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NewsMobile

Organization: NewsMobile
Applicant: Saurabh Shukla
Assessor: Surekha Deepak

Background

NewsMobile is a mobile media network is a legally registered organization. With a separate face checking team. News Mobile was set up was set up in 2014, and its fact checking unit in 2017 to check the spread of fake news. The applicant has complied with the criteria and can be accepted. 

Assessment Conclusion

NewsMobile is a mobile media network is a legally registered organization. With a separate face checking team. News Mobile was set up was set up in 2014, and its fact checking unit in 2017 to check the spread of fake news.News Mobile has as a dedicated staff and publishes in English as well as in Hindi. The claims that are debunked cover a variety of topics and all sides of the topic are covered.  

on 02-Jun-2022 (2 years ago)

Surekha Deepak assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

"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. News Mobile publishes fact checks that have an impact, their focus on debunking health misinformation is clear. They also have fact checks related to politics, international stories, sports etc. Most of the fact checks are selected from social media posts.

They have a clear non partisanship policy.

There is no evidence of any political influence on the stories selected or the way in which they are written.

The applicant mentions the sources used in the fact checking process. They mostly use digital tools, there are instances where they contact the source. There is no evidence that sources that could influence their findings. The fact checks are replicable.

Stories from all sides of the spectrum are covered. There is no evidence of any bias.

The website says it is founded and owned by a team of journalists.

With the selection of claims, they say claims are selected based on their importance. They have a criteria for selecting a claim to be fact checked, if it is potentially dangerous situation, or create panic, or be misinterpreted and cause damage or create trends on social media, which could be fake or misleading.

The organizational structure is clearly mentioned on the website as are the details of the team working on the fact checking.

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.

"

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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile is an independent news organisation founded by award winning journalist Saurabh Shukla in 2014.

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. As an unbiased and objective digital news platform, powered by cutting edge technology, our aim is to highlight stories that impact people and present credible and fact-checked stories to our readers. NewsMobile, founded in India, is now a global fact checker with operations in India, Asia Pacific and the US. Our aim is to solve the biggest problem of misinformation globally with a focus on debunking misinformation in communities.

Our journalists are objective and we have a policy that ensures that they are not affiliated to any political party or advocacy group. We believe in providing fair and transparent editorial opinions.

In 2021, NewsMobile was selected amongst world's leading fact checkers to be a part of the Meta Global Accelerator Program. Post that, we have successfully launched the Fact Check weekly Newsletter called FactMobile, to spread awareness about fact checking.

Our Editor in Chief, Saurabh Shukla joined the Meta's Global Fact Checkers Consulting Group in 2021-2022.

Our Executive Editor (Fact Checks), Kshipra Narain was named to serve on the consulting group in the IFCN campaign to stop harassment against Fact checkers.

Link: https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2021/ifcn-launches-working-group-to-address-harassment-against-fact-checkers/

NewsMobile is the only Indian Fact Checker and the only one from Asia to have won a Global Tech Innovation Challenge in 2020. The challenge focused on how technology can improve fact-checking, in round 2 of the Fact-Checking Innovation Initiative. Along with their tech partner FakeNet AI at the University of California, Berkeley, they were declared winners of the global innovation challenge, organised by IFCN and Meta, that focused on fact-checking.

During the COVID pandemic NewsMobile played a pivotal role to reduce COVID misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in India and Asia Pacific Region. In collaboration with leading doctors and fact checking experts, we have been consistently spearheading efforts to combat COVID-19 misinformation. Our flagship projects include ‘Covishaala’, ‘CovidWise’, and ‘FactWise’, which have been successfully launched across the Asia Pacific Region, in partnership with Meta and Google.

NewsMobile is a signatory of the IFCN code of principles and has front line expertise in creating media literacy content and delivering media literacy training in fact-checking and counter-misinformation operations.

