Organization: Tech4Peace
Applicant: Aws Al-Saadi
Assessor: Ahmed Esmat
Background
Tech4Peace is an NGO registered in Canada since 2016 and in Iraq since 2017 and the Canadian registration number could be found on the website. They focus on fact-checking, verification, training, and workshops.
Assessment Conclusion
Based on this assessment, the assessor marks Tech4Peace as compliant with the IFCN Code of Principles.
Ahmed Esmat assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
Tech4Peace is an NGO registered in Canada since 2016 and in Iraq since 2017, their primary focus is fact-checking, verification, and related workshops. Tech4Peace's approach toward fact-checking is purely a humanitarian mission to reduce the spread of violence and terrorism by reporting websites & social media pages that spread false news and propaganda. They have a huge team composed of a core team and volunteers all over Iraq. Tech4peace investigates and fact-checks claims from almost all the Iraqi political spectrum in favor of the general public. Besides, they sometimes verify claims from outside the Iraqi context like claims from Egypt. They use a clear methodology to assess the claims depending on primary sources of data whenever applicable. According to their transparency policy, they apply the same standards to all claims, in addition to stating clearly being independent and showing no affiliation to political actors or parties.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Tech4Peace is a non-profit organization registered in Canada with the number 987600-6 and in Iraq. On our website it is easy to find the information about the organization’s legal status as you just have to navigate to, ‘who we are, and ‘about us’, see the link: https://t4p.co/about/about-us?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace is an NGO registered in Canada since 2016 and in Iraq since 2017 and the Canadian registration number could be found on the website.
Arabic: https://t4p.co/about/about-us
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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?
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
In the summer of 2014, ISIS-occupied Mosul, the second-largest city in Iraq, it is widely believed that one of the main reasons for the terrorist organization to achieve such a rapid advancement was the launch of an intensive media campaign before the military attack, aimed at discouraging the morale of security forces and citizens alike by spreading false information and exaggerating their numbers. The result was visible; ISIS took over the city.
during that time, a small group of friends tried to act by using their private accounts on social media (Facebook and Twitter) to Defeat ISIS rumors and propaganda, but to no avail, because they were small in number. Also, the risk of being identified and targeted by ISIS elements, especially after ISIS advanced toward the center of Baghdad and Erbil, growing as an existential threat for the entire country.
In April 2016, the idea of establishing a platform to disproof extremists' ideology, hatred, speeches, and propaganda on social media platforms had been developed. We trained a group of youth volunteers to falsify rumors and deactivate accounts that are supporting or running by ISIS members, under the name of "Technology for Peace (Tech4Peace)".
Since then, the team has grown exponentially, and the field of working has been broadened. Not only fake news from ISIS is exposed, but all kinds of fake news of groups, organizations, and individuals from Iraq and outside Iraq can also be the source of investigation now.
2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization, and what are their roles?
Tech4Peace team consists of 265 members and their geographical distribution inside and outside Iraq has directly contributed to carrying out many tasks, they do not work in a similar way of a searching method for an ongoing investigation or a specific piece of news. Tech4Peace has recruited many members according to a specific specialization or the person’s position and his ability to access accurate information or well-known person with his relations to benefit from it by obtaining more information.
These tasks of team members have been divided into 6 teams, and these teams include:
1- Follow-up and research team: This team is responsible for finding news on social media platforms and various internet websites that must be checked and verified, in addition to following up on inquiries and questions of Tech4Peace followers on different social media accounts and e-mail.
2- Investigation team: This team is the largest group of volunteers. The team checks the news to check the authenticity or not, the investigation team examines the allegations received from the follow-up and research team to start the investigations.
3. IT and design team: When the fact-checking process is completed, the IT and Design team will design the publication. The team also designs photos and videos to use in awareness campaigns. The IT department of this team works on ideas to develop the website, mobile app, and to protect the website and our accounts on social media platforms from hacking and other digital security issues.
4. Translation team: The translation team is responsible for translating the news that is in the verification phase of the allegations so that the investigation team can carry out the investigation. We translate and investigate news and allegations in the following nine languages: Arabic, Kurdish, Turkmen, Turkish, Persian, English, French, Italian, and Dutch.
