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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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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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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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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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Today, by 12:30 a.m. EDT, the International Fact-Checking Network had moved Maldito Bulo, a fact-checking organization from Spain, from its “Verified Signatories” list to the “Expired Verified Signatories” list. Maldito Bulo’s certification date was June 7, 2018. FactCheck.org (United States) shared the same certification date but it remained on the “Verified Signatory” list. IFCN Director Baybars Örsek has said organizations…
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The International Fact-Checking Network today announced via Twitter that it received a report that one of its verified signatories from India had violated the IFCN Code of Principles. We have been informed of a potential violation of the IFCN code of principles by one of our verified signatories in India. Further evaluation will be followed by communication with the related…
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June Anniversaries Five of 65 verified signatories to the International Fact-Checking Network’s statement of principles will come due for re-verification in June 2019. FactCheck.org (US) June 7, 2018 Libération – CheckNews (France) June 11, 2018 Maldito Bulo (Spain) June 7, 2018 Pesa Check (Kenya) June 12, 2018 Science Feedback (France) June 7, 2018 IFCN Director Baybars Örsek has said that…
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What does the IFCN Code of Principles Require? The International Fact-Checking Network first published its Code of Principles in 2016. After Facebook made adherence to the IFCN’s code of principles a requirement for partnering in its effort to limit misinformation, the IFCN developed an application and review process for would-be signatories. The application elaborates on the text of the original…
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We’ve encouraged the International Fact-checking Network to systematically offer updates regarding its routine work of reviewing compliance with its code of principles. We don’t see that happening, so we’re taking it on ourselves to provide the type of news update we’d like to see from the IFCN. Unfortunately, we do not anticipate having the time to do this task adequately….
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A fact-checking organization either is or is not a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network’s code of principles. Right? In truth, it’s hard to tell. The system has gray areas. First, “partial compliance” apparently counts the same as “full compliance” with various IFCN criteria. Fact-checking organizations routinely pass inspection despite failing to fully comply with the IFCN code of…
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