Rappler is an independent news organization based in the Philippines which runs www.rappler.com. This is the link to Rappler’s organizational profile:

https://specials.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/184707-rappler-story-independent-journalism-impact/index.html

Attached here is Rappler’s certificate of incorporation with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.

Rappler Inc. was registered with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) on July 25, 2011. However, on January 11, 2018, the SEC issued an order revoking Rappler’s registration for allegedly violating foreign ownership ban on media.

Rappler asked the Court of Appeals to annul the order. On July 26, 2018, while the Court of Appeals dismissed Rappler’s petition annulling the SEC order, it ruled that the commission should review its decision given the evidence presented by Rappler. The court thus remanded the case to the SEC. The SEC has not taken further action since.

This case, as well as other allegations against Rappler, are tackled here:

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/214420-frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

Rappler also published an FAQ article on the SEC case. It can be accessed through this link

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/194165-frequently-asked-questions-rappler-sec-case

Rappler IQ is a subsection within Newsbreak, the investigative & research arm of Rappler (https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak). It is maintained primarily by a research unit which independently gathers public-interest imbued data and documents from primary sources for the purpose of storytelling as well as internal and external fact-checking and verification. Given the rise of misinformation and disinformation online, the team also actively monitors content that needs fact-checking, and produces fact-check explainer stories. From time to time, reporters also write fact checks about claims made by public officials or influential personalities representing institutions they cover.

Rappler is an independent news organization established in 2011. Details of its legal registration, beginnings and brief profiles of its founders can be found on its website.

Also in its website, Rappler discloses that it is 98% owned by Rappler Holdings composed of three investors (65 percent), Rappler CEO Maria Ressa, 23% and Rappler's editors/co-founders.

In 2018, the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) issued an order revoking Rappler's registration for issuing Philippine Depositary Receipts ( PDRs) to North Base Media and Omidyar which invested in Rappler. Only Omidyar's PDRs were subject of a case against Rappler before the SEC for violation of the ban on foreign ownership of media.

Rappler went to the Court of Appeals to annul the SEC order but the high court remanded the case to the SEC. The latter has not taken action since. This means that Rappler's registration case remains unsettled.

The independence of Rappler is undoubted and such stance has put itself in the crosshairs of President Duterte's criticisms on critical media organizations and journalists. Maria Ressa, Rappler's CEO and former executive editor, has been charged of tax evasion and cyber libel cases. In July 2020, Ressa was convicted of cyber libel and the case is now on appeal.

Rappler and Maria Ressa's cases have received extensive domestic and international media coverage. Rappler provided its readers FAQ about its case; please see https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-rappler-sec-case. The Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility regarded the libel conviction of Ressa as a press freedom issue https://cmfr-phil.org/statements/it-isnt-just-about-rappler/ .

1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?

Rappler’s fact-check initiative is rooted in the multilevel process of verification we employ as investigative journalists to ensure that our reports are accurate.

Rappler’s brand of fact-checking sparked public conversations and voter discourse during the May 2016 national elections, when claims made by presidential and vice presidential candidates during live debates were subjected to live verification of facts and context by Rappler’s editors, reporters, and researchers.

We do the same to check claims during the President’s annual State of the Nation Address.

In 2016, Rappler was among the first Philippine news groups to join First Draft, a global network that includes the key tech platforms (Google, Facebook, Twitter), major newsgroups, and academic institutions fighting fake news and disinformation online.

In October 2017, Rappler became a verified signatory to the fact checkers' code of ethics of the International Fact-Checkers Network at Poynter.

As one of the two IFCN verified signatories in the Philippines, we were chosen by Facebook as one of its partners for fact-checking in the Philippines.

Fact-checking by Rappler covers diverse topics such as politics, culture, and international relations. It does not only point out errors of fact or empirical information but also explains the context of the contested items in the news.

Our fact-checking appears prominently in three sections – “Fact Check,” (https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check), “Rappler IQ” (https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/iq) and “Newsbreak” (https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak) but may also be published in appropriate sections within the Rappler website (www.rappler.com).

Rappler's work is aided by its database and archives initially built by Newsbreak, a magazine that published award-winning investigative pieces and long form for a decade until it merged with Rappler in 2012, and MovePH, which is the citizen journalism arm of Rappler.

How Rappler’s fact-checking initiative began can also be found here: https://rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?

There are 14 people who work on Rappler’s fact-check project. Their roles are clustered into the following:

Researchers (4) - Researchers who focus on producing fact-checks, from monitoring and assessing claims to writing the fact-check actual articles.

Social media engagement specialists (2) - Members of our social media team help monitor claims online and publish call-out graphics that encourage our audience to report suspicious claims for fact-checking.

Community engagement specialists (2) - This unit is in charge of initiating and sustaining partnerships with individuals and groups that are interested in supporting the fact-check initiative (e.g. students, teachers, campus publications, school orgs) through various engagement efforts both online and on ground.

Editors (4) - These are senior editors who take turns reviewing, editing, and doing final approval of the fact-checks.

Data scientists / analysts (2) - We also have data scientists & analysts who help consolidate, process, and analyze data gathered in our fact-checking efforts, such as data of public groups and pages on Facebook. They are also in charge of developing monitoring tools the organization uses in fact-checking and research on online disinformation.

Depending on the topic concerned, other Rappler editors and reporters are also pulled in from time to time to review fact-checks based on their respective areas of expertise.

3. What different activities does your organization carry out?

The following are activities carried out by Rappler as part of its fact-checking efforts:

Monitoring - We monitor false and misleading claims found in posts circulating on social media platforms and from statements made by key public officials and other influential personalities.

Crowdsourcing and call-outs - Part of our efforts in monitoring claims to fact-check is constantly posting call-outs on social media which encourage our readers to report dubious posts they find online. They can submit claims for fact-checking via email to factcheck@rappler.com or via Facebook Messenger to @Newsbreak.PH.

Actual fact-check - This is the actual fact-checking work, which includes assessing claims, research work, and writing.

Database building - This involves sustaining, maintaining and expanding Rappler’s database that scans and stores content distributed in public groups and pages on Facebook that are known to be distribution points for falsehoods and propaganda. Currently, we are in the process of using this database to develop as system that can automatically flag content online that are potentially false or misleading.

Research and stories on trends and patterns on misinformation and disinformation - This activity involves publishing stories around our study of online disinformation, fueled by data gathered in the process of our fact-checking efforts. Other than publishing these on Rappler, we also share stories and studies to academic groups, researchers, and other stakeholders who also have initiatives to study disinformation online.