The verified investigations would be published in Arabic on our website and translated again into English to publish on our website in the English version.
5. Social media team: The social media team is responsible for publishing completed fact-checking investigations. All investigations are published on the following platforms: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube, Telegram, and the website.
6. Management team: The management team is responsible for developing the entire Tech4Peace organization. They are responsible for building a network of public contacts for local and international organizations and companies, and meetings with the media.
Furthermore, there are five administrators. They check the articles before they are published. They are from different teams and have different backgrounds.
3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
• Fact-checking investigations: the main activity of Tech4Peace is fact-checking itself.
• Campaigns: Tech4Peace also makes campaigns to raise awareness about fake news and digital security.
• Training: Tech4Peace trains its volunteer team to get more advanced. Furthermore, we train new volunteers to become part of our team. We also organize training for local and international organizations about fact-checking.
4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?
In the coming year, we will work further on our mission to make everyone Tech4Peace so that everyone is aware of fake news and become critical of the news they read. We will do that by working on the following goals:
• To be in the IFCN network.
• Add a new platform for E-learning.
• Fewer mistakes in our investigations.
• New partners.
• 3rd partner with Facebook.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
1- They started working in 2014 as a small group, but in 2016 they became registered and started functioning professionally.
2- A total of 256 volunteers and employees working from different places inside and outside Iraq.
3- Their mission is purely a humanitarian mission to reduce the spread of violence and terrorism by reporting websites & social media pages that spread false news/propaganda promoting violence/terrorism - we focus these services on unstable regions, mostly in the middle east (such as Iraq) - which is our current focus at present. Thus our main activities are Fact-checking investigations, campaigns, and training.
4- To take part in the IFCN network, reduce errors, and be a 3rd party verifier with Facebook.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
More than 5 posts per week, kindly visit https://t4p.co/
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace is posting regularly. According to the emailed list, they are providing more than 5 posts/week covering different public interests in both English and Classic Arabic.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
The attached excel sheet includes 30 examples and indicates the category and the classification of the articles.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In accordance with Tech4Peace mission and vision, they are doing a good job. The emailed excel sheet shows consistency in verifying various topics lying in different categories.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Tech4Peace has no relationship with politicians and/or parties in Iraq and has not received any support from them. We believe that this is very important to stay independent.
Our vision and mission state clearly or work is to promote peace through defeating fake news and spread awareness, so from these points come our projects.
We have worked on many projects to promote peace in Iraq,
including the Salam project with the Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs to train youths to carry out social media campaigns to tackle pressing issues in the country,
The timeline of the project was "Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Måndag company – 2019"
Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Måndag company – 2020
Finnish Ministry of Foreign Affairs – Måndag company – 2021.
Here are some outputs of the project:
1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wdj_ZBscDX8
2- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvA9LJM6bIQ
3- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pM2PYv5Icfs
Also, with Iraqi Amal Association - Al Namaa Center for Human Rights – 2019 under the name "Secure Yourself" aiming to spread awareness campaign, 10 videos for digital protection.
As we explained in the Purpose of Corporation, we try to focus on the importance of digital security and build awareness of how to protect yourself and your privacy online.
So these were the outcomes of the project:
1- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ONxUOcj2Yvg
2- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7mv3FCuvSFQ
3- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pXUUKW5uREM
The projects we worked on didn't have any kind of effect on the standards of Tech4Peace work nor any influence on the editorial line of Tech4Peace
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Their website states:
(Tech4Peace is an independent organization. We have no relations with political parties or politicians in and outside Iraq and we don’t get any support from them).
Tech4Peace sent via email a full list of their funders and the amount of funds received.
Also, they ask the general public to donate for Tech4Peace through their PayPal accounts.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Kindly visit: https://t4p.co/about/donate-grants?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
According to https://t4p.co/about/donate-grants, Tech4Peace doesn't receive any money or support from any political/governmental party. They fact-check claims from almost all the Iraqi political spectrum and in favor of the general public.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
At Tech4Peace, we choose our team members carefully following a high level of criteria to make sure that our team is independent and will investigate all claims with the same level of professionalism.
