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Faktograf.hr

Organization: Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
Applicant: Faktograf
Assessor: Milica Šarić
Conclusion and recommendations
on 05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

Milica Šarić wrote:

I recommend accepting the application of Faktograf, with potential minor changes in its correction transparency procedure.

on 05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

Milica Šarić recommended Accept with edits


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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago)
Faktograf is legally registered as an electronic media with the Croatian Agency for Electronic Media (AEM registry added as attachment). Faktograf was created as a joint project of Croatian Journalists' Association (HND) http://hnd.hr/eng/ and civil society organization Gong http://gong.hr/en/, with the main purpose of fact-checking. HND was formerly registered as Faktograf's publisher, but this was later changed to Gong now being the sole publisher, due to the need for simpler coordination regarding project grants which are Faktograf's main source of funding.
Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Knjiga_ElPublikacija... (348 KB)
Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant is a legally registered media that publish exclusively fact-checking content.


done_all 1a marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Fact-checks of statements made by politicians are gathered here:

https://faktograf.hr/izjave/

Articles debunking popular untruths are gathered here:

https://faktograf.hr/provjera-tocnosti/

https://faktograf.hr/analize/


Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant does publish reports that evaluate distinct claims on the basis of their accuracy, though they also have some kind of “aktualno” category, which consists of opinion articles - here are just some of the latest articles:

https://faktograf.hr/2019/10/24/vladin-ured-za-udruge-krsi-zakon-zbog-zastite-ministra-pavica/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/10/30/zapoceto-jacanje-frontexa-oznacava-fokusiranje-europske-unije-na-zastitu-vanjskih-granica/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/10/31/dnevnohr-hrvatska-vlada-europskim-novcem-podrzava-sirenje-dezinformacija/

...

As for evaluation of distinct claims on the basis of their accuracy, the applicant has published 90 reports over three months, which makes the average almost 1 per day.


done_all 1b marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

https://faktograf.hr/2019/10/02/predsjednicka-kandidatura-govor-cinjenice/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/09/18/jandrokovic-nismo-duzni-povjerenstvu-dostavljati-racune/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/08/27/skoro-od-2007-hrvatska-se-priblizila-eu-prosjeku-za-samo-dva-postotna-boda/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/06/21/matic-o-kolindi-grabar-kitarovic-i-plenkovicu-kao-kandidatima-za-ek-izvjestavaju-portali-tipa-dugo-selo-info/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/10/01/nino-raspudic-klimatska-kriza/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/10/04/notorne-gluposti-kresimir-misak/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/09/22/migrant-tramvaj-bicikl-francuska-zet-snimka/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/09/02/igra-huskanja-na-izbjeglice-na-portalu-dnevno/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/07/02/premijer-morawiecki-nije-potpisao-apel-protiv-5g-tehnologije-potvrdilo-nam-je-poljsko-ministarstvo-digitalnih-poslova/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/07/02/europol-teroristi-nemaju-u-planu-samo-ubijati-vec-i-polarizirati-nasa-drustva/


We fact-check statements of top officials, members of government, members of parliament and other elected officials and deputies, including local authorities. We fact-check claims made by the members of ruling parties as well as the opposition. We are focused on statements of great public interest or on statements that are in the public eye at the moment. We also debunk common untruths or misconceptions which achieve prominence on social media.

We maintain coherent standards across fact-checks, regardless whether it's a claim of the ruling politician or opposition. However, our researches are more focused on the government members and members of influential groups because their decisions have greater impact on everyday lives of the citizens.

In every fact-check we have the same procedure – we give link on the public statement and then we try to determine the truth by comparing what is said with documents, registers, statistics, court decisions, articles previously published on this topic or the opinion of eminent experts.

We have five grades – from “Ni f od Fakta“ that stands for statements that are completely untrue to “Fakt“, meaning that the statement is completely based on facts. Grades are explained on our website http://faktograf.hr/sto-su-ocjene/ Grade for every statement is placed in the corner of the picture added to the article. We have started to work more intently on debunking false information, as it started to appear more often within Croatian social media and in mainstream news media as well. Since April 2019 we have been debunking false information on social media as part of Facebook's Third Party Fact-Checker Program.




Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant's fact checks cover a variety of subjects and speakers and do not unduly concentrate on one side of the topic they fact-check. Due to greater accountability of decision makers, the applicant naturally covers more people and statements connected to the government.


done_all 2a marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago)

Statute of Gong (https://www.gong.hr/media/uploads/statut_gong_28.12.2018._final.pdf) states that Gong is non-partisan and independent organization, founded in 1997 to encourage citizens to actively participate in political processes. Its goal is promoting and elevating human and civil rights, as well as encouraging and empowering citizens to participate in political processes.

Faktograf is obliged to respect the same principles. We are not involved in political parties or in supporting political candidates. We base our work in the manner of professional and ethical journalism, devoid of the influence of various particular interests.

Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

The applicant sent Statute of its founding organization stating committement to independence and non-partisanship, with goal to encourage citizens to actively participate in political processes. 

