is the priority in our undertakings as a media institution. This involves integrity, honesty, conscious search for the truth, sensitivity and respect for faiths and cultures, promotion of peace amidst pluralism, environmental advocacy, and dovetailing our services to the needs of the peoples of Mindanao, particularly the marginalized sectors. Viable and sustainable enterprise will enable us to undertake the above.

MindaNews has a distinct identity of being a news organization known for writing stories about Mindanao. Its website clearly communicates its identity, editorial values and mission, and the names of its editors and writers. MindaNews Fact Check is a team within MindaNews. Information about its fact-checking project is found in the website's landing page, at the upper right hand side, that has a link to the fact-checking project.

The applicant has submitted a facsimile of Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) registration paper.

MindaNews Fact Check started in September 2021 after MindaNews was chosen for the inaugural Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator (PFCI), a project of non-profit Internews. Long before that, we have been aspiring to do fact-checks as a way to enhance our story-telling initiatives and complement our long-form reports, feature stories and regular straight news production. While journalism always involves checking facts for accuracy, we didn’t have intensive training on online tools or techniques to produce fact-check stories until the PFCI project opened the door for us. MindaNews is among the founders of Tsek.ph, a collaborative fact-checking project for the 2019 and 2022 Philippines elections. Tsek.ph was formed in 2019.

We hope to trailblaze fact-check production for news organizations based in Mindanao, like what we did two decades ago when we were the first group of Mindanawon journalists to have ventured into online reporting. Mindanao has not been spared of false reporting or fake news, which our organization hopes to correct through fact checking pieces to help our readers reach a sound decision.

Two staff members, Bong Sarmiento as editor/reporter and Yas Ocampo as reporter, form the MindaNews fact-checking unit. With our lean manpower, one or the other is either multi-tasking as editor, reporter, researcher, trainer or social media manager. Over the course of about one year, we have produced at least six fact check pieces per month. Aside from posting the fact-check stories on our website, we also post them in the organization’s social media accounts. So far, we have re-echoed our learning to some colleagues.

Our goal for fact-checking over the coming years is to help fight misinformation and disinformation not just in social media but also in the local communities in Mindanao. We are looking to sustain our fact-checking initiative by involving our other colleagues. Already, the fact-checking unit has re-echoed the lessons we have learned to other members. While our fact-checking will be more “Mindanao-centric,” we will also cover national issues that affect Mindanawons, or the people of Mindanao, the second-largest island grouping in the Philippines.

Aside from informing the public, MindaNews also trains practicing journalists in Mindanao to further hone their journalistic skills. For the young aspiring ones, MindaNews has launched the Mindanao summer journalism bootcamp. With disinformation and misinformation becoming prevalent, the training on fact-checking will be made part of the program.

MindaNews has been organizing the Mindanao Media Summit, a venue that tackles issues confronting the island. The media summit is another potential platform to promote fact-checking as a way of story-telling among journalists in Mindanao.

MindaNews Fact Check, which started in Sept. 2021, is a lean fact-checking operation that produces a minimum of six fact-checks a month. Its two fact-checkers also perform other editorial tasks but still able to meet the monthly quota of fact-checks under the Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator project. Mindanews intends to expand its fact-checking project to news organizations and communities in Mindanao through training, and with fact-checking as a technique of storytelling.

The news organizations is very much aware of the media and politics context in which it's operating.

MindaNews Fact Check, with support from Internews, targets to produce six fact-checked pieces a month. As we are a lean unit composed of two staff members, there were a few months that we failed to publish six fact checks, but we make sure we compensate for it the following month. Some of the main reasons why we can’t meet the target include covering breaking events and important assignments (i.e. May 9, 2022 national and local elections) and taking on sudden unplanned field work as directed by the editorial team.

Sometimes we produce one fact check a week, sometimes two or more. But sometimes too, nothing in a week. This is due to our multi-tasking roles in the organization. But, again, we always strive to meet our target fact checks per month.

We have published at least 60 fact checks since we started with the PFCI project in September 2021. The stories are found at this link https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0.

MindaNews has produced a total of 60 fact checks in almost a year of its fact-checking project. However, there is unevenness in the production of fact-checks due to the demands of reporting, field work, and other editorial assignments.  In its eleven months of fact-checking operation, MindaNews published an average of five to six fact-checks a month which is more than the one-fact-a-week requirement to become an IFCN signatory.

MindaNews Fact Check includes fact checking political issues, politicians, the May 9, 2022 national and local elections, COVID-19 pandemic, human rights, government infrastructure projects, and the Mindanao peace process, among others. We believe that these fields are important facets of public life in Mindanao in the southern Philppines that our readers need to know.

A review of MindaNews Fact-Check shows that at least 75 percent of its fact-checks published from within six months to almost a year of operations are about claims related to 'public interes't and that such claims have an impact on the welfare, culture, political participation of citizens in Mindanao. Public interest and impact could be see through the diversity of issues covered by the fact checks that also  seem to reflect their reporting on the plurality of groups, communities, and political interests in Mindanao.