Each investigation goes through many teams in order to be published on our platforms, as they way explained in our methodology, and every step has different people from different backgrounds originally, in this way we make sure that every investigation on our platforms had an acceptance from all team members.
- Post against Muqtada Sadr we expose it in the link:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-08-01-muqtada-al-sadr?lang=en
in the same context we expose Muqtada Sadr’s follower’s link:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-07-23-tourists-coming-from-baghdad-to-erbil?lang=en
- Post published against Saudi Arabia:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-08-18-saudi-radood-ali-gharib?lang=en
We expose posts published against Iran:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-18-ali-khamenei
We expose post published against Kuwait:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-06-the-prince-of-the-State-of-Kuwait-Nawaf-Al-Sabah
- We expose post published Sunni in Iraq:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-08-15-mohammed-al-halbousi
We expose posts published against Shiite in Iraq:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-06-28-what-is-the-truth
- Expose post against a demonstration in Iraq:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-23-fingers-broken-demonstrator
Expose post with the demonstration in Iraq:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-15-demonstrations-support-the-Palestinians
- Expose something related to the U.S in Iraq:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-06-24-the-tv-channels
This post is different:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-06-28-airstrikes-against-facilities
- Expose post published against Israel
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-18-israeli-prime-minister
Expose post published against Palestine
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-12-the-official-spokesman-of-the-israeli
- Situation in Iraq:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-08-25-escape-of-the-killer-of-Karbala-municipality-director
In another country:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-06-falling-the-rocket-in-india-among-the-people
- In U.S.A:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-22-hit-the-father-to-satisfy-the-wife
This post is different:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-09-08-astronaut-sunita-williams
- About the election:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-05-12-emtidad-movement
This post is different:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-08-25-Iraqi-parliamentary-election
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
According to the updated list that has been sent via mail and randomly checking several posts on the website, I can assure that they debunk stories from different parts of Iraq using the same standards and evidence tracking. Also, this link indicates how they deal with different sources https://t4p.co/about/sources
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Please, see the on the Methodology page how we choose the claims and how we give the priority to these claimes https://t4p.co/about/Methodology?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
This is mentioned here: https://t4p.co/about/Methodology stating that:
(Among all the news and claims received by the Tech for Peace team on all accounts on social media platforms, in addition to the news that the follow-up team searches for, whether in the normal way or through the tools and methods described above, the news and allegations that are extensively circulated (the trend) and It is what preoccupies public opinion, and it is possible that topics that occupy public opinion may be permeated with false allegations, or those misleading news that target individuals or groups with hate speech and incite violence against them, or misleading allegations that threaten the social cohesion or stability and public security, these topics are of paramount importance and priority for the Tech for Peace team to search, investigate and publish on the right news based on the available reliable sources).
The above indicates that they focus on debunking topics related to the public interest.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace site states clearly that:(The tech4Peace team works according to fixed standards based on accuracy, transparency, credibility, independence, and neutrality. The team was chosen carefully through multiple processes to ensure the independence of the person and impartiality in the future to any party).
Also, they reaffirm that Tech4Peace holds the responsibility for all articles and investigations published on all its platforms.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace is an independent NGO working solely on fact-checking, campaigning, and training on verification.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Please, see the first paragraph on https://t4p.co/about/transparency-policy?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace is having a firm transparency policy towards its team, the sources, and the claims. https://t4p.co/about/transparency-policy .
The site is functioning as independent and neutral and is not affiliated with any political party, or have any activities with them. Team members can not use the Tech4Peace platform to advertise or speak against political parties or any other organization.
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
"since the first working day of the Tech4Peace team, we have committed to providing the sources of the investigations that we are working on, which were published on our page with the posts so that our audience themselves can check the source and review the investigations that we worked on to ensure the credibility of the investigations that supported by the sources, and due to the low public reach, we started to put the links of sources for investigations as well as links of the accounts and pages that spread false allegations in the comments for the same post.
After the last update of the Tech4Peace website on February 26, 2021. We have worked on developing and adding more smooth features, including providing a source links section under the article, in addition to the fake news claimers links also under the article,
for more information see the link: https://t4p.co/about/sources?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The assessor confirms that Tech4Peace is adding hyperlinks within the verified pieces in order to allow easy access to information by the users. Additionally, beneath each piece, they provide links to both correct information and sites publishing the claim itself.