Here are some news links –

http://www.businessworld.in/amp/article/Indian-fact-checking-site-NewsMobile-with-US-varsity-startup-FakeNetAI-Win-IFCN-Facebook-Global-Innovation-Challenge/29-09-2020-326229/

https://www.zeebiz.com/technology/news-newsmobile-and-fakenet-ai-win-ifcn-facebook-global-challenge-136145/amp

https://www.dtnext.in/Lifestyle/Technology/2020/09/30073825/1253923/NewsMobile-and-FakeNet-AI-win-IFCNFacebook-global-.vpf

https://www.socialnews.xyz/2020/09/29/newsmobile-and-fakenet-ai-win-ifcn-facebook-global-challenge/amp/

https://english.jagran.com/technology/indian-factchecking-website-newsmobile-wins-ifcnfacebook-global-innovation-challenge-10017432

https://www.jagran.com/technology/tech-news-indian-fact-checking-site-newsmobile-with-fakenetai-win-ifcn-facebook-global-innovation-challenge-20813045.html

https://www.compsmag.com/news/technology/indian-fact-checking-site-newsmobile-with-us-varsity-startup-fakenetai-win-ifcn-facebook-global-innovation-challenge/

https://newsus.app/india-newsmobile-data-verification-with-us-company-fakenetai-wins-ifcn-facebook-global-innovation-challenge/

NewsMobile and Logically announced an exciting partnership, rolling out a range of election and information integrity products across South East Asia - Including India, Singapore and the US. The partnership combines the best of editorial and fact-checking services with the best in anti-misinformation technology to create a range of tools and products - ensuring information integrity, in a time where misinformation has plagued today’s “post-truth” society.

Here is the link -

https://www.timesofrepublic.com/2020/07/newsmobile-logically-join-hands-to-combat-fake-news-across-south-east-asia/

https://mediaspace.global/news-articles/newsmobile-partners-with-logically-to-roll-out-fake-news-fighting?context=category-Hot

http://www.businessworld.in/article/NewsMobile-Logically-join-hands-to-combat-fake-news-across-South-East-Asia/30-07-2020-303002/

The Economic Times featured NewsMobile’s efforts at busting fake news centred around COVID-19 vaccines.

Nov 30, 2020

https://m.economictimes.com/industry/media/entertainment/media/no-vaccine-yet-for-fake-news-epidemic/articleshow/79482594.cms

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.

As an unbiased and objective digital news platform, powered by cutting edge technology, our aim is to highlight stories that impact people and present credible and fact-checked stories to our readers.

NewsMobile Funding

In 2019-2020 the organisation that contributed more that 5 percent of our total funding is Facebook Inc."

Files Attached
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Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago)

World Mobile News Network Pvt Ltd, is a legally registered organization with a separate fact checking team. They are a digital news platform.


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?

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

"In our experience over so many years (we started independent fact-checking in January 2017), we have found that fake news spreads more rampantly than correct news, harming people and setting off adverse reactions. We realised that fake news was not only confusing but influencing people also. It is then that we took the path of providing verified information to people, especially, when fake news goes viral. The advent of the COVID-19 pandemic has only worsened the situation and in the past two years NewsMobile has enhanced its fact checking scale, launched new projects, training courses on media literacy to name a few.

We have a special section on fact-checking, titled, NM Fact Checker. In this section, we debunk fake news by putting verified facts before the readers. When we come across a claim or it is brought to our notice, through different mediums, we check it for factual accuracy.

1. In 2018 NewsMobile joined Facebook’s fact check program as a Fact Checker. Since then, our fact checks have led to the reduction of misinformation and fake news on the social media platform.

NewsMobile & Global Fact Checkers - in order to inform our readers about global best practices about fact checking, NewsMobile interviewed some leading global fact checking experts.

Tips from Fact Check Gurus helps us to enhance our own skills, as well as educate our readers about the basics of how to distinguish between verified news and fake news.

Here are some of the links –

In conversation with IFCN Director, Baybars Örsek- https://youtu.be/CZPi-kD-o8A

In conversation with former IFCN Associate Director, Cristina Tardaguila- https://fb.watch/24vKcU6cRO/

In conversation with Bill Adair, Professor at Duke Reporter Lab- https://fb.watch/24D1cBWbIN/

In conversation with Glenn Kessler, Senior Journalist- https://fb.watch/24D2c471uq/

In conversation with Peter Cunliffe Jones, Senior Advisor, IFCN and Founder Africa Check- https://fb.watch/24D3m27ffn/

NewsMobile’s efforts to bust fake news during Indian Elections 2019 were also featured in a special BBC world show.

Here is the link –

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qkBV2KtgDUA&feature=emb_title

NewsMobile fact check was also featured as the 'fact check of the week' by Poynter' in October 2020.

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/fact-checkers-stick-with-issues-in-a-debate-defined-by-atmospherics/

2. We are focussed towards fighting misinformation in India and its surrounding regions. We focus on all areas of fake news. Our team details are clearly mentioned in our About Us section.

