We have a special section on NM Fact Checker (http://newsmobile.in/articles/category/nm-fact-checker/), wherein we debunk fake news by putting verified facts before the readers. When we come across a claim or it is brought to our notice, we check it for factual accuracy. Our platform also features breaking news, exclusive stories and user-generated content, selected by our team. We started independent fact-checking in January 2017, when fake news started not only misleading but influencing people.

The applicant is a division of the legally-registered World Mobile News Network.

NewsMobile has a separate landing page for Fact Checks (http://newsmobile.in/articles/category/nm-fact-checker/) and we also have a Corrections Editor who works independent of our newsroom.

http://newsmobile.in/articles/category/nm-fact-checker/

The applicant regularly, at an average of about one or two fact-checks per week publishes reports that evaluate distinct claims. 

We have been consistent with fact-checking and busting fake news despite having limited resources and we work very passionately to uphold the truth.

We have added a Form called ‘FAKE NEWS BUSTER’ for fact-checking on all fact checks to make it easy for the reader to file a fact check claim.

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/05/06/raga-was-not-drinking-beer-on-board-before-addressing-a-rally-heres-the-truth/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/19/pm-modi-didnt-share-a-meal-with-pak-pm-imran-khan-heres-the-fact-check/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/26/pm-modis-wife-did-not-urge-voters-to-vote-against-him-heres-the-fact-check/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/07/27/these-pictures-of-earth-were-not-sent-by-chandrayaan-2/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/24/the-woman-in-this-viral-picture-is-not-ragas-wife-heres-the-truth/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/26/fact-checked-raga-didnt-eat-chips-at-martyrs-home/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/18/fact-checked-sundar-pichai-did-not-cast-his-vote-in-tn-this-elections-heres-the-truth/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/15/fact-checked-this-picture-is-not-from-namos-rally-in-kolkata/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/03/22/fact-checked-voters-will-not-have-to-pay-rs-350-if-they-do-not-cast-their-vote/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/15/fact-checked-no-wing-commander-abhinandan-never-made-this-appeal/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/08/21/smriti-mandhana-didnt-become-the-first-women-cricketer-to-score-double-century-in-odi/

The applicant demonstrates that its fact checks cover a variety of subjects and do not concentrate on one side of the topic they fact-check.  

This has been complied with as suggested by the assessor please see the NewsMobile code of conduct which has been put out on our website.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/

Our journalists are objective while reporting and we have the policy to ensure that our team is not affiliated to any political party or an advocacy group and are fair and transparent in their editorial opinion.

This forms part of the NewsMobile Code of Conduct which is signed by our employees.

The applicant has publicly declared a code of ethics/conduct on their website. The applicant has provided a copy of the code that employees sign when they join.

Please see our response to 5A we have also listed our methodology and an Editors note is also put out on the Fact Check mentioned by the assessor.

We debunk fake news by giving verified facts before the readers. When we come across a claim or it is brought to our notice, we check it for factual accuracy. Our platform also features breaking news, exclusive stories and user-generated content selected by our team. In the four years of our existence, we found that fake news is spreading more than the accurate news, harming people and setting off reactions. We started independent fact-checking in January 2017, when fake news started not only misleading but influencing people. If a correction has been brought to our notice we have gone ahead and rectified the stories after verifying the claims.

Through our modest means, NM fact-check team comprises of young journalists trained by Google news labs and our senior journalists, have followed the following methodology to fact check stories that appear in NM Fact Checker section.

NewsMobile’s efforts to bust fake news during Indian Elections 2019 were also featured in a special BBC world show the Click (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkBV2KtgDUA ).

NewsMobile Editor-in-Chief Saurabh Shukla was also featured on a special show on India’s national radio station All India Radio which is heard by millions of people. Where he spoke about efforts of NewsMobile, IFCN and Facebook to curb fake news. (https://soundcloud.com/newsmobile-1/newsmobile-editor-in-chief-saurabh-shukla-at-air-speaking-about-busting-fake-news/s-d5G0k)

How We Fact Check

• Importance of the story: How important is the story, and can it create a potentially dangerous situation, the likelihood of a communal riot or can it harm a community, or can it create panic in communities.

• Tracking the source: We track the source of the claim and then cross-check with multiple sources. If a public figure or person of authority has made the claim then we reach out to them directly to confirm the claim. If there is video evidence, publicly available transcript, report or data we take a deep-dive approach to find the exact quote and context. If need be, we contact the organisation that has published the reports to understand the disclaimer.