Examples of fact-checks chosen at random:

FACT CHECK: Bangsamoro gov’t, MILF not shunning Marcos contrary to FB claim https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/08/fact-check-bangsamoro-govt-milf-not-shunning-marcos-contrary-to-fb-claim/

FACT CHECK: PDEA-12 warns vs fake agents following killing of 3 persons in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-pdea-12-warns-vs-fake-agents-following-killing-of-3-persons-in-south-cotabato%EF%BF%BC/ 

FACT CHECK: Journo’s tweet on Mindanao tourism vis-à-vis kidnapping surge lacks context  https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-journos-tweet-on-mindanao-tourism-vis-a-vis-kidnapping-surge-lacks-context/ 

FACT CHECK Gov’t did not issue ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Cards’ in 2 Mindanao regions https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/01/govt-did-not-issue-covid-19-vaccination-exemption-cards-in-2-mindanao-regions/ 

FACT CHECK No voting yet on move to lift controversial open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-no-voting-yet-on-move-to-lift-controversial-open-pit-mining-ban-in-south-cotabato/ 

MindaNews does not accept funding from the national and local governments, or from any politicians or political parties, to maintain non-partisanship. Our staff members are not allowed to have political affiliations to avoid influencing our work as journalists. For political issues, we always present the two sides of the coin in the spirit of fairness. With funds coming from private donors or institutions, we don’t allow them to dictate or meddle with our operations. Editorial prerogative is entirely our call.

MindaNews has declared its non-partisanship by refusing to accept funding from national and local governments as well as from politicians and political parties. In its fact-checking page, it disclosed receiving support from Internews, as part of the Philippine Fact-Checker Incubation project, to support MindaNews fact-checking project, including training and overall fact-checking operation. MindaNews also received support from the National Endowment for Democracy and UNESCO.

The diversity of issues covered by MindaNews' fact-check appears to confirm the editorial independence of the news organization.

Our fact-checking initiative does not receive domestic or foreign state funding, nor from any politician or political party. The link is https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/, then please click the "What is MindaNews Fact Check?" icon and see the "Where do you get funds?" section.

MindaNews Fact Check is supported by a grant from Internews, an international non-profit helping independent media organizations across the globe.

MindaNews has declared that it did not receive funding from governments and political sources. It disclosed that it revived funds from National Endowment for Democracy and UNESCO in the past but not for fact-checking The recent support it received was from Internews, which initiated the fact-checking incubation project in the Philippines in which MindaNews is a member.

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-panguil-bay-bridge-project-approved-during-aquino-administration/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/12/fact-check-facelift-of-gensan-air-and-sea-ports-initiated-during-aquino-presidency/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-contrary-to-pacquiaos-claim-mindanao-is-relatively-peaceful-progressing/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-robredo-rally-in-cotabato-city-not-that-huge-as-supporters-claim/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-barmm-milf-leaders-have-not-endorsed-isko-moreno

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-apart-from-biff-maute-and-abu-sayyaf-groups-remain-security-threats-in-mindanao/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-contrary-to-sara-dutertes-claim-not-all-kidnap-victims-of-abu-sayyaf-have-been-rescued/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/01/fact-check-bongbong-marcos-did-not-ask-for-odette-donation-recount-coursed-thru-ovp/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/10/fact-check-false-claims-by-supporters-of-atty-larry-gadon/

https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/11/fact-check-photos-of-president-duterte-bong-go-and-sara-duterte-together-being-circulated-lately-taken-in-2018/

MindaNews Fact Check does not focus only on one political party or figure but both sides of the political spectrum: the administration and the opposition, or both their supporters. We verify their false and misleading claims through online research, and provide links from first-hand sources to debunk the falsities. We also fact check suspicious claims posted by netizens on social media.

The 10 fact-checks submitted by the applicant to provide proof for non-partisanship were written a manner that generally avoids bias by providing information from two sides of the issues and by giving background and context to the claim being fact-checked. 

The following are the10 fact-checks chosen by the assessor to assess MindaNews non-partisanship:

FACT CHECK Altered photo of Sara Duterte, Marcos, Jr. dinner in Cebu City https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/10/fact-check-altered-photo-of-sara-duterte-marcos-jr-dinner-in-cebu-city/ 

FACT CHECK Former foreign secretary del Rosario not leaving Robredo’s presidential bid https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/12/fact-check-former-foreign-secretary-del-rosario-not-leaving-robredos-presidential-bid/ 

FACT CHECK Robredo’s photo with soldiers in Marawi siege manipulated https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-robredos-photo-with-soldiers-in-marawi-siege-manipulated/ 

Ballot secrecy protects voter’s choices – MILF exec https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/ballot-secrecy-protects-voters-choices-milf-exec/

