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The Lallantop

Organization: TV Today Network Limited
Applicant: KAMAL MAHAJAN
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur

Background

The applicant is part of a legally registered media house and states so clearly on its website. This unit has an exclusive team that was set up for fact checking. It aims to expand its follower base by expanding its coverage to include international stories and misinformation around climate change and the environment. The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the past year and most of these are in areas of public interest. The applicant’s work is not controlled directly by the state, a political party or politician and it has stated that it does not receive any funding from local or foreign state or political sources and they do not influence its work.

It uses the same standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims, irrespective of who made the claim and considers the reach and importance of the claim without focusing on any one side. It also publishes a short statement on its website on how it selects claims to check. The applicant clearly discloses its sources so that readers may easily conclude if the interests of the sources might influence the evidence provided. It is not affiliated with nor shows support for any political party of candidate and usually stays away from policy positions. Its non-partisan policy for its team is visible on its website and makes it clear that the team members cannot be publicly involved in any political issue or align with any political party in a manner that might lead users to believe that the website’s work is biased.

The applicant clearly identifies all sources of evidence used in their fact checks and provides links to the sources where possible so that users can replicate its work. It uses mainly primary sources, using the parent company’s vast network of reporters and stringers to verify information. The applicant checks all key elements of a claim against more than one named source, identifying, as mentioned earlier, all sources so that users may conclude if the interests of the sources might influence the evidence they provide.

The applicant is a unit within the TV Today Network group. The group’s funding comes mainly from advertising and the fact-check unit is funded by the group. The applicant makes a statement on ownership on its About Us page and clearly states that while it is part of the TV Today Network, the fact-check team works independently. Its website explains the organizational structure and explains how editorial control is exercised. It also lists the professional biographies of its main team members. Users can get in touch with the team through a Contact Us page and through the applicant’s various social media handles.

It makes a statement on its website about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish fact checks, selecting claims to check based on the reach and importance of the claims. It sets out evidence that appears to support the claim as well as evidence that appears to undermine it, and applies the same standards to assess the evidence it finds on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. Where possible, the applicant has contacted those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence. It encourages users to send in claims to check. It does so at the end of each fact check, as well as on its Contact Us page.

The corrections policy is easily accessible on its website and it explains how mistakes are handled and what corrections are announced and how major mistakes are handled. The applicant states that it has not had the need to issue any corrections so far. The applicant has, in its complaints page, provided a link to the IFCN site so that, if users feel that the applicant has violated the code, they may contact the IFCN. The parent media company’s various divisions adhere to an open and honest corrections policy. 

Assessment Conclusion

The application may be accepted.

on 22-Dec-2023 (9 months ago)

Kanchan Kaur assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

The applicant may be asked to provide a summary in Hindi. 

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.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The Lallantop website is a part of the India Today Group. We publish fact-check stories in Hindi language. We are fully funded by our parent company, TV Today Network Ltd., which is listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE).

https://www.bseindia.com/stock-share-price/tv-today-network-ltd/tvtoday/532515/

The Lallantop Fact Check strictly adheres to the non-partisanship policy of India Today Group. These details and the Non Partisanship Policy of the Group are clearly mentioned on the website. The URLs can be seen below.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck-about-us/

https://www.indiatoday.in/about-us-fact-check#non-partisanship-policy

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant is part of a legally registered media house. Details of this are found on its website, easily. 


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)

 1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
 2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
 3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
 4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Earlier, Lallantop's team members would often identify viral misinformation and hoaxes on social media that had no basis in fact, but it was not always possible for us to bust every viral claim by producing fact check articles. To address this issue, The Lallantop began occasional fact-checking efforts in mid-2018. During our course of work as fact checkers, we realised that the misinformation industry on social media is vast and would require a dedicated fact-checking team. Thus began our organized fact-checking efforts in November 2019. We have put more than two years of our dedicated attempts into publishing quality and unbiased fact-check reports. We started fact-checking to mitigate fake news on social media platforms, bust misinformation spread by public figures, and put out pure fact-based information to our readers and viewers.