• Use Tools/technology: We use Google and other tools like Google Reverse Image Search to knock down and derail fake claims. We sift through reams of data and databases to support a claim or debunk a claim. If there is not enough data to take a clear stand, we say that too.

• Panel of Domain Experts: This is often important because as a news organisation we do not claim expertise in every field. However, we have a network of domain experts who understand our commitment to factual accuracy and help us maintain high standards.

• Preparing a fact sheet.

• And then a fact-based story is put out.

• Correction Policy: Facts and truth are at the centre of NewsMobile’s Editorial policy, our team of journalists have broken stories on corruption at high places questioned those in power and we are fearless, unbiased and objective. We have an impeccable record as a credible media outlet. However, as a responsible Media outlet, we are open to corrections. We invite readers to write to us at editor@newsmobile.in with a date and link to the story and we fact-check the claim and correct it.

• Correction Advisory: While we have been very particular about correcting the inadvertent errors right from the word go, irrespective of whether it was pointed out by our readers, our network of experts, competition or by our own team members, we have recently started adding an ‘editor’s note’ at the end of stories that has been corrected. This is in the interest of transparency and in tandem with the global best practices.

•Fact-Checking Hotline: We have a Fact Check Alert number for WhatsApp +91-8826800707. Readers are invited to forward a new story or a message on social media that they would like to get fact-checked. They can also e-mail it at editor@newsmobile.in with the title Fact Check and our Fact-Checking team will check the story and publish the truth.

In the applicant's reports, key sources are usually referenced. The applicant has explained its sourcing policy.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/

www.newsmobile.in (NewsMobile) is the news and content platform of World Mobile News Network Pvt Ltd, a private limited company registered in India. Our funding was provided by our co-founders who are senior journalists and media academics from their personal savings.

The applicant is a division of a media house and has declared that its funding comes from the media house. 

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/

THE TEAM

Dr SC SHUKLA

Editorial Director and Co-Founder

The Founder Principal of Delhi College and Arts and Commerce founded the biggest ever nursery of journalists in India where he mentored some of the best known young journalists in India. Credibility, integrity and fact-checking are the mantras he provided us for NewsMobile and its young team. He is the conscience keeper and disciplinarian to our wayward gang of newshounds and techies.

SAURABH SHUKLA

Editor in Chief and Co-Founder

Saurabh has over twenty years of journalism experience. He has been known for his fearless journalism. He has interviewed many global leaders, during an interview, he asked Donald Trump to apologise for his anti-women remarks. He broke the Dawood tapes, the first exclusive tapes on India’s most wanted fugitive.

He has exposed corruption in high places. His expose on Indian connection on Iraq’s oil for food scandal forced the resignation of India’s then Foreign Minister K.Natwar Singh.

He has been known for his credible journalism. He has served in leadership roles in Top Indian media organisations The India Today Group, Indian Express and Hindustan Times. He is been quoted in the New York Times and The Guardian and has been a commentator for many global channels. He has spoken on Fact checking at prominent forums like the Harvard University and MIT.

Email: saurabh@newsmobile.in

ABHEET RAGHAV

Senior News Editor

He is passionate about fair and transparent reporting. Whenever a claim is made he leaves no stone unturned in identifying the source. He is working with NewsMobile for last four years. He underwent Google training for identifying and checking fake news and utilizes it to fact-check.

Email: abheet@newsmobile.in

KSHIPRA NARAIN

Editor Special Projects

She joined online media two years ago after spending a decade in the corporate world. She is particular about getting the facts right and ensures that everyone on the team follows the practice of fair and non-partisan reporting.

Email: kshipra@newsmobile.in

SHWETA MISHRA

Assistant Editor

Shweta is a journalism graduate from India’s top college- Lady Shri Ram College (University of Delhi). She has been working with NewsMobile as a news writer & a Fact Checker. She underwent Google training for identifying and checking the fake news.

Email: shwetamishra9497@gmail.com

PRASHASTI ARORA

Assistant Editor 

Prashasti is a journalism graduate from Lady Shri Ram College. She strongly believes in the need and merits of delving deeper into stories and gaining alternative perspectives. She underwent the 'Facebook Journalism Project' which focuses on digital video training. Prior to NewsMobile, she had a stint with The Economic Times as a digital content producer.

