Organization: Newtral
Applicant: Joaquín Ortega
Assessor: Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura
Background
Newtral.es is the fact checking operation of the homonymous company founded by journalist Ana Pastor in 2018. Their fact checking is solid and responsible, they use primary sources and are transparent. The operation is divided between political fact checking and debunking. Their main topics covered are Spanish politics, economics and health. Newtral has also evolved to work in education efforts regarding media literacy. Of note is also the fact that they are the first signatory of IFCN in Spain.
Assessment Conclusion
Newtral.es’s fact checking operation is responsible and balanced. They use high journalistic standards when analyzing claims, and do so with primary, on the record sources. They are transparent regarding their methodology and how it is applied. Readers are able to follow and replicate the process of each fact checking, if they so wish. They corrections policy is solid. Of particular note is the organization of information in their website, where claims can be filtered by political actor and result, generating a clear picture of their balance and the use of information in Spanish politics.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Newtral.es es la operación de fact checking de la empresa homónima fundada por la periodista Ana Pastor en 2018. Su fact checking es sólido y responsable, utilizan fuentes primarias y son transparentes, con una política de correcciones responsable. Sus principales temas tratados son la política, la economía y la salud españolas.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
Newtral Media Audiovisual SL was registered in October 2017 and has been operating since January 2018. Newtral.es is one of the journalistic projects of the company. The company was created by the team of journalists from El Objetivo, a fact-checking based TV program and the first Spanish signatory of the IFCN.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago)
Newtral is the main product of Newstral Media Audiovisual SL, a Spanish company, and has been operating since January 2018. The applicant was created by journalists from El Objetivo, the first Spanish fact-checking operation to be a signatory of the IFCN. It has as its main commitment the production of fact checks about Spanish current issues. Their Transparency page features details on how the company is registered.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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?
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1.
The origin of the Newtral.es verification team dates back to the TV program El Objetivo de Ana Pastor, broadcast by La Sexta since 2013. The program had permanent fact-checking segments, such as Pruebas de Verificación o Maldito Bulo, and was the first IFCN signatory in Spain. Over the years, the same team of journalists founded Newtral.es following the same methodology and public service goals.
2.
Newtral is an audiovisual media start-up that covers different fields and employs around 70-80 people. At the moment, 14 journalists work in the Newtral.es verification team, divided into two areas: political fact-checking, and debunking of hoaxes, including the on-demand verification service. We also count on interns who learn with us for some months.
https://www.newtral.es/equipo-de-verificacion/
3.
Newtral is a start-up that produces TV shows such as El Objetivo de Ana Pastor and Dónde Estabas Entonces, broadcast on La Sexta, and documentaries such as Nevenka for Netflix, Un Sueño Real for HBO and Los Borbones: una familia real, on Atresplayer. In the digital division, in addition to the fact-checking, we produce content related to science, gender, and transparency, including a branch focused on data journalism and visualization. An important branch of the company works on media literacy and education, besides our innovation unit, which works on artificial intelligence and automated journalism applied to fact-checking.
4.
From a journalistic point of view, for next year we want to expand the collaborative projects linked to fact-checking and thus share our advances in automation applied to this field. In addition, we want to advance media literacy initiatives that go beyond journalistic work.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant was created by a team of journalists from the TV show El Objetivo, the first Spanish initiative to be an IFCN Signatory. The applicant was created in 2018 following the same general methodology. Today, they have a team of 14 journalists working with political fact-checking and debunking. Besides fact checking, the applicant also produces TV shows, such as the original El Objetivo, besides documentaries and other shows. All activities are connected to the fact checking operation.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
(As Nov. 29th), we published 69 articles of political fact-checking and 149 debunking articles in the last three months. That's more than 2 new fact-checking pieces per day. And in this account we do not add the explainers. Only articles that include rated content. In this timeline you can check and sort the articles, numbers, the political parties and the ratings. https://www.newtral.es/zona-verificacion/fact-check/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant meets and surpasses the minimum required amount of fact checks, having published an average of 5 fact checks per week in the last year. This excludes explainers, debunks and other types of journalistic content.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant dedicates their fact checks to issues of social importance, mainly related to Spanish politics in different levels, in the fact checking operation. The debunking operation is dedicated to rumors that go viral on social media around current events like health. All topics covered by the applicant reflect important social discussions and issues, like budgets, public policies, health, among others.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
Newtral has no relation to the state, politicians, or political parties. We do not receive public funding at all from Spanish institutions. We believe that to guarantee and strengthen public confidence as much as possible we should not receive public funds from institutions directed or dependent on those politicians or political parties that we are fact-checking in Spain. In 2019 we received support from the EU to study the feasibility of an artificial intelligence project applied to verification. Information on the application of the European Instrument called Horizon 2020 SME is here: https://cordis.europa.eu/project/id/855556/es
