Organization: UOL Confere
Applicant: Carlos Henrique de Souza Padeiro
Assessor: Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos
Background
The UOL Confere is a unit of UOL, one of Brazil's largest online news portals, and is part of Grupo Folha, a prominent media conglomerate that owns other major media brands in the country. It was established in 2017 and operates with a small team, primarily focusing on fact-checking in areas such as politics, economics, and public health. Their mission is to check and explain facts to Brazilian audiences. Thus, their fact-checks cover topics of significant social importance, often addressing viral information or issues impacting Brazilian society. The initiative demonstrates a responsible approach to journalism, relying on credible primary sources and providing frequent source links.
Assessment Conclusion
UOL Confere adheres to all the criteria outlined in the IFCN Code of Principles. Therefore, the recommendation to the Board is to approve the renewal of their accreditation.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos assesses application as Compliant
A short summary in native publishing language
O UOL Confere é uma divisão do UOL, um dos maiores portais de notícias online do Brasil, e faz parte do Grupo Folha, um proeminente conglomerado de mídia que detém outras marcas importantes de mídia no país. Foi estabelecido em 2017 e opera com uma equipe pequena, concentrando-se principalmente na checagem de fatos em áreas como política, economia e saúde pública. Sua missão é verificar e explicar fatos para o público brasileiro. Assim, suas verificações abrangem tópicos de grande importância social, muitas vezes abordando informações virais ou questões que impactam a sociedade brasileira. A iniciativa demonstra uma abordagem responsável ao jornalismo, baseando-se em fontes primárias credíveis e fornecendo links frequentes para essas fontes.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
We have a link on our website that explains that UOL Confere is UOL's fact-checking division. The link also explains that UOL Confere is financed by UOL, a private media outlet. This link is available on every fact-check that UOL Confere publishes.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant is a unit of UOL, one of Brazil's largest online news portals, and is part of Grupo Folha, a prominent media conglomerate that owns other major media brands in the country, including Folha de São Paulo and Datafolha. UOL is legally registered in Brazil and details of about the organization can be found at the bottom of the page in the link "Saiba mais sobre o UOL aqui" (Know more about UOL here, in Portuguese). This affiliation is quite apparent through the applicant's branding and URL. Furthermore, the applicant has included a link titled "Learn about our fact-checking method and our correction policy" ("Conheça nosso método de checagem e nossa política de correções") on its landing page, making the association with UOL and its fact-checking methodology clear to users. Additionally, a text box featuring this information is consistently displayed on all of its fact-checks, ensuring that readers are aware that this initiative is a division of UOL.
done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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?
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. UOL Confere started in March 2017. Our mission is to check and explain facts to Brazilian audiences. We dedicate most of our efforts to fact-check political actors who occupy public office or which are relevant to the public debate even out of office.
2. Three people work in UOL Confere: Clarice Sá (assistant editor), Isabela Aleixo (reporter) and Letícia Mutchnik (trainee). All of us work directly as fact-checkers, publishing our fact-checks in UOL Confere's website and Twitter account. We also work with freelance collaborators as editors and reporters.
3. Researching and publishing fact-checks; developing of media literacy and pre-bunking content for social media; production of long-tail explanatory content
4. Our main goals are: produce content that explain how disinformation works; produce content that inform about human rights (like transfobic or homofobic posts, for example); better adapt fact-checking to social media and have a stronger social media presence
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
1. According to its website, UOL Confere was established in March 2017 with the primary mission of fact-checking and providing explanations for facts to the Brazilian audience. The initiative focuses predominantly on fact-checking political figures who hold public office or are otherwise significant contributors to public discourse, even when they are not currently in office.
2. The UOL Confere unit consists of three team members: Clarice Sá, who holds the position of assistant editor, and reporters Isabela Aleixo and Letícia Mutchnik. While Letícia Mutchnik is referred to as a reporter on the website, it's worth noting that she may be working in an intern capacity, although this is not explicitly stated. Additionally, UOL Confere occasionally publishes content that is created by other journalists from the UOL editorial team, as well as contributions from journalists who collaborate with UOL, such as freelance journalists.
3. The activities carried out by UOL Confere comprise of researching and producing fact-checks for its website and social media channels. Occasionally, "UOL Confere may publish explanatory content that helps understand the spread of discourse." According to them, UOL Conferece does not fact-check opinions and predictions.