Also, on social media they add links in the comments section.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
To see how Tech4Peace deals with the sources please visit the link: https://t4p.co/about/sources?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Through random check, I can confirm that they do their best to use primary sources where they reach via the volunteers allocated all over Iraq. Also, Tech4Peace is having a good procedure to deal with sources in this link: https://t4p.co/about/sources?lang=en
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
The assessor randomly checked several debunked pieces and noticed that they do use multiple sources whenever applicable i.e https://t4p.co/article/2022-03-12-marta-yuzkev .
Actually, it seems that they are having people with good tracking skills i.e https://t4p.co/article/2022-02-15-court-of-Justice-cancels-vaccines
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Most of the verified pieces include all the circumstances of a claim. That enables readers to reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Tech4Peace is an independent organization and registered as a nonprofit organization.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace mentioned the Canadian registration number. A letter has been provided with both the Iraqi and the Canadian proof of being an independent NGO.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
"Iraq is low ranked with regards to freedom of speech/expression, see https://freedomhouse.org/country/iraq. Especially talking about any relation with foreign organizations and institutions, see for example these videos of people who announced they were sponsored by international organizations:
Therefore, it would be too dangerous for us to put all our funders on our website.
The NGO directorate, a body which is part of the General Secretariat for the Council of Ministers for the Government of Iraq, monitors us: http://www.ngoao.gov.iq/, every year we provide them with a financial report including our funds."
Plus we explained in a larger scope the reason for not publishing about our funders in a letter and all the funding details and all necessary documents are sent to IFCN.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace is primarily an independent fact-checking orgainzation, besides being a campaigner and providing debunking training workshops.
https://t4p.co/about/transparency-policy
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Kindly visit: https://t4p.co/about/our-structure?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace structure is composed of 7 departments mentioned in detail inhere: https://t4p.co/about/about-us . An organizational structure graph is also included clarifying the hierarchy of the organization.
The editorial team's role has been clarified here: https://t4p.co/about/Methodology
(The publishing team is considered the editors and the final auditor before presenting the results of the investigations to the public. The publishing team thoroughly verifies all the material that has been worked on from the beginning, passing through the origin of the claim and the tools used for verification, drafting the report, checking the language used, designing the appropriate template, and choosing the classification according to the content from the approved classifications of Tech4Peace, and then published on the site and other social media platforms).
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
On this website, you can find the biography of our spokesperson and his working with the editorial line of Tech4 Peace https://t4p.co/about/our-team?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace provided only one bio for the spokesperson who represents the organization https://t4p.co/about/our-team?lang=en .
The rest of the names of the founders, and executives could be found in the registration papers provided via mail.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Kindly visit the link: https://t4p.co/about/contact-us?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace encourages followers to get in touch with them via email and a phone number as shown here: https://t4p.co/about/contact-us?lang=en . In addition to Facebook and Twitter massages and comments.
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Kindly visit the web page: https://t4p.co/about/Methodology?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace is providing a concrete work mechanism establishing their priorities and stating the must-follow steps in every debunking process. They provide a chart mentioning what to do, how, when, and by whom within the different teams. The chart is considered a reference for the workflow between the department and the sub-teams. https://t4p.co/about/Methodology
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Through random checks, the assessor can assure that Tech4Peace are applying the same mechanism in their debunking process based on the priority concept.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
In view of what we have observed randomly, the assessor confirms that Tech4Peace add resources beneath their debunked stories on the website and in the comments section on Facebook. Thus, relevant evidence to support the claim is added. Sometimes, they go further by providing a detailed explanation of how this claim started, and how they debunked it.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace applied the same professional standards to all claims regardless of who made them. They even verify claims made by very senior personnel in the Iraqi government and their opposition at the same time.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
According to the Tech4Peace mechanism, they stated clearly:
(Sometimes the verification team uses its personal relationships to reach the correct information through direct communication by phone or through social media platforms or by sending an e-mail to know the background and details of the event with evidence. In the investigation team each person works according to their specialization and background to obtain accurate information and get faster access to information).
