Organization: Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
Applicant: Coreena Enet Suares
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur
Background
The applicant is a unit within a legally registered organization and information about this is easily available on its website. The unit has been set up exclusively for the purpose of fact checking. They have started work in one Indian language, apart from English and hope to expand to more Indian languages. The applicant has been publishing a fact check a week over the last few months and most fact checks focus on claims related to issues in the public interest. The applicant has made a statement that it has no connection with any state, political party or politician. It has also provided details of its funding in an audited report and has mentioned these in its website.
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for equivalent claims, no matter who made the claim. It does not unduly concentrate on any one side and considers the reach and importance of the claims it selects to fact check. The applicant identifies and indicates sources it quotes and this could help readers conclude if the sources had any interest in the fact check. It is not affiliated with, nor shows support for any party or politician and does not advocate for or against any policy positions. The applicant has set out a non-partisanship policy for its staff. This policy is mentioned in the website. It has also provided a scanned copy of the agreement that the staff signs on joining. This clearly prohibits the staff from involving in political issues or publicizing their views on policy matters.
The applicant identifies sources of evidence used in its fact checks with links so that readers can replicate the fact check and can infer if the source has any interest in the fact check. It uses mainly primary sources, but has referred to secondary ones as well. The applicant attempts to check all key elements of claims against more than one named source.
The applicant is a unit of a legally registered independent organization. It has set out an audited report of its funding on its website as well as made a statement on ownership. The applicant’s organizational structure is available on its website and makes the role of each person clear. Professional biographies of all important editorial staff are written out. Users can communicate with the website, not directly with the editorial team, but through a Contact Us page.
The applicant publishes a statement about its methodology and how it selects, researches, writes and publishes fact checks and selects claims based mainly on their importance and reach. It puts out evidence that appears to support the claim as well as to undermine it. The applicant uses the same standards to assess the merits of the evidence applied to equivalent claims, not regarding who made the claim. The applicant seeks to contact those who made the claim to seek further information. It also encourages users to send in claims to check by providing links on a side bar.
The applicants’ corrections policy is easily accessible on its website. It sets out clearly what it covers and how major mistakes are handled. The applicant has made corrections openly and transparently, ensuring that users can see both versions. It declares itself as a signatory of the IFCN and provides a link for readers if they want to make a complaint on the Complaints Page of the IFCN.
Assessment Conclusion
The application may be accepted.
Kanchan Kaur assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
The main publishing language is English
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have explained the legal status of our organization in 'About Newsmeter'.
https://newsmeter.in/about-newsmeter/
NewsMeter is a digital media brand of the company - Fifth Estate Digital Pvt. Ltd. The news cum fact-check website publishes content in English and Telugu, besides having its own YouTube channels. It is pertinent to note that, Newsmeter is a brand and Fifth Estate Digital Pvt Limited is a company. The Fact Check segment is a separate, independent unit of NewsMeter. The company is legally registered under Section 7 of Companies Act 2013 with the Registrar of Companies Hyderabad of Ministry of Corporate Affairs, India. The Corporate Identity Number of the company is U22300TG2019PTCI34125.
Newsmeter has an independent, dedicated fact-checking team in both English and Telugu.
The details of the Fact Check team can be found on the Fact Check methodology page of the website or below.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant is a unit within a legally registered organization and information about this is easily available on its website.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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?
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
NewsMeter publishes Fact-check reports under a dedicated category called Fact-Check, with a total of 2,458 claims debunked so far. This segment is one of NewsMeter 's prime elements of reportage besides Satellite journalism, Investigative stories, and Data journalism. The team debunking misinformation through their fact-check stories are Journalists trained by Google News Initiative-India.
A break down of the total fact-check stories so far indicates a rapid increase in the number of claims debunked. The numbers speaks for itself (In 2019 : 62. 2020: 740. 2021 :1236 and 2022 : 420 (untill June 2022) Fact Checks. Currently, 4 member team, namely Sunanda Jitu Naik, Mahfooz Alam, Habeeb Rahman, and Atisha Rai are working continuously to debunk misinformation for Newsmeter.
Pertinent to note that, NewsMeter is India's first English website to do 'Satellite imagery based Journalism'. Besides bringing to the table conventional and special stories from South India particularly Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, the news Bureau focuses on highlighting graft in society and holding the government accountable. The website has dedicated a column for 'Consumer voice ', where success stories of consumers are reported further leading to build hope to fight against the corrupt system. Our fact-check stories are quoted by a few news websites and also several international fact-checking organizations which include IFCN signatories.
