Organization: MMI Online Limited
Applicant: Rajesh Upadhyay
Assessor: Surekha Deepak
Background
The applicant is a fact-checking unit of a legally established news organization. Vishwas News
(MMI Online Limited) has as dedicated staff and publishes in English as well as in English,
Hindi and 10 other Indian languages.
The claims that are debunked cover a variety of topics and all sides of the topic are covered.
Sources are stated and claims can be replicated.
Assessment Conclusion
The signatory has compiled most of the criteria and can be accepted. They have published more than the required number of fact checks required for compliance. Most of the stories they debunk have a recognizable impact. They have a clear nonpartisanship policy. There is no evidence of any political influence on the stories selected or the way in which they are written. Sources are linked and referenced. The fact checks are replicable. Stories from all sides of the spectrum are covered. There is no evidence of any bias. Vishwas News (MMI Online Limited) is fully funded by the parent company, they have submitted financial statements and documents to back this. The applicant does not claim any financial dependence on the state or political actors, nor is there evidence of affiliation to any political party.
The fact checks cover a variety of subjects and most aspects of the topic. The process followed is well explained and carried out depending on the need of the story. All claims are checked using similar standards. The applicant mentions the sources used in the fact-checking process clearly. They use digital tools, in addition, they also contact sources. There is no evidence that the sources that could influence their findings. All sources are linked and referenced. The fact checks are replicable.
The website clearly shows the ownership. The organizational structure is clearly mentioned on the website. They use the same standards across all fact checks they publish.
The corrections policy is clearly listed on the website, with links to the IFCN complaints page.
Surekha Deepak assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
The language used is English. Though they publish in Hindi and other regional languages.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago)
Vishvasnews.com is a Fact-Checking Initiative of MMI Online Limited. It is managed by a dedicated team of experienced journalists trained and certified in fact-checking.
Vishvas.News debunks viral misinformation, which is in the public domain and capable of creating social imbalance and influencing the thoughts of the general public. Vishvas.News strongly follows all the guidelines by IFCN (International Fact-Checking Network) and the in-house editorial and ethics policies as well. Vishvas.News has set-up an internal and external auditing system to make sure the policies (Non-partisanship, Correction, Methodology, and Sources etc.) are followed in a transparent manner in each and every story and all the due processes are followed as well. Maintaining the quality of stories is of utmost priority for the team.
Internal auditing
The members of Team Vishvas.News are qualified, certified and trained fact-checkers and they rigorously follow all the guidelines by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and the 'in-house editorial/ethics policy' as well. The work process is clearly defined and all the members of Vishvas.News follow the Systematic Operating Procedure (SOP) in each and every step - right from the editorial discussions on story selection to the final go ahead for story publishing.
Physical verification either from the primary/secondary sources or any other authentic and relevant source in each story is one important step of the story investigation and filing process of Vishvas.News.
Vishvas.News has a clearly defined Correction Policy (https://www.vishvasnews.com/correction-policy/). Vishvas.News welcomes suggestions and rectifications which we receive from our readers in the form of comments, mails and phone calls. In case we receive any complaint regarding accuracy of our content, we immediately put it on hold and determine the facts. Once the facts have been cross-examined, we take a considered decision and appropriately respond to the feedback. Depending on the authenticity and magnitude of the mistake/error, we edit the published information or duly inform the reader in case the original news does not qualify as a mistake and how we arrived at such a decision.
And the internal auditing is a constant process for the desk members and if the team finds any SOP violation in any story, the team re-investigates the story, follows the SOP and updates the articles as per the new findings or new inputs. As per the Correction Policy, the disclaimer gets mentioned in all such stories clearly stating the issue in the previous version and the new inputs taken to update the stories. There is a policy to put on-record the entire correction process under the name of the team members on the Fact-Check Team page and the Correction Policy Page also. As a policy, we also save the archival version of the posts on which we do the fact checks.