FACT CHECK Viral FB post shows photo of Davao City flood, not Davao de Oro’s https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-viral-fb-post-shows-photo-of-davao-city-flood-not-davao-de-oros/ 

FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte camp belies viral claim on K to 12 change and mandatory military service without pay https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-sara-duterte-camp-belies-viral-claim-on-k-to-12-change-and-mandatory-military-service-without-pay

FACT CHECK: Old photo of Duterte in eatery surfaces anew https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-old-photo-of-duterte-in-eatery-surfaces-anew/

FACT CHECK: Monkeypox not yet detected in Zamboanga City https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/08/fact-check-monkeypox-not-yet-detected-in-zamboanga-city/ 

FACT CHECK: Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe did not visit Davao City’s ‘Little Tokyo’ in 2017 https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-former-japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-did-not-visit-davao-citys-little-tokyo-in-2017/?fbclid=IwAR0RsHPEyGYS4TI5nJ0Hplf7sMFN4OFJXb5DzzHTdtm8KYOQe1Hj5Ho71MU 

FACT CHECK: Water supply in Davao City’s Toril and Matina districts safe for drinking https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-water-supply-in-davao-citys-toril-and-matina-districts-safe-for-drinking/ 

Some observations on the two fact-checks: "Sara Duterte camp belies viral claim on K to 12 change and mandatory military service without pay" and "Water supply in Davao City’s Toril and Matina districts safe for drinking."

1. The Sara Duterte's fact-check, while correct in debunking the claim that the Vice President did not say that her proposal for a two-year mandatory service is "without pay," appears to be a spin from her camp. In national news, she was quoted to saying that the mandatory military service should be a "priority national agenda" (https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1613330/sara-duterte-hopes-mandatory-rotc-will-be-included-in-priority-legislative-agenda), and thus earning her criticisms from educators, human rights groups and youth organizations. The mandatory service "with pay" appears to deflect criticisms because it would make her statement unequivocal. In other words, the issue that is of public interest is her consistent push for the military service and it appears that the phrase,"with pay," is meant make light of criticisms and win over fact-checkers.

2. The fact check, "Water supply in Davao City’s Toril and Matina districts safe for drinking," falls into the facile he-said-she-said presentation because it relies on the statements of local officials over the safety of the drinking water in the city, at the time when water-borne diseases were present. No independent source was offered in the fact-check. Moreover there was no verification on the statement that the ailment was food-borne and no longer water-borne as earlier said.

In both instances, the fact-checks could be improved by thorough verification and diligence in detecting conflict of interests from sources or parties from where the claims and statements emanated.

As a news media organization, we strictly adhere to accuracy, fairness, balance, independence, accountability and transparency not just in our fact-checking initiative but in all other aspects of our work at MindaNews.

We fact check claims for the sake of the interest of the general public, and not for any particular groups or persons.

How we fact check claims can be found at this link https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/ (please see Methodology / How Do We Fact Check?).

The applicant sets out, in general terms, its adherence to fairness and balance when selecting claims to be fact-checked. It fact-checks claims that purport to be fact and invokes public interest and welfare are its guide to fact-checking.

Assessor chose the 5 fact-checks to assess the applicant's statement on fairness when selecting claims.

FACT CHECK: Religions differ on stand on same-sex union https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/08/fact-check-religions-differ-on-stand-on-same-sex-union/ 

FACT CHECK: No rice priced at P20-level per kilo in Davao City https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/05/fact-check-no-rice-priced-at-p20-level-per-kilo-in-davao-city/

FACT CHECK Contrary to Pacquiao’s claim, Mindanao is relatively peaceful, progressing https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-contrary-to-pacquiaos-claim-mindanao-is-relatively-peaceful-progressing/

FACT CHECK South Cotabato solon slams fake FB page https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-south-cotabato-solon-slams-fake-fb-page/ 

FACT CHECK DOH: Regions XI and XII remain Omicron-free https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/01/fact-check-doh-regions-xi-and-xii-remain-omicron-free/

Comments on the above fact-checks: The first two fact-checks verified claims considered as public interest in the context of Mindanao. The diversity of faith-based beliefs and practices in Mindanao would verification an important public issue especially when it sets the condition for political support.  Marcos Jr.'s campaign promise to lower rice prices remained as such even after he became president.

Manny Pacquiao's statement on Mindanao appears to be an opinion than fact-checkable claim. The fact check belabors its point  of proving him wrong. However the fact-check did not dispel doubts on the absence of conditions for conflict, including armed conflict. The "relatively peaceful and progressing" phrase is also misleading or contestable category used to debunk what appears to be an opinion. 

Using a fact-check to announce a fake Facebook page of a lawmaker (South Cotabato solon slams fake FB page)  is better done by a press release of the politician himself and not by a fact-checking organization, especially during the election campaign. While verification is possible, there is no harm or grave public interest at stake indicated in the fact-check.

