The Association of Independent Press (API) is a non-governmental organization established to support apolitical mass media. The Association of Independent Press was founded by the representatives of the first local independent newspapers "Accent Provincial" (Glodeni), "Business-Info" / at present “Gazeta de Sud” (Cimișlia), "Cugetul" (Bălți), "Cuvântul" (Rezina), "Est Curier" (Criuleni), "Gazeta de Vest" (Nisporeni), and the press agencies BASA-Press (Chisinau) and DECA-Press (Bălți).

The idea to set API belongs to the American journalist Judi Yablonky, who, during a documentation trip taken to Moldova, suggested to the directors of independent media institutions to unite under a non-governmental organization, with a view to help each other and defend their rights.

The Association of Independent Press was officially registered at the Ministry of Justice on 29 September 1997, being the first association of this kind in the republic.

API is recognised as one of the most important mass-media organisations in R. Moldova which promotes and provides assistance to independent media. API is highly appreciated for its media campaigns in various public interest sectors, advocacy activities for mass-media development, defence of the freedom of expression, access to information, promotion of journalistic self-regulation, etc.

API manages the fact-checking portal, Stopfals.md, through which journalists deny the false and biased information that appeared in the media and social networks.

Stopfals.md is a distinct team within the Association of Independent Press which is a legally registered non-governmental organization. The information can be easily found on both Stopfals.md and Api.md. 

Stopfals.md is a distinct team within the Association of Independent Press which is a legally registered non-governmental organization. The information can be easily found on both Stopfals.md and Api.md. 

Since November 2015, API in partnership with Independent Journalism Center (IJC) and Association of Independent Tele-journalists in Republic of Moldova (ATVJI) is conducting the media campaign against false and biased information - “STOP FALS!”. The goal of the campaign is to diminish the effects and the impact resulted from propagandistic and manipulative information that distorts the reality, being spread out through various communication means by mass-media institutions and other politically-controlled structures, and to build Moldovan citizens' capacities to critically analyze the received information. In the API team 14 people work, of which 4 API employees are also on the Stopfals.md portal team. The website www.stopfals.md is an online platform for information on the phenomenon of "fake news", revealing false and obviously biased information, training and assistance on fact checking and discovering manipulation techniques, with interactive fields and special modules through to which users are encouraged to report forgeries in journalistic materials, published by local or foreign media, answer questions from opinion polls, participate in debates, etc. The main purpose of this site, as well as the API, is to thoroughly verify the false information that is intentionally transmitted on different platforms.

Founded in 1997, API is one of the oldest and most important non-governmental organisations fighting for the independence of the Moldovan media. Their work is highly important for Moldova, a country with extremely polarized media, characterized by chronic instability and the excessive influence of its oligarchs. Journalistic independence and quality, and the concentration of media ownership are major challenges, Moldova ranking 91 in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index. Several independent reports constantly show a significant influence exerted in the public space, some of them directed through Russian channels rebroadcasted in the country that disseminated propaganda and presented distorted information about regional and international events.

The issue of Transnistria, as well as the constant struggle between pro-European and pro-Russian parties also transform Moldova in a space vulnerable to disinformation regarding topics related to the democratic institutions as well as targeted attacks against pro-European political leaders. There is also a significant anti-Romanian propaganda which is specific to the country. Otherwise, the narratives encountered in Moldova are the “classical ones” - migration, the foreigners that want to undermine Moldova etc.

The project “STOP FALS!” started in 2015 precisely because of this huge need of education and fact-checking, involving strong media campaigns, significant educational activities in rural areas and constant fact-checking published on their website. The team of the project involves highly reputed and experienced Moldovan journalists such as Lilia Zaharia and Petru Macovei.  

Please clarify if the team works exclusively on “STOP FALS!” and review the members published on your website, since it seems that you have fact-checkers that are not included here: https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2. 