Fact-check webinars and workshops (on ground and online) - The goal of this effort is to involve students, campus journalists, and educators in the Philippines in the push­back against disinformation through workshops and webinars that would help participants understand the critical role that the media plays in democracies and train them on how to fact-­check, flag and report false claims, and help inform others about mis- and disinformation online.

Mentoring and internship program on research and fact-checking - We are also in the middle of implementing a fact-checking mentorship program. As the next step to the fact-checking webinars and other related engagement efforts, the goal of the program is for fact-check advocates to further enhance their knowledge and skills on fact-checking, as shown by being able to produce their own fact-check stories (from monitoring, to assessment, to actual writing), and effectively grow a community of fact-checkers across the country.

4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?

In the coming year, Rappler aims to:

• Continue to improve capacity in fact-checking by (1) developing monitoring systems and reporting mechanisms and (2) automating the process of detecting potential misinformation.

• Build a community of fact-checkers and fact-check volunteers in different areas in the Philippines to support the initiative, particularly in preparation for the 2022 elections. This will be done through a series of engagement activities, such as the fact-checking mentorship program, that aim to hone the knowledge and skills of fact-checking advocates and volunteers.

• Continue to produce fact-checks in video format to counter mis- and disinformation on video platforms such as YouTube by producing search optimized video versions of fact-checks. The goal is to have these video recommended by YouTube’s algorithm and served to users in order to debunk viral false claims and conspiracy theories that are spreading on the platform.

Rappler's fact-checking was part of its election news reporting in 2016 when it verified claims of top candidates from various political parties during public debates. It also fact-checks the annual State of the Nation address of Duterte.

Rappler has a fact-checking team with 14 members composed of researchers, social media and community personnel, data analysts and editors. It verifies claims coming from various sources: information and claims monitored by Rappler and its reporters, crowd-sourcing and social media call-outs sent to Rappler and out-reach activities like webinars and workshops. Volunteers are the interns that Rappler took in regularly from communication and journalism schools. Overall, it appears that Rappler has recognized fact-checking as part of news production. 

Rappler gives workshops and webinars on fact-checking, targeting students and civil society organizations. Aside from regular stand-alone fact-checks, Rappler occasionally come up with analysis, explainers and wrap-up stories to provide context and more information on the phenomenon of disinformation. This can be found under the Newsbreak button. Please see https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/in-depth 

Rappler is a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checkers Network (IFCN) at Poynter and thus was qualified to be a third-party fact-checker by Facebook. 

Rappler plans to enhance its fact-checking presence on YouTube, automate its claims sourcing, and continue its webinars among students and other groups, in order to build a bigger pool of citizen fact-checkers for the 2022 national elections in the Philippines.

We published over 220 fact-checks from April 2020 to September 2020. A list of all our fact-checks, categorized into topics is attached.

Our published FAQ’s and fact check methodology explains the scope of our fact-checking effort as well as our guide in deciding what content to fact-check. It may be accessed here:

https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/174766-fact-check-methodology

On our fact-check landing page, each fact-check article is also tagged according to topic (e.g. COVID-19 fact checks, fact checks on public officials, fact checks about media, fake quotes, death hoaxes, etc.) See how this is shown here: https://rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check

In the last six months, Rappler had a fact-check daily, on the average. Rappler is part of CoronaVirusFacts Alliance that fact-checks and verifies COVID-19 related disinformation and misinformation. Rappler and Vera Files are the two organizations from the Philippines that joined the alliance. Aside from COVID-19 related claims, Rappler also fact-checks other claims (e.g. political, celebrity culture, on disaster, government officials, etc.) that are not COVID-19 related.

Here's the monthly total of Rappler's fact-checks from April to September 2020: April, 45 fact-checks; May, 35 fact-checks; June, 39 fact-checks; July, 37 fact-checks; August, 27 fact-checks; and September, 42 fact-checks.

Rappler has published the rationale, scope and methodology of its fact-checking project.Please see https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project  Rappler classifies the fact-checks according to themes, i.e. fact-check on public officials, COVID-19, disinformation, death hoaxes, etc.Please see https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check 

The assessor's sampling of fack-checks each month is done by picking 8th, 16th, and 24th/25th fact-checks

APRIL

1. FALSE: Angel Locsin 'tests positive' for coronavirus - Classified under COVID-19 fact-checks, this entry is also a celebrity-related fact-checks. The debunk is done through digital forensics which traces the origin and spread of the hoax.The debunk also noted that the website responsible for the false information had twice posted COVID-19 related false information the previous month. The topic is a public interest issue. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/angel-locsin-tests-positive-coronavirus

2. FALSE: Video of FBI seizing coronavirus-positive masks from China. The claim came from Claim-Check, a Facebook monitoring tool, that flagged the story as it went viral in the U.S, The debunk relied on secondary data or news report from news reports in US and Canada. The debunk did not say if the false claim circulated in Philippine websites.  https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/video-fbi-seizing-coronavirus-positive-masks-china 

3.FALSE: Kadamay chairperson asks for house with free Wi-Fi. This claim, in form of graphic,  was sourced from Facebook posts. Rappler's debunk came from statements of reporters from in dependent news sites and not from the subject of vilification that happens to be a community leader. This is a public interest issue because it targets an organization that critical of Duterte. The false claim could incite hate. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/kadamay-chairperson-asks-for-house-free-wifi 

MAY

1. FALSE: Coco Martin quote on a teacher's arrest.The fact-check explained how false information is created through a made-up quotation and using the logo of news organization..The subject of the false claim is a celebrity who spoke against the closure of the television network ABS-CBN. The verification set the record straight. It underscores how critics of Duterte were targeted by trolls that were active during the lockdown. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/coco-martin-quote-teacher-arrest 

2. FALSE: March 2020 CSE examinees 'automatically pass' due to COVID-19. In this fact-check, the public interest was at stake because the false claim can mislead those who would like to take a government examinatiion. The correct information came mainly from the Civil Service Commission website that earlier debunk similar claim. The false information came from Claim-Check of Facebook. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/march-2020-cse-examinees-automatically-pass-due-coronavirus-covid-19 

3. FALSE: ABS-CBN's franchise was not renewed because of pay-per-view service. This fact-check is an example of propaganda that came from the government with the intention to manipulate public discourse. Rappler's well-researched fact-check debunked the claim. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/abs-cbn-franchise-not-renewed-because-pay-per-view-service

