Organization: Soft Media Hub LLP
Applicant: Nagesh Narayana
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur
Background
The applicant is legally registered and an initiative of a parent media consultancy company. The unit has been set up for the purpose of fact checking and hopes to expand to produce more videos and perform fact checks in more languages. It has published about one fact check a week over the past year and most of them have been in the public interest. The applicant has stated that it has no connection whatsoever with any political party or politician and does not receive any funding from any such entities.
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence while judging equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim, without concentrating on any one side. It considers the reach and importance of the claim and clearly mentions sources it quotes. It is not affiliated to nor shows support for any party or politician and does not advocate for any policy positions. The applicant clearly lays out its non-partisanship policy for its staff on the website and makes it clear that staff are not permitted to get involved in advocacy or take stands on policy issues.
It identifies all sources of significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where possible so that users can replicate the fact check. These are mainly primary sources, but it has used secondary sources, too. It checks all key elements of the claims against more than one source of evidence and identifies all sources clearly so that readers might be aware if the interests of the sources could influence the evidence provided.
The applicant is a fact-checking initiative of a news media consultancy, Soft Media Hub and is funded by the parent company. Details of this are mentioned on its website where the status of the company as a legally registered entity is also mentioned. The organizational structure of the website is explained on a page in the website, explaining how control is exercised and by whom. Professional biographies of all significant staff members are listed on the page, email ids and a WhatsApp number to help users get in touch with the editorial staff. The Contact Us page also helps users to send claims to check.
Its methodology to select, research, write and publish fact checks is detailed on its website. Most claims selected by the applicant to fact check are about issues in the public interest. In its fact checks, the applicant sets out relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as evidence that appears to undermine it, using the same standards of evidence on equivalent claims, irrespective of who made the claim. Where possible the applicant seeks to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence. It also encourages users to send in claims to check and explains what can be checked.
The applicant’s corrections page is easily accessible on its website and explains how corrections are carried out. The applicant states that it has not received any requests for corrections. However, in the past, it has made corrections openly and transparently. Users can see the original version and the corrected one. The applicant is an existing signatory and has a link to the IFCN’s complaints page so that users can complain to the IFCN if they believe that the applicant is violating the IFCN code.
Assessment Conclusion
The application may be accepted.
Kanchan Kaur assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
The main publishing language is English.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Digiteye India (https://digiteye.in) is an independent digital journalism initiative that was formally launched in November 2018, as a part of Softmedia Hub LLP, a limited liability partnership company, set up in October 2014 after registering it with the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, Government of India.
Please visit the page link below where we have set out information about our organization's legal status, complying with the criteria:
https://digiteye.in/our-company/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is legally registered and an initiative of a parent company. Details of this are found on the website.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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?
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
-- Digiteye India was formally launched in November 2018 to do fact checking socially and politically relevant news and social media messages.
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
-- Currently, we have a team of five persons volunteering and their roles are mentioned on our website under 'Our Team' Page.
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
-- We, at Digiteye India, monitor Social Media platforms, especially Twitter and WhatsApp besides different websites, choose which claims merit fact-check, investigate them by consulting different sources as per our methodology and publish the finished articles.
-- We are also in contact with fact-checkers from other countries (members of the IFCN) to exchange knowledge.
-- We broadcast our fact checked stories on WhatsApp to more than 100 contacts regularly and instantly answer their queries and send them links to our fact-checked stories, if done already. We keep them engaged by sending them individual replies with the link once fact checks are done at their request.
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
-- Ever since we have made our WhatsApp account as per IFCN guidelines three years ago, we have been overwhelmed with many daily requests for fact checks amid Covid-19 pandemic and now on a varied topics. We wish to expand our coverage with more videos next year.
-- Besides fact-checking in English, we wish to expand our coverage in regional languages of Kannada and Telugu.
-- Since visual format is WhatsApp-friendly where most of these false claims go viral, we wish to make efforts to make videos of fact checks and upload them on Youtube and share them via WhatsApp to our viewers/subscribers.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The unit has been set up for the purpose of fact checking and hopes to expand to produce more videos and perform fact checks in more languages.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We have published 60 fact checks in the last one year related to political, social, business and health. Here's the link to our home page where the fact checks can be accessed:
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The organization has published about one fact check a week over the past year.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Most of the fact checks have been in the public interest.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
We have no commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship with the state, politicians or political parties in the country or outside. We have not received any funding for this project from any source so far. It’s entirely self-funded and run in the form of voluntary contribution of articles by our team of like-minded former journalists drawn from the mainstream and digital media. Our financial statement for the preceding year has been duly shared.