Additional level of quality/SOP check
Makers-Checkers: Vishvas.News has also set-up a process of 'Makers-Checkers' as the part of SOP in which the person who files the fact check copy doesn't have the right to publish his/her own copy. The copy is checked and filed by another desk member after the completion of the fact check and SOP one more time. This is just to make sure the copy is 100% error-free and follows all IFCN guidelines and in-house SOPs. Before publishing any fact check copy, the same goes to a quality check process to go through the grammatical/copy structure check to make sure that it talks about the fact only in a simple language.
The basic objective of news dissemination is to ensure that the people know what is happening and understand the possible causes so that they can form their own opinions and arrive at their own conclusions.
We publish news after checking the authenticity on the basis of the facts without any fear or favour. We make our journalism more insightful, meaningful and essential to the daily lives of the people.
With the approval from the Board of Directors of the company, a Fact Check Team within the company (letter attached), was formed on Oct 24, 2018. This Team is independent of the other editorial operations of the Company and is engaged in fact checking and busting misinformation in the mainstream and social media.
The Team reports directly to Rajesh Upadhyay (Editor in Chief). The Editor-in-Chief reports to Mr. Bharat Gupta (Director of MMI Online Limited)
The relevant docs are attached below-
1. Certificate of incorporation
2. Team Set-up MMI online limited
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Vishvas News (MMI Online Limited) is a legally registered organization with a separate and dedicated fact-checking team.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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?
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
Vishvas.News was launched as a fact checking unit of MMI Online Limited in 2018. This was the time when the flow of fake news on social media platforms was huge, and there were a very few verified fact checking websites with very limited reach. As a part of a responsible media house which believes in empowering common people with factual and credible information, we thought to formally launch a separate and dedicated unit to specifically work on fact checking. A separate team of experienced journalists with 5-20 years of experience was set-up. All the team members of Vishvas.News are either certified and associated with GNI India Training network or properly trained by the certified trainers. The sole idea behind setting-up a fact check unit was to help the common people curb misinformation and help in protecting society from the potential dangers of misinformation.
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
At Present, there are 12 fact checkers in the Vishvas News team and all of them report to Mr. Rajesh Upadhyay, who is the Editor-in-Chief of Vishvas News. The details of the team can be found here -
Team Details: https://www.vishvasnews.com/fact-check-team/
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
Vishvas News believes in empowering common people in fact checking and verification process through on-ground activities, online webinars on different trending topics and conducts online training on fact checking tools also. Apart from publishing fact-checked articles in 12 languages, Team Vishvas News also conducts its fact check & media literacy drive (Sach Ke Sathi) to reach out to people living in Tier2, Tier 3 cities.
Below are the details of all Sach Ke Sathi Drives-
A. First Sach Ke Sathi conducted during India's General Elections (April-May, 2019)
First Sach Ke Saathi was conducted during Lok Sabha Elections to make people aware of fake news and impart some knowledge about the fact check tools. During this drive, Vishvas News team visited 9 cities and trained more than 2000 people who later cascaded their learning among 55,000 people in their respective social circles.
Sach Ke Sathi First Season:
Topic: Fact Check Awareness on Elections
Duration: April 15 - May 1, 2019
Cities: Meerut, Allahabad Patna, Varanasi, Kanpur, Lucknow, Ranchi, Noida, Agra
Sessions: Four sessions per city, total 36 sessions
Attendees: 2000+ attendees. 200+ per city
Details here: https://www.vishvasnews.com/sach-ke-sathi/
B. Second Sach Ke Sathi on Health Fact Check before India went under Lockdown due to COVID-19 outbreak (Feb 2020)
The second Sach ke Saathi (focused on COVID and health check) was conducted in association with Facebook) in the last week of February to sensitise people about the potential threat of COVI-19 and fake news related to it. During this initiative, the Vishvas News team visited 6 cities and trained 1200 people.
Sach Ke Sathi Second Season:
Topic: Health Fact Check on Covid-19
Duration: Feb 20-Feb 29, 2020
Cities: Delhi, Bhopal, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Patna, Varanasi
Sessions: Two per city, total 12 sessions
Attendees: 1187 attendees. Almost 200 per city
Details here: vishvasnews.com/sach-ke-sathi-health-check/
C. The Sach Ke Sathi-3 Media Literacy Drive (Virtual) was launched ahead of state elections in BIhar focussing on Bihar Election-related misinformation. Team Vishvas News conducted 5 city-focussed 90-minute webinars between Oct 6 and Oct 20.