About us Link:

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900952014-b94efcf0-508d

3. We are an independent mobile media network and we focus on short stories and videos on issues that impact people. We extensively focussed on COVID related misinformation and were part of IFCN’s global COVID fact checking alliance.

IN 2021, apart from continuing our fact checking initiatives, we also started the following flagship projects and training courses, in partnership with Facebook and Google. During the COVID pandemic NewsMobile played a pivotal role to reduce COVID misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in India and Asia Pacific Region. In collaboration with leading doctors and fact checking experts, we have been consistently spearheading efforts to combat COVID-19 misinformation. Our flagship projects include ‘Covishaala’, ‘CovidWise’, and ‘FactWise’, which have been successfully launched across the Asia Pacific Region, in partnership with Meta and Google.

More can be seen on the following link:

https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1644829431719-f26a3e9d-cb6c

We also started our weekly fact checking newsletter, FACTMOBILE, which brings to our readers the most trending fact checks and other related data. Link is as follows:

https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1644837549510-0a112b4d-df75

4. NewsMobile's vision is to bring innovation in fact checking and make it simpler for readers. We have already expanded our fact checking base across different regional languages and will also expand to other global regions soon. As part of our entity, we have operations in Singapore, Asia Pacific and US.

NewsMobile Vision 2022:

a) We want to be recognised as a primary source that helps fight fake news. We want to expand our expertise in fighting fake viral news across regional languages and geographies. By leveraging technology, we want to be the first to bust fake news with quick turnaround time, so that viewers can have access to verified news instantly.

b) We want to expand our COVID misinformation initiative to other regions and in regional languages other than the ones we have already started doing.

c) NewsMobile was the first fact checker to have a dedicated CLIMATE section and we believe that it is important to focus on climate misinformation and we hope to expand our climate misinformation detection program.

d) In 2022, NewsMobile will also focus on media literacy programs wherein we will impart training to local community influencers in fact checking. WE have already initiated this through our COVISHAALA, COVIWISE, FACTWISE initiatives and we plan to expand this to reach more people in 2022.

In 2021, NewsMobile was selected amongst world's leading fact checkers to be a part of the Meta Global Accelerator Program. Post that, we have successfully launched the Fact Check weekly Newsletter called FactMobile, to spread awareness about fact checking. NewsMobile won the prestigious IFCN Tech Innovative Challenge 2020. The news was extensively covered in media. Here are the links -

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fact-checking-organisation-newsmobile-selected-140752689.html

https://www.floridasunreview.com/fact-checking-organization-selected-for-facebooks-accelerator-challenge/

https://english.jagran.com/lite/india/newsmobile-amongst-15-global-fact-checkers-selected-for-facebooks-coveted-accelerator-challenge-10031232

https://www.samachar4media.com/social-media-news/newsmobile-has-been-selected-from-amongst-the-top-fact-checkers-in-the-world-for-facebooks-coveted-global-accelerator-challenge-56126.html/amp

In 2021 NewsMobile Editor in Chief Saurabh Shukla was featured in BBC World Service flagship program Tech Tent on Misinformation issues.

Here is the link:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/w3ct1nhn

In 2020, NewsMobile was selected for IFCN's Global Tech Innovation Challenge. Link as follows:

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/the-second-round-of-the-fact-checking-innovation-initiative-awards-five-new-projects/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/us-elections-2020-facebook-india-fact-checker-newsmobile-and-uc-berkeley-startup-fakenetai-to-detect-deep-fakes-on-social-media/articleshow/78386921.cms

IFCN also declared one of our fact checks as the Fact Check of the Week. The link is attached.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFzNZh9JnFC/?igshid=1r3rucn4snegz

"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

News Mobile's fact checking unit was started in 2017. up to check the spread of fake news. They have expanded and broadened their scale of fact checking.

They have six people on the editorial team and a fact checking team of six more.

In addition to the fact checks they publish 2021they partnered with Facebook and Google. During the COVID pandemic they collaborated with leading doctors and fact checking experts, and have been consistently spearheading efforts to combat COVID-19 misinformation. Projects include ‘Covishaala’, ‘CovidWise’, and ‘FactWise’,launched across the Asia Pacific Region, in partnership with Meta and Google. They also have a newsletter

NewsMobile Vision 2022: They want to be recognised as a primary source to fight fake news and across regional languages and geographies. To use technology to do this quickly, so that viewers can have access to verified news instantly.

