Organization: Suara.com
Applicant: Arsito Hidayatullah
Assessor: Yenny K
Conclusion and recommendations
Yenny K wrote:
I recommend Suara.com to be part of the IFCN. Over the past year it has conducted numerous fact checks on various topics, regardless of political leanings. It is also part of Cek Fakta, Indonesia's fact-checking collective network that includes other media companies that do fact-checks.
This assessment focuses on the reports that are done by the fact check team only, not including the consumers stories that are included in the section (but don't carry "Fact Check" label.)
It is also recommended that apart from relying only screenshots to tell the potential reach of the claim, the fact checks should also state it the text, for example, the number of shares, the number of video views, etc.
Yenny K recommended Accept
Section 1: Organization
Criterion 1a
Proof of registration
Evidence required: Please provide evidence that the signatory is a legally-registered organization set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking or the distinct fact-checking project of a recognized media house or research institution.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Suara.com is one of a small numbers of online media in Indonesia which have been verified by the Indonesian Press Council as can be found at this URL: https://dewanpers.or.id/data/perusahaanpers
This fact-checking project namely "Cek Fakta" itself is part of the website [Suara.com]'s publication.
Other than that, in term of business, Suara.com through its parent company namely Arkadia Digital Media has been officially listed in the Indonesia Stock Exchange (IDX) since September 2018.
https://www.ksei.co.id/services/registered-securities/shares/lc/DIGI
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant is the distinct fact-checking section of a legally registered media outlet, namely Suara.com. Suara.com is a member of the Indonesian Press Council – its membership can be searched here: https://dewanpers.or.id/data/perusahaanpers.
Suara.com's fact-checking section can be accessed here: https://www.suara.com/cekfakta
done_all 1a marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 1b
Archive
Evidence required: Insert a link to the archive of fact checks published in the previous three months. If you do not collect all fact checks in one place, please explain how the fact-checking is conducted by your organization.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago)
List of Suara.com's fact check articles can be found here: https://www.suara.com/cekfakta
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant has published an average of more than one fact-check per week over the past three months (based on an article published from June 10 to September 19, 2019).
However, a number of fact-checks are based on fact-checks from other organizations, such as Mafindo and AFP, which are credited accordingly. For example:
A number of articles aren't about debunking social media posts, but debunking consumers' myths. Although these articles don't have Cek Fakta (Fact Check) label on their headlines, they are still included in the fact-check section. They also have the standard Editorial Notes at the end of the report, saying: "This article is part of Suara.com Fact Check's content." These articles aren't written by the fact-check team and don't go through the same fact-checking steps.
Examples:
- 4 myths of skin care: https://www.suara.com/lifestyle/2019/08/29/094958/salah-kaprah-ini-4-mitos-perawatan-kulit-yang-sering-beredar
- whether Indonesian traditional chili paste tastes when it's crushed traditional way or with a blender machine: https://www.suara.com/lifestyle/2019/08/29/171734/lebih-enak-sambal-ulek-daripada-diblender-mitos-atau-fakta-ini-kata-chef
done_all 1b marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Section 2: Nonpartisanship and Fairness
Criterion 2a
Body of work sample
Evidence required: Please share links to ten fact checks that better represent the scope and consistency of your fact-checking. Provide a short explanation of how your organization strives to maintain coherent standards across fact checks.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Here are a list of ten articles that could show our scope of fact-checking.
The articles listed above were produced by members of the fact-check team. Occasionally, as can be found on the Cek Fakta page at https://www.suara.com/cekfakta there are also articles that were produced by other members of Suara.com editorial team (not the fact-check team), but we can assure they share similar concept and coherent standards for all fact-checking related articles, with the key point is "to answer and give clear explanation whether something is factual or not".
More update (based on previous assessment's note): As for claims spread on WhatsApp, it is true that it's difficult to measure the reach. But we have to mention that the CekFakta collaboration actually also gather issues through a WhatsApp business account where people (users) may ask if something is true or not, with the admins so far are from Mafindo. Perhaps there is a way to calculate the WhatsApp reach.
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Suara.com fact-checks a wide range of claims, regardless of potential political affiliations of the claims.
The assessment of "relevance" largely includes the potential reach of the claim, such as how the number of shares of social media posts, whenever it is possible. (They also fact-check claims spread via WhatsApp, and it's difficult to measure the WhatsApp reach.)
However, in at least one fact-check, such as this one: https://www.suara.com/news/2019/07/17/155334/cek-fakta-benarkah-pa-212-tunggu-komando-habib-rizieq-bunuh-diri-massal, the screenshot doesn't specify which social media platforms are used in spreading the false claims.