IT-1.png (172 KB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has stated that it has no connection whatsoever with any political party or politician.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Not Applicable
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago)
It has stated that it does not receive any funding from local or foreign state or political entities.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. We show that old videos or images can be used out of context to create disinformation.
Did Modi say, “I’m son of a Pathan’ in this 2019 video? Fact Check, December 25, 2022
An old video of Indian PM Narendra Modi has been shown out of context to depict as if the words are his own and the context was the release of controversial film “Pathan” in Jan 2023. In fact, the video clip was from Modi’s speech before 2019 elections when he dared then Pakistan Prime Minister Imran Khan on his claim of “Son of a Pathan”.
This fact check shows periodic use of old videos or mages to damage the reputation of rival political leaders out of context. Using the fact checking process as per our methodology, we have concluded that it was a false context.
2. We show that we have many different topics covered under our fact-checks with evidence.
Scary Earth moving video captured after recent Indonesia Quake? Fact Check, November 27, 2022
This fact check shows how wrong claims of authentic videos are shared with wrong claims out of context to make people believe that they are current and real. We have made an effort to make it simple, explain the difference and establish with evidence that it was a wrong claim.
3. Without bias or prejudice, we carry out fact checks to prove popular and viral claims as untrue.
No, UP Mosque partly demolished not for hoisting Pakistani flag but for widening road; Fact Check, January 29, 2023
The fact check nullifies the claim aimed at showing every act of administration as against one particular community and creating communal division writ large in the minds of minorities.
4. We show that we take the same standards for fact checking regardless of the political view.
Did Murmu tweet seeking to turn India into ‘Hindu’ nation? Fact Check, July 29, 2022
The fact check proves how emotions are played up using wrong claims to depict a Presidential candidate with unfound bias in favor of a particular religion or ideology. The fact checking process brings out the truth step by step with evidence.
5. With no prejudice, we provide correct information to dispel wrong claims.
Did Rahul Gandhi give Aarti at Narmada Ghat wrongly? Fact Check, November 30, 2022
Wrong claims every time the opposition leader makes a casual visit to temples has become a norm and we took it up with in-depth information to dispel wrong claims made by the ruling political party’s leader. The fact checking process not only concludes so but also helps the reader do the fact check and conclude that it was wrong.
6. We show that old videos can be used out of context to create fear among people, especially when the Covid pandemic was at its peak
Viral video claims Pfizer Covid-19 vaccine resulted in Monkeypox outbreak; Fact Check, August 21, 2022
Following the methodology, this fact check proves that the facts are wrongly interpreted to spread fear among the people about Covid-19 vaccine and the Monkeypox outbreak in some countries. We fact checked and proved it wrong with full evidence and clarification from authentic sources.
7. Efforts at monopolizing a historic personality to depict current virtues is often resorted to by a section of people in India and we make every effort to prove them wrong with evidence.
Morphed image with Swami Vivekananda’s face bowling in Calcutta goes viral; Fact Check, October 28, 2022
In this fact check, we proved that the face of an English cricketer was morphed with the image of Vivekananda to make a wrong claim though Vivekananda had played cricket as per the records.
8. Without bias, we react to rumors that can spread prejudice.
No, US has NOT passed a Bill recognising Hindu New Year; Fact Check, August 8, 2022
Whenver there is a wrong claim, especially involving foreign governments, we were quick to react and debunk such rumors, without any bias. In this fact check, using established methodology and tools of fact checking process, the claim has been traced to original source and proved that it was tweaked to mislead people.
9. We strive to prove widely-shared claims with free rewards and benefits as not trustworthy and alert our readers.
Old Rs.2 coin sells for lakhs of rupees online? Video goes viral on WhatsApp; Fact Check, June 2, 2022
This fact check was deemed important as several such claims to trick readers to believe them and end up losing money in these schemes. Earlier, the trend was to offer cars in a concocted contest by Maruti Suzuki on 40th anniversary making rounds and now the coins have made inroads to deceive gullible people online. We’ve made an effort to debunk such claims being shared on WhatsApp. We proved it wrong step-by-step and made it clear for our readers not to fall for such claims.