Founded in 1997, API is one of the oldest and most important non-governmental organisations fighting for the independence of the Moldovan media. Their work is highly important for Moldova, a country with extremely polarized media, characterized by chronic instability and the excessive influence of its oligarchs. Journalistic independence and quality, and the concentration of media ownership are major challenges, Moldova ranking 91 in the 2019 World Press Freedom Index. Several independent reports constantly show a significant influence exerted in the public space, some of them directed through Russian channels rebroadcasted in the country that disseminated propaganda and presented distorted information about regional and international events.

The issue of Transnistria, as well as the constant struggle between pro-European and pro-Russian parties also transform Moldova in a space vulnerable to disinformation regarding topics related to the democratic institutions as well as targeted attacks against pro-European political leaders. There is also a significant anti-Romanian propaganda which is specific to the country. Otherwise, the narratives encountered in Moldova are the “classical ones” - migration, the foreigners that want to undermine Moldova etc.

The project “STOP FALS!” started in 2015 precisely because of this huge need of education and fact-checking, involving strong media campaigns, significant educational activities in rural areas and constant fact-checking published on their website. The team of the project involves highly reputed and experienced Moldovan journalists such as Lilia Zaharia and Petru Macovei.  

Please clarify if the team works exclusively on “STOP FALS!” and review the members published on your website, since it seems that you have fact-checkers that are not included here: https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2. 

The API, through the Stopfals.md portal, has focused in the last three months largely on the denial of misinformation and narratives about COVID-19.

Although in the document provided in the application there are only 11 articles mentioned, they have checked more than 13 claims in the last 3 months prior to the application date, 20.04.2020. All the topics covered in this period of time are of public interest: to COVID-19, narratives against the European Union, NATO, USA, IMF, Ukraine or George Soros. 

Although in the document provided in the application there are only 11 articles mentioned, they have checked more than 13 claims in the last 3 months prior to the application date, 20.04.2020. All the topics covered in this period of time are of public interest: to COVID-19, narratives against the European Union, NATO, USA, IMF, Ukraine or George Soros. 

More than 75% of the fact-checks cover topics of public interest, such as issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health care system, public justice, public spending, relationships with other states, international organizations or the European Union. 

More than 75% of the fact-checks cover topics of public interest, such as issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public health care system, public justice, public spending, relationships with other states, international organizations or the European Union. 

API is recognised as one of the most important mass-media organisations in R. Moldova which promotes and provides assistance to independent media. API is highly appreciated for its media campaigns in various public interest sectors, advocacy activities for mass-media development, defence of the freedom of expression, access to information, promotion of journalistic self-regulation, etc. Enhancing the impact of independent media in Republic of Moldova

OBJECTIVES:

supporting independent media institutions, defending civil and professional rights of employees from independent media;

assisting independent media institutions in order to build their viability;

ensuring a continuous process of training and uplifting the professional background of independent media employees;

developing lobby and advocacy campaigns in order to foster the development of independent media;

facilitating the supply of editorial offices with equipment, paper, and necessary office supplies for publishing and spreading the publications;

improving the press distribution system;

attracting and efficiently making use of donations, sponsorship, other sources of financing with a view to promote, develop and build independent press;

improve and diversify the content of independent publications, by producing comments and union articles, and publishing common supplements;

conducting information and awareness-raising campaigns on public interest issues;

ensuring the informational support to implementing democratic reforms and strengthening the open society in Moldova;

initiating and supporting initiatives to make the media more accountable by complying with deontological norms;

procuring advertising to the interest of API members. API is an NGO that does not support political or other type, which is why it has never received funding from politicians, either local or from outside.

As it is mentioned in the application, one of the objectives of the organization is "attracting and efficiently making use of donations, sponsorship, other sources of financing with a view to promote, develop and build independent press". The organization does not receive funding from national or foreign political sources. Their main funding sources are the European Union, foreign embassies, Soros Foundation, UNWomen, Freedom House, the East Europe Foundation, USAID. All the projects and funding sources are available on the API website, as well as the financial strategy.  

