Organization: PA Media
Applicant: Wesley Johnson
Assessor: Ben Luria
Background
PA Fact Check (or PA Media Fact Check and Verification Unit) is the fact-checking unit of PA Media, a news agency in the UK and Ireland. They we recently founded, having started to publish fact-checking articles in December 2022. Their focus is in reviewing claims about issues in the public interest of their local audience, debunking misleading and false information. This is an assessment of PA Fact Check's compliance with the IFCN Code of Principles.
Assessment Conclusion
The assessment, based on PA Fact Check's recorded responses, as well as a randomized sample of its fact-check articles, proves PA Fact Check to be compliant with the IFCN Code of Principles. As a first-time signatory they are well aligned with all the requirements set by IFCN for its members, and are doing a good job in their mission to fight mis and disinformation.
Ben Luria assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
PA Fact Check (or PA Media Fact Check and Verification Unit) is the fact-checking unit of PA Media, a news agency in the UK and Ireland. They we recently founded, having started to publish fact-checking articles in December 2022. Their focus is in reviewing claims about issues in the public interest of their local audience, debunking misleading and false information. This is an assessment of PA Fact Check's compliance with the IFCN Code of Principles.
The assessment, based on PA Fact Check's recorded responses, as well as a randomized sample of its fact-check articles, proves PA Fact Check to be compliant with the IFCN Code of Principles. As a first-time signatory they are well aligned with all the requirements set by IFCN for its members, and are doing a good job in their mission to fight mis and disinformation.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
PA Media Group is made up of different legal entities, details of which can be found on our website here: https://pamediagroup.com/our-brands/
Details about PA Media can be found in the "About us" section on the corporate website: https://pamediagroup.com/about-us/
PA Media is registered with Companies House here: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00004197
Additional details can be found in PA's most recent annual report: https://pamediagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PA-Media-Group-Report-and-Accounts-WEBSITE.pdf
Details of PA's fact-checking team can be found on our website here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa
PA's fact-checking pages are directly linked to from the "Digital & Media" menu on the news agency's homepage: https://pa.media/pamedia/
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago)
Compliant, as described in PA Media's response and in their attached links.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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?
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. PA has been fact-checking claims throughout its 150-year history.
In response to the increasing challenges of mis- and disinformation, in 2022 PA Media made countering mis- and disinformation (and the production of dedicated fact checks) a priority for both its news agency and training business, growing our capacity to deliver strong reporting and training to counter this threat.
While PA Training investigated UK journalists’ need for mis/disinformation training, and developed a robust set of training modules to answer specific skills gaps of general reporters and editors in the UK, PA Media invested in specialist fact-checking training for a team of journalists, who have been publishing regular fact check articles since December 2022.
2. The PA Fact Check team is underpinned by PA’s core values of being fast, fair and accurate while tackling misinformation in all its forms. As experienced journalists, all our reporters – some 300 staff across the UK and Ireland – can work on fact checks under the guidance of senior editors, but we have a core team of eight reporters and editors who regularly work on claims alongside their day-to-day duties. Full details of this core team are published on our website here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#pa-fact-check-team Once a PA journalist has sourced a claim and written a check, the final copy will be read and subbed by an editor before being published.
PA’s fact-checking operation is run by our Head of Production who reports directly to our Editor-in-Chief.
3. PA was founded in 1868 and is the national news agency for the UK and Ireland. It is a completely independent news agency, with a reputation based on speed, accuracy and impartiality. Customers trust PA, and lots of our content is published by them without any further editing. “It’s on PA” remains the shouted seal of approval in many newsrooms.
The news agency remains at the heart of the PA Media Group, but it has diversified over the years to include a range of other companies. These include the stock picture agency Alamy, the sport streaming company Stream AMG, and marketing consultancy Sticky.
Details of all our brands can be found on our website here: https://pamediagroup.com/our-brands/
The PA Fact Check team reviews claims about issues in the public interest and presents the findings in a way which is easy to follow and verify by readers. We prioritise claims that have the potential to affect the lives of people in the communities we serve, regardless of who’s made the claim or in what format. We also aim to debunk any misleading or false information online, particularly when it has the potential to affect people’s lives.
