The IFCN welcomes new applications to its Code of Principles beginning Jan. 16, 2024. Our website is currently under renovation, so new signatories should begin the application process by emailing their interest to info@ifcn.org with "New Signatory" in the subject line.

Faktisk.no

Organization: Faktisk.no
Applicant: Olav Østrem
Assessor: Ester Appelgren
Assessor: Ester Appelgren
Conclusion and recommendations
on 13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

Ester Appelgren wrote:

The applicant has submitted an application for renewal. 

The organization has adapted the website according to previous suggestions and the website provides an excellent environment for fact-checked stories. It is easy to use, the methodology is clearly explained including ethical considerations, contact details and financial details are provided in detail. Stories cover a variety of subjects. 

The only thing that perhaps could be added as an edit is a short sentence in the methodology section on the policy for how corrections are updated across platforms (ie facebook and twitter).

on 13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

Ester Appelgren recommended Accept


Section 1: Organization

Criterion 1a
Proof of registration
Evidence required: Please provide evidence that the signatory is a legally-registered organization set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking or the distinct fact-checking project of a recognized media house or research institution.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

https://w2.brreg.no/enhet/sok/detalj.jsp?orgnr=919036508 (Norwegian company registration authority) This is an application for renewal. There is no change in our purpose or organization.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant is a registered organization with a clear purpose of fact-checking.


done_all 1a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant is a registered organization with a clear purpose of fact-checking.


done_all 1a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Criterion 1b
Archive
Evidence required: Insert a link to the archive of fact checks published in the previous three months. If you do not collect all fact checks in one place, please explain how the fact-checking is conducted by your organization.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

www.faktisk.no

We also post videos and simple debunks directly on facebook as posts: www.facebook.com/faktisk/

We also have a weekly segment called "Ukas faktasjekk" (This weeks fact-check) the morning show NRK P1+ radio channel (for a senior audience) https://radio.nrk.no/sok?q=ukas%20faktasjekk

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

Several reports per week have been published over the past three month period. There are both articles and fact-checks on the web site. The fact-checks is focused on evaluating claims, while the longer articles evaluate and analyze current important issues, sometimes very close to fact-checks. During the three month period, most articles revolve around about politics, due to local elections.


done_all 1b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

Several reports per week have been published over the past three month period. There are both articles and fact-checks on the web site. The fact-checks is focused on evaluating claims, while the longer articles evaluate and analyze current important issues, sometimes very close to fact-checks. During the three month period, most articles revolve around about politics, due to local elections.


done_all 1b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Section 2: Nonpartisanship and Fairness

Criterion 2a
Body of work sample
Evidence required: Please share links to ten fact checks that better represent the scope and consistency of your fact-checking. Provide a short explanation of how your organization strives to maintain coherent standards across fact checks.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

https://www.faktisk.no/notiser/Kz/det-ma-ikke-koste-692-kr-per-dag-a-pendle-sandefjordoslo (an example of our brand new short format)

https://twitter.com/i/moments/1170089312958001156 (an example of our "live-check" effort on Twitter during the local elections in Norway in September)

https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/EnJ/vi-fulgte-den-siste-partilederdebatten (an example of our live-check summary story during the local elections in Norway in September)

https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/pYg/fem-ting-du-bor-vite-om-eiendomsskatt (an example of our election-related fact stories during the local elections in Norway in September)

https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/ApA/ap-har-doblet-eiendomsskatten-i-bergen (Fact check)

https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/DLW/jo-meslinger-har-drept-mennesker-i-den-vestlige-verden-de-siste-20-arene (Fact check)

https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/1bw/bare-18-prosent-av-elevene-i-oslo-har-gode-nok-karakterer-til-a-velge-hvilken-skole-de-vil-ga-pa (Fact check)

https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/YAb/nei-olav-thon-har-ikke-investert-850-millioner-kroner-i-bitcoin-program (Fact check)

https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/MWL/det-har-vaert-en-dobling-i-antall-loggforte-knivstikkinger-i-oslo-politidistrikt-sammenlignet-med-sa (Fact check)

https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/8Rb/kongeparken-og-tusenfryd-gir-5-gratis-billetter-til-alle-i-anledning-35-arsjubileum (Fact check)

We follow the IFCN Code of Principles, as well as the journalistic ethic guidelines of the Norwegian Press Association. Also, we have made our own open guidelines stated openly here: https://www.faktisk.no/metode/

In short, we identify, pick and fact check important, surprising, interesting and/or influential factual claims made in the public domain - including the political discussion, in the media, in social medias e.t.c. We also strive to uncover and stop the spread of so called "false news" and "alternative facts".

When fact checking, we give the subjects who has made the claims an early opportunity verify context and support their claims with documentation.

After fact checking, we conclude with one of our five categories: True, Partly true, Not sure, Partly false of False.