They want to expand the COVID misinformation initiative to other regions and in regional languages. NewsMobile wants to expand its dedicated CLIMATE misinformation detection program. Also to expand media literacy programs which is being conducted under COVISHAALA, COVIWISE, FACTWISE.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Since 2017, NewsMobile has been extensively involved with fact checking. We have a dedicated team that focuses not only on ENGLISH fact checks but also HINDI and other regional languages such as Malayalam, Assamese, Bangla to name a few. Please find attached an excel sheet detailing all the fact checks done by the team over the period October - December 2021, to give you a glimpse of the work we do. The sheet also includes some regional fact checks also. 

Files Attached
description OCT-DEC_2021_TOTAL_F... (46 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant has published more than the rquired number of fact checks.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"Since 2017, NewsMobile has been extensively involved with fact checking. We have a dedicated team that focuses not only on ENGLISH fact checks but also HINDI and other regional languages such as Malayalam, Assamese, Bangla to name a few. Please find attached an excel sheet detailing all the fact checks done by the team over the period October - December 2021, to give you a glimpse of the work we do. The sheet also includes some regional fact checks also.

NewsMobile has been focussing on fact checks of public interest and played a pivotal role in reducing COVID misinformation and vaccine hesitancy. We have also conducted training programs that have contributed to the welfare and well-being of individuals, communities and the society at large."

Files Attached
description COVID_RELATED_FCs_1.... (14 KB) description OCT-DEC_2021_TOTAL_F... (46 KB) description REGIONAL_LANGUAGE_FC... (98 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

News Mobile publishes fact checks that have an impact, their focus on debunking health misinformation is clear. They also have fact checks related to other areas including politics, international stories.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"This is not applicable for NewsMobile. Our promoters have funded the organisation through their own personal financial resources. We do not have any leanings towards any particular political party and have always believed in balancing news and focusing on facts. We have a clear non-partisanship policy.

Non-Partisanship Policy:

Our non-partisanship policy is clearly stated and actioned upon in our About Us section. The triage process that NewsMobile follows and several team members looking at a story ensures no personal biases come in.

Each fact check is looked at critically, without personal biases, factually and with a lens to ensure only verified news goes out.

We believe in a balanced approach. Our policy is mentioned below in our About Us section.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900762789-3bbb4d6b-26cd

In 2021, NewsMobile was selected amongst world's leading fact checkers to be a part of the Meta Global Accelerator Program. The news was extensively covered in media. Here are the links -

https://sg.news.yahoo.com/fact-checking-organisation-newsmobile-selected-140752689.html

https://www.floridasunreview.com/fact-checking-organization-selected-for-facebooks-accelerator-challenge/

https://english.jagran.com/lite/india/newsmobile-amongst-15-global-fact-checkers-selected-for-facebooks-coveted-accelerator-challenge-10031232

https://www.samachar4media.com/social-media-news/newsmobile-has-been-selected-from-amongst-the-top-fact-checkers-in-the-world-for-facebooks-coveted-global-accelerator-challenge-56126.html/amp

Poynter recognised NewsMobile fact checking for our objectivity and thorough approach. Please find the screenshots attached. "

Files Attached
NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (132 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (125 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (104 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

There does not seem to be any political influence on the stories selected or the way in which they are written. Stories from all sides of the spectrum are covered.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Not Applicable for NewsMobile. 

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The Funding is generated by the founders who are senior journalists and media academics from their personal savings, there is no evidence of any external influence 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile believes in a non-partisanship policy. The editorial team, while deciding, ensures that there is no tilt and a balanced approach is taken. Over time, our fact checks are testimony of a varied coverage - covering various sections, issues and segments that prevail in the society. Our policy and methodology is mentioned below -

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900762789-3bbb4d6b-26cd

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900664529-e31bffe2-d815

NewsMobile has believed and adhered to non-partisanship which is reflected in our fact checks. One of our fact checks was globally acclaimed during the COVID crisis when a minority community was unfairly targeted for spreading COVID-19.

Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/journalismproject/programs/third-party-fact-checking/newsmobile-coronavirus-video

Some examples are mentioned in the excel sheet.