As it is mentioned in the application, one of the objectives of the organization is "attracting and efficiently making use of donations, sponsorship, other sources of financing with a view to promote, develop and build independent press". The organization does not receive funding from national or foreign political sources. Their main funding sources are the European Union, foreign embassies, Soros Foundation, UNWomen, Freedom House, the East Europe Foundation, USAID. All the projects and funding sources are available on the API website, as well as the financial strategy.  

The organization does not receive funding from local or foreign state or political sources. 

The organization does not receive funding from local or foreign state or political sources. 

The journalists monitor the media but also the social networks for detecting misinformation;

Analyze the subject;

The journalist collects information ethically and legally.

The journalist, in collecting information of public interest, ensures every time that between his rights and the rights of citizens, who are also sources of information, a fair and reasonable balance is established.

The journalist, prior to requesting information from the source, identifies his name and, as the case may be, the media institution he represents, preventing the source that the information provided could be made public.

The journalist must obtain the opinion of all parties relevant to the subject, and in conflict situations present the positions of at least two parties. The journalist must demonstrate the plurality of opinions, even if he does not agree with them.

The applicant uses the same standards of evidence and judgement regardless of who made the claims. Each fact-check is based on objective proof such as public reports, data, documents, declarations, videos, etc. easily traceable by the reader. 

The applicant uses the same standards of evidence and judgement regardless of who made the claims. Each fact-check is based on objective proof such as public reports, data, documents, declarations, videos, etc. easily traceable by the reader. 

https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/0

The information concerning the selection and fact-checking methodology provided on the website is quite brief and not specific enough: "The goal of the Campaign STOP FALS! is to diminish the effects and the impact of propaganda and manipulation through information that distort the reality, broadcasted on diverse communication channels by mass-media institutions and other structures politically controlled, and to develop citizens' critical analysis skills towards the information received. www.stopfals.md is an online platform that brings information about the phenomenon of fake news, debunks false and obviously tendentious information [...]."

Although the methodology is not clearly stated on the website, reviewing the fact-checks published during the last 6 months prior to the application, we can easily observe that the claims addressed are of public interest and clearly recognized by the research as most common disinformation topics and narratives: anti-EU, anti-USA, anti-IMF, related to public health or to local and national governance. The sources of disinformation are mostly pro-Russia and state-controlled media-outlet.

Since the platform publishes only the false claims that are debunked, when it comes to Moldovan politicians and political parties, it becomes harder to prove that the project is making sure that they do not concentrate on any political side. For instance, Maia Sandu, the current leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity and former Prime Minister of Moldova, is a prominent figure of the opposition and, therefore, a regular target of disinformation. Consequently, there are several fact-checks that debunk claims against her, which does not happen for other politicians. At the same time, these fact-checks use high standards of evidence, which proves that the fact-check is objective.

Concluding, I do not consider that the platform is biased when selecting the claims, but a clearer and public explanation of the methodology would discard any doubt and would help the users better understand the process.

The information concerning the selection and fact-checking methodology provided on the website is quite brief and not specific enough: "The goal of the Campaign STOP FALS! is to diminish the effects and the impact of propaganda and manipulation through information that distort the reality, broadcasted on diverse communication channels by mass-media institutions and other structures politically controlled, and to develop citizens' critical analysis skills towards the information received. www.stopfals.md is an online platform that brings information about the phenomenon of fake news, debunks false and obviously tendentious information [...]."

Although the methodology is not clearly stated on the website, reviewing the fact-checks published during the last 6 months prior to the application, we can easily observe that the claims addressed are of public interest and clearly recognized by the research as most common disinformation topics and narratives: anti-EU, anti-USA, anti-IMF, related to public health or to local and national governance. The sources of disinformation are mostly pro-Russia and state-controlled media-outlet.