The potential reach of the claims is presented in screenshots (e.g. number of shares, number of video views, etc.) -- but it will be better if it's also stated in the text.
done_all 2a marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 2b
Nonpartisanship policy
Evidence required: Please share evidence of your policy preventing staff from direct involvement in political parties and advocacy organizations. Please also indicate the policy your organization has as a whole regarding advocacy and supporting political candidates.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Suara.com does have strong policy of nonpartisanship as can be found on our About Us page at this URL: https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangkami
The page also emphasizes that our editorial team follows the Press Council's Pedoman Media Siber or "Online Media Guidelines" as can be found at this URL: https://www.suara.com/pages/pedomanmediasiber
Also, attached a file of Suara.com's Editorial Code of Conducts.
Another statement of our nonpartisanship policy can also be found in the CEO statement on Arkadia Digital Media's website at this URL: https://arkadiacorp.com/
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Suara.com doesn't have explicit rules that prevent its staff from involvement in advocact. However, in its "About Us" page, Suara.com states that reporting should be "honest, balanced and independent ... Balance is giving the same portion to all related parties, impartial and based on a fair principle."
It also states that its editorial team follow the Press Council's Cyber Media Guidelines, which includes points on "balance" in reporting.
Meanwhile, in its Editorial Code of Conducts, Suara.com states, "In reporting news, Suara.com journalists cannot take side with a subkect (whether it's political, legal, economic and social conflicts). Journalists also have to avoid favouritism toward a figure, organization, celebrity and even football club they cover."
done 2b marked as Partially compliant by Yenny K.
Section 3: Transparency of Sources
Criterion 3a
Sources Policy
Please share a brief and public explanation (500 words max) of how sources are provided in enough detail that readers could replicate the fact check. If you have a public policy on how you find and use sources for your fact-checking, it should be shared here.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The methods of how we produce our fact-check articles can be found at this URL: https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta which includes how we find, use and present our sources. Also, as a whole editorial team's policy, attached are files of Suara.com's Editorial SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) and Code of Conducts.
As for links to original sources, although not every article has them, we always try to at least clearly mention the sources, including the Turnbackhoax.id or Cekfakta.com pages where we got many of the articles from --as part of our collaboration.
Also, after later reviews, our team will usually update the articles with links (including the two examples mentioned in the previous assesment's notes), and it's been done for most of the latest articles we produce.
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
In the applicant's reports, key sources are usually referenced, through screenshots, and they also give links to the sources they use as evidence, so that readers can replicate the fact check if they wish.
However, there are also reports that don't provide links of the reference source, such as this fact-check on a boy claimed to suffer from a sickness due to a purported addiction to online games (https://www.suara.com/news/2019/08/24/163955/cek-fakta-viral-bocah-gerak-tak-terkontrol-karena-kecanduan-game-online) -- instead it provides screenshots of the evidence.
When Suara.com republishes fact-checks from other organizations, such as Mafindo, it links to the other organization's fact check story.
done 3a marked as Partially compliant by Yenny K.
Section 4: Transparency of Funding & Organization
Criterion 4a
Funding Sources
Evidence required: Please link to the section where you publicly list your sources of funding (including, if they exist, any rules around which types of funding you do or don't accept), or a statement on ownership if you are the branch of an established media organization or research institution.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
PT Arkadia Digital Media Tbk is Suara.com's parent company. And since becoming a public listed company, all of Arkadia Digital Media sources of funding, as well as more detailed financial reports can be accessed publicly, including from this URL: http://arkadiacorp.com/financial_report
At the above URL, the latest report as of now is this PDF file (audited financial report): http://arkadiacorp.com/assets/image/arkadia_digital_media_tbk_financial_report_desember2018.pdf
(the composition of Arkadia Digital Media shareholders as of 31 December 2018 is explained on page 51 of this PDF file)
A profile page in the Indonesia's Stock Exchange (IDX) website also provides some details about the parent company (Arkadia Digital Media): https://www.idx.co.id/perusahaan-tercatat/profil-perusahaan-tercatat/detail-profile-perusahaan-tercatat/?kodeEmiten=DIGI
Other details with similar information can also be found at the Kustodian Sentral Efek Indonesia (KSEI) website here: https://www.ksei.co.id/services/registered-securities/shares/lc/DIGI
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Suara.com is a subsidiary of PT Arkadia Digital Media Tbk, a publicly listed company.
It disclosed its latest financial report here – http://arkadiacorp.com/assets/image/arkadia_digital_media_tbk_financial_report_desember2018.pdf – which shows the list of shareholders on page 51. Public shareholders comprise 46.15% of the shares, while president commissioner Stephen Sulistyo and commissioner Iwa Sukresno Karunia has 17.50% of the shares each.
There are no details on the funding of Suara.com, such as overall budget, income sources and expenditures.
done 4a marked as Partially compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 4b
Staff
Evidence required: Please link to the section detailing all authors and key actors behind your fact-checking project with their biographies. You can also list the name and bios of the members of the editorial board, pool of experts, advisory board, etc. if your organization has those.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The "About Cek Fakta" page at https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta already mentions the specially designated team for fact-checking articles, with more details of them can be found here at this URL: https://www.suara.com/pages/timcekfakta
The whole names of Suara.com's editorial team can be found at https://www.suara.com/pages/redaksi --although no specific bio page for each of the name there yet (still to be developed).