Webinars: Apart from this, during nation-wide lockdown, Vishvas News continued its fight against COVID-related and Lockdown-related fake news and conducted 17 city-focussed webinars in which more than 1000 people joined the sessions, communicated with 60+ medical experts, health officials from reputed regional/national/international health organisations and fact checkers of Vishvas News to understand how to deal with unverified information.
Also, certified fact checkers of Vishvas News, who are also with GNI India Training Network, go for individual fact check trainings in different universities, media schools, Army cants, press clubs as well.
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
Vishvas News strongly believes in empowering common people and reaching out to them through publishing fact checked articles and conducting on-ground activities to widen the reach of fact checking operation. Many state elections are scheduled to happen this year in India. Covid vaccine-related misinformation is also huge on social media platforms. Team Vishvas News is all set to focus on all potential fake posts related to all these news events and disseminate verified information in realtime. Also, following its policy of fact check literacy, Vishvas News will continue conducting on-ground training/workshops and webinars to widen the reach of verified information to larger audiences across the country.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Vishvas.News was launched as a fact checking unit of MMI Online Limited in 2018. They set it up as a social responsibility initiative to empower people with factual and credible information and to curb misinformation.
They started the fact checking unit with a separate team of experienced journalists with 5-20 years of experience. Currently they have 12 members in the team.
They publish fact-checks 12 languages and also reach out to train and educate people in media literacy especially focusing on Tier2, Tier 3 cities.
While they will continue to focus on publishing fact checks in all the languages they operate in, they will also widen the reach of the fact checking operations. With elections coming up in a few states, fake news debunking in this area will be a focus. They will also focus on the vaccine related debunking. They will also continue to conduct fact checking, media literacy workshops.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Vishvas.News published 150+ fact checked articles in 12 languages every month. All the articles can be seen on the website. Below are the links
1. Hindi: https://www.vishvasnews.com/
2. English: https://www.vishvasnews.com/english/
3. Urdu: https://www.vishvasnews.com/urdu/
4. Assamese: https://www.vishvasnews.com/assamese/
5. Tamil: https://www.vishvasnews.com/tamil/
6. Punjabi: https://www.vishvasnews.com/punjabi/
7. Bangla: https://www.vishvasnews.com/bangla/
8. Odia: https://www.vishvasnews.com/odia/
9. Telugu: https://www.vishvasnews.com/telugu/
10. Gujarati: https://www.vishvasnews.com/gujarati/
11. Malyalam: https://www.vishvasnews.com/malayalam/
12. Marathi: https://www.vishvasnews.com/marathi/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Vishvas News (MMI Online Limited) publishes more than the required number of fact checks both in English as well in all the languages they publish in. They publish more than 100 a month.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Vishwas News publishes fact checks that have an impact, and cover a wide range of topic. They debunk misinformation related to the pandemic, but also many posts that are sent to them for verification. They publish fact checks related to politics, sports, health, education, environment, employment, innovation, science, and socially and ethnically disadvantaged groups.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
This is not applicable to Vishvas.News. AS a policy, Vishvas News does not have any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians or political parties in the country. We have not received any funding or support from foreign, local state or political actors.
Non-partisanship Policy: https://www.vishvasnews.com/nonpartisanship-policy/
Responsible Journalism: https://www.vishvasnews.com/responsible-journalism/
Partners: https://www.vishvasnews.com/partners/
The IT Return filed, MMI balance sheet, and Vishvas News funding details are attached for your reference
1. IT Return
2. MMI Balance Sheet
3. Vishvas News Funding
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant has declared that do not have any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians or political parties in the country. They have not received any funding or support from foreign, local state or political actors. It is primarily funded by the promoter and advertising and subscriptions.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
They do not receive any funding that could have an impact on the editorial independence.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Many stringent standards are ensured by the observance of Vishvas’ comprehensive Editorial Policy that lays down the code of conduct and guidelines for its journalists. Vishvas stands by its ethical stand of ‘no influencers policy’ which ensures that its stories are not influenced by any external bias. No one working in Vishvas engages in partisan political activity and never makes any contributions to candidates or advocacy organisations.