Since the platform publishes only the false claims that are debunked, when it comes to Moldovan politicians and political parties, it becomes harder to prove that the project is making sure that they do not concentrate on any political side. For instance, Maia Sandu, the current leader of the Party of Action and Solidarity and former Prime Minister of Moldova, is a prominent figure of the opposition and, therefore, a regular target of disinformation. Consequently, there are several fact-checks that debunk claims against her, which does not happen for other politicians. At the same time, these fact-checks use high standards of evidence, which proves that the fact-check is objective.

Concluding, I do not consider that the platform is biased when selecting the claims, but a clearer and public explanation of the methodology would discard any doubt and would help the users better understand the process.

The applicant clearly discloses, as a rule, if the sources quoted have any interest in the matter that is fact-checked, so that the reader can easily retrace the links between the different sources used.  

The applicant clearly discloses, as a rule, if the sources quoted have any interest in the matter that is fact-checked, so that the reader can easily retrace the links between the different sources used.  

The applicant is not politically affiliated nor has ever declared adversity or support for any politician, political party or policy positions on their website or social media.   

The applicant is not politically affiliated nor has ever declared adversity or support for any politician, political party or policy positions on their website or social media.   

https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/1

The journalists from the Stopfals.md portal respect all the norms of the DEONTOLOGICAL CODE OF THE JOURNALIST FROM THE REPUBLIC OF MOLDOVA.

The team's activity is based on equidistance, transparency, integrity. Our editorial policy is also based on international principles of professional ethics in journalism, including the right to truthful information. Known as the most credible fact-checking newsroom in Moldova, the Stopfals.md portal carries out a non-partisan activity.

https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/1

There is no policy on non-partisanship of staff members published on the website. You should have a policy for your staff, stating that they don't do advocacy or express their views on political issues. 

The policy of non-partisanship of staff members is published on the website and it clearly states that the project's staff members are selected and carry out their activity based on the principles of professional ethics in journalism. The staff does not support political parties, politicians or any political issues on their personal social media in such a way that could indicate that their activity in the project is biased. 

There is no policy on non-partisanship of staff members published on the website. You should have a policy for your staff, stating that they don't do advocacy or express their views on political issues. 

The policy of non-partisanship of staff members is published on the website and it clearly states that the project's staff members are selected and carry out their activity based on the principles of professional ethics in journalism. The staff does not support political parties, politicians or any political issues on their personal social media in such a way that could indicate that their activity in the project is biased. 

On a regular basis, the applicant provides active links to their sources of information, when available, and all relevant information about the persons who support them with declarations. The readers can easily retrace the fact-checking process through the links and details about the sources of information included in the articles. None of the fact-checks analyzed needed the omission of information for security reasons. 

On a regular basis, the applicant provides active links to their sources of information, when available, and all relevant information about the persons who support them with declarations. The readers can easily retrace the fact-checking process through the links and details about the sources of information included in the articles. None of the fact-checks analyzed needed the omission of information for security reasons. 

The majority of sources used in the fact-checks are primary sources and secondary sources are sometimes used to complement the primary sources. Generally, the primary sources used are the best sources available: government reports, court documents, data, official statements, etc. 

The majority of sources used in the fact-checks are primary sources and secondary sources are sometimes used to complement the primary sources. Generally, the primary sources used are the best sources available: government reports, court documents, data, official statements, etc. 

Most of the articles reviewed check the claims with at least 2 sources of evidence. 

Most of the articles reviewed check the claims with at least 2 sources of evidence. 

The fact-checks do provide enough information in order to contextualize the information and indicate any interests that the sources might have in the matter covered. 

The fact-checks do provide enough information in order to contextualize the information and indicate any interests that the sources might have in the matter covered. 

The API statute includes API goals and tasks, details the organizational structure and attributes of API management, explains how to accumulate financial means and to manage API heritage, etc.