JUNE

1.FALSE: Dwayne Johnson dies in June 2020. This fact-check is one of those hoaxes on celebrity deaths. The claim came from FB'. Claim Check that flagged the post for verification. While the verification process is acceptable and the debunk may even interest some the Johnson's fans, the fact checking entry, however, is low on public interest criteria for COVID-19. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/dwayne-johnson-dies-june-2020

2. FALSE: Protesters at U.P. did not practice physical distancing.The fact-check's verification of a false claim was done through examination of online posts. There is reasonable public interests in the issue. The verification process shows how "coordinated inauthentic behavior" operates. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/protesters-up-did-not-practice-physical-distancing 

3. FALSE: Bill Gates is developing COVID-19 vaccines with microchips.This fact-check clears the criteria on public interest. It demonstrates how medical hoaxes related to COVID-19 spread online because there are social media users who do not double check the source of information. Probably the drawback in the verification story is posting the conversation thread between two persons. The conversation is supposedly private. Although the debunked information was proven to be false, posting the whole conversation thread might expose the person to public shaming. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/bill-gates-developing-covid-19-vaccines-microchips 

JULY

1.FALSE: Photo of Jeff Canoy, ABS-CBN supporters in ‘illegal mass gathering. This fact-check demonstrates the weaponizing of disinformation. The shutdown of the television network ABS-CBN, due to Congress' refusal to renew the franchise, was a highly political decision. Trolls, supporting the government's decision, have been vilifying the network's journalists and workers who were protesting the shutdown. Rappler's fact-check, however, needs to  give more context of the claim. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-jeff-canoy-abs-cbn-supporters-illegal-mass-gathering 

2. FALSE: Photo of Sarah Elago wearing hammer-and-sickle bandana. This fact-check is yet another example how disinformation targets critics of the government. Verification was easy (not first hand/primary source) because the target of the smear campaign online, a congresswoman, had already debunked the false claim. However the value of fact-checking is bringing it to a larger public's attention.  https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-sarah-elago-wearing-hammer-sickle-bandana 

3.FALSE: Helicopters to spray anti-COVID substances over Luzon.This entry Is a COVID-19 related disinformation that persisted even though it was debunked earlier.  Public interest is at stake because of the nature of information as a warning, that people in Luzon must not step out of the house because there is aerial spraying of some areas to prevent the spread of coronavirus. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/helicopters-spray-anti-coronavirus-substance-luzon 

AUGUST

1.FALSE: Proning as self-administered treatment for COVID-19. This fact check, which debunked a medical claim, needs rigor with its methodology. Two problems are discernible: first, the debunk is based on a white paper, not a peer-reviewed paper published in reputable medical and science journal; second, it relied on the statement of a source with more generalist knowledge rather than a specialist who could explain more on the issue. In other words, Rappler's sources in this fact-check were not the authority to comment on the issue. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/proning-self-administered-treatment-covid-19 

2. FALSE: Duterte was Lee Kuan Yew’s inspiration for Singapore’s success. The debunk of the claim showed that it is impossible for Lee Kuan Yew to praise Duterte. The facts presented -- age difference and the absence of any source on the statement - can easily prove the disinformation. But as seasoned fact-checker, Rappler could have done more, with the help of its data base, by showing that the fact-check follows the pattern of associating Duterte with prominent regional and global world leaders, as if to shore up his credibility. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/duterte-lee-kuan-yew-inspiration-singapore-success 

3. FALSE: Photo of Japanese officials bowing down to COVID-19 frontliners. The verification was facilitated by reverse image search. A little context could have improved the story, i.e., what is bowing in Asia and why is it associated with the Japanese? Is this false information classified as misinformation rather than disinformation? Does fact-checking confine itself to what is "fact-checkable" only without the need to elaborate its content? https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-japanese-officials-bowing-down-covid-19-frontliners 

SEPTEMBER

1. FALSE: Angel Locsin formally declared running for senator under Liberal Party, the opposition party. This yet another fact-check of a celebrity showing how she was a subject of seemingly innocuous criticism. After pointing out the falsity of the claim, Rappler could have showed the frequency of disinformation targeting the celebrity as well as the pattern  and the escalation of the disinformation directed at her. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/angel-locsin-formal-declaration-running-senator-liberal-party 

2. FALSE: Photos of Surigao bridge during Aquino and Duterte admins. This fact-check shows how Duterte is praised by contrasting his alleged achievement in office with his predecessor in order to discredit him. However it is done using false information. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photos-surigao-bridge-aquino-duterte-administrations 

3. FALSE: Media did not report on malversation raps vs Aquino. This fact-check appears to undermine the mainstream/legacy media's credibility by accusing them of being friendly with Duterte's predecessor. The debunk used media reports. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/media-did-not-report-malversation-raps-vs-aquino 

Comment: The above fact checks demonstrate Rappler's capability to come up with fact-checks on a daily basis, given its access on Facebook's Claim Check platform and Rappler's record on fact-checking since 2016. They also demonstrate Rappler's editorial independence and its confidence in doing fact-checking. Given its experience, Rappler could come up with months wrap ups or trends on disinformation.

As an independent news organization, Rappler does not have any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship with the state, politicians or political parties. We have not received funding from the state or political parties in the Philippines or otherwise in the previous financial year. 

Rappler has declared that it has not received state funding and funds from politicians, political parties in the Philippines and abroad.

Rappler has declared it did not receive funding from local or foreign state or political sources.

In the examples given below, we adopted the same workflow that we follow in all our fact-checks:

A team of researchers does the initial verification process. They check for verifiable details including names, places, dates, numbers, and others. Reporters get looped into the verification process whenever content topics involve their respective beats or areas of expertise. After the facts have been established, the appropriate rating is discussed internally with editors on duty. Within fact-check pieces, we provide readers with as much information as possible to explain how we arrived at a particular conclusion or rating. For content from hoax sites, we also provide additional information on previous content published by such sites which have previously been established as false.

