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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO

Organization: Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
Applicant: Dulamkhorloo Baatar
Assessor: Munkhchimeg Davaasharav

Background

In the early 1990s, Mongolia's peaceful democratic revolution brought unprecedented press freedom. There are about 450 news media outlets for the small market of over three million people. However, the increasing number of media businesses does not translate into media pluralism and quality journalism.

Even though the law guarantees press freedom, most media companies have political affiliations and depend highly on advertisement revenue. According to the Who Owns the Media in Mongolia study by Reporters without Borders in 2016, 74 percent of the most popular media are owned by politicians or business groups with political ties, and only one out of ten Mongolian media outlets is actively transparent about its ownership. Moreover, most media companies do not have or do not reveal information about their legal status, newsroom policy, and structure. Most newsrooms do not have the knowledge and capacity to do fact-checking, producing low-quality journalism.

Mongolian Fact-Checking Center, a legally registered NGO Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development's unit, is one of the first two organizations doing professional fact-checking in Mongolia. Its editorial team consists of

The center employs three full-time fact-checkers, including the editor, and five part-time fact-checkers. The bios and contacts of fact-checkers can be found in the "About Us" section of its website.

MFCC is one of the first two organizations doing professional fact-checking in Mongolia (the other one is Fact Check Mongolia).

Since April 2020, when it published the first content, MFCC has regularly updated the website with the new fact-check content.

Assessment Conclusion

The applicant performs following the IFCN Code of Principles.

MFCC fact checks do not show any sign of partisanship and deliver the same high standard of evidence and judgment for each claim regardless of who made them. Its Fact-Checking Manual document describes its fact-checking methodology and mentions how the staff members must follow nonpartisanship and avoid conflict of interest in their daily fact-checking work.

MFCC states that Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO financially supports its operation and ensures the team's editorial independence. The NGO's funding and revenue structure can be found on its website.

MFCC provides various opportunities for readers to communicate with the editorial team, encouraging them to "Request Fact Check" by filling out the form.

In all contents reviewed, the fact-check summaries were explained step by step in a way that enables readers to replicate the fact-check on their own. MFCC cites multiple sources in its works and uses the best available primary sources. There was no bias towards the government, political parties, or politicians. The correction policy is clear and accessible for readers.

MFCC did an excellent job providing detailed information about its organizational structure, legal status, professional background, and professional biographies/roles of all staff members.

on 06-Sep-2022 (1 year ago)

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

MFCC нь Олон Улсын Баримт Шалгагчдын Сүлжээний ёс зүйн зарчмуудыг мөрдөн ажиллаж байгааг үнэлгээ харууллаа. Тус төвөөс гаргасан контентууд нь төвийг сахисан, аль нэг тийш хэлбийгээгүй, мэргэжлийн байж чадаж байна. Баримт шалгах үйл ажиллагааны журмаараа аргачлалаа тодорхой танилцуулж, мөн ажилчид нь ашиг сонирхлын зөрчлөөс хэрхэн сэргийлэх талаар тодорхой заажээ. Сэтгүүл зүйн Инновац, Хөгжлийн Үүр Төвийн цахим хуудаснаас санхүүгийн эх үүсвэрүүдийнх нь талаар дэлгэрэнгүй мэдээллийг авах боломжтой байна.

MFCC нь уншигчдадаа редакцтай холбоо барих боломжийн бүх хувилбарыг санал болгосон бөгөөд “Баримт Шалгуулах” формыг бөглөөд баримт шалгуулах хүсэлтээ илэрхийлэх боломж бүрдүүлж өгчээ.

Бидний уншсан контент бүрд баримтыг хэрхэн нягталж шалгасан тухай мэдээллийг алхам алхмаар өгсөн нь уншигчдад өөрсдөө факт чек хийх боломж олгож байна. МFCC баримт нягтлан шалгахдаа олон төрөл, түвшний эх сурвалж ашиглаж байгаа бөгөөд аль болох анхдагч эх сурвалжаас мэдээллээ авсан нь харагдаж байна. Засгийн газар, аливаа нам, эсвэл улс төрчийн зүг хэлбийснийг илэрхийлэх шинж тэмдэг ажиглагдсангүй. Залруулга хийх бодлого нь уншигчдад ойлгомжтой, хүртээмжтэй байхаар байна.