The Lallantop is a new-age digital platform, well-connected with our viewers through social media and a mobile application. We have a total subscriber/follower base of nearly 35 million users on different social media platforms altogether and that puts us in a unique position to tackle misinformation and disinformation at the mass level.

2.) Currently, our team consists of 4 members - a team lead and 3 fact-checkers.

3.) At Lallantop, our focus is on providing quality fact-checks stories in the Hindi language - both in video and text format. The Lallantop is a pioneer in fact-checking video production. Since 2018, we have produced more than 800 fact-check videos. After being a part of IFCN in March 2021, we have produced more than 200 videos, busting visual and text misinformation. At Lallantop, we believe that the knowledge of fact-checking should not remain confined to media organizations. Thus, we have conducted fact-checking workshops, collaborated with major social networking platforms like Facebook to spread media literacy among the common people. Moreover, the structure of Lallantop’s each fact check story is such that the readers can easily retrace the fact check steps and analyze the claim on their own. We want to empower our audience to do the fact check, even with the minor resources they have.

4.) The Lallantop’s fact checking arm i.e. Padtaal is looking forward to increasing its reach on social media platforms. At present, Padtaal has a collective follower base of approximately 35 thousand followers/subscribers on social media. This includes more than 18 thousand followers on YouTube, more than 10 thousand on Facebook, and more than 5 thousand on Twitter and connected followers on other messaging apps. Our goal is to increase the collective follower count to 1 million and boost our views to 20 million annually. We are also planning to expand the scope of our coverage by including stories on international affairs, environmental misinformation, climate change, ecological issues.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The unit was set up exclusively for fact checking. It has an exclusive team and focuses on fact checking videos. It aims to expand its follower base by expanding its coverage to include international stories and misinformation around climate change and the environment. 


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Padtaal has a collective follower base of approximately 35 thousand followers/subscribers on social media. This includes more than 18 thousand followers on YouTube, more than 10 thousand on Facebook, and more than 5 thousand on Twitter and connected followers on other messaging apps. Our goal is to increase the collective follower count to 1 million and boost our views to 20 million annually. We are also planning to expand the scope of our coverage by including stories on international affairs, environmental misinformation, climate change, ecological issues.

We have published more than 52 fact-check stories in the last 12 months. The same is available on this URL:

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/

For the compliance purpose of having a minimum of one fact check a week, please refer to this spreadsheet link or attached file. It has the links to week-wise data of 52 stories - bitly.ws/Ux78

 

Files Attached
description The Lallantop Fact C... (10 KB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the past year. 


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)


Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

Most of the claims fact checked by the applicant are in the public interest. 


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)

The Lallantop is fully funded by the parent company TV Today Network Ltd. The parent company TV Today Network Ltd. is listed on the National Stock Exchange and Bombay Stock Exchange. It does not have any affiliation to either the government or any political party or leader. Being a listed company, all financial details of the company are already public and can be seen on the stock exchange websites. The latest shareholding pattern of TV Today Network Ltd. can be seen on the Bombay Stock Exchange through the following link.

https://www.bseindia.com/stock-share-price/tv-today-network-ltd/tvtoday/532515/shareholding-pattern/

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant’s work is not controlled directly by the state, a political party or politician.


done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)

Not applicable - as we do not receive funding from any local or foreign state or political sources.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

It has stated that it does not receive any funding from local or foreign state or political sources and therefore there is no question of them influencing its work. 


done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness

To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
  • 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
  • 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
  • 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
  • 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.

Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

At The Lallantop, we practice factual, diverse, non-partisan, and primary source-based fact-checking. IFCN Code of Principles articles are exceptional examples of the value we put in busting fake information by identifying/reaching the primary source or origin of the information.

We believe that the spirit of journalism lies in verification. Thus, we use multiple sources to verify the truth behind a piece of information and conduct a step-by-step analysis for multiple claims made in a single social media post.

