http://www.newstof.com/com/com-1.html

NEWSTOF is an online newspaper specializing in fact checking and confirmed that it is a registered media in Seoul on June 15, 2017.

1. Joon-il Kim, a Newstof founder who worked as a reporter in Korea, learned fact check journalism while studying in the United States.

In the winter of 2016~2017, after returning home, there was a historical event in Korea impeaching the President.

There were many fake news at that time.

So, fact check media was needed in Korea.

Five people with the same thoughts joined.

After the preparation period, Newstof was launched in June.

2. There are 7 full-time employees in Newstof.

There are 6 fact checkers writing fact check articles and one producer making videos.

And there are 36 expert writers. They contribute data articles, columns, and more.

3. We publish columns on current issues and articles based on data.

We also produce videos related to the fact check.

4. We aim to publish more than one factcheck article each day in more fields next year.

The instructions posted on the NEWSTOF website confirm that most of them are true. However, in the case of employees, it was introduced that there are seven full-time employees, six fact checkers were introduced. According to the website, it is posted as of December 2022 with four fact checkers, so additional explanations are needed.

In view of what I have observed, the applicant has posted a fact check article at least once a week.

I have checked articles posted on the website in the previous three months and found that most articles cover important topics related to the public interest.

We have our own code of ethics.

Through the code of ethics

We reject any interference from outside, including political power and capital.

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-7.html

It is true that NEWSTOF advocates independent activities from political power through its own code of ethics. However, NEWSTOF CEO Kim Joon-il often stands at the center of controversy or is criticized by left-right political forces as he makes various external activities, especially political-related comments. There is a concern that this controversy will negatively affect NEWSTOF's fact-checking activities. Request additional explanation of the NEWSTOF.

The NEWSTOF website has a code of ethics that guarantees editorial independence.

It can be confirmed that the fact-checking article of the newstof follows IFCN's verification principles and standards.

Comply with the principle of SNU fact check participating as a member company

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-3.html

The applicant's website states that NEWSTOF is following the criteria for selecting fact-checks based on IFCN's Code of Principles, assessment classification, modification and update, and open verification.

http://www.newstof.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12166

The applicants meet IFCN's Code of Principles requirements

The applicants are following IFCN's Code of Principles well.

The applicant said in the Code of Ethics: 'We do not join a political party and do not represent the position of a particular political party or a particular religion or sect. The same applies to organizations or advocacy groups related to a particular political party, religion, or sect.

In view of what I have observed, the applicant identifies the source of important evidence used to verify the facts and provides a relevant link from which the source is available online.

The applicant uses the primary source of evidence first, and if a suitable primary source is not available, the applicant will describe the use of the secondary source.

In view of what I have observed, the applicant frequently applies multiple sources in their stories.

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.

Member of SNU FactCheck

http://factcheck.snu.ac.kr/home/snufactcheck

NEWSTOF is an independent media specializing in fact checking and a member of the SNU FactCheck Center.

NEWSTOF publishes its annual revenue and expenditure on its website. However, it is difficult to confirm the Korea Journalism Foundation, which accounts for an overwhelming portion (71%) of the import structure in 2021. Therefore, it seems necessary to further explain whether it covers the Korea Press Foundation or the Journalists Association of Korea, or if there is a separate Korea Journalism Foundation. For reference, according to the website, NEWSTOF specifically indicated the source of income of portal sites Naver and SNU Fact Check Center Project in 2018, but has been using the name Korea Journalism Foundation, whose source is ambiguous since 2019.

NEWSTOF publishes its annual revenue and expenditure on its website. However, it is difficult to confirm the Korea Journalism Foundation, which accounts for an overwhelming portion (71%) of the import structure in 2021. Therefore, it seems necessary to further explain whether it covers the Korea Press Foundation or the Journalists Association of Korea, or if there is a separate Korea Journalism Foundation. For reference, according to the website, NEWSTOF specifically indicated the source of income of portal sites Naver and SNU Fact Check Center Project in 2018, but has been using the name Korea Journalism Foundation, whose source is ambiguous since 2019. 

I checked the changes on the NEWSTOF website on December 27th. And applicants are disclosing income and expense details.

organizational structure

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-1.html

editorial board

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-9.html

The applicant clearly and well describes the organizational structure and editorial authority on the website.

list of editors

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-4.html

editorial board

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-9.html

The applicant explains in detail the editorial board's operational policy and the biographies of fact checkers.

Newstof actively hopes for and encourages the participation of citizen readers under the slogan 'Fact check with citizens'.

If you want to participate in the verification, you can provide the necessary data for verification through email or social media. When posting an article, in principle, we will provide the name of the helpful citizen along with the editor byline. If the parties do not wish to do this, they can do so with an Internet ID or anonymity.

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-6.html

report

http://www.newstof.com/com/jb.html

complaint

http://www.newstof.com/com/bp.html

submission

http://www.newstof.com/com/tg.html

On the applicant's website, there is a guide to the link where users can communicate with the editing team, and there is also a detailed explanation of the operating principles.

regulations for writing articles

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-3.html

operating method

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-6.html

The applicant's website explains the fact checking methodology.

In view of what I have observed, the NEWSTOF journalists select claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and sometimes explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.

In view of what I have observed, the applicant verifies relevant evidence that appears to support the facts and relevant evidence that appears to undermine the facts.

In view of what I have observed, NEWSTOF Journalists assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.

In view of what I have observed, the applicant seek where possible to contact those who made the claim.

There is a page to invite readers to submit claims to fact check on NEWSTOF.

http://www.newstof.com/com/com-6.html

revision and update

The NEWSTOF website has a description of the revision and update of the article, and it actually publishes the article that has been modified.

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.

"The NEWSTOF is always aware of the possibility of errors and does not hesitate to correct them. If there is anything wrong with the article written by NEWSTOF or if you have any objections, please contact the headquarters. We will review the evidence and correct it if a problem is found." 

1. 2022.01.10

We received an article with corrections made by a freelance journalist. What we were given was posted.

http://www.newstof.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12360

2. 2020.10.01. 10:00 content added and correct

It was a fact check on the previous article.

After the article was published, the reporter who wrote the original article sent a counterargument. We’ve added it.

https://www.newstof.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12151

3. 2021.07.14

Counterargument article

http://www.newstof.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12031

The applicants provide a clear definition of how the revised conclusions of fact-checking deal with the significant mistakes that are required. There are three examples below.

http://www.newstof.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12360

https://www.newstof.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12151

http://www.newstof.com/news/articleView.html?idxno=12031

NO

The applicant is not an existing signatory of IFCN.

NO

The applicant is an independent media specializing in fact checking.