The API statute has been amended several times, the last changes being made at the General Assembly on May 19, 2017. http://api.md/page/en-statutul-api-14

Stopfals.md is a fact-checking project of the Association of Independent Press (API), an independent non-governmental organization. 

Stopfals.md is a fact-checking project of the Association of Independent Press (API), an independent non-governmental organization. 

Donors and project amounts are indicated in the API's annual activity reports. http://api.md/page/en-raportul-anual-21

Here you will find detailed information regarding the funding for API: http://api.md/page/ro-rapoarte-anuale-21 and STOPFALS Link: https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/0

The financial report for 2019 is not available on the API's website. We know that this year was special and your report may not be ready yet, so, please, provide some information about the issue. 

The sources of funding are detailed on the website of StopFals (USAID, EU, Open Information Partnership, US Embassy); they are diverse and they prove that the organization is independent. 

The financial report for 2019 is not available on the API's website. We know that this year was special and your report may not be ready yet, so, please, provide some information about the issue. 

The sources of funding are detailed on the website of StopFals (USAID, EU, Open Information Partnership, US Embassy); they are diverse and they prove that the organization is independent. 

API team counts 14 employees, including eight women and six men. Throughout the year, voluntaries who are usually students from Journalism Faculties are working at API. http://api.md/page/en-contacte-32

Stopfals.md is part of API who also has editorial control through the 4 members that also work for Stopfals.md. It is mentioned on Stopfals: https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2 

Stopfals.md is part of API who also has editorial control through the 4 members that also work for Stopfals.md. It is mentioned on Stopfals: https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2 

https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2

The team of the Stopfals.md portal includes five API collaborators and two fact-checking volunteers here you can find the link to the editorial staff members : Link https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2

There are no biographies of the team members, only their names. 

The professional biographies of the team members are detailed on the website. 

There are no biographies of the team members, only their names. 

The professional biographies of the team members are detailed on the website. 

The Independent Press Association (API) encourages readers to report each case of false and distorted information, activity carried out by some media institutions and national and international social networks. In that way, the public try to fight the fake media together!

https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/signal

Indeed, contacts are available and easy to find on the website (https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2) and social media profile. A section for suggesting fact-checking claims is also available on the website. 

Indeed, contacts are available and easy to find on the website (https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/2) and social media profile. A section for suggesting fact-checking claims is also available on the website. 

https://stopfals.md/ro/campania/gandeste-critic

We have updated and added the methodology to our website you may find it here: LINK https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/1

The methodology is not explained and detailed on the website nor the social media profile. It is important to explain to your readers how you select your claims and how you proceed when verifying it. Please check the explanations from the guidelines and, if needed, look for examples of methodology from other fact-checking platforms. 

The methodology is clearly explained and detailed on the website, explaining how it selects, writes and publishes the fact checks. Thus, the steps of a fact check can be easily identifies by any reader. 

The methodology is not explained and detailed on the website nor the social media profile. It is important to explain to your readers how you select your claims and how you proceed when verifying it. Please check the explanations from the guidelines and, if needed, look for examples of methodology from other fact-checking platforms. 

The methodology is clearly explained and detailed on the website, explaining how it selects, writes and publishes the fact checks. Thus, the steps of a fact check can be easily identifies by any reader. 

The methodology is not explicitly described on the website, therefore the compliance cannot be checked. Nonetheless, it is visible that the claims are selected because of their importance for the public. 

The methodology is not explicitly described on the website, therefore the compliance cannot be checked. Nonetheless, it is visible that the claims are selected because of their importance for the public. 

As already mentioned, the methodology is not available on the website. Nonetheless, the analysis of the fact-checks allows us to observe that there is provided relevant evidence that undermines the claim, but very little evidence that supports the claims, excepting the fact that, sometimes, there are several media outlets that disseminated the claims. 

As already mentioned, the methodology is not available on the website. Nonetheless, the analysis of the fact-checks allows us to observe that there is provided relevant evidence that undermines the claim, but very little evidence that supports the claims, excepting the fact that, sometimes, there are several media outlets that disseminated the claims. 