If the claim is found mostly true, not sure, mostly false or false, the subject of the fact check is given the opportunity to comment the conclusion.

Also, based on our experience after one year of fact-checking, we have included a scale-free category for in depth insight fact-checks were it is impossible to conclude, or were a categoric conclusion would be counter productive in regards of highlighting the facts. These insight-articles are marked with a blue color.

We also produce video fact-checks an explainers for use on Facebook and Snap Chat. During big debates, we live-check on Twitter. 

* We also cooperate with the public broadcaster NRK with a short segment called "this weeks fact check" for their senior audience radio channel P1+.

All our fact checks are free for all to use and equipped with embed-codes for easy reproduction. They are also distributed through the Norwegian news wire NTB. 


Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

Because there has been elections during the assessment period, the sample is dominated by subjects related to the politics. However, the topics are varied. It does not appear as if the material take one stand, rather most elegantly the applicant evaluates statements by political leaders by providing statistics based on different types of data from Norwegian authorities.


done_all 2a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

Because there has been elections during the assessment period, the sample is dominated by subjects related to the politics. However, the topics are varied. It does not appear as if the material take one stand, rather most elegantly the applicant evaluates statements by political leaders by providing statistics based on different types of data from Norwegian authorities.


done_all 2a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Criterion 2b
Nonpartisanship policy
Evidence required: Please share evidence of your policy preventing staff from direct involvement in political parties and advocacy organizations. Please also indicate the policy your organization has as a whole regarding advocacy and supporting political candidates.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

We follow the IFCN Code of Principles, as well as the journalistic ethic guidelines of the Norwegian Press Association. Our staff is not allowed to do politics or participate in activities compromising our nonpartisanship. 

We also have our own internal ethical guidelines to ensure nonpartisanship and fair code of conduct, stated publicly on our site: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss#etikkregler-for-faktiskno

Our structure, history, guidelines etc. are publicly stated here: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss

We are completely open about our staffs background, listing both current and former staff publicly on our site: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss#redaksjonen

In this section, we also give an in depth insight to our our company structure, economics, board of directors, e.t.c.: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss

We also list in detail our supporters and partnerships in this section: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/finansiering

Based on feedback from the assessor on our last application, we also disclose our complete financial statements year by year: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/finansiering / https://res.cloudinary.com/faktisk/image/upload/v1562245521/Årsregnskap/Arsregnskap2018.pdf

Also we keep a current public update on our income and financial ties: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/finansiering

All our fact-checks generates statistical data in which we are transparent about, making it easy for anyone to scrutinize our work: https://www.faktisk.no/statistikk

We have also added a correction logg, which can be followed both on our statistics-section or by RSS-feed: https://www.faktisk.no/endringer

Also our methods are explained in detail here: https://www.faktisk.no/metode

All these sections have been upgraded with more details and transparency since our initial application. 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant clearly states that staff has to follow a set of ethical guidelines provided on the website. The guidelines are well explained and easy to understand with a tone that is suitable for the general public as well as the staff following the guidelines.


done_all 2b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant clearly states that staff has to follow a set of ethical guidelines provided on the website. The guidelines are well explained and easy to understand with a tone that is suitable for the general public as well as the staff following the guidelines.


done_all 2b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Section 3: Transparency of Sources

Criterion 3a
Sources Policy
Please share a brief and public explanation (500 words max) of how sources are provided in enough detail that readers could replicate the fact check. If you have a public policy on how you find and use sources for your fact-checking, it should be shared here.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

All our fact checks has its own section where we in detail explain every stage and use of sources in the particular fact check. In this way, they can review our methods, work and line of thinking. We are open about our sources and documentation, and share this openly by uploads, links and citations.  Also, our methodology is explained in our methodology-section: https://www.faktisk.no/metode                     

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Sources in fact-checks are linked to. Sources are mostly different types of data from authorities, official reports, other media outlets and research reports. 

Furthermore, at times if persons such as a researcher is quoted, links are provided to his/her webpage or an image of the researcher is provided with a short bio.


done_all 3a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Sources in fact-checks are linked to. Sources are mostly different types of data from authorities, official reports, other media outlets and research reports. 

Furthermore, at times if persons such as a researcher is quoted, links are provided to his/her webpage or an image of the researcher is provided with a short bio.


done_all 3a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Section 4: Transparency of Funding & Organization

Criterion 4a
Funding Sources
Evidence required: Please link to the section where you publicly list your sources of funding (including, if they exist, any rules around which types of funding you do or don't accept), or a statement on ownership if you are the branch of an established media organization or research institution.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

We describe in depth insight to our our company structure, economics, board of directors, e.t.c.: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss

We also list in detail our supporters and partnerships in this section: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/finansiering

Based on feedback from the assessor on our last application, we also disclose our complete financial statements year by year: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/finansiering

https://res.cloudinary.com/faktisk/image/upload/v1562245521/Årsregnskap/Arsregnskap2018.pdf (2017)

https://res.cloudinary.com/faktisk/image/upload/s--ubg-kgcb--/v1540631499/Årsregnskap/Årsregnskap_2017_Faktisk.no_byceq1.pdf (2018)

Also we keep a current public update on our income and financial ties: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/finansiering

This section also clearly outlines our rules for non partisanship, independence and transparency. You can also go back in time for previous years. 