4. Over the coming year, with an eye on an anticipated general election in 2024, we want to build on these strong foundations by establishing the PA Media Fact Check and Verification Unit. This could be a significant resource for the UK’s news industry and an important weapon in the media’s fight against mis- and disinformation. We envisage an open-access unit that will allow for information and solution sharing, provide trustworthy training that is focused on newsroom need, and bring PA’s high standards of fact-checking to all publications, including those who do not subscribe to PA's news wires.
More details of the fact-checking operation at PA can be found on our website here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
PA Fact Check's detailed mode of operation and vision is laid here clearly - and seems like an important part of the effort to fight mis and dis-information in the UK. Compliant.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
All our fact checks are published on our website here: https://pa.media/pa-fact-check/
We have also attached a spreadsheet with the headline and a link to all fact checks published so far.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
Compliant, as apparent in the fact checks presented both on the website and in the spreadsheet.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
Indeed, the fact-checks on PA Media focus on claims related to issues that have an impact on the welfare and well-being of individuals and the larger UK general public. Compliant.
Random sample (will also be used as reference for assessment on various sections below):
June 15, 2023: Lego’s display set supporting the LGBTQIA+ community is sold with 18+ guidance
May 26, 2023: Real-term spending per pupil is expected to hit record high in 2024-5
April 27, 2023: The Conservative Party won the 2017 General Election
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/the-conservative-party-won-the-2017-general-election/
April 28, 2023: An image of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange in prison is computer-generated
December 15, 2022: London and Manchester are not minority white cities, ONS figures show
January 6, 2023: Evidence suggests flu vaccines can help against Strep A infections
January 19, 2023: Parliament never discussed Covid-19 vaccine deaths claim
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/parliament-never-discussed-covid-19-vaccine-deaths-claim/
February 24, 2023: Egg shortages caused by increased production costs
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/egg-shortages-caused-by-increased-production-costs/
March 1, 2023: Russia has far more restrictions on social media use than the UK
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/russia-has-far-more-restrictions-on-social-media-use-than-the-uk/
March 9, 2023: Gary Lineker claim on UK taking 'far fewer refugees' than Europe supported by data
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We do not accept any funding from the state or political parties in the UK or otherwise.
PA Media, the UK and Ireland’s national news agency, is part of PA Media Group, a diverse portfolio of specialist media companies spanning news and information, data, technology, marketing and communications. We explain our funding on our website here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#funding
The vast majority of PA's revenue comes from licensing content to customers, including news outlets and organisations across the UK and Ireland, as well as further afield.
PA Media Group has 20 shareholders, made up of mainly UK news media businesses who are also our customers, including DMGT, Archant, DC Thomson, MNA Media, News UK, Guardian Media Group, Telegraph Media Group, Reach, Informa and Iliffe Print Cambridge.
Further details about our executive directors and the PA board can be found here:
https://pamediagroup.com/board/
Further details about PA Media Group can be found here:
https://pamediagroup.com/about-us/
Further financial information and copies of our most recent annual reports can be found here:
https://pamediagroup.com/financial-information/
PA's latest annual report is available to the public:
https://pamediagroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/PA-Media-Group-Report-and-Accounts-WEBSITE.pdf
PA does not receive any subsidies or other financial support from the state, politicians or political parties.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
Compliant, as described in the applicant's response.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
N/A We have not received any funding from local or foreign state or political actors.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
N/A; compliant.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
For all fact checks, PA clearly identifies the claim, presents the findings with both live and archived links to primary sources whenever possible, and may contact the source or third party experts for further information or context. We also have general rating categories including “missing context”, “false” and “partly false” at the top of each check for the readers’ convenience, but these are not set in stone, as explained in our methodology here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa. All checks are then reviewed by an editor before being published.