Our published fact check methodology explains the scope of our fact-checking effort as well as the workflow in deciding what to prioritize. It may be accessed here:

https://rappler.com/about/fact-check-methodology

Below are sample fact-checks:

Fact-checks on claims critical of the administration:

PARTLY FALSE: Duterte gov't 'slashed' P10 billion for DOH in 2020 budget

https://r3.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/254739-duterte-government-slashed-doh-2020-budget

FALSE: Philippines was the only Asian country without SARS cases

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/philippines-only-asian-country-without-sars-cases

MISLEADING: No pay hike for teachers in proposed 2020 budget

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/no-pay-hike-teachers-proposed-2020-budget

FALSE: Roque quote on 10,000 COVID-19 deaths

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/roque-quote-coronavirus-deaths

FALSE: Roque warning vs GMA, TV5 on criticizing Duterte

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/roque-warning-vs-gma-tv5-criticizing-duterte

FALSE: Briones says classes will resume because ‘we will all die anyway’

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/briones-says-classes-resume-lahat-tayo-mamamatay-din

FALSE: Roque says Duterte receives P460 million monthly from POGOs

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/roque-says-duterte-received-millions-monthly-from-pogos

FALSE: Panelo quote lashing out at the poor

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/panelo-quote-lashing-out-at-poor

FALSE: Bong Go 'quote' on 'giving' civil service eligibility to Chinese workers

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/bong-go-quote-giving-service-eligibility-chinese-workers

FALSE: Marcoleta wants crucifixes removed from hospitals

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/marcoleta-wants-crucifixes-removed-hospitals

FALSE: Fake photos of Duterte in Jolo

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/fake-photos-duterte-jolo

Fact-checks on claims against the opposition:

FALSE: Sarah Elago quote calling for 'People Power'

www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/258558-sarah-elago-quote-calling-for-people-power

FALSE: Pangilinan says gov't should 'exempt children from total lockdown'

www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/255940-pangilinan-says-government-should-exempt-children-total-lockdown

FALSE: Leni Robredo 'says' K to 12 is not enough

www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/253178-leni-robredo-says-k12-not-enough

FALSE: Kabataan Representative Sarah Elago tests positive for coronavirus

www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/257220-sarah-elago-tests-positive-coronavirus

FALSE: Risa Hontiveros quote supporting Maute Group

https://rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/263445-risa-hontiveros-quote-supporting-maute-group

Rappler fact-checks information from a range of sources. Both the administration and the opposition were subjected to fact-checks. 

Although the concern for truth telling and verification is constant in journalism, fact-checking and verification have also evolved in the span of four years. Rappler's fact-checking project is explained here https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project while its can be found here https://www.rappler.com/about/fact-check-methodology. The the two links, Rappler underscores the rigor of its work that challenges disinformation. 

Our published fact check methodology explains the scope of our fact-checking effort as well as the workflow in deciding what to prioritize. It may be accessed here:

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/174766-fact-check-methodology

As explained in the methodology, our fact-check efforts cover not just politics and governance issues but also other issues of public interest, particularly those that affect public safety. We focus on these:

1. Statements by key public officials given their potential to translate to policy. This includes statements that contradict previous statements they made;

2. Misleading statements or outright falsehoods by influential personalities which could affect public discourse or pose potential harm to the public;

3. False claims and hoaxes circulated en masse on social media which could affect public safety, have the potential to influence public opinion, or incite hate.

We also fact-check major public-interest events such as candidate debates during elections as well as the incumbent president’s annual state of the nation address.

Rappler's fact-checks touched on a variety of topics, claims, sources, and forms https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check. Some fact-checks require extensive discussion, owing to the nature of the claim.Examples of these are claims attributed to WHO and Philippine officials. Others were just brief debunks, such as celebrities' death hoaxes. It appears that Rappler's methodology adjusts to the significance of the false claim.

The scope of Rappler's fact-check are both local and international claims while the topic ranged from COVID-related issues, government pronouncements and celebrity-related death hoaxes. Rappler's sources also include user-generated content, FB Claim Check and posts flagged by social media users and then sent to Rappler for verification.

This fact-checks intends to show the scope of topics, the variety of claims and sources of Rappler's fact-checks. The entry is the 21st from the top of the list  in every month.

1. (April) FALSE: WHO issues protocols for lockdown periods. This fact-check concerns COVID-19 and WHO. The claim was circulating in the Philippines with captions in the local language. The information was flagged by FB's Claim Check, a platform that detects potentially false information. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/who-issues-protocol-coronavirus-lockdown-period 

2. (May) FALSE: Kim Chiu found dead in Tacloban home. This fact check is among the numerous celebrity death hoaxes that were circulating during the lockdown. FB's Claim Check was the source of the claim that came from a website whose name mimicked CNN network. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/kim-chiu-found-dead-tacloban-home 

3. (June) FALSE: Kadamay placard demanding regular salary for rallyists. The issue is about disinformation that was used as a weapon to discredit groups that criticized the government. The claim came from Facebook posts. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/kadamay-placard-demanding-regular-salary-rallyists 

4. (July) FALSE: Photo of ABS-CBN supporters flouting quarantine rules. This fact-check concerns COVID-19 and a celebrity purportedly violating quarantine guidelines on mask-wearing and social distancing. The information on the false claim came from Rappler's readers and FB's Claim Check. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-abs-cbn-supporters-violating-quarantine-rules 

5. (August)  FALSE: Photos of landslides, flooding due to South Korea's 2020 monsoon. The topic is international in scope and concerns a disaster that took place in South Korea. The source of the claim was FB's Claim Check that flagged the claim that went viral. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photos-landslides-flooding-south-korea-2020-monsoon 

6. (September) FALSE: COVID-19 nasal swabs can damage the blood-brain barrier. The topic is a medical claim related to COVID-19. The source of the claim was FB's Claim Check. The source for the debunk includes the country's health department and other newspapers who debunked the claim ahead of Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

Rappler’s policy on non-partisanship and conflict of interest can be found in our fact-check project’s FAQ page: https://rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

Rappler has a strict policy on conflict of interest. This is not limited to political parties or advocacy organizations. In general, Rappler staff are required to disclose and avoid potential conflicts of interest situations, where loyalty to a person, group or institution could affect their ability to report about them truthfully and independently.

Rappler has a strict policy as well to reject gifts or privileges that could influence the independence of its news gathering

Staff are also advised to avoid taking part in activities or being part of organizations which could limit or compromise their independence and hurt their integrity.

These principles are enshrined in Rappler's Code of Ethics, which was initiated in 2012 and is updated from time to time as the need arises. The Code of Ethics is annexed to the Code of Conduct which every Rappler employee signs upon joining the organization.

Rappler's Code of Ethics is attached here.