Vishvas News believes in following a logical flow in building its content. All our stories follow the same pattern. The idea is conceived with planning followed by development of the idea, then publishing and distribution, and finally quality check on the basis of facts, language, ethics and conduct. During the whole process, it is ensured that journalistic ethics are not compromised at any stage.
Our responsible journalism is accurate, fair and complete as far as possible. Our journalists are honest and carry out their responsibility with honour. They do their work without any fear or partisanship. It is expected from the working staff that they will not act in any manner which will damage the image of the organization. Any staff which do not follow above can face legal action and their contracts may be cancelled.
We are responsible towards our readers and hence always maintain the highest standards of journalism. We have complete faith in our sources and skills. We collect news/ information from different sources and then independently verify it.
Links are given below for reference -
1. Fact Check: शरद पवार को थप्पड़ मारे जाने का पुराना वीडियो गलत दावे के साथ वायरल
2. Fact Check: यूपी कांग्रेस के माइनॉरिटी सेल के सदस्यों की लिस्ट को सांप्रदायिक रंग देकर किया जा रहा है वायरल
3. Fact Check: निहंग सिखों के बस पर हमले का पुराना वीडियो किसान आंदोलन से जोड़ गलत दावे संग किया जा रहा वायरल
4. Fact Check : पं. बंगाल में भाजपा कार्यकर्ता व पुलिस के बीच झड़प की पुरानी तस्वीर अब किसान आंदोलन के नाम पर वायरल
5. Fact Check: पीएम मोदी के नाम पर वायरल द न्यू याॅर्क टाइम्स का यह आर्टिकल फर्जी है
6. Fact Check: फार्म बिल का समर्थन कर रहे अरविंद केजरीवाल का वायरल वीडियो एडिटेड है
7- Fact Check: गणतंत्र दिवस पर दिल्ली की झांकी का वीडियो बीच से काटकर भ्रामक संदर्भ के साथ वायरल
8- Quick Fact Check: फिरोज गांधी के पिता का नाम जहांगीर फरदून था, नेहरू-इंदिरा की तस्वीर गलत दावे के साथ वायरल
9- Fact Check: भारत की GDP को अन्य देशों से मजबूत बताने के दावे के साथ वायरल हो रहे ग्राफिक्स में शामिल आंकड़ा पुराना और भ्रामक है
10- Fact Check: गृह मंत्री अमित शाह और ममता बनर्जी की इस तस्वीर का बंगाल चुनाव से नहीं है कोई संबंध, आठ महीने पुरानी तस्वीर गलत दावे के साथ वायरल
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The checks oublished cover a variety of subjects including politics, sports, health, education, environment, employment, innovation, science, and socially and ethnically disadvantaged groups..The process they follow is explained and shows they apply the same standards to the stories they debunk. They use digital tools as well as contact primary and secondary sources to debunk claims.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Vishvas.News writes its stories in an explanatory manner so that the readers can read and understand how the story is debunked and they can use the learning to debunk other viral misinformation on their own. The stories are created in a way that all the evidences are properly used at appropriate places to support the conclusion in the story.
Sources (Either primary sources or secondary sources) are always provided in the story so that the readers can follow the fact-checking process from tip to toe and understand how the story is debunking any viral misinformation. This includes posting and embedding tweets, links, pictures, screen grabs of reports, and any other relevant elements. We identify sources in a detailed manner, including providing link and/or screen-shots of the source/media reports.
As part of the internal editorial guidelines, team Vishvas News always does the physical verification in all stories, and the fact-checker who is doing any story does the communication with either primary or secondary sources to establish the fact in the claim. This is a mandatory process and everyone in the team strictly follows this process.
As a first step, we verify the source of the information or news. Once a claim is established, we consider it the most important step to find reliable sources of evidence to check the claim against. We rely on multiple sources to write our fact checks. If we are unable to verify it, we do not publish the news or information. The news source could be newspaper articles, YouTube links of news shows, tweets, Facebook pages. In the age of the Internet, some people pass off other organizations’ coverage as their own facts, which can lead to serious problems. We therefore take this as our responsibility to only serve the information that is verified and authentic. The source is given full credit for news published on the website. The image source is also given full credit in all stories. Every source we refer to is hyperlinked and/or attributed in the story.