Here are 10 fact checks showing our non-partisanship, how we let our findings dictate the evaluation, and how we apply the same methods and high standards to all fact checks. They also show how we check a broad range of claims – including health, immigration, climate change, travel, consumer issues and sport – from across the political spectrum:
1. Traffic filters trial will divert drivers at certain times
We looked into this claim that Oxford residents would need council permission to leave their local neighbourhoods, centred on a “15-minute city” proposal, by analysing details of the plans, contacting the two councils involved, and following the evidence to find that this was not the case. We provided links, both live and archived, to primary sources for all the facts we relied upon as we presented our findings in an easy-to-follow and understand check.
2. Nurses have asked for a pay rise of RPI inflation plus 5%
The claim that nurses were striking because they want a 19% pay rise had become part of the widely-accepted narrative in coverage of these strikes and was being repeated in media interviews by several Government ministers, including Prime Minister Rishi Sunak. When we looked into it further, it became clear this wasn’t the full story. We examined the evidence around the claim, contacted both the Government and the nurses’ union for further details on their sources and position, and also brought in evidence and analysis from an independent public body and think-tank.
3. Parliament never discussed Covid-19 vaccine deaths claim
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/parliament-never-discussed-covid-19-vaccine-deaths-claim/
This claim on Facebook caught our attention as PA closely covers the work of the House of Commons and we had not covered this seemingly alarming claim. We analysed the latest official statistics as well as guidance from the UK’s medicines and healthcare regulator. Our research also led us to find the claim was based on a submission to a Parliamentary committee – which any member of the public can submit – rather than a statement by Parliament itself or any of its members. A search of Hansard, the official report of all Parliamentary debates, helped confirm this.
4. 292 Tory MPs did technically vote to allow sewage dumping in rivers until 2038
This more unusual fact check, based on a claim made by the Liberal Democrats, shows how we approach all claims in a non-biased way, letting the evidence and our findings dictate our conclusions, even when that doesn’t fit the typical mould of a fact check. Here, we looked at voting records, Environment Agency statistics, and analysed details of new legislation to reveal the claim was true, at least technically. Furthermore, our fact checks do not advocate for or against a particular stance – we present the evidence as we find it and let that dictate our findings and evaluation.
5. Egg shortages caused by increased production costs
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/egg-shortages-caused-by-increased-production-costs/
Several claims on social media were misinterpreting two separate scientific studies into eggs and Covid-19. We analysed the studies, spoke to the study authors and also consulted both industry experts and the Government for further context, finding that there were a number of different reasons for the egg shortages which were making headlines in the UK.
6. Supermarket fruit and veg shortages due to 'poor weather' and supply chain issues
Staying with food shortages, which have generated many headlines this year, we looked into claims that net zero targets were behind a lack of fruit and vegetables on supermarket shelves. We spoke to a number of supply chain and industry experts and followed our findings to conclude the shortages were again caused by a number of different reasons, mainly poor weather and supply chain issues.
7. Gary Lineker claim on UK taking 'far fewer refugees' than Europe supported by data
Gary Lineker’s comments – which led to him being temporarily suspended from hosting the BBC’s Match of the Day – made headlines for several reasons. We looked at his core claim that the UK was taking far fewer refugees than Europe, analysing the latest figures from both the UK and Europe to find that his assertion was supported by the facts.
8. Junior doctors earn more basic pay than Pret baristas
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/junior-doctors-earn-more-basic-pay-than-pret-baristas/
This claim appeared in a number of adverts run by the British Medical Association during a series of doctors’ strikes. We analysed the figures and spoke to the union to fully understand their calculations and followed our findings to conclude they were two complicated pay packets which needed more context to be fairly compared.
9. Video of fireworks display shows celebrations in Split, Croatia, in 2020
This video has been involved in a number of claims previously so we looked into its provenance and reviewed Google Street View and satellite images to provide side-by-side comparisons, establishing the intersection where it was filmed, and when, clearly showing the claim to be false.
10. Ireland's new Criminal Justice Bill criminalises possession of materials with intent to incite hatred over protected characteristics
One of our most recent fact checks addressed a claim that new legislation, aimed at updating Ireland’s hate crime laws, would make sharing or viewing non-mainstream media content illegal. As well as consulting details of the Bill itself, we also spoke to a legal expert based in Dublin for further explanation and context, finding that the misleading claim missed key details.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
The applicant describes here in detail (as well as in the attached link) its policies and method on fact-checking, matching the expected standard.