The Code of Ethics serves as the backbone of a daily operations manual that we maintain and update constantly as the need arises.

Through Move.PH, its civic engagement unit, Rappler works with citizen journalists in communities all over the country. Citizen journalists also sign the Movers’ Code of Ethics. In our workshops, we ask potential volunteers to adopt this code.

Mover's Code of Ethics is attached here.

Rappler has extensively discussed its fact-checking project in this piece -- https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project. It has declared its non-partisanship. Its fact-checks show that Rapplier has covered various issues and groups, regardless of their political affiliation.

Rappler submitted the Mover's Code of Ethics, which covers its citizen journalism arm, MovePH, and not its code of ethics for regular editorial personnel.  Rappler said that its policy of nonpartisanship applies to everyrone in the organization. 

These fact checks intends to how Rappler identity the sources when verifying claims. (Every 25th fact-check from the top of the page)

1. (April) FALSE: COVID-19 is ‘confirmed’ airborne. Rappler used WHO statement that has a link to WHO scientific brief.It also used CDC statement and that of the country's health department. A media organization (CNBC) was also mentioned as a secondary source because it published a story on WHO. While the sources are clearly indicated, there was no explanation while one source is preferred over the other. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/coronavirus-confirmed-airborne 

2. ()May). FALSE: ABS-CBN operations ‘illegal’ for the past 25 years. Rappler examined the source of claim that was posted by a Facebook Page by analyzing the video to check for accuracy and context of the claim. Links to the video and other relevant information to understand the issue are provided. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/abs-cbn-operations-illegal-past-25-years

3. (June) FALSE: Actor McCoy De Leon says Duterte urgently needs mental help. This fact-check used primary and secondary data to verify the claim. The television network whose logo was used in the false claim issued a statement but the side of the celebrity was taken from his Instagram account rather than an interview.   https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/actor-mccoy-de-leon-says-duterte-urgently-needs-mental-help

4. (July) FALSE: Briones says that once classes start 'patay kung patay,' 'matira matibay.' Rappler identified the source of altered quote cards, originally released by a television network, and then debunked the claims. Rappler briefly explains its methodology or the process of disproving the false posts. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/briones-says-once-classes-start-patay-kung-patay-matira-matibay

 5. (August)FALSE: Photo of crater from Beirut explosions. Rappler explains its methodology, which is the use of reverse image search to show that the photographs did not come from Beirut explosion but from Tianjin explosion in 2015. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-crater-beirut-explosions 

6. (September)FALSE: SC allows damage suit against Trillanes in September 2020. The false claim was verified by tracing the quote to source that first published the story. Rappler explained the process fact-checking by following the digital footprint of the post that was flagged by FB Claim Check. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/supreme-court-allows-damage-suit-against-trillanes-september-2020 

To examine this criteria, assessor looked at the 5th fact-check from the top fo the list every month.

1. (April) FALSE: Nobel Prize winner Dr Tasuku Honjo says coronavirus is 'manufactured', To debunk a false claim attributed to a Japanese Nobel laureate, Rappler retrieved his statement posted in Kyoto published in Kyoto university website. Rappler also cross- che checked its verification by citing other news organizations that debunked the claims. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/nobel-prize-winner-dr-tasuku-honjo-says-coronavirus-manufactured 

2. (May) PARTLY FALSE: First Philippine Holdings 'made P24.6B profit, but only paid P10M income tax'. To come up with the rating of Partly False, Rappler looked at latest financial statement submitted by the corporation to the Securities and Exchange Commission and interviewed a taxation expert. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/first-philippine-holdings-made-profit-only-paid-income-tax 

3. (June) FALSE: Trillanes says Duterte created COVID-19 with China. Rappler relied on the verified Facebook page of the senator to debunk a claim. The claim was flagged by FB Claim Check. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/265155-trillanes-says-duterte-created-covid-19-with-china

4. (July) FALSE: Typing ‘gratula’ in Facebook comments shows hacked accounts.Rappler investigates a hoax by showing that the scare on hacked FB account is not true. The debunk a link toma particular feature of FB that was erroneously claimed as a sign of a hacked account, https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/typing-gratula-facebook-comments-shows-hacked-accounts

5. (August) FALSE: Philippines was the only Asian country without SARS cases. To disprove the claim, Rappler turned to an authoritative source, which is the WHO and the Philippines' health department. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/philippines-only-asian-country-without-sars-cases.  https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/philippines-only-asian-country-without-sars-cases

6. (September)FALSE: Green New Deal costs $100 trillion – Trump. This entry is supposedly to fact-check officials.  Rappler relied on secondary data but did not explain why such issue is significant for Filipino audience,

To examine compliance in this criteria, the assessor looked at every 22nd fact-check from the top of the list every month.

1. (April) FALSE: Coronavirus in the body dies in 4 days. To fact-check the claim, Rappler turned to official source and an article which did not indicate that it passed through peer review. The article did not make a conclusion on the duration between onset and recovery of COVID-19 because the article is not a study on COVID-19 but a narrative review of the studies about COVID-19. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/coronavirus-body-dies-four-days 

2. (May) FALSE: Robredo says the virus, not people, should be restrained. Rappler used several sources to debunk the claim. It also tried to contact the original source of the false information but the post was taken down soon after. The claim came from FB's Claim Check. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/robredo-says-virus-not-people-should-be-restrained

3. (June) FALSE: Risa Hontiveros quote supporting Maute Group. This is an old false claim that Rappler has fact-checked in 2017 and resurfaced in June 2020, Rappler simply updated its 2017 fact-check. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/risa-hontiveros-quote-supporting-maute-group

4. (July) FALSE: Supreme Court affirms ABS-CBN guilty, shuts down network.Using news stories from its own archive that was also supplemented by those from other media organizations., Rappler debunked an false claim from a YouTube channel that has been known to distribute false information. Rappler has extensively covered the ABS-CBN story. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/supreme-court-affirms-abs-cbn-guilty-shuts-down-network 

5. (August) FALSE: Hontiveros ‘confirmed’ to have stolen P15 billion from PhilHealth. The claim was debunked as false using available date on the senator's engagement with a government health insurance agency and the recent corruption scandal in the insurance agency. Rappler did not contact the senator but used her statement during a radio interview about the scandal as sources of the fact-check. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/hontiveros-confirmed-have-stolen-billions-philhealth 