MindaNews chooses extra care in selecting its sources, ensuring that they are primary and the most authoritative. It ensures this by providing adequate description of the roles and positions of its sources in its fact checks. MindaNews is also committed to disclose sources' conflict of interest, should this exist, in line with its commitment to transparency and accountability.

Our fact-checked stories can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

MindaNews Fact Checks uses a variety of primary and secondary sources to debunk claims. Primary sources also include its repository of stories and local government websites. Secondary sources include post in Facebook pages, including one that was not verified by Facebook or without a blue check (e.g.https://www.facebook.com/1SAMBAYANOfficial/photos/a.112353174250281/280769334075330/ )

Here are the list of fact-checks that helps in assessing the statement of the applicant

FACT CHECK Altered photo of Sara Duterte, Marcos, Jr. dinner in Cebu City https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/10/fact-check-altered-photo-of-sara-duterte-marcos-jr-dinner-in-cebu-city/

FACT CHECK Former foreign secretary del Rosario not leaving Robredo’s presidential bid https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/12/fact-check-former-foreign-secretary-del-rosario-not-leaving-robredos-presidential-bid/

FACT CHECK Robredo’s photo with soldiers in Marawi siege manipulated https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-robredos-photo-with-soldiers-in-marawi-siege-manipulated/

Ballot secrecy protects voter’s choices – MILF exec https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/ballot-secrecy-protects-voters-choices-milf-exec/

FACT CHECK Viral FB post shows photo of Davao City flood, not Davao de Oro’s https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-viral-fb-post-shows-photo-of-davao-city-flood-not-davao-de-oros/

FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte camp belies viral claim on K to 12 change and mandatory military service without pay https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-sara-duterte-camp-belies-viral-claim-on-k-to-12-change-and-mandatory-military-service-without-pay

FACT CHECK: Old photo of Duterte in eatery surfaces anew https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-old-photo-of-duterte-in-eatery-surfaces-anew/ 

FACT CHECK: Monkeypox not yet detected in Zamboanga City https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/08/fact-check-monkeypox-not-yet-detected-in-zamboanga-city/

FACT CHECK: Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe did not visit Davao City’s ‘Little Tokyo’ in 2017 https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-former-japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-did-not-visit-davao-citys-little-tokyo-in-2017/?fbclid=IwAR0RsHPEyGYS4TI5nJ0Hplf7sMFN4OFJXb5DzzHTdtm8KYOQe1Hj5Ho71MU

FACT CHECK: Water supply in Davao City’s Toril and Matina districts safe for drinking https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-water-supply-in-davao-citys-toril-and-matina-districts-safe-for-drinking/ 

Comment:

The fact check on the old photo of Duterte having breakfast qualifies as a fact-check and may draw traffic to the fact-checking site. However its impact is less compared to, for example, a claim or statement of Duterte that carries public interest, i.e. policy. The applicant did not state what is the public interest stake in that particular fact check.

Our fact-checked stories can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

FACT CHECK Altered photo of Sara Duterte, Marcos, Jr. dinner in Cebu City https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/10/fact-check-altered-photo-of-sara-duterte-marcos-jr-dinner-in-cebu-city/

FACT CHECK Former foreign secretary del Rosario not leaving Robredo’s presidential bid https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/12/fact-check-former-foreign-secretary-del-rosario-not-leaving-robredos-presidential-bid/

FACT CHECK Robredo’s photo with soldiers in Marawi siege manipulated https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-robredos-photo-with-soldiers-in-marawi-siege-manipulated/

Ballot secrecy protects voter’s choices – MILF exec https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/ballot-secrecy-protects-voters-choices-milf-exec/

FACT CHECK Viral FB post shows photo of Davao City flood, not Davao de Oro’s https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-viral-fb-post-shows-photo-of-davao-city-flood-not-davao-de-oros/

FACT CHECK: Sara Duterte camp belies viral claim on K to 12 change and mandatory military service without pay https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-sara-duterte-camp-belies-viral-claim-on-k-to-12-change-and-mandatory-military-service-without-pay

FACT CHECK: Old photo of Duterte in eatery surfaces anew https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-old-photo-of-duterte-in-eatery-surfaces-anew/

FACT CHECK: Monkeypox not yet detected in Zamboanga City https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/08/fact-check-monkeypox-not-yet-detected-in-zamboanga-city/

FACT CHECK: Former Japanese PM Shinzo Abe did not visit Davao City’s ‘Little Tokyo’ in 2017 https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-former-japanese-pm-shinzo-abe-did-not-visit-davao-citys-little-tokyo-in-2017/?fbclid=IwAR0RsHPEyGYS4TI5nJ0Hplf7sMFN4OFJXb5DzzHTdtm8KYOQe1Hj5Ho71MU

FACT CHECK: Water supply in Davao City’s Toril and Matina districts safe for drinking https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-water-supply-in-davao-citys-toril-and-matina-districts-safe-for-drinking/ 

Comments:

Using the same 10 fact-checks above, out of the 20 chosen by the assessor, the applicant uses both primary sources and the available secondary sources for evidence. However,  there is a fact check where the applicant did not explain the use of secondary sources. This is evident in this fact-check: "FACT CHECK Former foreign secretary del Rosario not leaving Robredo’s presidential bid" https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2021/12/fact-check-former-foreign-secretary-del-rosario-not-leaving-robredos-presidential-bid/  There is no other source provided to debunk the key claim.