Байгууллагын бүтэц зохион байгуулалт, эрх зүйн статус, мөн ажилтан бүрийнхээ үүрэг ролийг нягт нямбай танилцуулжээ. 

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Mongolian Fact-checking Center is a distinct unit within a legally registered NGO, Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development. Nest Center is legally registered in Mongolia under registration number 6569935. Mongolian Fact-checking Center's editorial operations are fully independent from the Nest center as approved by the order by the Chairman of Nest Center, dated May 6th, 2020, attached here to this application.

Further information on Nest center is also available on MFCC's website on the following link: http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html and on Nest Center's website at https://www.nestmongolia.org/

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Nest structure appro... (1 MB) picture_as_pdf Nest documentation o... (1 MB)
Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago)

Mongolian Fact-checking Center (MFCC) is the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development unit, legally registered as an NGO in Mongolia in May 2020. Details of its registration are confirmed from the State Registry Database here:

http://opendata.burtgel.gov.mn/lesinfo/6569935

The information on its legal registration is available for readers on MFCC's website's "About Us" section here: http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html

The applicant has also provided a state registration document to prove that it is a legally registered organization and the chairman's order to prove that MFCC is a unit solely dedicated to fact-checking.


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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?

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Mongolian Fact-checking Center is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking. The center employs 3 full-time fact-checkers, including the editor, and 5 part-time fact-checkers. 

Team information can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/team.html

All employees engage in the fact-checking operation, but whether to fact-check certain claim or whether to post it are decided by the editorial team, with the editor making the final call. We do not post specific names of the fact-checker, who mainly worked on the fact-check for the following reasons: 1) Fact-check is normally not done with just one person, 2) Mongolia is a small country. Therefore, by posting names of each fact-checker, we think we are increasing the chances that our fact-checkers will be contacted by a person whose claims have been denied causing personal and physical threats or chilling effects at the very least.

Our initiative started on a Facebook page, where we initially planned to start fact-checking to train ourselves and create a handbook for journalists in order to develop a new approach to recognizing trusted sources, as part of UZEG platform (a web-based platform aimed at supporting freelance journalists by making it easier for them to operate online and thus diversifying the topics that are being covered), which is being developed by Mongolian Fact-checking Center's parent organization. But as we started to understand the idea of fact-checking better, we decided to make it a distinct unit with independent editorial policy and a long term development plan, including pioneering media and digital literacy efforts in Mongolia.

Currently we carry out the following operations every day: 

1. Publish at least one explanatory article every week day. 

2. Post and Publish educational materials on social media platforms as part of #ThinkFirst Campaign, an awareness raising campaign on social media aimed at informing public about the abundance and risks of misinformation online while educating them on ways to prevent themselves from related risks. 

3. Elementary and preliminary level fact-checking training for university students, journalists and potential volunteers. 

Mongolian fact-checking Center's vision is to increase the media literacy of the public, help them to use information as a tool to improve their livelihoods by the act of fact-checking. The information can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html

Mongolian Fact-checking center participated in a nation-wide research on the "State of misinformation during Mongolia's parliamentary election of 2020", led by the Press Institute of Mongolia, with focus on Facebook and "Meeting the Challenges of Information Disorder in the Global South" report by Lirne Asia as a qualified expert on Mongolian information ecosystem. We try to engage in surveys and researches that will help us better understand the state of misinformation and media literacy in Mongolia as much as possible.

The following are our plan for 2022-2023:

1. Extend our IFCN Signatory. In a country with low media literacy and low trust in media, being an IFCN signatory has helped us greatly in creating better and more meaningful impacts. 

2. Improve our daily fact-checking operation to increase volume and quality under Meta's Third Party Fact-Checking Partner Program

3. Train and recruit at least one more fact-checker who will be responsible for Kazakhstan information ecosystem and digital environment as part of our expansion plan under the Meta TPFC.