Political parties, leaders, lawyers, and other professionals have presence on Facebook and other social media sites. We follow them or include them in our contacts list. While adding influential persons of the society we maintain that presence only in order to monitor the news feeds and nothing else; we do not communicate with them on that platform.
We are sensitive to the fact that different people have diverse viewpoints. If somebody has denied any allegations then this point is also included in the article. It is essential to make the effort to ensure that all reporting is impartial. The sole aim of ‘Vishvas News’ is to ensure that consistent and unbiased fact-checked stories are published.
We ensure that data used in charts and infographics is accurate. We check the data (numbers) carefully so that our readers get the correct information. While covering political statements, we check the same at every level possible. It is our responsibility to provide our readers the complete fact-checked information.
We have initiated a ‘double-layered’ cross check system in which the fact-checker working on a story doesn’t have the right to publish the story himself. Another fact-checker of the team Vishvas.News re-checks his story and publishes the story from his Login ID only when he is convinced that all SOPs and guidelines are followed in the story. This system of ‘Makers-Checkers’ was started just to make sure the copies are 100% error-free and all SOPs and guidelines are followed properly.
All the details can be seen here-
Responsible Journalism: https://www.vishvasnews.com/responsible-journalism/
Non-partisanship Policy: https://www.vishvasnews.com/nonpartisanship-policy/
News Verification Methodology: https://www.vishvasnews.com/methodology/
Sources Policy: https://www.vishvasnews.com/sources/
Attachments:
1. Letter of Incorporation
2. JNM MMI Work Ethics
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
They clearly explain how claims are selected. Stories to debunk are selected based in the impact. The focus is on Medical misinformation and bizarre home remedies, Provocative content abd False but curious content to earn clicks
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant mentions the sources used in the fact checking process.They use digital tools in addition to cotacting the primary and secondary sources. There is no evidence that sources that could influence their findings.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
There is no evidence of the organization’s affiliation to any political party.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
As a policy, all members of Vishvas News formally signs an affidavit in which he/she declares (Before joining the team) on non-partisanship, none of his/her close relatives and friends are in politics and zero-tolerance policy towards fake news, counterfeit content, and company code of conduct and work guidelines and ethics.
A scanned copy of the signed affidavit by two of the Vishvas News members is attached for reference.
Attachment: Scanned copy of the signed affidavit by two team members
Non-partisanship Policy: https://www.vishvasnews.com/nonpartisanship-policy/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Vishwas News has a clearly stated non partisan policy listed on the website. As well as a code of conduct for its employees.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant clearly mentions the relevant sources. They use digital tools as well as primary and secondary sources in the reports. They also use other media reports and are linked.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
They do contact primary and secondary sources in the process of verifying claims. They have also used digital and media reports to verify which are linked.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant’s fact checks are compliant with this requirement. They have verified using multiple sources.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The sources are clearly identified so the reader can conclude if there is any influence of a source on the story.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Vishvas News is a separate fact-checking set-up under MMI Online Limited (Jagran New Media). Jagran New Media is the digital platform of Jagran Prakashan Limited. Vishvas News has a separate and dedicated fact check desk consisting of fact-checkers who are experienced journalists properly trained and certified in fact-checking process. The fact-checking team of VIshvas News has a separate editorial policy and it strictly follows the IFCN guidelines.
Attachment 1: Letter of Incorporation
Attachment 2: Team Set-up
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
They have clearly stated the set up of the organisation. Vishawas News is a separate fact-checking set-up under MMI Online Limited (Jagran New Media). Jagran New Media is the digital platform of Jagran Prakashan Limited.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The Vishvas.News is working under the banner of ‘MMI Online Limited’ (CIN no. U72300UP2008PLC036242 ) a legal entity incorporated under Company’s Act of India and funded by the company’s promoters. You can view MMI Online Limited most recent financial disclosure i.e. Balance sheet for Financial Year 2019-2020.
