Monthly Archive: June 2019

IFCN News: Alt News update

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International Fact-Checking Network Director Baybars Orsek said this week that the IFCN has completed its collection of evidence about charges that fact checker Alt News (India) transgressed the IFCN Code of Principles. Critics charged in June that Alt News broke the code through an executive’s association with a political group. The IFCN requires nonpartisanship from its signatory organizations. The IFCN…
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IFCN News: IFCN re-verifies PolitiFact

The International Fact-Checking Network re-verified PolitiFact on June 20, 2019. The re-verification serves as the IFCN’s assurance that PolitiFact has complied with the IFCN’s Code of Principles. The Poynter Institute owns the IFCN and PolitiFact. Independent assessor Michael Wagner judged that PolitiFact fully complied with each of the established criteria from the Code of Principles. [Disclosure: Zebra Fact Check submitted…
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IFCN News: IFCN verifies Fatabyyano Project

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The International Fact-Checking Network added Jordan’s Fatabyyano Project to its list of verified signatories to the IFCN Code of Principles on June 20, 2019. The IFCN’s independent assessor, Sarphan Uzunoğlu, recommended accepting the Fatabyyano Project on the condition it made some changes: They need to be more transparent about their financial models. Their existing statement is shady and not explanatory…
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IFCN News: New verified IFCN signatory: UAB Delfi

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On June 13, 2019 the International Fact-Checking Network added UAB Delfi (Lithania) to its list of verified signatories to its Code of Principles. Independent assessor Martiins Kaprans recommended accepting UAB Delfi contingent on making changes (“Accept with edits”) to its fact-check publishing frequency and disclosure about its staff: The applicant is reliable and professional organization who can contribute to the…
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IFCN News: IFCN Re-verifies Lead Stories

The International Fact-Checking Network accepted the re-verification of the fact-checking organization Lead Stories on June 13, 2019. The annual assessment, by independent assessor Margot Susca, was dated May 17, 2019. Susca rated Lead Stories fully compliant with IFCN criteria, recommending the IFCN accept Lead Stories as compliant with the Code of Principles: I think Lead Stories has shown that it…
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IFCN News: Fact Check Georgia re-verified

On June 14, 2019 Fact Check Georgia re-appeared on the International Fact-Checking Network’s list of verified signatories to its Code of Principles. The independent assessment was dated May 24, 2019, and shows on the IFCN website as accepted by its governing board on June 13, 2019. The independent assessor, Sarphan Uzunoğlu, praised Fact Check Georgia’s professionalism: It seems to be…
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IFCN News: What’s Happening with Alt News (India)

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On June 7, 2019 the International Fact-Checking Network announced that one of its verified signatory organizations stood accused of breaching the IFCN Code of Principles. Later reports appeared to confirm that Alt News (based in India) was the accused organization. Critics alleged that one of Alt News’ executives held membership in a political advocacy organization. The IFCN Code of Principles…
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IFCN News: Pesa Check joins the ranks of “expired verified signatories”

One day after the International Fact-Checking Network moved France’s Libération – CheckNews to the list of “expired verified signatories,” Kenya’s Pesa Check joined it there. Pesa Check was verified by the IFCN on June 12, 2018. The IFCN requires annual re-certification of signatories to its statement of principles (related: IFCN principles in for changes). With a year having passed since…
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IFCN News: Libération – CheckNews joins list of “expired verified signatories”

The International Fact-Checking Network today moved the French Fact-Checking site Libération – CheckNews to its list of “expired verified signatories.” The move brings the total number of “expired verified signatories” to 21. Sixty-one signatories remain on the separate “verified” list. IFCN Director Baybars Örsek has said “expired verified signatories” remain signatories in good standing during the re-verification process. The IFCN…
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IFCN News: Revisions coming to IFCN Code of Principles

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A June 11, 2019 post at Poynter.org’s page of fact-checking stories includes a paragraph announcing that Peter Cunliffe-Jones, former director of Africa Check and recently named as senior advisor for the International Fact-Checking Network, will work on revising the IFCN Code of Principles: Peter Cunliffe-Jones, the founder of Africa Check and recently announced senior advisor of the IFCN, will deliver…
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