Reviewing the 10 fact checks shared proves that PA Media is indeed compliant, and uses the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim; following the same essential process for every fact check; and letting the evidence dictate decision.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We explain our fact-checking process here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa
We also go into more details about our work at PA Media here https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#about-pa-media
And our editorial values can be seen here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#pa-editorial-principles
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
The attached links describe in depth PA Media's method on selecting claims to check, ensuring they are not concentrated on one side, and how their reach and importance are being taken into consideration. Compliant.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
A review of the examples provided by the applicant shows its compliance with the criteria.
Example: February 20, 2023: 292 Tory MPs did technically vote to allow sewage dumping in rivers until 2038
In this fact-check, PA Media concludes examines a claim made by the Lib Dems about 292 Tory MPs voting to allow sewage dumping in rivers until 2038. The claim is concluded to be "True, technically" - but the fact-checking article elaborates on the context, presenting the more nuanced situation, in which they voted on this as part of a legislation that "included a target of an 80% reduction in phosphates in rivers by 2038". As part of the article, PA Media verifies the Lib Dem claim on one hand, but explains its interest in spinning its context on the other hand ("which has been spun by the Lib Dems as...").
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
A review of the fact checks sampled shows the applicant is not affiliated nor showing support for any party/politician/candidate or policy position aside from transparency and accuracy. Compliant.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
A summary of our policies on non-partisanship and neutrality can be seen here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#neutrality
PA's editorial principles can be found here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#pa-editorial-principles
We also explain how we test our journalists and maintain standards here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#about-pa-media
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
A review of the links attached by the applicant shows that PA Media are compliant with the criteria and remain non-partisan.
Quoting from the Neutrality section on their website: "Staff members must not express opinions which may damage PA’s reputation for objectivity or call into question the impartiality of our reporting. All employees are expected to refrain from sharing political opinions on social media platforms that are visible to the public, or could potentially become visible to the public".
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
(See Section 1.4 for the randomised sample)
A review of the randomised sample shows the applicant to constantly identify the sources of evidence used in the fact check, including relevant links, allowing the readers to replicate the fact checking process by themselves. Furthermore, PA Media adds an archived version of the references so they remain available and accessible regardless of online changes.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
A review of the randomised sample of fact-checking articles shows that PA Media are consistently using primary sources of evidence. Compliant.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
A review of the randomised sample shows the applicant to use multiple sources of evidence in their fact checks.
Example: January 6, 2023: Evidence suggests flu vaccines can help against Strep A infections
This fact check covers claims that "the vaccination of children against flu has contributed to the recent Strep A outbreak which has killed 25 children in England at the time of writing". Many of the claims refer to a specific study from 2014; the article both covers the mentioned study (that debunks the claims made about it), using it as one source of evidence. It also cover other, more recent, studies by the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), using it as another source.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
A review of the randomised sample of fact-checking articles shows that PA Media almost exclusively rely on official, primary sources, and as such not tending to rely on sources of evidence with relevant interest that could affect the accuracy of evidence.
For an example of a fact-checking article that does imply interests of a source (and claim-maker), see the comments on Criteria 2.3 (and the article "292 Tory MPs did technically vote to allow sewage dumping in rivers until 2038" - although it wasn't included in the random sample).
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We are the fact-checking section of PA Media.
All PA's fact checks are published in the fact check section of PA's corporate website: https://pa.media/pa-fact-check/
PA Media is a company registered in England and Wales with Companies House (registered number 4197) here: https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/company/00004197
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
As stated in the applicant's response, they are the fact-checking section of a media house, i.e. PA Media. They also shared their public incorporation record. Compliant.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
PA's fact-checking operation is a unit of the PA news agency, funded by PA's newswire budget.
Information about PA's ownership and set-up can be found on our website here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#funding
Further details about the PA news agency can be found on our website here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#about-pa-media
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
As required, PA Media's website clearly states their status and them being a fact-checking unit under PA Media/PA news agency. Compliant.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
While all of our experienced journalists may at some stage be involved in fact-checking, you can see our team's structure and biographies of key members here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#pa-fact-check-team
You can see how our fact-checking process works here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
The applicant's website, as present in the links attached, clearly sets out its organizational structure and editorial control holders. Compliant.