Faktograf, as they state, is "obliged to respect the same principles" and not involve themselves in politics.


done_all 2b marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

We choose statements on the basis of relevance or interest for particular topic in public. We start with providing link to the statement and then, as can be seen from the examples provided above, give links on every document, registry or other source that we use in checking the truthfulness of the statement. Readers can use those links to establish the correctness of our conclusions. If we cannot provide a hyperlink to the source, we name the source and quote it in detail.

Sources that are relevant for our fact-checks are: official documents like statements from the institutions, laws, statistics; domestic and international relevant organizations' reports; relevant media. More on our methodology on a following links: http://faktograf.hr/metodologija/

and http://faktograf.hr/sto-su-ocjene/

Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

Based on the sample of work, the applicant does link to the sources of the claim it is fact-checking and the evidence it uses to fact-check it. Sometimes the applicant archive the link and give the evidence that way, most probably in a fear of link being deleted. When no link is available, the applicant name the source and quote.


done_all 3a marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago)
Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

On a page on its website the applicant states sources of funding, though from the beginning, not just the past year. (without amounts of grants, just names of funders)

On the same page the applicant explains spendings 2015-2018. It provided amounts of USD spent on research, communication etc, and how many % it holds within total spending.

On the same page the applicant explain its registration form and how it was founded.


done_all 4a marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago)
Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

All authors and key actors behind the fact-checking project are clearly listed on the site and relevant biographies are included.


done_all 4b marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

http://faktograf.hr/kontakt/

Also, information about Faktograf's email, Twitter and Facebook contacts are published at the end of each article published on Faktograf's pages. 

Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

At the bottom of home page (footer) there is an option "contact us". By clicking on it the applicant's email address and phone number are available, as well as Twitter and Facebook accounts. (This footer is included in all website pages.)

Also, under each report there is a box calling readers to contact the applicant via email, Twitter or Facebook.


done_all 4c marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago
Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant explains its fact-checking methodology publicly and clearly in an accessible place - on a separate page, easily approached at website footer.


done_all 5a marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

At the end of each article, the following is posted (with links to our social media accounts), inviting readers to contact us:

"Imate prijedloge, pohvale ili kritike? Uočili ste neku izjavu za koju vjerujete da bi je Faktograf trebao obraditi? Želite nas upozoriti na neodgovorno ponašanje političara? Pišite nam na info@faktograf.hr ili nas kontaktirajte putem Twittera ili Facebooka".

General contact details for Faktograf can be found here:

https://faktograf.hr/kontakt/

Editor-in-chief's contact e-mail can be found here:

https://faktograf.hr/impressum/

Faktograf also cooperates with the regional news network N1, allowing their readers to suggest claims to fact-check via their own webpage: 

http://hr.n1info.com/

Examples of articles written after readers' questions were submitted: 

https://faktograf.hr/2019/04/08/rodna-ravnopravnost-po-postotku-zastupnica-u-europskom-parlamentu-hrvatska-je-u-samom-vrhu/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/02/25/kako-se-biraju-duznosnici-institucija-europske-unije-i-zasto-u-europskom-parlamentu-sjedi-zeljana-zovko/

https://faktograf.hr/2019/08/23/provjerite-jeste-li-preplatili-holding-ukupan-broj-kucanstava-i-iznos-preplata-odbijaju-reci-faktografu/


Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

Readers can send applicant claims to fact-check at the bottom of home page (footer), by clicking on an option "contact us". There the applicant's email address and phone number are available, as well as Twitter and Facebook accounts. (This footer is included in all website pages.)

Also, under each report there is a box calling readers to contact the applicant via email, Twitter or Facebook - for all complaints and comments, and also for sending claims.

On another page, the applicant made it clear what can be evaluated.


done_all 5b marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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.

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago)
Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

On its website, the applicant explains its correction policy as in accordance with law on media, and pointed to the email through which the correction can be requested.


done_all 6a marked as Fully compliant by Milica Šarić.

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

Faktograf-udruga za informiranu javnost
14-Oct-2019 (4 years ago) Updated: 4 years ago

Examples of corrections:

In the original version of this text, it was incorrectly stated that narod.hr portal was manipulating the number of partisan pensions. An error occurred due to a misread of the published information which was pointed out to us by their staff, after which we have published the correction: https://faktograf.hr/2019/05/10/manipulacije-brojem-korisnika-partizanskih-mirovina/

In the original text, it was incorrectly stated that the Administration had been an integral part of the Ministry of Justice until 2011. One reader reached out to us via Twitter and has pointed out the mistake which was corrected and explained beneath the text:

https://faktograf.hr/2019/07/10/najavljena-rekonstrukcija-vlade-evo-koja-se-ministarstva-ne-bi-trebalo-dirati/


Milica Šarić Assessor
05-Nov-2019 (4 years ago)

The applicant did not provide (nor I found it myself) a proof the applicant has a public page with all corrections made. However the applicant did provide examples of corrections from the previous year:

- the first one can only be traced if you have a link to it or if you search the website with title (because of its address I believe it was published together with all other reports). In that correction they acknowledge the guilty and why the mistake was done.

- in the second example the applicant has sent, there was a minor mistake, that the applicant corrected with an asterisk.

I suggest to improve only transparency in corrections (N.B. for type of "serious" corrections as in the first example), so readers can be aware of the mistake.


done 6b marked as Partially compliant by Milica Šarić.