NewsMobile Code of Conduct

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 is fair and transparent in their editorial opinion. Find attached our code of conduct specimen copy of the letter all team members have to sign.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900762789-3bbb4d6b-26cd

Apart from this, some of our fact checks have also been recognised for the methodology adopted as also the non-partisan outlook while fact checking them.

https://www.facebook.com/journalismproject/programs/third-party-fact-checking/newsmobile-coronavirus-video

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2020/04/01/covid-19-viral-video-of-men-licking-utensils-is-not-from-nizamuddin-heres-the-fact-check/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2020/09/30/fact-check-this-video-of-a-man-being-thrashed-is-not-from-china-find-the-truth-here/

NewsMobile’s objective fact checking was recognised as we were selected for the prestigious Meta Global Fact Checkers Accelerator Program in 2021.

Earlier too, in recognition of NewsMobile's innovative approach to fact checking, NewsMobile won the prestigious IFCN Tech Innovation Challenge 2020. The news was extensively covered in media. Here are the links -

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/the-second-round-of-the-fact-checking-innovation-initiative-awards-five-new-projects/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/us-elections-2020-facebook-india-fact-checker-newsmobile-and-uc-berkeley-startup-fakenetai-to-detect-deep-fakes-on-social-media/articleshow/78386921.cms

IFCN also declared one of our fact checks as the Fact Check of the Week. The link is attached.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFzNZh9JnFC/?igshid=1r3rucn4snegz

NewsMobile fact check was also featured as the 'fact check of the week' by Poynter' in October 2020.

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/fact-checkers-stick-with-issues-in-a-debate-defined-by-atmospherics/"

Files Attached
FACEBOOK_JOURNALISM_... (41 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (132 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (125 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (104 KB) description NON_PARTISAN_FCs_2.1... (14 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The fact checks cover a variety of subjects.The process they follow is explained. They often use digital tools, also use primary sources where available. Claims are checked using similar standards.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile believes in a non-partisanship policy. The editorial team, while deciding, ensures that there is no tilt and a balanced approach is taken. Over time, our fact checks are testimony of a varied coverage - covering various sections, issues and segments that prevail in the society. Our policy and methodology is mentioned below -

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900762789-3bbb4d6b-26cd

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900664529-e31bffe2-d815

NewsMobile has believed and adhered to non-partisanship which is reflected in our fact checks. One of our fact checks was globally acclaimed during the COVID crisis when a minority community was unfairly targeted for spreading COVID-19.

Here is the link:

https://www.facebook.com/journalismproject/programs/third-party-fact-checking/newsmobile-coronavirus-video

Some examples are mentioned in the excel sheet.

NewsMobile Code of Conduct

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 is fair and transparent in their editorial opinion. Find attached our code of conduct specimen copy of the letter all team members have to sign.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900762789-3bbb4d6b-26cd

Apart from this, some of our fact checks have also been recognised for the methodology adopted as also the non-partisan outlook while fact checking them.

https://www.facebook.com/journalismproject/programs/third-party-fact-checking/newsmobile-coronavirus-video

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2020/04/01/covid-19-viral-video-of-men-licking-utensils-is-not-from-nizamuddin-heres-the-fact-check/

http://newsmobile.in/articles/2020/09/30/fact-check-this-video-of-a-man-being-thrashed-is-not-from-china-find-the-truth-here/

NewsMobile’s objective fact checking was recognised as we were selected for the prestigious Meta Global Fact Checkers Accelerator Program in 2021.

Earlier too, in recognition of NewsMobile's innovative approach to fact checking, NewsMobile won the prestigious IFCN Tech Innovation Challenge 2020. The news was extensively covered in media. Here are the links -

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/the-second-round-of-the-fact-checking-innovation-initiative-awards-five-new-projects/

https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/tech/internet/us-elections-2020-facebook-india-fact-checker-newsmobile-and-uc-berkeley-startup-fakenetai-to-detect-deep-fakes-on-social-media/articleshow/78386921.cms

IFCN also declared one of our fact checks as the Fact Check of the Week. The link is attached.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CFzNZh9JnFC/?igshid=1r3rucn4snegz

NewsMobile fact check was also featured as the 'fact check of the week' by Poynter' in October 2020.

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/fact-checkers-stick-with-issues-in-a-debate-defined-by-atmospherics/"

Files Attached
NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (132 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (125 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (104 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

They clearly explain how claims are selected. Stories to debunk are selected based in the impact. They have the following considerations in the section of stories.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

There have been no instances of any conflict of interest.

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant mentions the sources used in the fact checking process.They mostly use digital tools, there are instances where they contact the source. 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"The organisation is not affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician, political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues.