4. Carry out at least 1 awareness raising information campaign for the public as continuation of the "ThinkFirst" campaign, with special focus on Gen Z and elderly population this year.  

5. Translate the Verification Handbooks, 1, 2 and 3 as allowed by EJC into Mongolian and Kazakh as a basic training manual for Mongolian and Kazakh fact-checkers and journalists. 

6. Improve our website 

7. Create a collaboration model with newsrooms and journalism schools 

8. Establish a number of fact-checking student clubs 

among others. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Mongolia has about 500 media outlets for the small market of three million people. Even though the law guarantees press freedom, most media companies have political affiliations and depend highly on advertisement revenue. According to the Media Ownership Monitor (https://www.mom-rsf.org/en/countries/mongolia/), only one of ten Mongolian media outlets is actively transparent about its ownership. Most media companies do not have or do not reveal information about their legal status, newsroom policy, and structure. Most newsrooms do not have the knowledge and capacity to do fact-checking, producing low-quality journalism.

For this context, MFCC explained its motivation and purpose to the readers on its website. The answers provided by the applicant on why they started fact-checking operations seem trustworthy. The applicant's plan for 2022-2023 is detailed and based on their current activities.

The center employs three full-time fact-checkers, including the editor, and five part-time fact-checkers. The bios and contacts of fact-checkers can be found in the "About Us" section of the website here:

http://mfcc.mn/team.html

MFCC is one of the first two organizations doing professional fact-checking in Mongolia (the other one is Fact Check Mongolia).

Since April 2020, when it published the first content, MFCC regularly updates the website with the new fact-check content.


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Please find the list of fact-checks conducted by the Mongolian Fact-Checking Center in 2021-2022 (since our first application) as attached.

All our fact-checks can also be found here: http://mfcc.mn/index.html

Also on our Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/mfcc.mn

Files Attached
insert_drive_file MFCC_List of Fact-Ch... (59 KB)
Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant provided a list of 127 fact-checks published from March 12th, 2021, to July 30th, 2022, since its first application. The file attached identifies a brief explanation of the main subject of each content in English.

When tracked from the website, the original versions of the fact-checks published in Mongolian, the description, number, and dates all seem accurate. Here is the timeline of the contents published:

http://mfcc.mn/index.html 

MFCC regularly updates the website with new fact-checks. The applicant has published from six to 24 fact-checks over the six months before the date of application, equaling an average of three fact-checks per week, which makes this criterion compliant.


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Please refer to the attachment for the previous question and our website's "fact-checked" section on the following link: http://mfcc.mn/index.html

As per our policy, we choose claims that are actively shared, that may have consequences on the public health, individual and family wellbeing and may have negative impact on people's decision making leading to economic loss, therefore, we believe significantly more than 75 percent of fact-checks fall in line with the criteria. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In total, 24 fact-checks were published over May, June, and July 2022. Health-related topics dominate the content. For instance, 10 out of 24 fact-checks published in July 2022 were solely related to public health issues, including matters of COVID_19 and vaccines. There were many fact-checks on topics such as economy, and education, which could impact the welfare of the general public. Some fact-checks were about Russia, Ukraine, and China.

Overall, well above 75 percent of the fact-checks published over the previous three months before the application was related to public interest issues.   


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO has our sole financial supporter until we became Meta's third party fact-checking partner in May 2022, starting to collect revenue starting from the month of June. 

Previously, the NGO paid for the staff salary, provided the staff with an office internet access and devices. MFCC and Nest Center for Journalism Innovation & Development NGO are completely independent from political parties or politicians or private entities.

The information about the financial incomes of the parent organization can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html as well as on Nest's website here: https://www.nestmongolia.org/ in english. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In its website's "About Us" section, MFCC states that Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO financially supports its operation and ensures the team's editorial independence. The NGO's funding and revenue structure can be found on its website provided by the applicant here in English:

https://www.nestmongolia.org/

The first principle of the center's code of ethics also declares the non-partisanship policy and outlines general rules for the team to prevent bias during the fact-checking here:

http://mfcc.mn/p.html

There is a "Donation" section on MFCC's website. The center's bank account is provided along with the statement that it needs support as it operates for the public interest only and is independent of political parties, politicians, private entities, and individuals.