4. The UOL Confere team has outlined its goals for 2023, which include creating content that educates its audience on the mechanics and tactics of disinformation; producing content related to human rights, specifically on issues such as combating transphobic or homophobic content; developing strategies to effectively fact-check and counter disinformation circulating on online social networks and boosting its visibility and impact on such environments.
done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
All of UOL Confere's fact-checks are available at https://noticias.uol.com.br/confere/
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
UOL Confere has provided a link to its landing page, where they publish on average more than one fact-check per day. Some of this content has been produced through the Comprova alliance, of which UOL Confere is a member. The applicant exceeds the minimum requirement of publishing at least one fact-check per week.
done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
UOL Confere fact-checks claims that pertain to matters concerning the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public, or society in Brazil. These fact-checks cover a broad range of topics, including politics, health, the economy, and societal issues, and are related to current news developments in Brazil, Latin America, and around the world.
done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Since 2022, UOL Confere is part of Meta's Third-Party Fact-Checking Program which provides financial support for the division by Instagram, Facebook and WhatsApp content debunking.
UOL Confere does not have any kind of commercial or financial relationship with the state, politicians or political parties in Brazil, which is the country we cover. UOL Confere has not received funding or support from any kind of state or political actors, foreign or national.
UOL Confere has collaborated with the Brazilian Electoral Superior Court (TSE) to fight disinformation about Brazilian elections, as part of Confirma 2022 project, a partnership wich also included other Brazilian fact checking agencies and Meedan platform. The TSE republished fact-checks made by UOL Confere and other outlets during 2022 and also distributed UOL Confere and other outlets by WhatsApp. The project won the GlobalFact10 Award as the Most Innovative and Impactful Collaboration.
UOL Confere does not receive funding from local or foreign state or political sources.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
UOL Confere has clarified its receipt of support from Meta through its Third-Party Fact-Checking Program. The platform company also collaborates closely with IFCN. It's worth noting that such support has become a significant source of revenue for fact-checking initiatives worldwide. Additionally, UOL Confere has acknowledged its participation in the Confirma project with the Brazilian Electoral Superior Court (TSE) during the last election. This collaboration was recognized with the GlobalFact10 Award for being the Most Innovative and Impactful Collaboration by IFCN. There are no concerns regarding these collaborations by the applicant that could make its application non-compliant.
done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
UOL Confere does not receive funding from local or foreign state or political sources.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The UOL Confere is fully funded by resources from UOL itself. Thus, the unit does not directly receive funding from local or foreign state or political sources. However, UOL and Grupo Folha might eventually receive funding from government.
done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Over the past year, UOL Confere has published fact checks that cover a variety of actors and themes. We follow the same criteria and the same process for all of our fact checks. We do not check opinions or predictions; we only check verifiable claims. Our criteria for fact-checking is described here: https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2021/07/21/conheca-o-metodo-de-checagem-e-a-politica-de-correcoes-do-uol-confere.htm
We believe the fact checks listed below demonstrate UOL Confere's non-partisanship:
1- Fact check of Brazilian president Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva discourse about Venezuela's government:
2- Fact check of president Lula's daughter salary:
3- Fact check of ex-president Jair Bolsonaro interview:
4- Fact check of the supposed risk of Bolsonaro being arrested anytime:
5- Fack check of Fernando Haddad, Lula's minister:
6- Fact check about Supreme Court minister and TSE president Alexandre de Moraes:
7- Fact check of deputy Nikolas Ferreira, Bolsonaro's supporter:
8- Fact check of distortion about Donald Trump's speech:
9- Fact check about Mauro Cid, ex-Bolsonaro assistant:
10- Fact check about Arthur Lira, president of Câmara dos Deputados:
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As requested, UOL Confere has adequately demonstrated its non-partisanship by presenting ten examples of fact-checks conducted on political leaders and parties from across the political spectrum in Brazil.
It's important to highlight that in the past year, the former President of Brazil, Jair Bolsonaro, has frequently accused the news media of professional misconduct, bias, and partisanship. However, the evidence collected for this assessment clearly indicates that UOL Confere covers a wide range of political parties and consistently applies high standards of evidence to assess claims from all ideological backgrounds.
done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
UOL Confere selects the content to be fact-checked based on four criteria: if the content is checkable, who said or shared it, the relevance of the content, and whether the misinformation has been widely disseminated. In the link, there is a detailed explanation of how they approach each of these criteria.