We have also included a section explaining in detail the support and partnerships we have: https://www.faktisk.no/stott-oss

Both sections are main menu options on our front page. 

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The financial section of the site is impressive. Owner details are clear and official documents are provided. Details on support are provided with logos of supporting companies. The overall budget and spending is provided. The page is accessible and easy to understand.


done_all 4a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The financial section of the site is impressive. Owner details are clear and official documents are provided. Details on support are provided with logos of supporting companies. The overall budget and spending is provided. The page is accessible and easy to understand.


done_all 4a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Criterion 4b
Staff
Evidence required: Please link to the section detailing all authors and key actors behind your fact-checking project with their biographies. You can also list the name and bios of the members of the editorial board, pool of experts, advisory board, etc. if your organization has those.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

We are completely open about key actors, boards, current and former staff e.t.c here: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss

Our staff: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss#redaksjonen

Our board: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss#styret

Our advisory board: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss#faktiskradet

In this section, we also give an in depth insight to our our company structure, economics, board of directors, e.t.c.

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Detailed bios are provided for staff, and there is a list of previous staff that is no longer with the organization.


done_all 4b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Detailed bios are provided for staff, and there is a list of previous staff that is no longer with the organization.


done_all 4b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Criterion 4c
Contact
Evidence required: Please link to the section where readers can get in touch with the organization.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Contact info is found both om our front page (footer) - on the footer of all fact-checks and stories, and by clicking individual bylines. The "about us"-sections includes contact details to all staff members: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss#redaksjonen

Also we have a very active community response through our Facebook-page facebook.com/faktisk and out twitter-page twitter.com/faktisk_no

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Because there are bios for all staff and bylines provided at the top of every story, it is intuitive to find a way of contacting the journalists. While the personal adress is evident in the stories, where the reader is often adressed as "you" the website does not actively invite readers. However, there is a link at the bottom of the webpage stating "Contact us if you want to complain or give us praise". The facebook page is naturally more inviting to dialogue.


done_all 4c marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Because there are bios for all staff and bylines provided at the top of every story, it is intuitive to find a way of contacting the journalists. While the personal adress is evident in the stories, where the reader is often adressed as "you" the website does not actively invite readers. However, there is a link at the bottom of the webpage stating "Contact us if you want to complain or give us praise". The facebook page is naturally more inviting to dialogue.


done_all 4c marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Section 5: Transparency of Methodology

Criterion 5a
Detailed Methodology
Evidence required: Please link to a section or article detailing the steps you follow for your fact-checking work.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Our menu option "Methodology" brings you to our detailed methodology-section: https://www.faktisk.no/metode

Also, since we are part of the 3PFC-partnership with Facebook, we have a thorough description of how this works as well: https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss/facebook

Based on feedback from our assessor on our last assessment, we have also hyperlinked our rating in every fact-check to the explanation of the rating scale on our Methodology page.

https://www.faktisk.no/metode#skala

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The section describing the methodology is detailed and easy to understand, and describes the steps involved in the process. In this section, the journalistic processes are explained for the general public in such a way that it is very clear what fact-checking is about. 


done_all 5a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The section describing the methodology is detailed and easy to understand, and describes the steps involved in the process. In this section, the journalistic processes are explained for the general public in such a way that it is very clear what fact-checking is about. 


done_all 5a marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Criterion 5b
Claim submissions
Evidence required: Please link to the page or process through which readers can submit claims to fact-check. If you do not allow this, please briefly explain why.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

We are still working on a more innovating claim-tip-system. However our Facebook-page facebook.com/faktisk is currently our main channel for interaction with our readers, where we receive and actively encourage readers to submit claims to fact check. On Faktisk.no we ask readers to send us claims by e-mail: kontakt@faktisk.no and we receive claims through our active twitter account twitter.com/faktisk_n

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The excellent method section explains the nature of fact checked stories. 

Encouraging readers to send in fact-checks is not the main idea of Faktisk.no but it is possible to do so. Rather, the applicant explains that claims need to have been available publicly in order to be selected for fact-checks. The applicant refers to the Facebook page where there is dialogue between the staff and the general public. In comments people ask questions, give their opinions and otherwise interact with the applicant.


done 5b marked as Partially compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The excellent method section explains the nature of fact checked stories. 