"Every fact check is seen by at least two journalists before being published and our journalists work under the supervision of senior editors. Any potentially contentious editorial decisions, complaints or necessary corrections involve the direct intervention of the editorial lead, who exercises editorial control over PA’s fact checks and reports to the Editor-in-Chief."
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
You can see biographies of PA's core fact-checking team here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#pa-fact-check-team
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
The link attached by the applicant shows the professional biographies of the PA Media fact-check team. Compliant.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We provide our contact details (FactCheck@pamediagroup.com) at the top of our fact-checking page: https://pa.media/pa-fact-check/
The footer of every single fact check also contains our contact details as well as a link to our corrections and complaints policy.
We also give our contact details at the end of the "Fact-checking at PA" section on our site here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa as well as at the top of our Corrections and complaints policy here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#corrections and in our Contact section here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#contact
See attached screenshots.
About PA fact checks... (28 KB)
Contact us.png (75 KB)
Corrections and comp... (83 KB)
PA Fact Check_Contac... (564 KB)
Fact checking at PA.... (1 MB)
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
PA Media points out to its editorial team contact details in multiple places over its website: top of the general page, footers of fact-check articles, the about page. Compliant.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
The About PA Fact Check page at PA Media's website clearly sets out the methodology it uses in its fact checking operation, ranging from how it selects issues to cover, the research and writing, and finally the vetting and publication. Compliant.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
(See Section 1.4 for the randomised sample)
A review of the randomised sample shows the applicant to constantly check claims that have high reach and high importance, as well as bring context to the importance/circulation of the checked claim.
For further context, most of the articles in the sample cover public/policy-related statements or such that have to do with the UK public: education expenditure, general elections, London and Manchester demographics, Covid-19 and vaccines, UK immigration policy, egg shortages, UK and Russia's differences on freedom of speech issues.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
(See Section 1.4 for the randomised sample)
A review of the randomised sample shows the applicant to bring evidence that support a given claim, as well as evidence that undermines it, matching its stated rigorous methodology. Compliant.
Examples:
January 6, 2023: Evidence suggests flu vaccines can help against Strep A infections
The evidence used in this article are contradicting the covered claim, proving it wrong.
(The claim covered was that "the vaccination of children against flu has contributed to the recent Strep A outbreak which has killed 25 children in England at the time of writing" - and it was concluded as false.)
March 1, 2023: Russia has far more restrictions on social media use than the UK
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/russia-has-far-more-restrictions-on-social-media-use-than-the-uk/
Some of the evidence used in this article support the specific claim, while others are debunking its wider context.
(The claim covered was that "3,300 arrests had been made in the UK for social media posts, while just 411 had been made in Russia". The article used evidence to verify these numbers, but then continued to show that these are actually not comparable in various ways [context, criminal proceedings vs arrests]. Then it uses evidence from the Freedom on the Net index to debunk the wider context, showing that Russia's internet freedom ranking is far lower than that of the UK.)
March 9, 2023: Gary Lineker claim on UK taking ‘far fewer refugees’ than Europe supported by data
The evidence used in this article support the claim made by Lineker ("to some extent").
(The claim covered was that "the UK takes far fewer refugees than other European countries". The evidence used by the applicant supported the claim, showing the UK is ranking low among European nations in accepting asylum seekers, both on per-capita calculation [16/27] and somewhat when disregarding population size [8/27].)
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
(See Section 1.4 for the randomised sample)
A review of the randomised sample shows that the applicant is using the same high standards in its assessments, regardless of who made the claim. See above section for more detailed examples of evidence assessment by the applicant. Compliant.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
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.
(See Section 1.4 for the randomised sample)
A review of the randomised sample shows that PA Fact Check constantly seek contact when the claims are made by public figures. In online viral claims there was no mention for seeking contact, falling under the relevant exemption (I). Compliant.
Examples for seeking contact/response from those who made the claims covered:
May 26, 2023: Real-term spending per pupil is expected to hit record high in 2024-5
"Mr Benton has been contacted for comment."