Their works published over three months before the application showed no evidence of bias towards the government, political parties, or politicians.


done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Does not apply. 

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The following are links to 10 fact-checks that we believe will demonstrate our non-partisanship. 

In the past year, Mongolia went through a presidential election, therefore, the political fact-checks concentrated more on helping public ensure they exercise their rights to vote. Also, most politicized topics in the past year were the following: 

- Ukraine war 

- Comparison between Russian and Chinese Vaccine

- Misleading information on social welfare where mostly the government used to manipulate public opinion to make it more favorable towards themselves. 

Links are as follows: 

1. Chinese vaccine has 73 side-effects #FALSE

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-42.html

These types of information have been widely spread to depict a bleak picture over the government by saying the Chinese vaccines have side-effects. This sort of misinformation discouraged people from getting vaccinated. Therefore although there was political motivation behind the information and debunking it might have benefitted a certain political party, we decided to fact-check it to inform the public better about the vaccination. 

2. Claims that Sputnik vaccine as a third dose of vaccination prevents against Delta variant very well are MISLEADING

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-87.html

Contrary to the claims about Chinese vaccine, there have been an influx of claims about Russian vaccine saying that it works better against Covid variants. This was strongly pushed by a previous president's followers also to undermine the current government's efforts, which ultimately results in less people getting vaccinated. 

3. Claims that the government will tax salaries at 36% rate for social security are MISLEADING

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-44.html

This kind of misinformation are distributed occasionally. We decided to fact-check this at its second wave of spreading as we decided it caused unnecessary tension among the public. 

4. MNT 690,000 will be given out as 1072 stocks return #FALSE

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-46.html

As the previous three fact-checks may seem pro-government, we hope the assessor will keep in mind that majority of the information is shared by government and by pro-government actors and many of the information that is available actually has the government as a source. 

But this one was actually shared in a pro-government stance that we debunked. In a time of economic difficulty, the government uses information like this to attract more supporters among the public, as the majority of the population is very supportive of the populist policies. But at MFCC, we believe these types of information lead public to irresponsible spending habits therefore we decided to fact-check this to prevent economic consequences. 

5. Voting machine can be hacked by a group of Mongolians are FALSE

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-70.html

This was done by us to ensure public's right to election. There is a broad belief that the automated machine that Mongolia uses to count votes can be hacked. It would have a chilling effect on voters where they would refrain from casting their votes, because they will think it'll be hacked anyway and that they can not make a difference. 

6. The Government will resign #FALSE

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-131.html

This was rather a provocative information that almost threatened the government and instigated the public to a certain risky behavior. 

7. President Vladimir Putin "is very grateful to Mongolia and the people of Mongolia" #FALSE

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-154.html

This was one of a flood of pro-Russian information that was seen at the wake of the war in Ukraine. It was used to make more Mongolians support the Putin regime. 

8. Mongolia next in line to declare default #MISSING CONTEXT

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-181.html

Since the situation in Sri Lanka became unstable, a number of claims saying Mongolia is going to follow Sri Lanka in a row of defaults broke. It quoted am EIU report, but stated the risk as imminent, whereas the report indicated that this might happen in the next four years. This has been a very difficult fact-check and is the first of a series of fact-checks that will follow. 

9. MagicNet went bankrupt after John Savageau was defrauded and left Mongolia #FALSE

http://www.mfcc.mn/blog-post-69.html

During Mongolia's  presidential election, we published an open letter for all candidates and asked them to openly send us fact-check claims during the advertising period at no cost, which we would choose and balance between different candidates. The letter was published openly and sent officially to all three candidates. 

The National Labor Party, which is the smallest party in the Parliament with one seat, sent us the above claim about a previous business partner of their party's candidate for presidency. 