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As stated in their About page, the applicant does not have any financial ties to a political or government actor in Spain or elsewhere, their funds coming from other sources. The only exception to that was a support of 50.000 Euros received from the EU in 2019 to "study the feasibility of an artificial intelligence project applied to verification". This is clearly documented.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We do not recibe funding from local or political sources. We provide this information and the editorial independence standards here https://www.newtral.es/metodologia-transparencia/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant's funds do not come from state or political actors, sauf the aforementioned project, which constitutes an exception and was episodic. Their Methods page and their About page both emphasize the applicant's independence.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
https://www.newtral.es/hosteleria-manueco-garzon-restauracion-factcheck/20220121/
https://www.newtral.es/ninos-escuelas-publicas-castilla-y-leon-factcheck/20220203/
https://www.newtral.es/inflacion-espana-feijoo-union-europea-factcheck/20220421/
https://www.newtral.es/debate-andalucia-factcheck/20220608/
https://www.newtral.es/verificaciones-debate-estado-nacion-factcheck/20220715/
https://www.newtral.es/apagar-escaparates-alemania-ayuso-factcheck/20220906/
https://www.newtral.es/sesion-de-control-octubre-factcheck/20221006/
https://www.newtral.es/prospecciones-litio-espana-exploracion-santiago-abascal-factcheck/20221006/
https://www.newtral.es/delito-sedicion-investidura-factcheck/20221115/
The articles show fact-checks at all parties and levels of administration, with an important regional distribution, including verifications of electoral debates, congressional control sessions of the government, and the State of the Nation debate. Among them, it can be seen that we follow the same standards of evidence for each item, consistent with previous fact-checks. All ratings are explained in the conclusions with a summary of each article, referring to the evidence found leading to the chosen rating.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has produced 10 links to demonstrate their non-partisanship. After a careful analysis, it was assessed that the applicant indeed presents a non-partisan posture, using high-standards of evidence to equivalent claims (although exact equivalents are not always easy to find), follows a standard procedure of fact check and is led by evidence. They are clear on the process and conclusions of fact checks.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We explain our methodology here: https://www.newtral.es/metodologia-transparencia/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has a Methods/Transparency page, where they emphasize their neutrality and non-partisanship. In that same page, they describe that their selection method involves selecting claims based on social reach and importance of both topic and speaker, looking for claims mainly from politicians and other public actors, besides claims that go viral on social media and present risk. This posture is reflected in their fact checks.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a review of several random fact checks, it was assessed that the applicant characterizes all the sources used, thus disclosing any relevant interest that may harm the check, although those are not common, since sources employed are responsible and credible.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After reviewing random fact checks, it was assessed that the applicant demonstrates a centered posture, with a non-partisan approach to the facts it covers. The applicant does not advocate for any policy or issue, and does not show support for any party or politician. They remain balanced in their journalistic work.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
We explain our non-partisanship and neutrality policy in our methodology here: https://www.newtral.es/metodologia-transparencia/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In its Methods/Transparency page, the applicant sets a clear policy non-partisanship for staff. In fact, this policy is even an example to other fact checkers. It demonstrates how journalists in the staff are expected to act, and how their journalistic work depends on this neutrality.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a review of random fact checks, it was identified that the applicant consistently identifies the sources used in their fact-checks, always linking to them. Sources usually involve public reports and data sets, either from Spain, local regions or from the EU. Additionally to link to them in the text body, sources are also listed below the text, enabling an easier look.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant consistently uses first hand information when checking claims. As mentioned before, this means using public reports and data from government and other watchdogs. The applicant usually does not resort to second hand sources such as other news reports.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
When checking a claim, the applicant checks different parts of the claim, making a complete report about the truthness of a given statement. An example of this posture can be found in the following link: https://www.newtral.es/policia-barcelona-elsa-artadi-guardia-urbana-factcheck/20211112/. This is why it is common for them to use "intermediate" labels when assigning truth, as to demonstrate the nuance in a topic.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Since all sources are identified and characterized, eventual interests that may influence the accuracy of the check are identifiable. However, this is not common, since the applicant employs responsible sources.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago)
The fact-checking unit of Newtral.es is a journalistic project of Newtral Media Audiovisual SL.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is an independent organization, and their organizational status is clear throughout their branding and internal info on the About page.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Newtral Media Audiovisual SLU is an independent organization 100% owned by the Spanish journalist Ana Pastor. We provide detailed information on the ownership here:
https://www.newtral.es/quienes-somos/
More details about finances related to Newtral.es are explained here:
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The Newtral organization, whose main product is the fact checking operation Newtral, is an independent journalists organization, owned by Spanish jouranlist Ana Pastor. The applicant's About page has clear information about the ownership of the organization, and financial details, including main sources of funding, can be found in their Methods/Transparency page.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We explain our organizational structure here: https://www.newtral.es/metodologia-transparencia/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant includes in their Methods/Transparency page a statement about their organizational structure, stating how checks are handled by the team. Besides this, there are also two team pages: one that lists the names of everyone in the team, and the other that lists names of fact checkers.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This is the team in charge of the articles related to fact-checking and debunking: https://www.newtral.es/equipo-de-verificacion/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As stated before, there are two pages where readers can access professional bios of people in the team. One of them (https://www.newtral.es/equipo/) refers to the whole team, and the other (https://www.newtral.es/equipo-de-verificacion/) refers only to the fact checking team. Both mention professional bios of the people involved, as well as means of contact.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In this link, we encourage people to contact us: https://www.newtral.es/metodologia-transparencia/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Readers are encouraged to communicate with the editorial team in different ways. First, a link in the homepage directs users to the Contact page, where there are email and WhatsApp contacts. The same call to action is available on the Methods/Transparency page. Finally, readers can also reach individual members of the team from the Team page, where email and social media contacts for every member are provided, or from a published check, where readers can click on a page of the author that contains the same contact info.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
You can find the details about our methodology in this link:
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has a thorough page where they explain clearly their methodology to select, investigate and publish fact checks. The methodology is detailed and leaves no rooms for questions. The applicant follows responsible journalistic standards.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a review of random checks, it was assessed that the checks chosen by the applicant represent issues of social importance and reach, as described in their methods pages. All claims come from relevant actors in the Spanish politics scenario or from viral claims on social media, and are related to issues that impact society as a whole.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After a review of random checks, it was identified that the applicant employs sources in a responsible way, aiming both to confirm and undermine a claim. Hence, the applicant is driven by the best available evidence when checking a claim. This posture can be identified in the following link, where they proposed a nuanced view of the claim at hand: https://www.newtral.es/presupuesto-defensa-sanchez-abascal-factcheck/20230322/
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is driven by the evidence, which means that similar claims are analyzed using the same standards of evidence. It is not always easy to find exactly similar claims to be checked, but the following two links represent statements around the same topic, done by different political actors, that were both analyzed using high standards of evidence:
https://www.newtral.es/espana-indice-democracia/20220525/
https://www.newtral.es/ranking-democracia-espana-pedro-sanchez-factcheck/20230327/
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
It is a common practice of the applicant to contact the person who has made a specific claim in order to have clarification about it, as for how that person has chosen or interpreted a number. Usually, the applicant does this in the first paragraphs, as seen in the following link: https://www.newtral.es/arrimadas-memoria-democratica-factcheck/20230324/. However, this does not happen in their debunking section, since identifying who has made a viral claim is not always feasible or even desirable.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We explain the methodology of the on-demand verification service here:
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In their Methods page, the applicant encourages users to get in touch via WhatsApp to send in claims. In the same page, in a section titled How we work, the applicant explains what kind of expositions they check (informative claims), and what they don't check (opinions used in the political rhetoric).
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has a full Corrections policy in place, which is available in a separate page. Additionally, the applicant has a summary of their Corrections Policy in the Methods/Transparency page.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The Corrections Policy provided by the applicant sets clear definitions of what is covered, and details what are the procedures of the applicant when a mistake is identified. It also details how errors are corrected and how the page is modified. The same page also has a list of recently corrected articles.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Example of a fact-checking article to which the response from the politician's communication team has been included despite the fact that the response would not change the rating.
https://www.newtral.es/beneficios-electricas-miriam-nogueras-factcheck/20220316/
Example of debunking article corrected after noticing that we were giving information that was not officially confirmed
https://www.newtral.es/pedro-sanchez-ave-documental-netflix/20220610/
Example of a debunking article whose headline has been corrected to improve its understanding.
https://www.newtral.es/renuncia-presidente-argentina-alberto-fernandez/20220713/
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has produced a list of links to checks that were corrected. Two further links were available on the corrections page. All of them were handled in the same fashion: the text of the article was amended, a note was inserted on the top of the page stating that the article was updated and when, and further details about the correction are provided right below the article. In summary, the applicant has handled errors transparently and responsibly.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has a IFCN badge very visible near the top of their Methods/Transparency page. There, they provide to the readers links to the IFCN Code, as well as a link to the Complaints page, as required.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura.
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.
Newtral
29-Nov-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Marcelo Crispim da Fontoura Assessor
27-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Not applicable, since the applicant is an independent organization.