10. We take the same standards for political claims, regardless of which party they belong to.
Wrong image used to claim huge gathering at a rally of Bharat Jodo Yatra in Rajasthan; Fact Check, December 30, 2022
The claim of a massive support base has been resorted to by every political party and we’ve made an effort to debunk them repeatedly and consistently. In this case, Congress leader Rahul Gandhi’s Bharat Jodo Yatra has become popular but the claims by some online users that a mammoth meeting of a religious leader was theirs was debunked.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence while judging equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
It does not unduly concentrate on any one side; it considers the reach and importance of the claims it chooses to check. It also makes a statement to that effect on its website.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant clearly mentions the sources it quotes so that readers might reasonably conclude if the interests of those sources could influence the accuracy of the fact check.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
It is not affiliated with nor shows support for any party or politician and does not advocate for any policy positions.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant clearly lays out its non-partisanship policy for its staff on the website. The policy, which is also issued to the staff, and a copy of which was produced, makes it clear that staff are not permitted to get involved in advocacy or take stands on policy issues.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant identifies most sources of significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where they can so that users can replicate the fact check.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant uses mainly primary sources, but has used secondary sources, too.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
It checks all key elements of the claims against more than one source of evidence.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In its fact checks the applicant identifies all sources clearly so that readers might be aware if the interests of the sources could influence the evidence provided.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Digiteye India is an independent and full-fledged fact-checking initiative of Softmediahub LLP, a limited liability partnership company, incorporated in October 2014 as a news media consultancy. Digiteye India Initiative was formally launched in November 2018. It is mentioned on 'Our Company' page on the website. Please see the link below:
https://digiteye.in/our-company/
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is a fact-checking initiative of a news media consultancy, Soft Media Hub and is funded by the parent company. Details of this are mentioned on its website where the status of the company as a legally registered entity is also mentioned.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
It has a statement on ownership on its website.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The organizational structure of the website is explained on a page in the website, explaining how control is exercised and by whom.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Professional biographies of all significant staff members are listed on the page.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
We encourage readers to ‘SUBMIT CLAIM FOR FACT CHECK’ through the button prominently displayed on top of every page on the website. We carry out regular contact via our dedicated WhatsApp account provided for fact checkers where we are actively engaging with our users/contacts instantly. All these modes of communication have been clearly spelt out on our 'Contact Us' page as well as the 'Home' page.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant provides email ids and a WhatsApp number to help users get in touch with the editorial staff. The Contact Us page also helps users to get in touch and send claims to check. However, the link to their twitter handle on the page is problematic.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant’s methodology to select, research, write and publish fact checks is detailed on its website.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Most of the claims selected by the applicant to fact check are about issues in the public interest. The applicant takes into consideration the reach and importance of the claim.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In its fact checks, the applicant sets out relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as evidence that appears to undermine it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant uses the same standards of evidence on equivalent claims, irrespective of who made the claim.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Where possible the applicant seeks to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We encourage readers to ‘SUBMIT CLAIM FOR FACT CHECK’ through the button prominently displayed on every page of the website. We carry out regular contact via our dedicated WhatsApp account provided for fact checkers where we are actively engaging with our users/contacts instantly. All these modes of communication have been clearly spelt out on our 'Contact Us' page as well as 'About Us' pages.
https://digiteye.in/contact-us/
On our methodology page, we have stated the main criteria for fact-checking a story in our methodology as its potential damage and reach, if left unchecked. However, we refrain from trivial entertainment or satire-based stories for fact-checking as stated in this page. Currently, we have stated on this page that we can fact check claims in English, Hindi, Telugu and Kannada.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check and explains what can be checked. The applicant refrains from checking entertainment-based or satire-based claims.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has a corrections page that is easily accessible on its website.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The policy explains how corrections are carried out and in how much time.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
We have not received any complaint to correct any of our stories published in the last one year.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant states that it has not received any requests for corrections. However, in the past, it has made corrections openly and transparently. Users can see the original version and the corrected one.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
We have displayed a button below 'Submit Claim' box stating that we are a signatory of IFCN Code of Principles and if the users believe that we are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN at the link given to the complaints page on the IFCN site. This appears on all pages and on every story page published. In addition, we have stated the same in our About Us page.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is an existing signatory and has a link to the IFCN’s complaints page so that users can complain to the IFCN if they believe that the applicant is violating the IFCN code.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.
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.
Soft Media Hub LLP
17-Feb-2023 (1 year ago)
Digiteye India is an independent and full-fledged fact-checking initiative of Softmediahub LLP, a limited liability partnership company, incorporated in October 2014 as a news media consultancy. Launched in November 2018, Digiteye India fact checking initiative is an exclusive unit of Softmedia Hub LLP.
We have stated our honest and open corrections policy in our Code of Principles page and in our Corrections Policy page as part of our pages menu provided at the bottom of the page with links duly provided:
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-Mar-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This does not apply as the parent company is a consultancy.