MindaNews does not accept funds from politicians, political parties and domestic or foreign states for its fact-checking initiative. For the other operations of MindaNews as a media organization in the past two years, we have received grants from the National Endowment for Democracy and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which we use for coverage, staff compensation, administrative expenses and to train other journalists.

While we receive grants, the editorial prerogative is entirely our call.

MindaNews staff members are not allowed to engage in political activities (i.e. running during elections) nor affiliation with any political party.

Please see https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/ and refer to Methodology.

Please see also https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/, open "What is MindaNews Fact Check?" and refer to the "Why We Fact-Check?" section.

The applicant has conveyed a policy of non-partisanship for its staff and its refusal to accept funds from politicians, political parties, domestic and foreign states for its fact-checking operation. It does not allow its editors and writers to engage in partisan political activities like running for public office or affiliating with a political party.  This non-partisanship policy is part of the "About" section of the applicant's fact-checking page.

Here is the link to our fact check stories https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

Mindanews fact-checks are written up as news stories with a lead paragraph, quotations, hyperlinks, context, screen shots, and use of secondary sources. This form of presentation allows more information to be included in the story. Sources of information were referenced or given attribution.

Here is the link to our fact check stories https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

In the fact checks that follow, the applicant provide sources for claims, assertions, statements so that the readers can verify the information on their own.  The use of primary and secondary sources are evident, just like in the news story, where they tend to build each other up. Some fact checks use of historical materials (on Senator deal Rosa) to debunk a recent claim but the research helped frame the fact-check on a rather controversial issue. 

FACT CHECK: No call from Baste Duterte to rename University of the Philippines to Bagong Pilipinas University. https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-no-call-from-baste-duterte-to-rename-university-of-the-philippines-to-bagong-pilipinas-university/ 

FACT CHECK: Senator Bato dela Rosa’s ‘Alsa Masa’ did not cannibalize Fr. Tullio Favali’s brain https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-senator-bato-dela-rosas-alsa-masa-did-not-cannibalize-fr-tullio-favalis-brain/

FACT CHECK Robredo did not eat at resto allegedly owned by Joma Sison https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-robredo-did-not-eat-at-resto-allegedly-owned-by-joma-sison/ 

FACT CHECK Photo of P203-B Marcos estate tax in Samal ‘sari-sari’ store is altered https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/photo-of-p203-b-marcos-estate-tax-in-samal-sari-sari-store-is-altered/ 

FACT CHECK No lockdown in Dinagat Islands https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/photo-of-p203-b-marcos-estate-tax-in-samal-sari-sari-store-is-altered/ 

Here is the link to our fact check stories https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

The applicant strives to present more than one source when verifying claims. This is true even in its simple and easy to debunk fact-checks (e.g.Baste Duterte, Marcos estate). 

FACT CHECK: No call from Baste Duterte to rename University of the Philippines to Bagong Pilipinas University. https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-no-call-from-baste-duterte-to-rename-university-of-the-philippines-to-bagong-pilipinas-university/

FACT CHECK: Senator Bato dela Rosa’s ‘Alsa Masa’ did not cannibalize Fr. Tullio Favali’s brain https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-senator-bato-dela-rosas-alsa-masa-did-not-cannibalize-fr-tullio-favalis-brain/

FACT CHECK Robredo did not eat at resto allegedly owned by Joma Sison https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/fact-check-robredo-did-not-eat-at-resto-allegedly-owned-by-joma-sison/

FACT CHECK Photo of P203-B Marcos estate tax in Samal ‘sari-sari’ store is altered https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/photo-of-p203-b-marcos-estate-tax-in-samal-sari-sari-store-is-altered/

FACT CHECK No lockdown in Dinagat Islands https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/04/photo-of-p203-b-marcos-estate-tax-in-samal-sari-sari-store-is-altered/ 

Our fact-checked stories can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

The following fact-checks were examined for their use of sources whose interests might put some doubts on the credibility of the evidence provided. The applicant use of at least two sources in one fact-check helped in verifying the information and prevent bias. However, the fact checks "Kabrigadahan" and "Duterte, Go & Cebu Governor did not endorse Isko Moreno" were not clear on what public interest was at stake on claims that appear to touch on civic and political interests.