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After conducting a random review of fact-checks published since August 2022, no evidence of any commercial interests that could potentially influence the fact-checking activity of the applicant was found. The initiative appears to maintain journalistic neutrality, as it consistently discloses relevant interests of the sources it cites in its fact-checks, allowing readers to reasonably assess whether these interests could impact the accuracy of the evidence presented.
done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After conducting a random review of fact-checks published since August 2022, no affiliation with any political party, politicians, or political candidates was identified. Furthermore, there is no discernible advocacy for or against any specific policy positions on any issues in the fact-checks, except for a commitment to promoting transparency and accuracy in public discourse. Fact-checks cover a broad political spectrum, ranging from the far-right to the left.
done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2021/07/21/conheca-o-metodo-de-checagem-e-a-politica-de-correcoes-do-uol-confere.htm
We have included our About page at the top of UOL Confere's home page: https://noticias.uol.com.br/confere/
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
As requested, UOL Confere has included its non-partisanship statement (apartidário, in Portuguese) in the link provided. According to the link, they ensure to meet this criteria by adopting fact-checking processes guided by the Editorial Principles outlined in the Folha's Style Guide (legacy newspaper of the holding group) and the Code of Principles of the IFCN (International Fact-Checking Network). However, there is no link "About" at the top of UOL Confere's landing page. All the information is the link presented "Learn about our fact-checking methodology and correction policy on our website" (Conheça nosso método de checagem e nossa política de correções).
done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Using a randomized sample, I can confirm that UOL Confere makes extensive use of links and embedded social media posts to support its fact-checks. These resources enable users to independently verify the pertinent information provided by the fact-checking initiative.
done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Through a randomized sample analysis, it is evident that UOL Confere consistently supports its fact-checks with a diverse and pertinent range of sources. Whenever applicable, primary sources such as government entities and open data sources from governmental bodies are utilized.
done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
After conducting a random review of several fact-checks published over the past year, the overall evaluation for this criterion is positive. Specifically, the applicant verifies all crucial components of claims against multiple named sources of evidence, except in cases where a single source is the only relevant one on the topic.
done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Whenever utilizing sources, the applicant identifies them and provides context, allowing readers to evaluate any relevant interests that could impact the fact-check. These sources are publicly accessible and their significance is clear for the verifications.
done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
UOL Confere is the fact-checking unit of UOL. Our website (https://noticias.uol.com.br/confere/) is hosted inside UOL's website, and we use UOL's name. UOL Confere is mentioned in content published by other sections of UOL, like UOL Notícias social media. Examples:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CtP6hPoOQkt/
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The initiative is a unit of UOL, as mentioned previously, and this relationship is clearly indicated by the logo and collaborations exemplified by the applicant in social media posts. Furthermore, the applicant openly acknowledges the parent organization on its "about" page.
done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the link provided, the applicant clearly states that UOL Confere is a unit of UOL, one of Brazil's largest online news portals. Additionally, a text box featuring this information is consistently displayed on all of its fact-checks, ensuring that readers are aware that this initiative is a division of UOL.
done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the link provided by the applicant, the organizational structure of the unit is outlined, providing clarity on who comprises the editorial team and how it operates.
done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the link provided by the applicant, short professional biographies of the editorial team members are included, offering descriptions of their prior experiences in newsrooms and their educational backgrounds.
done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
We also inform in all articles how to be in contact by email or WhatsApp. Some examples:
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
In the link provided by the applicant, there is a passage that states, "complaints about errors can be made via the 'Report Error' button, which is available at the foot of all UOL content. This channel provides a form for us to receive alerts about information errors, technical errors, or Portuguese mistakes. Other requests can be sent to uolconfere@uol.com.br." Additionally, in some verifications, you can find the passage, "Suggestions for checking can be sent to WhatsApp (11) 97684-6049 or email uolconfere@uol.com.br."
done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
UOL Confere has included its methodology, which describes how the team selects, researches, writes, and publishes the fact-checks available on the website. This page could benefit from a more descriptive title and improved linking within the page to enhance its findability for readers.
done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Based on a random review of several fact-checks published by UOL Confere, no examples of infringement have been found, indicating that the initiative complies with this criterion by reporting on issues of social importance and reach.