In most cases, the same high standards are used regardless of the source of the claim: best primary sources, several sources of information, proper contextualization, etc. 

In most cases, the same high standards are used regardless of the source of the claim: best primary sources, several sources of information, proper contextualization, etc. 

In many of the fact-checks reviewed, the fact-checkers contacted the authors of the claims and cited their answers or mentioned that the authors did not respond or refused to give declarations. Therefore, we can see that the applicant seeks to contact the authors whenever is possible.   

In many of the fact-checks reviewed, the fact-checkers contacted the authors of the claims and cited their answers or mentioned that the authors did not respond or refused to give declarations. Therefore, we can see that the applicant seeks to contact the authors whenever is possible.   

Readers can also send us false ones via Facebook. A pre-documentation is made, then the journalists tell the citators that the information is documented or not.

https://www.facebook.com/StopFals.md/notifications/

Here you can find the details needed. 

https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/1

Indeed, the applicant encourages the readers to send claims through the form available on their website (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/your-opinion) and all the notifications received are registered (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/semnale). 

Nonetheless, it is not stated what readers can legitimately expect to be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.

Indeed, the applicant encourages the readers to send claims through the form available on their website (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/your-opinion) and via Facebook, and all the notifications received are registered (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/semnale). Their methodology states what can be fact-checked and the staff members pre-assess the claims received from the readers and inform them if they can be fact-checked or not.  

Indeed, the applicant encourages the readers to send claims through the form available on their website (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/your-opinion) and all the notifications received are registered (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/semnale). 

Nonetheless, it is not stated what readers can legitimately expect to be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.

Indeed, the applicant encourages the readers to send claims through the form available on their website (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/your-opinion) and via Facebook, and all the notifications received are registered (https://stopfals.md/ro/opinion/semnale). Their methodology states what can be fact-checked and the staff members pre-assess the claims received from the readers and inform them if they can be fact-checked or not.  

https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/1

Although the correction policy is not clearly explained, on the website it is stated that if any content on the website www.stopfals.md infringes the intellectual property, the right to privacy, to publicity or other personal rights of the users, they are asked to send an email to stopfals@stopfals.md, indicating the rights infringed so that the administrators of the page can act according to the law. 

Although the correction policy is not clearly explained, on the website it is stated that if any content on the website www.stopfals.md infringes the intellectual property, the right to privacy, to publicity or other personal rights of the users, they are asked to send an email to stopfals@stopfals.md, indicating the rights infringed so that the administrators of the page can act according to the law. 

The Stopfals.md portal cares about its integrity and reputation. We only publish verified information. In exceptional cases, when an unintentional error creeps in, we correct it and notify the public about the error. The information is corrected both on the site and in social networks.

https://stopfals.md/ro/about-us/1

Clear policies setting out definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes are handled and the fact that some complaints may justify no response, should be published on the website.   

The corrections policy is easy to find on the website, stating that any error shall be corrected and communicated on their website and social media. 

Clear policies setting out definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes are handled and the fact that some complaints may justify no response, should be published on the website.   

The corrections policy is easy to find on the website, stating that any error shall be corrected and communicated on their website and social media. 

No correction was requested. API honors its commitment to publish an era in which journalists have not documented well enough. But so far the team has not received notifications from citizens or complaints from those concerned in the texts made by the API team.

The applicant did not receive any correction request in the previous year. 

The applicant did not receive any correction request in the previous year. 

If the API violates the Code of Ethics, then it can be reported both on the Stopfals.md site and on the IFCN site

The applicant is not an existing signatory. 

The applicant is not an existing signatory. 

http://www.api.md/page/en-affiliation-and-partnerships-16

The applicant is not part of a media company, but of a non-governmental organization. 

The applicant is not part of a media company, but of a non-governmental organization.