10. Young people who were holding a sign "Spent less" during the protest were arrested from their homes #MISLEADING

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-132.html

The claim that stated that young people who goes out to express their opinions are arrested had a chilling effect on the public's willingness to be politically active. Therefore, we published a fact-check and also added some information on legal environments that allow for public to exercise their rights. 

Finally, we hope the reviewer understand the fluid situation in Mongolia's politics and public's unstable opinion towards the current government and think of it within this context to valuate the rationale behind each fact-check. 

To make it easier for the reviewer to assess the information, we have included as attachment the list of fact-checks, dates, verdicts and links. 

Files Attached
insert_drive_file MFCC_List of Fact-Ch... (26 KB)
Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

These examples provided by the applicant do not show any sign of partisanship and deliver high standards of evidence and judgment for equivalent claims regardless of who made them.


done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We have made a localized translation of the IFCN's code of ethics when we initially started our fact-checking operation with slight additions that would fit our operation and make our internal management mechanism clearer. The policy can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html

In short, Mongolian Fact-checking center's fact-checkers are required to reach out to all possible sources starting with primary source, secondary source, an expert in the field where necessary and use online tools to validate claims made by sources (sources can either be humans or data, reports etc), weigh the information that have been collected before making a verdict.

How we choose claims to fact-check is also regulated by the same regulation document on our website: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html

In short, we choose to fact-check claims based on our purposes for fact-checking, which are to prevent the public from potential harms due to consuming misinformation, educate the public and to decrease the spread of misinformation. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The Fact-Checking Manual published on the MFCC’s website (the link provided by the applicant) mentions its fact-checking methodology and selection criteria. It states that the public interest topics such as economy, education, environment, governance, health, and human rights will be prioritized (making at least 75 percent of the content), and claims to fact-check will be selected based on MFCC’s purposes to:

1. prevent the public from potential harm due to consuming misinformation;

2. educate the public on media literacy;

3. and to decrease the spread of misinformation.

As the applicant explains, the Fact-Checking Manual is based on the IFCN’s Code of Principles. The document can be found here:

http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html  


done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We follow the same requirements and standards for each fact-check and sources and their interests can be found in the fact-checks where it applies, especially for politicians and when we receive requests to have certain facts checked from the public on political issues. 

We have done three fact-checks in the past year as requested by a local mining company but decided not to publish those as the company was in the middle of a conflict with the government at the time and solely publishing the explanatory article that was paid for by the company would have risked the reputation of the fact-checking center. 

Please refer to the attachment provided for criteria 1.3. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In each fact check, MFCC lists all of its sources and credits them so that the perspective and context of their quotes are evident to readers.


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Mongolian Fact-checking Center's staff are allowed to have political beliefs as it's a basic human right, but are forbidden to post it publicly and advocate for their beliefs even on their personal social media accounts. 

They are also required to disclose all previous affiliations with any political parties and the nature of relationship, and hold the highest ethical standards to meet MFCC's Ethics standards, which is the direct translation of IFCN's key principles.

The standards can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/p.html

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant’s editorial work is effectively independent and does not show support for the state, any party, or politicians. Contents related to the government or politicians constitute only a minor portion of the fact-checks. Those contents focus on fact-checking news coverages or social media posts that favor/disfavors one side, providing readers with an evidence-based, independent review.


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Our policy for non-partisanship is stated at this link: http://mfcc.mn/p.html

All fact-checkers (currently the policy is applied only to fact-checkers and editors as this is the only position we have) are required to follow this ethical standards in their daily operations and in their social media footprint. If they are found to be in violation of these policies, they will be immediately required to leave the center. As this is an internal management procedure, this is regulated by the labor contract we sign with the fact-checkers. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In the link provided by the applicant, MFCC states that it follows the fact-checkers code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network, the first principle that guarantees the commitment to non-partisanship and fairness. The code of principle in Mongolian can be found here:

http://mfcc.mn/p.html

Moreover, its Fact-Checking Manual mentions how the staff members are required to follow nonpartisanship and avoid conflict of interest in their fact-checking:

http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html 


done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We believe the source is the most important element in a fact-check, therefore we aim to state the sources that we use in our fact-checks as clearly as possible, while trying not to compromise the readability of the fact-check. Therefore, we state all the key sources that led us to the verdict in the main body of the fact-check and list all other relevant or discovered to be irrelevant sources at the side of each fact-check accompanied with list of tools that we have used wherever applicable.