FACT CHECK: PDEA-12 warns vs fake agents following killing of 3 persons in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-pdea-12-warns-vs-fake-agents-following-killing-of-3-persons-in-south-cotabato%EF%BF%BC/

FACT CHECK Robredo rally in Cotabato City not that huge as supporters claim https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-robredo-rally-in-cotabato-city-not-that-huge-as-supporters-claim/

FACT CHECK: No order from Duterte to shutdown ‘Kabrigadahan’ https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/05/fact-check-no-order-from-duterte-to-shutdown-kabrigadahan/

FACT CHECK: BARMM, MILF leaders have not endorsed Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-barmm-milf-leaders-have-not-endorsed-isko-moreno/

FACT CHECK Duterte, Go & Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia did not endorse Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-duterte-go-cebu-gov-gwen-garcia-did-not-endorse-isko-moreno/

MindaNews has sustained its operation through proceeds from subscriptions of its news service (news, special reports, opinion pieces, photos) and sales of books. It also receives grants from non-state actors. Editorial prerogative, however, is left entirely to MindaNews.

MindaNews does not accept funds from politicians or domestic or foreign states for its fact-checking initiative. For the other operations of MindaNews as a media organization in the past two years, we have received grants from the National Endowment for Democracy and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, which we use for coverage, staff compensation, administrative expenses and to train other journalists.

MindaNews’s fact-checking unit, MindaNews Fact Check, receives a grant from non-profit Internews from September 2021 to September 2022.

These details are published in the “Where do you get funds?” section under the “What is MindaNews Fact Check?" of our fact-checking page https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/.

Please also refer to https://www.mindanews.com/about/.

MindaNews asserted its independence, as a news organization with a fact-checking project, through the way it sustained its operation and its prudent choice of funders and supporters. It has also named the organizations that recently funded their newsroom operations and fact-checking project-- NED, UNESCO and Internews.

MindaNews Fact Check is the fact-checking unit of MindaNews, the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism, which is composed of independent and professional journalists working in Mindanao since 2001.

https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/

https://www.mindanews.com/about/

MindaNews Fact Check is the fact-checking project of MindaNews, which is an independent news organization based in Mindanao. MindaNews has legal status as a registered organization with the Securities and Exchange Commission. MindaNews was established 21 years ago and has proven itself as a news organization capable of reporting on issues and views  in the Mindanao region. While that can be considered a bias, it could also be a way to redress the narrow frames and bias when reporting on Mindanao, i.e. predominance of conflict-driven reporting and the outsized views of politicians in Manila on Mindanao peoples and issues.

The editorial team is headed by Carolyn O. Arguillas, a multi-awarded journalist. Among others, she is a recipient of the Marshall McLuhan Award. The other editors, Robert Timonera, H. Marcos C. Mordeno and Romer “Bong” Sarmiento have also received distinctions or have been selected in journalism fellowships to enhance their journalistic skills as independent and professional media practitioners.

MindaNews Fact Check is under the direction of the editorial team of MindaNews. The fact-checking unit is headed by one of the senior editors.

MindaNews is the media service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism, a non-profit composed of independent and professional journalists in Mindanao, the southern part of the Philippines.

https://www.mindanews.com/about/

Mindanews has a workable editorial team composed of experienced journalists that have reported on Mindanao for many years. It has also named its board of directors, many of whom were former journalists affiliated with MindaNews. If Mindanews was able to keep its editorial independence all these years, it is because journalists have maintained ownership over the news organizations and have allowed private or commercial interests to take over the news organization.

MindaNews is the news service arm of the Mindanao Institute of Journalism (MinJourn). It is composed of independent, professional journalists who believe and practice people empowerment through media. MinJourn, which is duly registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission with registration number CN201700385, is managed by its Board of Directors.

MindaNews values its journalistic independence. It started in May 2001 as a media cooperative and in January 2017 registered as a nonstock, nonprofit media organization. We do not accept funding from politicians, political parties or partisan groups.

Editorial staff

Editor-in-Chief: Carolyn O. Arguillas

Editors: Robert D. Timonera, Bong S. Sarmiento, H. Marcos C. Mordeno

Reporters/Photojournalists: Froilan Gallardo, Antonio L. Colina IV, Ferdinandh B. Cabrera, Roel Catoto, Manman Dejeto, Allen Estabillo, Frencie Carreon, Richel V. Umel, Chris Panganiban

Social Media Manager: Yas D. Ocampo

Fact-checking Unit: Romer (Bong) Sarmiento, Yas D. Ocampo

Mindanao Institute of Journalism Board of Directors

President: Rhodora Gail T. Ilagan, PhD

Vice President: Romer (Bong) Sarmiento

Members:

Carolyn O. Arguillas

Jose Jowel Canuday, PhD

Robert D. Timonera

Chief Executive Officer: Jose Jowel Canuday, PhD

Board Secretary: Ellen Alinea

Board Treasurer: Amalia B. Cabusao

Please click https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/ and see the About MindaNews section

There is no doubt that the women and men behind Mindanews and its fact-checking project are competent and respected journalists, having won awards and distinction, and have gained the respect of their colleagues all over the country. However for fact-checking purposes, it is best to provide a brief bio of those involved in the project, not to brag about their qualification, but to assure readers of their professionalism and lack of conflict of interest. 