Lallantop’s Fact check team follows a systematic pattern of writing fact-check stories. We keep the same format for every story to make it consistent. We first write the claim (in original form) with Hindi translation (if required). We also elaborate on the context in which the claim is being made to provide more clarity to the readers. Then comes the systematic fact-check process along with necessary sources. The final step is providing a conclusion based on the facts. We strongly discourage opinionated,prejudiced, loaded, or sweeping remarks in fact-check stories. Instead, we let the evidence dictate our  conclusion.

1. https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/claim-of-linking-the-food-plate-with-the-mid-day-meal-in-a-government-school-in-up-is-misleading

2.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/bjp-leaders-rahul-gandhi-saffron-turban-golden-temple-amritsar

3.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/bharat-jodo-yatra-rahul-gandhi-performing-aarti-viral-video

4.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/jagannath-temple-president-draupadi-murmu-discrimination-ashwini-vaishnav-fact-check

5.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/bageshwar-dham-dhirendra-krishna-shastri-support-congress-yatra

6.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/shahrukh-khan-jawan-movie-show-ticket-cancelled-viral-claim-fact-check

7.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/chandrayaan-3-moon-surface-national-emblem-edited-image-viral-fact-check

8.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/babar-azam-private-viral-whatsapp-chat-honeytrap-reality

9.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/chinese-amul-butter-green-dot-viral-video-what-is-reality

10. https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/post/farmers-in-pakistan-throw-tomatoes-imported-from-iran-on-the-road-but-the-claim-with-communal-angle-is-false

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant uses the same standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims, irrespective of who made the claim. 


done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant does not concentrate its fact checking on any one side, but considers the reach and importance of the claim. It also publishes a short statement on its website on how it selects claims to check. 


done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant clearly discloses its sources. Readers may easily conclude if the interests of the sources might influence the evidence provided. 


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant is not affiliated with nor shows support for any political party of candidate and usually stays away from policy positions. 


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant sets out its non-partisan policy for its team on its website. The policy makes it clear that the team members cannot be publicly involved in any political issue or align with any political party in a manner that might lead users to believe that the website’s work is biased. 


done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources

To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria

  • 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
  • 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
  • 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
  • 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant clearly identifies all sources of evidence used in their fact checks and provides links to the sources where possible. Users can replicate their work. 


done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant uses mainly primary sources, using the parent company’s vast network of reporters and stringers to verify information. It does mention when it uses secondary sources.


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant checks all key elements of a claim against more than one named source. 


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant clearly identifies all sources so that users may conclude if the interests of the sources might influence the evidence they provide.


done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization

To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
  • 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
  • 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
  • 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
  • 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.

Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The Lallantop is a part of the India Today Group.

The Fact Check (Padtaal) is a segment within the lallantop website (https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck),

which is managed independently from the editorial operations of The Lallantop.

This team is independent of other editorial operations of the company and is engaged in fact-checking and

busting misinformation in mainstream and social media.

The team reports directly to the Vice-Chairperson & Managing Director of the company.

The main source of revenue for the company is advertising. Less than one per cent of the revenue goes

towards the Fact Check Team.

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Certificate of Incor... (115 KB)
TV Today Network Limited
17-Nov-2023 (10 months ago) Updated: 10 months ago

The Lallantop Padtaal is 100% funded by the parent company TV Today Network Limited (TVTN).

The expenditure on TV today network is publicly listed (TVTN) entity whose balance sheet is listed here.

The Fact Check (Padtaal) is a segment within the lallantop website (https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck), which is managed independently from the editorial operations of The Lallantop.

This team is independent of other editorial operations of the company and is engaged in fact-checking and busting misinformation in mainstream and social media.

The team reports directly to the Vice-Chairperson & Managing Director of the company.

The main source of revenue for the company is advertising. 

The Expenditure on Lallantop Fact check Padtaal is accounts for less than 1% of the total revenue.