Link: http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900762789-3bbb4d6b-26cd

We also have clear and crisp complaints policy.

Link: http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606901045872-c2c9cfe9-eaeb

Here are some examples of the fact checks we have done in this regard. "

Files Attached
description NON_PARTISAN_FCs_2.4... (14 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

There is no evidence of the organisation’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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

"Please find attached the non-partisan policy as mentioned on NewsMobile’s website, in the About Us section.

Link: http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900762789-3bbb4d6b-26cd "

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

NewsMobile has a clerly 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"Please find attached sample size the fact checks that NewsMobile has done under the following sub heads:

October-December 2021.

Climate specific fact checks

COVID related fact checks

Non-partisan fact checks"

Files Attached
description CLIMATE_CRISIS_FCs_3... (15 KB) description COVID_RELATED_FCs_3.... (14 KB) description NON_PARTISAN_FCs_3.1... (14 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant provides links to the relevant sources.

They primarily use digital sources in some cases they also use primary sources in the process of fact checking.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile believes in reaching out to the primary sources of evidence as much as possible. Our team does extensive research to reach primary sources and get their statements regarding any viral news that they are investigating. Please find attached some examples in the excel sheet.

Noteworthy is NewsMobile's extensive fake news busting during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. We have dedicated one entire section on our website for CORONAVIRUS FACT CHECKS.

www.newsmobile.in

Apart from this, we also extensively do fact checks in regional language. Please find attached some examples in the attached file. "

Files Attached
description PRIMARY_SOURCE_FCs_3... (13 KB) description REGIONAL_LANGUAGE_FC... (98 KB) description PRIMARY_SOURCE_FCs_3... (13 KB) description REGIONAL_LANGUAGE_FC... (98 KB) description PRIMARY_SOURCE_FCs_3... (13 KB) description REGIONAL_LANGUAGE_FC... (98 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

They provide links to the relevant sources. They have contacted primary sources and linked other sources.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"All our fact checks are verified through multiple sources to ensure that the viral fake news is checked in a full proof manner.

The fact Check Methodology is clearly mentioned on the website. The process is based on a triage method that ensures no biases or errors creep in.

https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900664529-e31bffe2-d815

We have an editorial board comprising of well-respected award winning journalists who ensure the highest standards of fact checking .

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

"All our fact checks are verified through multiple sources to ensure that the viral fake news is checked in a full proof manner.

The fact Check Methodology is clearly mentioned on the website. The process is based on a triage method that ensures no biases or errors creep in.

https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900664529-e31bffe2-d815

We have an editorial board comprising of well-respected award-winning journalists who ensure the highest standards of fact-checking.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e "

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile is an independent news organisation founded by a team of award-winning journalists in 2014. Our journalists are objective and we have a policy that ensures that they are not affiliated to any political party or advocacy group. We believe in providing a fair and transparent editorial opinion.

See About us Link:

https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900107566-a9f20090-47ec

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

World Mobile News Network Pvt Ltd, is the parent organistion which has a separate fact checking team.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"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.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900107566-a9f20090-47ec

https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e

As an unbiased and objective digital news platform, powered by cutting edge technology, our aim is to highlight stories that impact people and present credible and fact-checked stories to our readers.

Our Founding team was led by award winning journalist Saurabh Shukla and Dr SC Shukla academic and founder Principal of Delhi College of Arts and Commerce. Dr Shukla received National press award.

NewsMobile newsroom is run by a team of award winning journalists who maintain independence, objectivity and transparency."

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf NM_incorporation_cer... (209 KB) picture_as_pdf NM_incorporation_cer... (209 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

They are compliant with this requirement. The website says it is founded and owned by a team of journalists.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"The About Us section on our website mentions all the details about the founder, organisational structure, the editorial leadership team and the fact check team. The names of the team members including the senior editors are very clearly mentioned in the About Us section, as per links below.

Leadership Team - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e

Fact Check Team - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900952014-b94efcf0-508d"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The oraganisational 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"The editorial team names and their email ids are clearly mentioned in our About Us section.

The links are as under -

Leadership Team - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e

Fact Check Team - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900952014-b94efcf0-508d"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile's team page (under About Us) has email addresses of the editorial board clearly mentioned under the organisational structure. Apart from this, in our Fact Check Team section, we have mentioned the WhatsApp tip line number and the dedicated fact check e-mail address, where readers can connect with us.