Email: prashasti1232@gmail.com

RASHI HARSHA

Fact-Checker

Rashi Harsha is a journalism graduate from India’s top college Inderprastha College for Women (Delhi University). She has been working with NewsMobile as a Fact Checker. She underwent Google training for identifying and checking the fake news.

Email: rashiharsha22@gmail.com

NEHA PARASHAR

Correction Editor

She is a Journalism graduate and management graduate from Symbiosis University Pune. She has a keen eye for copy editing and fact-checking. As a consultant, Neha helps NewsMobile fact-check news stories and ensure credible and error-free news stories.

(In order to ensure objectivity and transparency we have a corrections Editor who works independently of our newsroom)

PRADEEP SINGH

Technical Director

PK, as he is fondly called, is a tech war veteran from the Silicon Valley and IIT Delhi. He provides the tech edge for our fact-checking. He keeps the tech fundas up to speed and delivers on our crazy ideas of creating different content with cutting-edge technology.

The applicant's website provides in great detail all the people in the team, with their biographies. 

http://newsmobile.in/contact/

Readers can easily reach out to the applicant. It has a clear Contact page, which lists an email address and a WhatsApp number. 

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/

As advised by the Assessor Ms Kanchan Kaur we have created a separate section on how we fact check which gives details of our methodology. 

http://newsmobile.in/how-we-fact-check/ 

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/04/15/fact-checked-no-wing-commander-abhinandan-never-made-this-appeal/  (Please see the Editor's note)

How We Fact Check

Importance of the story: How important is the story, and can it create a potentially dangerous situation, the likelihood of a communal riot or can it harm a community, or can it create panic in communities.

Tracking the source: We track the source of the claim and then cross-check with multiple sources. If a public figure or person of authority has made the claim then we reach out to them directly to confirm the claim. If there is video evidence, publicly available transcript, report or data we take a deep-dive approach to find the exact quote and context. If need be, we contact the organisation that has published the reports to understand the disclaimer.

Use Tools/technology: We use Google and other tools like Google Reverse Image Search to knock down and derail fake claims. We sift through reams of data and databases to support a claim or debunk a claim. If there is not enough data to take a clear stand, we say that too

Panel of Experts: This is often important because as a news organisation we do not claim expertise in every field. However, we have a network of experts who understand our commitment to factual accuracy and help us maintain high standards

Preparing a fact sheet.

And then a fact-based story is put out.

The applicant's fact-checking methodology is explained clearly, in a separate page.  

Readers send forwards on our WhatsApp helpline number and we do the fact of the same:

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/10/04/heres-the-truth-behind-this-rare-clip-of-bruce-lee-playing-table-tennis-using-nunchucks/

newsmobile.in/articles/2019/03/18/unesco-has-not-declared-indias-national-anthem-best-in-the-world-heres-the-truth/

We also share the WhatsApp helpline on Social Media:

https://www.facebook.com/NewsMobile/photos/a.254801134703817/1135062453344343/?type=3&theater

https://twitter.com/NewsMobileIndia/status/1061208350946283520

The applicant very clearly invites its readers to send claims. It does so at the end of each fact-check. It also has a small form for them to fill up to send claims, apart from a WhatsApp number. It does not, however, indicate the frequency of reader-submitted fact checks published. 

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/

Fact-Checking Hotline: We have a Fact Check Alert number for WhatsApp +91-8826800707. Readers are invited to forward a new story or a message on social media that they would like to get fact-checked. They can also e-mail it at editor@newsmobile.in with the title Fact Check and our Fact-Checking team will check the story and publish the truth.

The applicant's website explains, in a separate section, how major mistakes are corrected. It also provides a time frame. 

Please see the example of a correction made to a Fact Check. We will work with our technical team to get public page on the corrections made. 

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/07/03/pm-modi-didnt-visit-manmohan-singh-to-seek-advice-ahead-of-the-union-budget/ (Please see at the bottom of the story)

We have an external correction editor who does an independent review and advises us on corrections to be made in addition we also have advertised our correction policy on the website so the readers can approach us. Apart from that readers also send us corrections via e-mail or WhatsApp.

1) http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/10/21/maharashtra-and-haryana-election-trail-all-you-need-to-know/ (Please see at the bottom of the story)

2) http://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/02/27/iaf-strike-live-updates-training-camp-in-balakot-destroyed-over-300-terrorists-eliminated/ (Please see the attachment)  

The applicant does not have a public page listing corrections made, but has committed to have one. It has provided one example of a correction made.