6. (September) FALSE: Photo shows Arroyo in better condition during Duterte's term. Rappler used reverse image search to show that the old photographs  of former President Arroyo were repurposed by supporters of Duterte to discredit his predecessor, President Benigno Aquino III. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-arroyo-better-condition-duterte-term

To examine compliance with this criteria, the assessor looked at the 12th fact-check from the top of the list every month

1. (April) FALSE: Videos of Japan tsunami in April 2020. Among the sources used by Rappler to debunk the claim on tsunami in Japan were the videos on tsunami taken in 2011. The other sources are the US Geological Survey and Japan Meteorological Association. There is no possible conflict of interest that could arise from the use of the sources. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/videos-japan-tsunami-april-2020

2. (May) FALSE: ECQ extended until June 15, 2020. There is no possible conflict of interest that could emerge from sources of this fact-check. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/ecq-extended-until-june-15-2020

3. (June) FALSE: Abu Sayyaf thanked actors, politicians opposing anti-terror bill. This fact-check concerns a false information intended as propaganda to discredit groups opposing the proposed anti-terror law at that time. Rappler conducted sound digital forensic to determine the source of the post. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/abu-sayyaf-thanked-actors-politicians-opposing-anti-terror-bill

4. (July) FALSE: 'No classes for all' in 2020-2021. The sources cited will have no capacity to influence how the fact-check story is framed. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/no-classes-for-all-school-year-2020-202

5. (August) FALSE: 4 volcanoes placed under Alert Level 1 after Masbate earthquake. Rappler use of primary and secondary source lends credence to the fact-check story. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/volcanoes-placed-under-alert-level-one-after-masbate-earthquake

6. (September) FALSE: News report confirms Arlene Brosas is CPP-NPA-NDF member. Rappler vilified the false claim by asking the purported publisher of the false claim. It turned out that the original post was manipulated. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/news-report-confirms-arlene-brosas-cpp-npa-ndf-member

Evidence presented showed that Rappler is an independent media organization and its fact-checking arm shares the good journalism values of the whole organization.

Rappler is an independent news organization based in the Philippines which runs www.rappler.com.

Attached here is Rappler’s certificate of incorporation with the Philippine Securities and Exchange Commission.

Rappler IQ is a project of Newsbreak, the investigative & research arm of Rappler.

It is maintained primarily by a research unit which independently gathers public-interest imbued data and documents from primary sources for the purpose of storytelling as well as internal and external fact-checking and verification. Given the rise of misinformation and disinformation online, the team actively monitors content that needs fact-checking, and produces fact-check explainer stories.

This is the link to Newsbreak: https://rappler.com/section/newsbreak/

This is the link to Rappler IQ: https://rappler.com/section/newsbreak/iq

This is the link to our fact-check landing page: https://rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check

Our article on frequently asked questions on Rappler’s fact check project lists Rappler’s ownership structure, including actual contributions of investors, the overall revenue of Rappler for 2019, as well as the institutions that fund the fact check project. The article can be viewed through this link: https://rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

Rappler's FAQ on its fact-checking satisfies the criteria of being independent as a media organization https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

The above link also discussed the ownership structure of Rappler and the sources of its revenues for fact-checking.

Our article on frequently asked questions on Rappler’s fact check project lists Rappler’s ownership structure, including actual contributions of investors, the overall revenue of Rappler for 2019, as well as the institutions that fund the fact check project. The article can be viewed through this link: https://rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

Rappler's editorial structure is available to the public through this link ( https://www.rappler.com/about/rappler-team) and the story of its fact-checking project. https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project. The latter includes the workflow in the verification and fact-checking process

This page links to the profile pages of members of the Rappler team and their individual biographies

https://rappler.com/about/rappler-team

This page contains the list of members of Rappler’s fact-check team and links to their individual biographies:

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/214420-frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

Our fact-check methodology page explains the process our fact-checking and editorial team undergoes before publishing a fact-check:

https://www.rappler.com/about/fact-check-methodology

In this link https://www.rappler.com/about/rappler-team Rappler provides the profile of its editorial team and also its fact-checkers. However the brief bios in this link ( https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project) is not working, except for one entry however. It appears that Rappler fixing or improving its website while the assessment is ongoing.

This page contains the list of members of Rappler’s fact-check team and links to their individual biographies

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/214420-frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

This page links to the profile pages of members of the Rappler team and their individual biographies

https://rappler.com/about/rappler-team

Rappler’s methodology for fact-checking is found in this link. https://www.rappler.com/about/fact-check-methodology, and an updated one found in  https://www.rappler.com/about/fact-check-methodology. Included in the FAQ are the ratings which were adopted from Facebook Claim Check. Rappler is a third party fact-checker for FB, receiving compensation from the social media company.

Rappler's fact-checking methodology explains the steps or the process of fact-checking and verification.

This page links to Rappler’s contact information. It is accessible through the website’s footer which is visible in all pages.

https://rappler.com/about/contact-us

The contact details of Rappler are visible in its website https://www.rappler.com/about/contact-us . Rappler is available in several media platforms like Facebook and Twitter and these platforms were also sources of claims to be fact-checked. Reporters and fact-checkers were named in the stories and fact-checks they produced. https://www.rappler.com/about/fact-check-methodology

Fact-checking and verification are ingrained in the news & data gathering and reporting workflow of the entire Rappler newsroom -- not just of the fact check unit.

To ensure that our reports and fact-checks are accurate, we employ internal accountability mechanisms as well as a multilevel process of verification built on the rich experience of our predecessor Newsbreak, an award-winning investigative news organization established in 2001.

To help educate the public on how we fact check, we have an article which details our fact check process and methodology. This is accessible here:

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/174766-fact-check-methodology

The different categories we use for rating claims are listed and explained in this link:

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/214420-frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

As a partner in Facebook’s Third Party Fact Checker Program, we have aligned our ratings with ratings prescribed by the program. Facebook’s ratings can be found here:

https://www.facebook.com/help/publisher/182222309230722

We also conduct workshops where we explain this methodology and train volunteers how to fact check.

Rappler primarily worked on claims found in Facebook's Claim Check Platform and then from suggestions of readers who noticed potential false news and disinformation.  Its reporters also contribute information to be fact-checked. Rappler used to declare the source of the fact-check but the choice of a claim and the reason behind such choice is implied. However, Rappler's new fact-checks include a fast fact introduction ("At a glance") where one of the question raised is “Why fact checked (the issue)." See for example https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/tilapia-introduced-philippines-marcos-presidency

While the correction entries listed in Rappler's correction page may have got to do with data or information that needs correction, Rappler's fact-checks are not one of them. However Rappler has stated that its correction policy for fact-checks is covered in all its editorial work https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check. Its new fact-check page has link to its methodology, correction page and feedback email.