Leadership Team - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900852551-15f83337-445e

Fact Check Team - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900952014-b94efcf0-508d


Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The following links explain our methodology, why fact checking is important and the various shows and training programs we have conducted in the past.

Fact Checks - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900107825-c4d5e45f-78d2

Methodology - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900664529-e31bffe2-d815

How readers can fact check - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606904663682-6d0fecb4-ffd5

NewsMobile Impact - https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1644829431719-f26a3e9d-cb6c

FactMobile Newsletter – https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1644837549510-0a112b4d-df75

FC Shows - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900496136-1730a287-8623

Training - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900344059-3a92f0c4-6302

NewsMobile Initiatives in 2021:

During the COVID pandemic NewsMobile played a pivotal role to reduce COVID misinformation and vaccine hesitancy in India and Asia Pacific Region. In collaboration with leading doctors and fact checking experts, we have been consistently spearheading efforts to combat COVID-19 misinformation. Our flagship projects include ‘Covishaala’, ‘CovidWise’, and ‘FactWise’, which have been successfully launched across the Asia Pacific Region, in partnership with Meta and Google.

Link: NewsMobile Impact - https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1644829431719-f26a3e9d-cb6c

Helping NM Readers Learn About Fact Checking From Global Experts:

In its mission to fight fake news, NewsMobile started a series to interview the best in the field from across the world. Tips from Fact Check gurus helps us to enhance our own skills, as well as educate our readers about the basics of how to distinguish between verified news and fake news.

Here are some of the links –

In conversation with IFCN Director, Baybars Örsek- https://youtu.be/CZPi-kD-o8A

In conversation with former IFCN Associate Director, Cristina Tardaguila- https://fb.watch/24vKcU6cRO/

In conversation with Bill Adair, Professor at Duke Reporter Lab- https://fb.watch/24D1cBWbIN/

In conversation with Glenn Kessler, Senior Journalist- https://fb.watch/24D2c471uq/

In conversation with Peter Cunliffe Jones, Senior Advisor, IFCN and Founder Africa Check- https://fb.watch/24D3m27ffn/

Some of our previous initiatives also include a special show titled, ‘Fake News Buster’, to talk about the top fact checks of the week.

We also ran a series titled ‘The Fact Checkers’, where senior members of the team conduct interviews with leading Fact Checkers and Fact Check Pioneers from across the globe.

We also ran a series titled, ‘The Weekly Fact Check Wrap’, in which we analyse the top five fact checks of the week.

NewsMobile Special Shows on Fact Checking

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

Fake news buster - https://fb.watch/26_umkO_C6/

Watch the Episodes - https://fb.watch/26_BzJ-Ykb/

ICMR - http://newsmobile.in/articles/2020/09/09/fact-check-has-icmr-issued-these-covid-19-

guidelines-dont-believe-this-fake-forward/"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"The fact checks published are in accordance to the methodology that is mentioned on NewsMobile's website.

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900664529-e31bffe2-d815"

Files Attached
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Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

They say claims are selected based on their importance. They have a criteria for selecting a claim to be fact checked, if it is potentially dangerous situation, or create panic, or be misinterpreted and cause damage or create trends on social media, which could be fake or misleading.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Yes 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"In 2021, NewsMobile was selected amongst world's leading fact checkers to be a part of the Meta Global Accelerator Program. Post that, we have successfully launched the Fact Check weekly Newsletter called FactMobile, to spread awareness about fact checking.

In 2021, NewsMobile In 2020 NewsMobile methodology also won acclaim from IFCN as our fact check was declared the 'Fact Check of the Week'.

https://www.poynter.org/fact-checking/2020/fact-checkers-stick-with-issues-in-a-debate-defined-by-atmospherics/"

Files Attached
NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (132 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (125 KB) NewsMobile_IFCN_feat... (104 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

They have a process where claims are fact checked and all evidence is considered and is of the same standard.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

NewsMobile believes in a strict non-partisanship policy. Please find attached an excel sheet with fact checks.

Files Attached
description NON_PARTISAN_FCs_5.5... (14 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Where possible they have contacted people who have made the claim unless the claims are on line.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

"We have provided several options to our readers to reach us with news that they want us to verify or fact check.

1) Readers can e-mail their queries at editor@newsmobile.in with the title Fact Check and our Fact Checking team will check the story and publish the truth.

2) Fact Checking Hotline: We have a Fact Check Alert number for Whats app +91 11 7127 9799. Readers are invited to forward a new story or a message on social media that they would like to get fact-checked.