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Our followers send us claims every day to fact-check. We follow up with all inquiries and reply with a message that we will fact-check it, according to the guideline we’ve made on our website to reach us and what do we fact-check, and we don’t: https://t4p.co/about/contact-us?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Yes, They encourage readers to send claims via mail, phone calls, and social media.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Tech4Peace exists to offer accurate and true information with sources so that people can make up their minds about claims. We’re grateful to anyone who takes the time to help us improve our work. For more information about our correction policy, please visit the link: https://t4p.co/about/corrections-policy?lang=en
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
They have a clear policy for the correction https://t4p.co/about/corrections-policy?lang=en . Actually, they have 5 corrected pieces between Jan and March 2022, 4 of them happened in March. Corrections are mentioned in the above link and clarification or a note is left beneath the original piece.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Yes, they have 4 different definitions for that:
Major errors of fact
Errors of fact
Typos, grammatical errors, misspellings
Updates
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
Tech4Peace exists to offer accurate and true information with sources so that people can make up their minds about claims. We’re grateful to anyone who takes the time to help us improve our work.
Mistakes happen sometimes due to high pressure. Tech4Peace corrects errors as quickly as possible and with appropriate transparency. Readers and others can bring errors to our attention by emailing info@t4p.co or contacting us on our accounts on social media platforms. We may not respond in cases where the request for correction is baseless or unwarranted.
Major errors of fact – A serious error that results in new information or otherwise changes the general outlook of the fact-check will be removed from our platforms and we will publish an apology for the previous mistake accompanied by the new fact-check using our apology template
The text of the fact-check is updated with the new information. Corrected fact-checks will be added on our "Corrections Policy" section on the website
Errors of fact – Errors of fact that do not impact the original information or do not change the general outlook of the fact-check receives a mark of correction at the bottom of the fact-check with a word update or edit and adding the time and date of the edit.
The text of the fact-check is updated with the new information. The correction states the correct information that has been added to the report.
Typos, grammatical errors, misspellings – We correct typos, grammatical errors, misspellings, transpositions, and other small errors without a mark of correction or tag and as soon as they are brought to our attention by our team or our audience.
Updates – From time to time, we add additional information to stories and fact-checks after they’ve been published, not as a correction but as a service to readers. Examples include a response from the speaker we received after publication (that did not change the conclusion of the report), or breaking news after publication that is relevant to the check. Updates can be made parenthetically within the text with a date, or at the end of the article.
We notify our group of volunteers about the mistake they have done to avoid it next time and pay extra attention. Interestingly, our margin of error is less than 1%.
Tech4Peace works with complete transparency and encourages the correction and apology to the public for any mistake that may occur, and it may be an oversight because of pressures or mixing up due to a large number of claims and sources. Therefore, at the end of each year when we publish the statistics, we put the number of the errors in the statistics, and not only that, rather, we put the links to errors or and modifications and updates that we have made on this page, and these are all errors since the beginning of the establishment of the Tech4Peace team:
We edited a post on 27-07-2021, referring to the title of Khamis Al-Khanjar, where the post was modified from (MP Khamis Al-Khanjar) to (President of Azm Alliance Khamis Al-Khanjar) with a note written in the article:
https://t4p.co/article/2021-07-26-muhammad-al-halbousi
We edited a post from the 1st of April 2020. The correction is 2015 instead of 2017 in the following post:
https://www.facebook.com/Tech4Peace/photos/a.1322872544395978/3463067420376469/?type=3&theater
Also, we announced that in the comments about the update in the link:
https://www.facebook.com/Tech4Peace/posts/3463069037042974?comment_id=3464677856882092
We edited a post from 25 March 2020. The location is Africa and not Lebanon:
https://www.facebook.com/Tech4Peace/photos/a.1322872544395978/3444160358933842/?type=3&__tn__=-R
Ahmed Esmat Assessor
27-Feb-2022 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Tech4Peace provides credible evidence that it makes corrections openly and transparently i.e https://t4p.co/about/corrections-policy?lang=en . The previous link gives a complete overview of the corrected pieces since 2017 till March 2022
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Ahmed Esmat.
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
N/A
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.
Tech4Peace
02-Sep-2021 (3 years ago)
N/A