(Scott Benton, the independent MP for Blackpool South)
December 15, 2022: London and Manchester are not minority white cities, ONS figures show
"Mr [Nigel] Farage has been asked for comment."
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
At the top of the PA fact check page on our corporate site, we state: "To contact the PA Fact Check team, or to request that we fact check a particular high-profile claim, you can email us at: FactCheck@pamediagroup.com." https://pa.media/pa-fact-check/
In the footer of every fact check, we state: "If you have any suggestions for future fact checks, objections or comments, please send them to factcheck@pamediagroup.com, including any relevant links. For more information on how to submit a correction or dispute a rating, please refer to our Corrections and complaints policy." eg. https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/emergency-alerts-will-not-be-used-to-collect-personal-data/
We explain our fact-checking process on our website here - https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa - and ask for claims to be sent to us.
In this same section, we explain: "We fact check claims about issues in the public interest, focussing on what was said, not who said it, and present the findings in a way which is easy to follow and verify by readers, using primary sources whenever possible.
"We prioritise claims that have the potential to affect the lives of people in the communities we serve, regardless of who’s made the claim or in what format.
"We are particularly keen to look into claims which are spreading quickly and gaining traction so we can present the facts around them.
"We also aim to debunk any misleading or false information online, particularly when it has the potential to affect people’s lives.
"When selecting a claim to check, the PA Fact Check team considers:
":: Editorial value: is the claim around an issue in the public interest? Does it have the potential to cause harm?
":: Reach: Is the claim gaining traction online? Are people talking about it?
"We only check factual claims, not personal opinions."
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
As stated in the applicant's response and present in their website, PA Fact Check are indeed encouraging their readers to send in claims to check, transparently setting out the standard and considerations for which claims should they expect the editorial to cover and which not. Compliant.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We publish the corrections and complaints policy for PA's fact check team here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#corrections which states that while all emails, suggestions and complaints will be read, not all will necessarily justify an individual response.
It also links to PA Media's general corrections and complaints policy, which can be seen here: https://pa.media/corrections-and-complaints/
We also provide contact details for the PA Fact Check team at the top of our main site - https://pa.media/pa-fact-check/.
The footer at the bottom of every fact check also invites anyone with any suggested corrections or complaints to contact us. It states: "If you have any suggestions for future fact checks, objections or comments, please send them to factcheck@pamediagroup.com, including any relevant links. For more information on how to submit a correction or dispute a rating, please refer to our Corrections and complaints policy".
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
As present in the applicant's response and in their attached links, PA Fact Check's (as well as PA Media at-large) have a clear and transparent corrections and complaints policy, visible and accessible on their website. Compliant.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
A review of the applicant's corrections policy shows that it meets the criteria, laying out definitions for which mistakes are covered, how they are handled going through revision, and alternatively how some complaints may not justify a response.
"The PA Fact Check team applies the principles of PA Media’s correction policy.
If a fact check contains a substantive, factual error, we will publish a correction, along with a note at the top of copy making clear what is being corrected. The correction will then be made in the body of the copy and, if necessary, reflected in the headline and verdict of the check.
Minor errors, such as spelling mistakes which have no bearing on the understanding of the article, will also be corrected and republished, along with a note at the top of copy making clear what is being corrected. The correction will be made in the body of the copy and, if necessary, reflected in the headline and verdict of the check.
While all emails, suggestions and complaints are read, they will not all necessarily justify an individual response. We need to balance the time we spend on correspondence with the time we spend checking claims."
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
No complaints received over fact checks since we started our fact check operation.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
N/A; compliant, relying on the applicant's public statement on not having any correction requests at the time of submitting this application.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
N/A.
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
N/A, new signatory.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Ben Luria.
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.
PA Media
20-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
PA Media's general corrections and complaints policy can be seen here: https://pa.media/corrections-and-complaints/
Ben Luria Assessor
12-Jul-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago
As present in the applicant's response, as well as in its response to criteria 6.1 and in its own corrections policy page, PA Media (the parent company) has a public corrections and complaints policy on their website. Compliant.