Our contact details (email and telephone) and social media accounts are listed in our website for readers to reach us for leads or to notify us for any mistakes. https://www.mindanews.com/fact-check-lead-form/

Our fact check page also contains this content:

Consistent with our trust for factual reporting, we will rectify any error that we have committed. If you spot a factual error, you may notify us thru editor@mindanews.com or our Facebook Messenger @Mindanews. https://www.mindanews.com/fact-check-submission-form/

MindaNews Fact Check has provided its readers with two separate forms to notify the fact-checkers of their mistakes and to submit claims to be fact-checked.

As a news organization, we strictly adhere to accuracy, fairness, balance, independence, accountability and transparency not just in our fact-checking initiative but in all other aspects of our work at MindaNews.

We abide by the Philippine Press Institute’s Journalist’s Code of Ethics. Since we became part of Internews’ Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator project, we have been striving to adhere with the IFCN Code of Principles, in step with our organization’s commitment to non-partisanship, transparency and fairness.

We fact-check a claim that is specifically claimed to be a fact and involved the public interest or the welfare of the people. We debunk false claims using official government records, journals or interviews with experts.

We don’t fact-check opinions.

How do we fact-check?

Step 1: Team members monitor press conferences, speeches, statements, news, interviews, social media sites, etc. for statements worth fact-checking.

Step 2: When a claim is worth fact-checking, a team member looks for multiple sources to dispute the claim, including tracing the original source document.

Step 3: Fact-checked claims are then submitted to the editor for copy editing and vetting. The link/s to debunk the claim are always included in the story.

Step 4: A rating card is prepared to accompany the fact-checked piece, or infographics if needed, to immediately flag readers what the article is all about.

Step 5: The senior editor takes another look before the article is posted on the website and social media accounts.

Please click this link https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/ and see "How Do We Fact Check?"

MindaNews has clearly explained its methodology, which involves the framework that supports professional journalism and the steps that fact-checkers could follow in the course of their work. The methodology wants to establish oversight, transparency, and accountability.

Our fact-checked stories can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

The fact-checks below were examined for their closeness to the stated methodology. In terms of fairness through the use of sources, accuracy and balance, they fact-checks indeed approximated the methodology. However the applicant has to improve on its choice of claims to be fact-checked. As it is, some fact-checks need explanation on their significance even as they can drive traffic to the news site.

FACT CHECK: PDEA-12 warns vs fake agents following killing of 3 persons in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-pdea-12-warns-vs-fake-agents-following-killing-of-3-persons-in-south-cotabato%EF%BF%BC/

FACT CHECK Robredo rally in Cotabato City not that huge as supporters claim https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-robredo-rally-in-cotabato-city-not-that-huge-as-supporters-claim/

FACT CHECK: No order from Duterte to shutdown ‘Kabrigadahan’ https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/05/fact-check-no-order-from-duterte-to-shutdown-kabrigadahan/

FACT CHECK: BARMM, MILF leaders have not endorsed Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-barmm-milf-leaders-have-not-endorsed-isko-moreno/

FACT CHECK Duterte, Go & Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia did not endorse Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-duterte-go-cebu-gov-gwen-garcia-did-not-endorse-isko-moreno/

Our fact-checked stories can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

The fact-checks are presented in news story form. The latter does not resort to counterfactuals, hypotheticals, or counterposing claims.

FACT CHECK: PDEA-12 warns vs fake agents following killing of 3 persons in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-pdea-12-warns-vs-fake-agents-following-killing-of-3-persons-in-south-cotabato%EF%BF%BC/

FACT CHECK Robredo rally in Cotabato City not that huge as supporters claim https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-robredo-rally-in-cotabato-city-not-that-huge-as-supporters-claim/

FACT CHECK: No order from Duterte to shutdown ‘Kabrigadahan’ https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/05/fact-check-no-order-from-duterte-to-shutdown-kabrigadahan/

FACT CHECK: BARMM, MILF leaders have not endorsed Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-barmm-milf-leaders-have-not-endorsed-isko-moreno/

FACT CHECK Duterte, Go & Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia did not endorse Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-duterte-go-cebu-gov-gwen-garcia-did-not-endorse-isko-moreno/

Our fact-checked stories can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

The following fact checks were reviewed for how evidence are weighed using the same standards as applied to evidence on the same claims. The fact checks have shown that the stated methodology worked. Accuracy, fairness and balance with observed in majority of the fact-checks.