To examine this criteria, the assessor will review the third (3rd) fact-check from the top of the list each month.

1. (April) FALSE: Groups will hold Labor Day protests on the streets, despite quarantine rules. The sources of the claim was not specified but Rappler proceed to debunk the information. Rappler focused on fact-checking the claim without verifying the sources mentioned in the fact-check story. There is a screen shot of a post in the FB account associated with the daughter of President Duterte who is also the mayor of Davao City but it was not mentioned in the story. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/groups-will-hold-labor-day-protests-streets

2. (May) FALSE: Malunggay and kamias tea cure for COVID-19. This is a claim on cures for COVID-19 and endorsing home care for COVID-19 patients. Rappler's fact-check goes straight to debunk the claim that there is no known cure yet for COVID-19 according to WHO. While there are remedies to alleviate and ease the symptoms[, there is no cure yet for the disease. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/malunggay-kamias-tea-cure-covid-19

3. (June) FALSE: Cavite to impose liquor ban starting July 1. Rappler's fact-check pointed out that the original post was manipulated. Fact-checking, in this case, involves tracking the digital footprint on the post. While the Facebook page of the governor could stand as source to debunk false claim, Rappler could have also interviewed the governor himself. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/cavite-to-impose-liquor-ban-starting-july-1-2020\

4. (July) FALSE: Spain doctors' quote on Duterte's COVID-19 response. Rappler classified this claim as an example of fake quote but a closer look shows that it is more than that. The claim deliberately uses fake quote, fake names and fake photograph to praise Duterte. Rappler hinted that it was a form of disinformation although there were social media users believe that the claim is true. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/cavite-to-impose-liquor-ban-starting-july-1-2020

5. (August) FALSE: Roque quote on 10,000 COVID-19 deaths.The fact-check of Rappler showed how a quote of Duterte's spokesperson was manipulated to make it appear that he is callous and unsympathetic about COVID-19 related deaths. The newspaper, from where the quote card originally came from, confirmed the manipulation of the quote card. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/roque-quote-coronavirus-deaths

6. (September) FALSE: ‘Portland sheriff’ Mike Reese supports Trump. While Trump is prominent enough to warrant a fact-check, the item of a fact-check (sheriff) is too local to make an impact on readers in the Philippines. The techniques on debunk is limited to secondary data and tweet, which are relevant evidences. However was not mentioned in the story why the claim was chosen to be fact-checked. In other words, Rappler's technique focused on the information to be fact-checked, and this was satisfactorily met.  However it does not explain why the claim is significant. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/portland-sheriff-mike-reese-supports-donald-trump

To examine this criteria, the assessor will review the 17th fact-check from the top of the list in every month.

1. (April) FALSE: Philippines first to impose lockdown in Asia – Duterte. This is a fact check on Duterte's statement that the country was the first to impose a lockdown in Asia. Rappler easily debunked Duterte's statement using news stories. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/philippines-first-impose-coronavirus-lockdown-asia-duterte

2. (May) FALSE: Vico Sotto quote on criticizing mayors, barangay captains. The fact-check on a young popular city major was debunked using the Facebook Page of the city government, Moreover, there was no story on that sort circulating in media, No interview was done on the mayor himself but quoted was the social media page of the city. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/vico-sotto-quote-criticizing-mayors-barangay-captains

3. (June) FALSE: Protesters at U.P. did not practice physical distancing.The fact-check relied on the Twitter post of a reporter in a television network whose original post was used to discredit protesters by accusing them of violating health guidelines on social distancing. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/protesters-up-did-not-practice-physical-distancing

4. (July) FALSE: Sinulog Queen 2020 ‘kidnapped, raped by 3 men’. Rappler's verification involves the basic steps of investigating the content of a website that posted incredible claims and checking them with all possible sources available. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/sinulog-queen-2020-kidnapped-raped-men

5. (August) FALSE: SM advisory on face shields selling for P20. The fact check is about whether a face shield is selling for 20 pesos in SM groceries and malls, which is lower than the price set by the government. Rappler took the denial of SM as official. However Rappler did not state for how much is a mask sold at SM chain of stores, https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/sm-advisory-face-shields-prices

6. (September) FALSE: Photo of white sand in new Manila Bay. The fact-check entails a reverse image search and visiting the government site involved in the public works public. Rappler discussed the steps it took to verify the claim. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-white-sand-new-manila-bay.

To verify the criteria, the assessor looks at the sixth (6th) claim from the top of the list every month.

1. (April) ALSE: North Korea ruling party 'confirms' Kim Jong Un's death on April 25. In this fact-check, Rappler relied on secondary sources, mainly newspapers from the U.S. It's impossible to get first hand information on the issue. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/north-korea-ruling-party-confirms-kim-jong-un-death-april-25-2020

2. (May) FALSE: ABS-CBN’s 1995 franchise allows only one channel. Rappler returned to the copy of the law that granted the television network franchise.That provision could answer the question raised by the claim. However Rappler's fact check opens up questions that could be better answered by getting the side of the television network or the National Telecommunications Commission, the government agency granting permits and licenses to radio and television companies that received franchises. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/abs-cbn-1995-franchise-allows-only-one-channel

3. (June) FALSE: Piolo Pascual dies in carjacking incident. This fact-check on the death of a celebrity. Rappler showed the sources of the dubious claim and how it spread. The debunk included an Instagram post of the celebrity. There's no need to get the side of the celebrity as this falls within the pattern of celebrity death hoaxes. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/piolo-pascual-dies-carjacking-incident

4. (July) FALSE: 'Required' COVID-19 home medical kit.Rappler's fact-check relies on sound medical advice from WHO but also include useful information on how to manage mild symptoms of COVID-19 at home from a public hospital https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/ways-take-care-mild-coronavirus-symptoms-at-home. The fact-check and links contain useful information even as it debunked the information on self-treatment with the use of home medical kit. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/required-covid-19-home-medical-kit

5. (August) FALSE: Photo shows Joma Sison in a coma.This fact check was verified through reverse image search, the Facebook account of Sison and a fact-check of Agence France Presse. It is similar to the numerous death hoaxes targeting critics of Duterte. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/photo-shows-joma-sison-coma

6. (September) FALSE: Philippines did not export rice after Marcos administration. This Rappler's fact-check was well-researched piece by its use of statistics on rice production, imports and exports in the Philippines from UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). It also provided a link to a Rappler special report on the rice. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/philippines-did-not-export-rice-after-marcos-administration

Readers can submit items to fact check via the email factcheck@rappler.com and by sending chat messages through Facebook messenger to the Facebook page of Newsbreak, our investigative and research unit. Below is the link to Newsbreak’s Facebook page:

https://www.facebook.com/newsbreak.ph

These instructions are posted on our Fact Check landing page and on our published Fact Check Methodology page:

https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/174766-fact-check-methodology

It is also reiterated on the Fact Check section landing page and on each fact check piece to encourage people to submit claims for verification.