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf TVTN - BS & PL FY 22... (1 MB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant is a unit within the TV Today Network group. The group’s funding comes mainly from advertising. The applicant states that less than one percent of the group’s revenue is towards the fact check team. However, it does not state if that makes for five percent of the fact-check team’s revenue.


cancel 4.1 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
17-Nov-2023 (10 months ago)

The applicant is a unit within the TV Today Network group. The group’s funding comes mainly from advertising and the fact-check unit is funded by the group.


done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)

The Fact Check is a segment within the Lallantop website which is managed independently from the editorial

operations of the Lallantop - https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck-about-us/

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant makes a statement on ownership on its About Us page and clearly states that while it is part of the TV Today Network, the fact-check team works independently. 


done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant’s website explains the organizational structure and explains how editorial control is exercised. 


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant, on its website lists the professional biographies of its main team members. 


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck-contact-us

Along with this, we also provide the links to our different platforms so that users can connect with us more conveniently.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

Users can get in touch with the team through a Contact Us page and through the applicant’s various social media handles.


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology

To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria

  • 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
  • 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
  • 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
  • 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
  • 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
  • 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.

Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant makes a statement on its website about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish fact checks.


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant selects claims to check based on the reach and importance of the claims. 


done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant sets out evidence that appears to support the claim as well as evidence that appears to undermine the claim.


done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant applies the same standards to assess the evidence it finds on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. 


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

Where possible, the applicant has contacted those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence.


done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Along with the Contact us page, we write an appeal to our readers at the end of each fact-check story to share the viral claims/information with us. https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck-contact-us/

In the Methodology section, we clearly stated the way and types of claims we select for the fact check.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck-methodology/

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check. It does so at the end of each fact check, as well as on its Contact Us page. 


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy

To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
  • 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
  • 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
  • 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
  • 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.

Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant’s corrections policy is easily accessible on its website. 


done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The policy explains how mistakes are handled and what corrections are announced and how major mistakes are handled. 


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago)

No correction request recieved so far

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant states that it has not had the need to issue any corrections so far. 


done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We provide the information and the direct link to send a complaint to IFCN upfront on the main home page of the Fact Check at the top. This is placed under the header "Correction Policy'' along with "About Us", "Methodology" and "Contact Us". We clearly convey to the readers that they can either reach out to us or directly approach the IFCN if they think we are violating the IFCN's Code of Principles.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck-correction-policy/

TV Today Network Limited
17-Nov-2023 (10 months ago) Updated: 10 months ago

We provide the information and the direct link to send a complaint to IFCN upfront on the main home page of the Fact Check at the top. This is placed under the header "Correction Policy'' along with "About Us", "Methodology" and "Contact Us". We clearly convey to the readers that they can either reach out to us or directly approach the IFCN if they think we are violating the IFCN's Code of Principles.

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck/complaints

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The link to the IFCN’s complaint page is not available, nor is a statement that says the users can complain to the IFCN.


cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
17-Nov-2023 (10 months ago) Updated: 9 months ago

The applicant has, in its complaints page provided a link to the IFCN site so that, if users feel that the applicant has violated the code, they may contact the IFCN.


done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.

TV Today Network Limited
13-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The Lallantop’s fact check arm has a correction policy and here is the link:

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheckcorrection-policy/

Apart from our own Correction Policy, our parent media correction policy is listed on the home page of both

India Today and Aaj Tak websites, which can be seen through the following links.

https://www.indiatoday.in/correction-policy

https://www.aajtak.in/fact-check/correction-policy

TV Today Network Limited
17-Nov-2023 (10 months ago) Updated: 10 months ago

The Lallantop’s fact check arm has a correction policy and here is the link:

https://www.thelallantop.com/factcheck-correction-policy

Apart from our own Correction Policy, our parent media correction policy is listed on the home page of both

India Today and Aaj Tak websites, which can be seen through the following links.

https://www.indiatoday.in/correction-policy

https://www.aajtak.in/fact-check/correction-policy

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
25-Oct-2023 (11 months ago) Updated: 11 months ago

The applicant’s parent’s company’s correction policy is not available. However, the correction policy of the fact-check teams of other units of the same organization can be seen. 


cancel 6.5 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
17-Nov-2023 (10 months ago) Updated: 9 months ago

The parent media company’s various divisions adhere to an open and honest corrections policy.


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.