done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Based on a random sample, it appears that UOL Confere presents claims and arguments in a responsible manner by providing relevant evidence both in support of and against the claims in its fact-checks. No evidence has been found to suggest different fact-checking standards depending on who made the claim or the subject being checked. The initiative appears to apply consistent fact-checking standards across the board, ranging from true to false claims.
done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Although exactly equivalent claims are hard to come by, the applicant is balanced in how they assess claims. As mentioned before, there is evidence of fact-checks across the entire political spectrum, including the former president Bolsonaro and current president Lula. Therefore, the evidence suggests that they approach fact-checking responsibly without significant bias.
done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Based on the random sample, there is no evidence of objectionable situations related to this criterion. The initiative consistently attempts to contact the individuals who have made claims in order to clarify them. However, it's noted that in cases involving viral social media posts, this may not always be possible. Nonetheless, there is no evidence of any misbehavior or infringement of this aspect of the code of principles, and the assessment is positive.
done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
All of UOL Confere's fact checks have a footer that informs our email adress (uolconfere@uol.com.br) and WhatsApp number and encourages users to send in claims. We also inform our email adress on our Twitter profile and in the link that explains how we work. This link also explains to users what we consider to be verifiable: https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2021/07/21/conheca-o-metodo-de-checagem-e-a-politica-de-correcoes-do-uol-confere.htm
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant clearly encourages users to submit claims for fact-checking and provides transparency about what types of claims they do not verify, such as opinions and forecasts/previsions. This information is made visible in the link provided by the applicant.
done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
related_article.png (165 KB)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant clearly has an established correction policy. Users can report errors using the "Report Error" (Comunicar erro) button, which is available at the bottom of all fact-checks. This button provides a form for users to report information, technical, or language errors. The UOL Confere team promptly analyzes all reports, and if they determine that it is valid, the content is corrected, and an errata is posted on the fact-check page. For other correction requests, such as technical issues, users are directed to contact uolconfere@uol.com.br via email. The link to the "about" page is also included in the fact-checks, but it is placed alongside several other links, which might make it less noticeable to users.
done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The corrections policy is well-detailed, providing readers with a clear understanding of how their claims will be handled. However, it doesn't specify whether certain complaints may not receive a response. Additionally, there is no information about whether readers may not always receive feedback on how the error was addressed by UOL Confere. Despite these shortcomings, the applicant is considered compliant with this criterion.
done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
On July 2023, we received a correction request from an user on our email (see attached file; personal information is blurred). We answered the request (see attached file; personal information is blurred) and made the correction on the link that follows below. Right at the top of the fact check, there is an alert that is was corrected. When the user clicks on the alert, it directs to an explanation of the correction made.
On October 2022, we received a correction request from an user on our error alert disposed in the articles and forwarded by the quality team. We answered the request internaly and made the correction on the link that follows below. Like the other example, there is an alert --right at the top of the fact check-- that is was corrected. When the user clicks on the alert, it directs to an explanation of the correction made.
ifcn 6-3 errata apos... (266 KB)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has provided a screenshot demonstrating how the team responded to a reader's inquiry about an inconsistency in a fact-check. In this case, the reader was correct, and the team acknowledged the error, and corrected the article. The article included an errata notice below the title. Additionally, a text box at the bottom of the article explains what was corrected. The applicant has also provided another example to illustrate its correction policies.
Based on this evidence, the applicant is considered compliant with the criterion, as it demonstrates transparency in addressing and correcting errors in its fact-checks.
done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant provides a link that redirects readers to an IFCN page where they can file a complaint if they believe the initiative is violating the IFCN Code. Therefore, the applicant is compliant with this criterion.
done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos.
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.
UOL Confere
26-Jun-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
This link informs that UOL and UOL Confere corrections policies are the same: https://noticias.uol.com.br/ultimas-noticias/redacao/2021/07/21/conheca-o-metodo-de-checagem-e-a-politica-de-correcoes-do-uol-confere.htm
All of UOL's contents have a "Comunicar Erro" ("Report mistake") button (see attached file), which leads to a form to request a correction (see attached file).
UOL - example of for... (210 KB)
comunicar erro.png (45 KB)
comunicar erro.png (45 KB)
Mathias Felipe de Lima Santos Assessor
09-Sep-2023 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago
The applicant has clarified that UOL and UOL Confere share the same corrections policy, which involves using the Report Error ("Comunicar erro") button to communicate potential mistakes. This aligns with the principles of transparency and openness in corrections. Therefore, the applicant is compliant with this criterion.