FACT CHECK: PDEA-12 warns vs fake agents following killing of 3 persons in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-pdea-12-warns-vs-fake-agents-following-killing-of-3-persons-in-south-cotabato%EF%BF%BC/

FACT CHECK Robredo rally in Cotabato City not that huge as supporters claim https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-robredo-rally-in-cotabato-city-not-that-huge-as-supporters-claim/

FACT CHECK: No order from Duterte to shutdown ‘Kabrigadahan’ https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/05/fact-check-no-order-from-duterte-to-shutdown-kabrigadahan/

FACT CHECK: BARMM, MILF leaders have not endorsed Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-barmm-milf-leaders-have-not-endorsed-isko-moreno/

FACT CHECK Duterte, Go & Cebu Gov. Gwen Garcia did not endorse Isko Moreno https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/02/fact-check-duterte-go-cebu-gov-gwen-garcia-did-not-endorse-isko-moreno/

Our fact-checked stories can be found here https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1rY-QBp8VcuZy6IOmkgeruqMU9bF8EnY7dSw8inQ4aX0/edit#gid=0

The applicant uses available sources to debunk claims and corroborate statements. The applicant has to improve on this by contacting the person or the source of the claim, for example, in the fact-check "Journo's tweet . . ." Otherwise it would be construed as intolerance of criticism on anything " Mindanao," and also a form of bias of MindaNews and its fact-checkers.

FACT CHECK: Bangsamoro gov’t, MILF not shunning Marcos contrary to FB claim https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/08/fact-check-bangsamoro-govt-milf-not-shunning-marcos-contrary-to-fb-claim/

FACT CHECK: PDEA-12 warns vs fake agents following killing of 3 persons in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/07/fact-check-pdea-12-warns-vs-fake-agents-following-killing-of-3-persons-in-south-cotabato%EF%BF%BC/

FACT CHECK: Journo’s tweet on Mindanao tourism vis-à-vis kidnapping surge lacks context https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/06/fact-check-journos-tweet-on-mindanao-tourism-vis-a-vis-kidnapping-surge-lacks-context/

FACT CHECK Gov’t did not issue ‘COVID-19 Vaccination Exemption Cards’ in 2 Mindanao regions https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/01/govt-did-not-issue-covid-19-vaccination-exemption-cards-in-2-mindanao-regions/

FACT CHECK No voting yet on move to lift controversial open-pit mining ban in South Cotabato https://www.mindanews.com/top-stories/2022/03/fact-check-no-voting-yet-on-move-to-lift-controversial-open-pit-mining-ban-in-south-cotabato/ 

At the end of each of our fact checks, we encourage the public to send claims to fact check, with this paragraph:

“As with all our other reports, MindaNews welcomes leads or suggestions from the public to potential fact-check stories.”

We fact-check a claim that is specifically claimed to be a fact and involves the public interest or the welfare of the people. We debunk false claims using official government records, journals, interviews with experts, or the sources themselves if they indeed issued such a claim.

We don’t fact check opinions.

Please click https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/. Refer to the "What is MindaNews Fact Check?" and see the "Do you accept leads from the public for your fact-checking initiative?" section. Kindly refer also to the "How Do We Fact Check?"

The applicant has encouraged readers to send in claims that can be verified in its fact-checking page, indicating what claims to be fact-checked. Public interest is an important consideration.

However, MindaNews' approach to evaluating claims, specifically in choosing which claim to fact-check is influence by journalism that separates facts from opinion, with the latter not to be fact-checked. This dichotomy holds meantime to guide the first year of the fact-checking project as it builds up confidence to verify complex claims and also gains credibility as a fact-checking project.

https://www.mindanews.com/mindanews-fact-check/

https://www.mindanews.com/fact-check-submission-form/

The presence of correction submission form shows the willingness of the applicant to admit mistakes and efforts for correction.

The correction policy is a five-step process that assures the readers that mistakes will be acknowledged and corrected within 24 hours while the reposted fact-checks will contain the corrected version and a note on the correction. This process appears adequate to gain the trust of readers.

No correction request has been made since our first fact check was published in October 2021.

The applicant has declared that there was no request for correction over the previous year. 

MindaNews is still applying to be a signatory. We are conducting our fact checks guided by the IFCN Code of Principles.

MindaNews is not yet a signatory of IFCN Code of Principles.

Consistent with our vision and mission as a media institution, we rectify any error committed. If you spot a factual error, you may notify us thru editor@mindanews.com or our Facebook Messenger @Mindanews. A correction request can also be submitted through this link https://www.mindanews.com/fact-check-submission-form/.

Correction Workflow

Errors pointed out are immediately brought to the attention of the editors and the fact-checking team.

The fact-checker is immediately notified for verification.

Once verified, the error is to be corrected within 24 hours and vetted before publication on the website.

Readers will immediately know errors have been corrected through the Editor’s note posted above the article.

The person who notified MindaNews about the error will be informed that the correction has been made.

MindaNews, which is the news organization overseeing the MindaNews Fact Check, has a corrections policy that is almost identical with that of the fact-checking project.