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check

Sample fact check article which includes the instructions on how to submit

https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/fact-check/233508-false-maritime-law-expert-lied-about-satellite-image-of-recto-bank

In addition, Rappler has a full-time social media & community engagement team that actively engages and gathers feedback regarding our stories real-time through the comments sections, social media, and through email. Suggestions for fact-check coming from our readers are captured by this team which then turns such requests over to the editorial and research teams for review.

The team regularly publishes call outs for items to fact check via our various social media channels. Aside from generic call outs, the team also publishes call outs based on current events. Below are samples of both generic and specific call outs.

Sample of generic call-out:

https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/photos/a.317154781638645/3244354125585348/?type=3&theater

Sample of specific/thematic call-out:

https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/photos/a.317154781638645/3776377512383004/?type=3&theater

We also have a Facebook group where volunteers who participated in our workshops help us find dubious content on social media that may require fact-checking. We also post our fact check call outs in this Facebook group.

This is the link to the Facebook group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/factsmatterph/.This group also includes representatives of other news organizations we are partnering with for the local collaborative fact check initiative. 

Rappler encourages readers to submit questionable and potentially false claims through email and Facebook Messenger, the Fact-checking group on Facebook. and on its Fact-check section. It also provides guideline on what anf how to submit a claim to be fact-checked. https://www.rappler.com/about-rappler/about-us/174766-fact-check-methodology.

Rappler came out with call-outs or teasers to encourage social media users to contribute a claim to be fact-checked/ https://www.facebook.com/rapplerdotcom/photos/a.317154781638645/3244354125585348/?type=3&theater

It's new fact-check page explains the value of fact-check to combat disinformation and Rappler's fact-checking project. Links were also included to explain the fact-checking methodology, corrections and FAQ.

In cases where errors are committed, we immediately acknowledge the mistake and issue an erratum directly on the page or platform where the error was published and alert readers and followers on social media of factual errors.

On top of that, we are one of the few newsgroups in the Philippines that maintains an updated Corrections Page, which lists factual errors and systems infractions.

Both the policy and the inventory of all key corrections made since 2012 are published on the corrections page: https://rappler.com/about/corrections. The corrections policy applies to all stories published by Rappler and not just to the Fact Check initiative.

The Corrections page also links to a list of monthly corrections pages which list down corrections for that month. Each monthly corrections page then links to the articles where the corrections were made.

Rappler’s full time community engagement team also scour our comments section and social media channels regularly for feedback on content that require correction.

Correction requests can also be sent via feedback@rappler.com.

Rappler has a Correction page which lists down the monthly correction entries from the stories published, including factual errors and missed out contexts. https://www.rappler.com/about/corrections. Its fact-checking methodology spells out what should be covered by a fact-check and how to contact Rappler for corrections. It also has a dedicated link for correction requests related to fact-checks https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check .

To check the adherence to this criteria, the assessor will review corrections’ list.

1. (April) Not one of the 14 correction entries for April is a fact check.

2. (May) Not one of the two correction entries for May is a fact-check

3. (June) Corrections' page not found. (Site not available at the time of access)

4. (July) The lone correction entry for July is not a fact-check.

5. (August) Not one of the three correction entries for August is a fact-check

6. (September) Not one of the eight correction entries for September is a fact-check.

Rappler has declared that its correction policy covered stories and fact-checks alike. A keyword search of 'correction' easily takes one to the correction page. Its new fact check page states a commitment to  corrections and also Rappler's responsibility over the content of its fact-checks.  https://www.rappler.com/section/newsbreak/fact-check

In the past year, Rappler has issued a number of corrections for errors committed in its stories, all in compliance with our editorial policies and standards. All corrections can be found in our corrections page: https://rappler.com/about/corrections.

Corrections can be found within the text of the corrected story.

This is the link to Rappler’s corrections page which links to all monthly corrections.

https://www.rappler.com/about/corrections

Below are the links to the latest monthly corrections pages:

https://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/corrections-september-2020

https://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/corrections-august-2020

https://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/corrections-july-2020

https://www.rappler.com/bulletin-board/corrections-june-2020

Below are links to some sample corrections:

https://www.rappler.com/nation/house-approves-bill-declaring-ferdinand-marcos-holiday-ilocos-norte

https://www.rappler.com/nation/after-calling-pemberton-release-unjust-roque-justifies-duterte-pardon

https://www.rappler.com/nation/coronavirus-cases-philippines-september-22-2020

https://rappler.com/nation/ronald-cardema-back-national-youth-commission-august-2020

https://rappler.com/nation/filipinos-flood-national-mental-health-hotlines-coronavirus-pandemic

Rappler’s correction entries from April to September did not include a fact-check. Some of the corrections have go to do with statistics and other verifiable information but they were not part of a fact-check. However the correction page displays Rappler's commitment to correct errors in all its stories, including fact-checks. Corrections either appear at the top of the story or at the end of the story and thus visible to readers.

Rappler’s participation in the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) can be found in our FAQs under the section “Our involvement in the International Fact-Checking Network”

https://www.rappler.com/about/frequently-asked-questions-fact-check-project

A link to the complaints page on the IFCN website can also be found in that section of the FAQs page.

Rappler has disclosed its participation with the IFCN https://www.rappler.com/nation/national-privacy-commission-data-protection-coronavirus-relief-efforts , including the Coronavirus Fact Alliance. It provides a link to IFCN's complaint page https://www.ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaints-policy.  If there are complaints against Rappler the link is easily seen. It also states that it is guided by IFCN code of principles.

This criteria does not apply to Rappler.