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The section, About Fact Check, includes details of the fact-checking team, under the header, "Fact Check Editorial Team".
https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta
When we click on "Fact Check Editorial Team", https://www.suara.com/pages/timcekfakta, it opens another page, https://www.suara.com/pages/timcekfakta, which gives more information on each journalist's and editor's professional bio and also contact details.
The complete editorial list of Suara.com's can be found at the "Editorial Team" section here, https://www.suara.com/pages/redaksi.
done_all 4b marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 4c
Contact
Evidence required: Please link to the section where readers can get in touch with the organization.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Contact address, phone and emails for Suara.com's editorial team can be found here at this URL https://www.suara.com/pages/kontak while there's also a similar page on the parent company (Arkadia) website at this URL: https://arkadiacorp.com/
Moreover, specific contact details for the fact-checking team is also written on this page: https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
At the end of each of its Fact Check story, the signatory includes a text box that states the story is part of the Fact Check content. It also invites readers to give comments, critiques and tips of claims that need verification through the fact-checking editorial team's email address, cekfakta @suara.com. It also provides comment columns in each story.
In its "Contact" page, https://www.suara.com/pages/kontak, Suara.com also lists its generic editorial team's email address.
In the "About Fact Check page, https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta, it lists the fact-checking team's email address and also phone numbers.
done_all 4c marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Section 5: Transparency of Methodology
Criterion 5a
Detailed Methodology
Evidence required: Please link to a section or article detailing the steps you follow for your fact-checking work.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
This page https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta explains the methods or steps we follow to produce fact-checking articles.
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant gives a step-by-step, fairly detailed explanation of its methodology on this page: https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta.
done_all 5a marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 5b
Claim submissions
Evidence required: Please link to the page or process through which readers can submit claims to fact-check. If you do not allow this, please briefly explain why.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
In some of our latest fact-check articles, we've provide information on how readers can also submit claims to fact-check to us. The same information is also mentioned at this URL, https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta including that people can also check our contact details page at https://www.suara.com/pages/kontak to reach us.
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant gives clear explanation how readers can send claims to their fact-check team:
1. The text box at the end of each Fact Check story.
2. On the "About Fact Check" page: https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta
done_all 5b marked as Fully compliant by Yenny K.
Section 6: Open & Honest Corrections Policy
Criterion 6a
Corrections policy
Evidence required: Please link to the page with your policy to address corrections. If it is not public, please share your organization's handbook.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
In a box of additional information at the bottom of each fact-check articles, we've mentioned how people can give comments or corrections to the articles.
Similar information has also been mentioned at this page: https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta
Principally, we address and handle corrections based on the Press Council's Pedoman Media Siber as can be found here at https://www.suara.com/pages/pedomanmediasiber
The attached document of our Editorial SOP (Standard Operating Procedure) also has some points about how we handle corrections.
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The applicant's general corrections policy is based on the Press Council's Cyber Media Guidelines, which can be seen here: https://www.suara.com/pages/pedomanmediasiber.
In its "About Fact Check" page, https://www.suara.com/pages/tentangcekfakta, it gives a general explanation on how readers can submit corrections on its stories.
done 6a marked as Partially compliant by Yenny K.
Criterion 6b
Examples of corrections
Evidence required: Please provide two examples of a correction made, or correction requests handled, in the past year.
Suara.com
23-Aug-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
Examples given before this update --as of 26 September-- were from regular articles. That is partly because actually, the "Cek Fakta" articles are so far rarely corrected. The methods to get sources, checking or verifying the claim, have so far kept a very minimum error on them. It is also proven by the very rare correction or even feedback from our readers.
First update on 19 September included this article as one of the examples: https://www.suara.com/news/2019/09/01/012924/cek-fakta-benarkah-ada-pria-arab-saudi-tak-sengaja-beli-2-pesawat-airbus
This is actually a Cek Fakta article to correct another article on our website with the same topic (mentioned on the 5th paragraph of the article).
And here are two examples of corrections in fact-checking articles in the past few months, with explanation of the correction written in the editorial notes at the bottom of each article:
Yenny K Assessor
06-Sep-2019 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago
The organization says it doesn't provide any examples of corrections because their fact-check articles are "so far rarely corrected".
It includes a fact-check article – link https://www.suara.com/news/2019/08/28/140649/pria-ini-tak-sengaja-beli-2-pesawat-airbus-a350-1000-untuk-ultah-putranya – a translation of an AFP Fact Check article – corrected a report written by Suara.com's general news desk.
The news article itself contains a correction explanation at the bottom:
https://www.suara.com/news/2019/08/28/140649/pria-ini-tak-sengaja-beli-2-pesawat-airbus-a350-1000-untuk-ultah-putranya.