NewsMeter has always been at the forefront of highlighting people's problems, celebrating the common person's success, and encouraging people to live their dreams. We are trying to become a bridge between the government and the people. To take this initiative forward, we are introducing a citizen journalism concept. The organization was able to train our staff and freelance writers and empower them with fact-checking capabilities. The year-ahead plan is to amplify health-related fact-check stories with thorough scientific reasoning, collaboration with medical experts, and have them published in our vernacular version NewsMeter Telugu also. Our fact-check team consists of 4 members Sunanda Jitu Naik, Mahfooz Alam, Habeeb Rahman, and Atisha Rai.
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/is-monkeypox-a-sexually-transmitted-infection-699146
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/war-visuals-are-from-video-game-not-chinas-attack-on-taiwan-699138
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/monkeypox-is-not-airborne-virus-viral-claims-are-misleading-699129
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/who-director-was-not-arrested-for-crimes-against-humanity-699126
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/gummies-can-boost-metabolism-not-reduce-weight-699114
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/cgi-animated-video-passed-off-real-ufo-sighting-698834
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/old-video-of-flooded-bridge-shared-as-recent-698650
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/video-of-journalist-exposing-fake-teachers-is-scripted-698616
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/can-drinking-hot-water-cure-epilepsy-high-blood-pressure-698522
Given the influx of misinformation and disinformation in Indian regional languages via all social media platforms, NewsMeter Fact-Check team envisages to debunk claims in 5 South Indian States ( Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka) languages. The team has already hired trained Fact-Checkers in Malayalam language and hiring is on for Tamil and Kannada. NewsMeter, in 2022 joined the club of 10 Fact-Check websites in India to be associated with Meta as their Third party fact-checker. With this NewsMeter envisions to be the first Fact-Check Website catering to South Indian audiences, comprising of 5 different states. The editorial policies and methodology will remain intact. NewsMeter honors the IFCN signatory and we wear it on our website with pride.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago)
The unit has been set up exclusively for the purpose of fact checking. They have started work in Indian languages and hope to expand to more Indian languages.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
NewsMeter has been publishing an average of 4 fact checks per day and we aim to bring it to 7 in the near future. We have worked on several claims spreading misinformation on various topics like religions, politics, COVID-19, vaccines, regional claims, and others. The attached spreadsheet shows the fact checks done by the team relating to various topics in the year 2021.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant has been publishing a fact check a week over the last few months. It has provided a record of fact checks published over the last six months.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Most of the applicant's fact checks focus on claims related to issues in the public interest.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Promoters and Funding sources of NewsMeter
The promoters of Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited are Mr Keshav Rao Ravuri and Mr Vijay Prabhanj Reddy Devireddy.
Funding
Newsmeter is mostly self-funded through Investments from promoters. Around 35 percent of operational costs are borne through investments from promoters. Both the fact-check unit and the editorial team operate independently. NewsMeter also receives funding (revenue) through advertisements from Google Adsense, ShareChat, DailyHunt, MGID, and other advertisers and aggregators. Audited revenue details 2020-2021. 2021-2022 financial results are yet to be audited. Tentatively in 2020-2021 too revenues are similar to the previous year. Around 65 percent of operational costs are borne through the advertisement revenue. None of the advertisers has any role in deciding the selection of claims for a fact check or findings to be published or in editorial policy. We are a free and separate fact-checking unit that acts independently. Neither the promoters nor the advertisiers have any role in the editorial policies.
NewsMeter receives nominal revenue from news aggregators like daily hunt who pick up our stories. We do not provide any content separately to any news aggregators. All the news stories published on the site are picked up by them automatically with the RSS feed. News aggregators have no role in deciding the editorial policy or selection of news stories or fact check to be published on the website. Moreover, the revenue generated from news aggregators is insignificant amounting to less than 3 percent of operational costs/budget and they have no influence on either fact-checking or editorial.
NewsMeter doesn’t receive any funding from local or foreign state or political sources. (Audited report attached)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant has made a statement that it has no connection with any state, political party or politician.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago)
We are not receiving any funding from local or foreign state or political sources.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
It has provided details of its funding in an audited report and has mentioned these in its website.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Newsmeter follows a non-partisan policy of fact-checking claims from all sides of the political spectrum. To ensure this, our Journalists have built a robust social media feed on Twitter and Facebook that tracks the statements made by politicians cutting across all political parties. We have also fact-checked some false tweets by Journalists and famous personalities and tried to establish the facts in place. We generally focus on claims that follow the news cycle and have been shared widely on social media, or have been made by prominent public figures. The claims picked are mostly those that have a large impact on the society. Once a claim is chosen, we ensure that every article is balanced and backed with evidences. We have a designed editor who scrutinizes each article to prevent fallacies. Whenever needed, we reach out to experts to make sure our research is thorough and fair, and also refer to more than one reliable resource to ensure we have enough proof.