Attachment 1: Vishvas Funding
Attachment 2: IT Return file
attachment 3: MMI FINANCIALS_FY2019-20
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant is compliant with this requirement. They are a separate fact checking unit of the parent organisation. The necessary documentation is provided.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The team of fact-checkers reports directly to Editor-in-Chief Rajesh Upadhyay. The members of Team Vishvas.News are qualified, certified and trained fact-checkers and they rigorously follow all the guidelines by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and the 'in-house editorial/ethics policy' as well. The work process is clearly defined and all the members of Vishvas.News follow the Systematic Operating Procedure (SOP) in each and every step - right from the editorial discussions on story selection to the final go-ahead for story publishing.
Physical verification either from the primary/secondary sources or any other authentic and relevant source in each story is one important step of the story investigation and filing process of Vishvas.News.
An additional level of quality check
Makers-Checkers: Vishvas.News has also set-up a process of 'Makers-Checkers' as the part of SOP in which the person who files the fact check copy doesn't have the right to publish his/her own copy. The copy is checked and filed by another desk member after the completion of the fact check and SOP one more time. This is just to make sure the copy is 100% error-free and follows all IFCN guidelines and in-house SOPs. Before publishing any fact check copy, the same goes to a quality check process to go through the grammatical/copy structure check to make sure that it talks about the fact only in a simple language.
Methodology: https://www.vishvasnews.com/methodology/
Privacy Policy: https://www.vishvasnews.com/privacy-policy/
About Vishvas News: https://www.vishvasnews.com/about-us/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The organisational structure is clearly mentioned on the website.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
The Fact-checkers working in the Team Vishvas News are experienced journalists with 5-25 years of experience in various fields of journalism. Four members of Team Vishvas (Rajesh Upadhyay, Pratyush Ranjan, Urvashi Kapoor, Amanpreet Kaur) are fact check trainer at GNI India Training Network as well. Rest of the team members are properly trained in fact-checking and have conducted various training sessions by GNI. Many team members of the Vishvas News occasionally conducts fact check training sessions with other GNI trainers or at individual level as well.
Details of the Team: Fact Check Team: http://vishvasnews.com/fact-check-team/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The biographies of the fact checking team is available on the website.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Vishvas News believes in open and transparent communication with the users and it has opened many ways for the users to connect easily and talk to the team as and when required.
We ask the users to share their suggestions/complaints or if they come across a doubtful claim and want us to debunk it on our Contact Us Page. We also provide the link to the Methodology page to describe to users what do we follow during the process of fact-checking work.
Contact Us Page: http://vishvasnews.com/contact-us/
Submit News Page: https://www.vishvasnews.com/submit-news/
Apart from this, we have clearly mentioned Email ID and WhatsApp number on our website -
WhatsApp Number: +91- 9205270923
Email ID: contact@vishvasnews.com
Appeal Email ID: appeals@vishvasnews.com
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Contact details are clearly provided on the website.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The methodology the applicant uses is clearly explained on the website.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
They say claims are selected based on their impact. The areas they focus on are 1) Medical misinformation and bizarre home remedies 2) Provocative content that could create social chaos 3) False but curious content to earn clicks (clickbait).
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant explains the claims and the sources for the claim. The fact checks provide explanations for the evidence they use to counter the claim.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
They have a clear and well stated process where they explain the process of how claims are fact checked to ensure they maintain the same high standards and journalistic practices for all claims.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
Since many of the stories are online claims the focus is on debunking it.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Vishvas.News always encourages its users to contact or submit claim/news or even correction via various easily available and accessible channels:
1. In Article page: There is a comment box at the bottom of the article page for the users to post their comment/queries with their details (Name, Email ID etc.) so that we quickly respond to them with our remarks.