3) NewsMobile is active on social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

Links are as under -

www.newsmobile.in

https://instagram.com/newsmobileindia?igshid=1a0sff9n5fqt4

https://twitter.com/newsmobileindia?s=11

https://www.facebook.com/NewsMobile/

Our dedicated WhatsApp helpline number is available on the following link https://www.newsmobile.in/get-in-touch/ and is mentioned in our fact checks and stories also. Readers can also contact us on our email ids ( mentioned on website), or write to us on our social medium platforms - Instagram, Twitter, Facebook.

We also encourage our readers to fact check themselves.

Link: https://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606904663682-6d0fecb4-ffd5

How can our readers fact check:

NewsMobile has always striven to simplify the fact checking process, in order to involve our viewers and readers as well.

Here are some steps –

Check the video/picture carefully, they might give some clues like billboards, number plates, shop names etc. Also, in the case of videos, listen to the audio carefully; they might also give some hint.

Run a keyword search on Google; see if there are some credible sources to support the claim.

In the case of pictures, try doing a Reverse Image Search.

In the case of important government-related notices & guidelines, look for the primary source. Always try to find the primary source.

Apart from this, we had interviewed Cristina Tardáguila, former IFCN Associate Director, to advice the public on how to fact check.

Here is the link – https://fb.watch/24vKcU6cRO/

Links -

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606904663682-6d0fecb4-ffd5

http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900107825-c4d5e45f-78d2"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile has a detailed Corrections Policy, which is explicitly mentioned under our Fact Check Methodology.

The link is - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900664529-e31bffe2-d815

Apart from this, we have a dedicated Corrections Team that analyses any corrections that come up.

Fact Check Team - http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606900952014-b94efcf0-508d

Corrections 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 are fearless, unbiased and objective. We have an impeccable record as a credible media outlet. However, as a responsible media outfit, we are open to corrections. We invite readers to write to us at editor@newsmobile.in with a date and link to the story. We will fact-check the claim and correct it, in case any discrepancy is found.

We also have a detailed Complaints Policy as under, mentioned explicitly in our About Us section.

Complaints Policy: http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606901045872-c2c9cfe9-eaeb

NewsMobile believes in fair and honest fact checking. If you are not satisfied with our fact checks you can report it to our Editor in Chief at Saurabh@newsmobile.in. Or our Executive Editor, Fact Checks at kshipra@newsmobile.in .

In case your complaint is not resolved you can also report to IFCN.

Here is the link-

https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy

"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The corrections policy is clearly listed 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

NewsMobile Reply - In response to the request mentioned in the provided screenshots, email replies were sent by NewsMobile. The corrections in these mails were not for the fact checks published on the NewsMobile website but for the ratings on the Facebook console. The same was duly done by us.

However, we have in the past, made corrections in our articles after our readers reached out to us with data/information that we felt was accurate, after due diligence and checks on our part.

Please find one such example mentioned in the link below.

In the said fact check, we have added a CORRECTION & EDITORS NOTE in the end, to amplify the corrective measures taken by us.

https://newsmobile.in/articles/2019/05/27/fact-checked-no-the-kid-in-the-picture-in-not-pm-modi-with-his-mother/

Files Attached
CORRECTIONS_1_6.3.pn... (447 KB) CORRECTIONS_2_6.3.pn... (291 KB) CORRECTIONS_3_6.3.pn... (338 KB)
Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant is compliant.


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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile believes in fair and honest fact checking. If you are not satisfied with our fact checks you can report it to our Editor in Chief at saurabh@newsmobile.in Or our Executive Editor, Fact Checks, at kshipra@newsmobile.in .

In case your complaint is not resolved you can also report to IFCN.

The IFCN link (https://ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy) is mentioned on our website under Complaints Policy: http://newsmobile.in/about-us/#1606901045872-c2c9cfe9-eaeb"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 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.

NewsMobile
28-Feb-2022 (2 years ago)

"NewsMobile is an independent media company and Fact Checking is pivotal to our media company. Here is the link to our transparent Corrections Policy. We even have a Corrections Editor working independent of our news room so readers can approach her if they feel that their correction has not been done.

Here is the link to the policy which is applicable for our organisation as a whole: http://newsmobile.in/correction-policy/"

Surekha Deepak Assessor
31-May-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The parent company also has a clearly stated corrections policy.


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Surekha Deepak.