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/viral-video-of-pm-modi-ignoring-former-prez-in-edited-698319
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/there-is-no-18-gst-on-cremation-services-viral-post-is-fake-698253
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/president-elects-purported-hindu-nation-tweet-is-fake-698138
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/janasena-activists-digging-potholes-in-andhra-is-untrue-698045
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/annamalais-statement-about-lpg-prices-is-fake-697848
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/fact-check-did-karur-mp-build-a-public-toilet-for-rs-90-lakhs-697741
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/purported-bbc-study-about-pm-modi-is-fake-697001
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for equivalent claims, no matter who made the claim.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Information in the form of text, image, or video shared on several platforms and is influencing the large set of audience in some form is chosen for fact-checking. To find a viral claim, we monitor different social media platforms and verify the authenticity of the viral news.
The tweets, statements, and posts of politicians and influencers are monitored. Several users message us directly or tag us on tweets with claims which needs verification. We ensure that there is no political bias in selecting the claims to be fact-checked.
We maintain clear standards across our fact checks by selecting trending topics that are aimed at misleading the public in favor of a political party or an individual or those aimed at creating unnecessary panic among all.
NewsMeter keeps an eye on regular editorial news and messages in the mainstream media and also social media platforms. We do not make any judgment of our own, whether they merit coverage based on their perceived importance, degree of controversy, or superficiality. We take up a claim for fact-checking without any bias or political affinity. The process is strictly followed for every fact check. We thoroughly examine a claim and try to explain it with layman's words so that a reader can understand the fact without much difficulty.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
It does not unduly concentrate on any one side and considers the reach and importance of the claims it selects to fact check.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Newsmeter has published a total of 2458 fact checks since 2019 to 2022.
Break up of the factchecks
62 fact-checks in 2019
740 fact-checks in 2020
1236 fact-checks in 2021
420 fact-checks in 2022 (Untill June)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant identifies and indicates sources it quotes and this could help readers conclude if the sources had any interest in the fact check.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant is not affiliated with nor shows support for any party or politician and does not advocate for or against any policy positions.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
As a news outlet, we mandate that our employees do not advocate for individual politicians or candidates or have a personal agenda. Doing so would violate our journalistic code of ethics and make reporting the news in a non-biased way impossible.
More information on our nonpartisanship and fairness can be found here:
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant has set out a non-partisanship policy for its staff. This policy is mentioned in the website. It has also provided a scanned copy of the agreement that the staff signs on joining. This clearly prohibits the staff from involving in political issues or publicizing their views on policy matters.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The Fact-Check team first enquires, if the same claim has been shared across all platforms of social media and understand the virality of the claim. Analysis of the origin and context of the claim is done.
Images are searched using reverse image search through various search engines to backtrack the earliest date they were posted. In the case of videos, we use online tools like Invid, to extract the keyframes from the video, and then those pictures are used for reverse image search. Any kind of manipulation, such as Photoshop, can be found using this technique. We also use Techniques like features like Geolocation, Maps, Street view, etc are used to identify the location of the image or video, if necessary.
Official press releases, posts, or tweets of official and verified social media handles are also used to find the facts. Claims from various languages can also be checked by translating the content to any desirable language by using translation tools like Google translate etc. Along with Google, Search engines like Yandex, and Baidu are also used to find and analyze the origin of the claims shared.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant identifies sources of evidence used in its fact checks. It provides links so that readers can replicate the fact check.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have been using mostly official, authentic sources as explained in our Fact-Check methodology. We also approach officials to get first-hand information about the claim. When that is not possible we rely on authentic news publications to understand whether the claim is True or False.
The credibility of one’s argument depends on the credibility of its sources. Therefore, we are extremely careful about picking up sources that we use in our stories. We strive to provide all the links to debunk the claims made, thus, enabling our readers to verify the information for themselves.
Whenever we find the information insufficient, we refrain from passing on any conclusive judgment and make it clear. We rely on non-partisan and government agencies for expertise, analysis, and official reports.
Apart from reputed newspapers and magazines, we often refer to websites of well-known organizations and company publications. For medical information, authentic sources like WHO, CDC, and Indian Ministry of Health websites are checked. Local health websites, Local experts are also contacted.
We follow globally acknowledged tools of verification for fact-checking such as Google search, Google Reverse Image Search, Yandex reverse image search, InVid Verification tool, video inspection tools, Translation tools, Google Earth, and Google Maps.
Depending on the story, we use multiple tools of fact-checking and explain the process to our readers, so they can replicate the fact-checking and also be aware of such false information in the future. The methodology used to debunk the claim is clearly explained in the article for the audience to understand.