Encouraging readers to send in fact-checks is not the main idea of Faktisk.no but it is possible to do so. Rather, the applicant explains that claims need to have been available publicly in order to be selected for fact-checks. The applicant refers to the Facebook page where there is dialogue between the staff and the general public. In comments people ask questions, give their opinions and otherwise interact with the applicant.


done 5b marked as Partially compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Section 6: Open & Honest Corrections Policy

Criterion 6a
Corrections policy
Evidence required: Please link to the page with your policy to address corrections. If it is not public, please share your organization's handbook.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Our correction policy is thoroughly described in our methodology-section: https://www.faktisk.no/metode - and is also directly announced on our front page and on the footer of every page generated on Faktisk.no : https://www.faktisk.no/metode#rettelser-og-klager 

When it comes to policies: Our About us section (https://www.faktisk.no/om-oss) has a translated version of the IFCN Code of Principles, and outlined the policy of article 5: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy.

In our translation, we state: "We have a transparent corrections policy and follow it always. Our corrections are clearly marked and openly published in compliant with our corrections policy, to make sure our readers sees the correct version."

Also, as previously described, we outline our "House ethics rules", which comes in addition to the Norwegian Press Association's Code of Ethics, which applies to us (https://presse.no/pfu/etiske-regler/vaer-varsom-plakaten/vvpl-engelsk/). These bind us to fair treatment of all sources.

To comply to the standards of media outlets in Norway, our footer includes the name and email address to the editor-in-chief, as well as our general contact address. It also hyperlinks to the Norwegian Press Association's Code of Ethics, the Norwegian Editor's Association’s Code of Ethics, and to the IFCN Code Of Principles. The text says:

"Vi arbeider etter Vær varsom-plakatens regler for god presseskikk, Redaktørplakaten og faktasjekkplakaten. Den som mener seg rammet av urettmessig publisering, oppfordres til å ta kontakt med redaksjonen."

Which translates to: "We follow the Norwegian Press Code of Ethics (link), the Norwegian Editors code of principles (link) and the Fact-Checkers code of principles (link). Anyone who feels afflicted by unfair publication (hard to translate literally) should contact us (link to email).

Also, we publish full bios and contact details for all our staff in the About us section. Every fact-check has a byline with the name and email link to the fact-checkers who wrote the article.

We also have a very active dialogue with our readers by email, Twitter and Facebook page - were the discussion is live almost 24/7.

In addition: Any changes or corrections in a fact-check into a separate section at the end of the fact-check (in example: https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/xeZ/nei-oslo-politiet-ble-ikke-bygget-ned-okonomisk-under-den-rodgronne-regjeringen ), we also have added a separate change/correction logg, which can be followed both on our statistics-section or by RSS-feed: https://www.faktisk.no/endringer

Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

In the method section there is an excellent sub-section dedicated to corrections. There, contact details are given and the process is clearly explained, should someone want to file a complaint of the accuracy of the content.


The reason for "Partially compliant" here is that it was not clear to me how corrections applies to all platforms (Facebook and Twitter). Perhaps a short sentence could be added to the sub-section of the methods section about this. 


done 6a marked as Partially compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

In the method section there is an excellent sub-section dedicated to corrections. There, contact details are given and the process is clearly explained, should someone want to file a complaint of the accuracy of the content.


The reason for "Partially compliant" here is that it was not clear to me how corrections applies to all platforms (Facebook and Twitter). Perhaps a short sentence could be added to the sub-section of the methods section about this. 


done 6a marked as Partially compliant by Ester Appelgren.

Criterion 6b
Examples of corrections
Evidence required: Please provide two examples of a correction made, or correction requests handled, in the past year.

Faktisk.no
11-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Our correction-log gives our readers easy access to every correction in every fact-check chronologically: https://www.faktisk.no/endringer

There you can easily navigate to fact-checks with corrections, where all changes or corrections are highlighted in the end, i.e.:

https://www.faktisk.no/artikler/0Rd/vi-fulgte-partilederdebatten-pa-tv-2

https://www.faktisk.no/faktasjekker/ApA/ap-har-doblet-eiendomsskatten-i-bergen

We would like to point out that our correction log has been highlighted and promoted as an important innovation by the IFCN. It has inspired to similar initiatives - among those - the new corrections log adapted by the largest online news site in Norway, VG: https://www.vg.no/rettelser/


Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The applicant does a very good job in providing correction logs for the fact-checked stories, as well as a running correction log with all corrections to all stories.


done_all 6b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.
Ester Appelgren Assessor
13-Sep-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The applicant does a very good job in providing correction logs for the fact-checked stories, as well as a running correction log with all corrections to all stories.


done_all 6b marked as Fully compliant by Ester Appelgren.