2. There is a separate Contact Us showing at the bottom of the website. The page also has a comment box/Submit your news box and the details of our Email ID and WhatsApp number to allow the users to connect with us using any of them.
https://www.vishvasnews.com/contact-us/
4. Email us at contact@vishvasnews.com
5. Vishvas News WhatsApp number +91-9205270923
6. Vishvas News has different social media handles where users do connect or share their feedback/remarks with Vishvas News-
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/vishvasnews/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/newsvishvas
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/vishvasnews/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The website gives details for readers to send in claims to check. They have an email, a whatsapp number as well as social media handles for this.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The corrections policy is clearly stated on the website.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Vishvas.News never takes a step back from accepting its mistakes. We have many open platforms where the readers can get back to us with any correction claim; they may need it in the content published. We welcome suggestions and rectifications from the users or the people/pages in question in our stories through our WhatsApp number, emails, comments and phone calls. In addition to this, we also have an internal quality control team that re-checks everything that goes live on the site neutrally.
Team Vishvas News rectifies every mistake as quickly as possible. When we receive any complaints regarding the inaccuracy of our content, we immediately put it on hold and determine the facts. Once the facts have been examined, we take a considered decision and appropriately respond to the feedback. Depending on the authenticity and magnitude of the mistake/error, we edit the published information or duly inform the reader in case the identified error does not qualify as a mistake with an explanation.
The details of the correction are mentioned in the Correction Policy page and in the Team profile page below the author's profile to maintain the transparency.
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The policy states their correction policy and process.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Vishvas.News is very open to the feedback or queries on any of its articles and encourages its user to communicate to get the required corrections done if the request is valid and verified. We welcome suggestions and rectifications which we receive from our readers in the form of comments, mails and phone calls. Vishvas News has not received any claims regarding any correction in any article in the last six months.
As Vishvas News works as the Third-Party Fact-Checking Partner with Facebook in India, we received few claims to change the ratings in the story. After receiving such appeals, Vishvas News acknowledges the mail, carefully does the detailed investigation, updates the story with disclaimer and informs the user on the same mail with a Thank You note.
The last such mail we received on May 26, 2000. In this appeal mail, the owner of the Facebook page contacted Vishvas News saying he has corrected the wrong information on his page. Vishvas News acknowledged his efforts and then updated the story after doing a proper check on his page.
As a policy, Vishvas News team does internal regular auditing and quality check on the stories already published. During this regular practice, we update the story accordingly with the disclaimer if the team finds any unnecessary information which is absolutely not required and doesn't have any impact on the conclusion of the story.
The details of all the internal audit corrections or the action taken on appeals in Vishvas News stories are clearly mentioned on-
1. The Correction policy page: https://www.vishvasnews.com/correction-policy/
2. On the Fact Check team page under the author's name/profile details: https://www.vishvasnews.com/fact-check-team/
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant is compliant and has provided an examples of the corrections in accordance to the stated policy.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The applicant is compliant with this requirement. They have a link leading to the IFCN complaints page.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.
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.
MMI Online Limited
05-Feb-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Jagran New Media (JNM) and Jagran Prakashan Limited welcome suggestions and rectifications which we receive from our readers in the form of comments, mails and phone calls. In case JNM receives any complaint regarding accuracy of our content, the JNM desks immediately put it on hold and determine the facts. Once the facts have been cross-examined, JNM takes a considered decision and appropriately respond to the feedback.
Depending on the authenticity and magnitude of the mistake/error, JNM removes/edits the published information or duly informs the reader in case the original news does not qualify as a mistake and how JNM News Desk arrived at such a decision.
As per the correction policy, JNM has strengthened its fight against misinformation and created a team to do fact-checking regularly and monitor the content flow on our websites. Jagran New Media’s fact-checking Unit – Vishvas News – actively does fact-checking work. Vishvas News is certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). In case of any appeal or feedback, Jagran New Media takes note of the details provided, does the correction/corrections following our SOP and editorial guidelines and also puts on record the stories done by the team members which needed corrections.
Below are the links to the Jagran pages:
Correction Policy: https://www.jagran.com/policies-and-standards.html#correctionspolicy
Actionable Feedback: https://www.jagran.com/policies-and-standards.html#actionablefeedback
Below are recent examples when stories filed under the Jagran domain were found with unverified information, and the stories were updated with disclaimer at the bottom.
Jagran Hindi
1. https://www.jagran.com/jammu-and-kashmir/jammu-banihal-tunnel-after-atal-tunnel-20836424.html
Surekha Deepak Assessor
03-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)
The parent company also has a clearly stated corrections policy.