The focus is on reaching out to the primary source from where the information might have originated. It is important to evaluate if the source is directly related to the story that we are investigating.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
It uses mainly primary sources, but has referred to secondary ones as well.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have been using mostly official, authentic sources as explained in our Fact-Check methodology. We are working constantly to make published fact checks to adhere to the code of principles.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant attempts to check all key elements of claims against more than one named source.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have been using mostly official, authentic sources as explained in our Fact-Check methodology.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant identifies the sources it has referred to so that readers can infer if the source has any interest in the fact check.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant is a unit of a legally registered independent organization. It has set out an audited report of its funding on its website.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago)
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check-methodology/
We have updated Ownership and funding details on the about us page.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant makes a statement on ownership on its website.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant’s organizational structure is available on its website and makes the role of each person clear. However, the applicant seems to have three pages that put out members of the editorial staff (https://newsmeter.in/editorial-staff/, https://newsmeter.in/fact-check-methodology-2, https://newsmeter.in/fact-check-methodology/#) and each page has different people (apart from a couple of common ones). This needs re-organisation and clarity. This problem was pointed out last year, as well, when this organization applied for certification.
cancel 4.3 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
19-Sep-2022 (2 years ago)
The applicant’s organizational structure is available on its website. It also clearly delineates the role of each staff member.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Professional biographies of all important editorial staff are written out.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Users can communicate with the website, not directly with the editorial team, but through a Contact Us page.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant publishes a statement about its methodology and how it selects, researches, writes and publishes fact checks.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We have been adhering to the methodology along the lines of IFCN principles.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant selects claims based mainly on their importance and reach.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago)
We have been adhering to the methodology along the lines of IFCN principles.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
It puts out evidence that appears to support the claim as well as to undermine it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago)
We have been adhering to the methodology along the lines of IFCN principles.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant uses the same standards to assess the merits of the evidence applied to equivalent claims, not regarding who made the claim.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Fact Check Methodology is available on our NewsMeter portal.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant seeks to contact those who made the claim to seek further information.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check by providing links on a side bar.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
We go to great lengths to present correct, accurate information in a timely manner. We have a clear process for fact-checking every article that is selected, written, edited, and if required, corrected after it has been published. We make sure that all our team members adhere to the process. We ensure the factual accuracy, verification, and proper attribution of the articles published on our website, the resources being used as citations, about the quotes attributed to different people.
Despite this meticulousness, errors and mistakes happen. We at Newsmeter, take responsibility to acknowledge and correct the errors as quickly as possible and with high levels of transparency.
If we make an error we will correct it and notify it at the bottom of the article. It will be clearly marked as “Correction” at the bottom of the article. The updates are also done on the page ‘Correction policy’ on the website.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicants’ corrections policy is easily accessible on its website.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Our correction policy is available online on our website. https://newsmeter.in/correction-policy/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
It sets out clearly what it covers and how major mistakes are handled.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Non-Partisan Policy thoroughly adhered to all the Fact Checks published over the past 2 years. All the claims, no matter to which community or Political party they belong, were analyzed and concluded in Non Partison nature.
The conclusions derived were NOT influenced by any kind of social liabilities or communal or political pressure. They were completely unbiased, with the intention to bring out the Facts.
One correction request was done by Himalaya Drug Company, as few errors occurred in the reporting. The errors were immediately corrected as per the request. These corrections were minor changes and did not affect the core of the Fact Check.
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check-is-owner-of-himalaya-global-holdings-funding-islamic-jihad/
We have updated another fact-check article - added a few links to make it more authentic.
https://newsmeter.in/fact-check/fact-check-no-9969777888-is-not-telangana-polices-helpline-number-for-women-674696
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant has made corrections openly and transparently, ensuring that users can see both versions.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Yes. We are an existing signatory. For readers to complain about the IFCN code violation by NewsMeter, we have added the link on the Fact check methodology page, under the correction policy section. https://newsmeter.in/fact-check-methodology/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
It declares itself as signatory of the IFCN, but not on the Corrections page (https://newsmeter.in/correction-policy-2). It has done this on the Methodology page (https://newsmeter.in/fact-check-methodology-2) where it has a sub-head that says Correction Policy. It has yet another page listing a Corrections policy (https://newsmeter.in/correction-policy/), all of which might be confusing for the reader. It might be a good idea to rationalize this and have one clear Correction Policy with a link to the IFCN complaints page.
cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
19-Sep-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant declares itself as a signatory of the IFCN and provides a link for readers if they want to make a complaint on the Complaints Page of the IFCN.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Newsmeter (Fifth Estate Digital Private Limited)
16-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
29-Aug-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The applicant’s parent media company seems to have no other product than Newsmeter.