An example can be seen from a recent fact-check: 

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-194.html

Last year, with the help of our IT team, we made a small modification to our website, to show all used sources separately, making it easier for readers to identify them and access each link, moving all links to sources from the foot of the explanatory article to the side of the main body of the article. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In all stories reviewed, the fact-check summaries were explained step by step in a way that enables readers to replicate the fact-check on their own. Same time, the contents educate readers on how they should fact-check. The list of all sources (primarily open-source documents, links to the original articles if other media contents were quoted) and related information was provided at the side of the fact-check content.


done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We aim to reach out to primary sources wherever possible, and we state the fact that we have approached the primary source in each of our fact-checks accompanied with information on whether it as been successful. We try to state a clear information about who the primary source is in cases it would not compromise the physical safety or the livelihood of the person. In case the primary source is a document or a report, we always mention it with the link to the file or the attachment of the file itself. There are cases that when we approach the primary source, they try to influence our operation and make us cancel publishing the findings. Therefore, our policy, which can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html regulates that we should not fall into such persuasions. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The randomized sample of fact-checks suggests that the applicant uses the best available primary sources. All the information about the sources (full name, title) quoted is clearly stated and provides relevant links where the primary source is available online, or attach the file itself.


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

As regulated by the guide to fact-checking which can be found here at this link: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html in order to check a certain claim, we reach out to multiple sources. The political situation in Mongolia makes it hard even to believe official policy organizations' claims, therefore we reach out to multiple sources starting from primary source, a person who have been a witness to the event and use reports, data or tools that could validate the claims made by humans. In addition to our policy, especially since the election of 2020, we push for a practicality where we try to always validate human sources with data, official decision that is signed and stamped by governing bodies. MFCC staff has also participated in various trainings by international professionals that would enable us to use tools in a more professional and effective way.  

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant cites multiple sources in their works, such as official documents, studies, confirmation, or explanation by an official or an expert.


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We clarify political interest of people who make certain claims in our fact-checks whenever we feel it's relevant to the key verdict of the fact-check. This happens with political fact-checks most commonly. After clarifying the political interest of the source or the person who makes the claim, we approach another source to balance out the claim and publish them where relevant. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

A randomized sample of fact checks suggests that the applicant uses various sources in a balanced way. There was no example of showing bias to any source in particular. In some content related to politics, it identifies the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might consider those interests could influence the accuracy of the information provided.


done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We are a fact-checking unit of an independent nonprofit organization. Proof can be found in the attachment, which are also attached to criteria 1.1, and also on our website on this link: http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html

Mongolian Fact-checking center operates at the office of the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development at no cost to the center. It is financially supported by the Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO for staff salary, and recently, it has become Meta's third Party Fact-checking Partner, which is currently the Mongolian Fact-checking Center's only source of revenue. Although, Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO supports its own operations and MFCC's through grants, media market research service, paid training for journalists and through social marketing consulting service it provides to media sector customers.

The information can be found in detail here: https://www.nestmongolia.org/ on Nest's website in English as well as linked here: http://mfcc.mn/about.html in Mongolian from MFCC's website. 

In the past year, The Nest Center has received grants from Spirit of America, a US non-profit organization to help Mongolian media startups introduce a sustainable business model in their daily operations, with an aim to help them become independent from politicians and business interests; Internews, to carry out a sub-granting project allowing freelance journalists to carry out a reporting project on biodiversity issues in Mongolia; The Poynter institute, to carry out the Global Mentorship Project as a mentor for the Product Immersion for Small Newsrooms project and from training within the Fulbright Specialist Program. Prior to submitting the application for renewal of the IFCN Signatory, we have received a month payment from Meta as their third party fact-checker. 

The Nest Center aims to have all its operations - paid and not paid to best tailor for the needs of news consumers and ensure their right to be informed.

All these information are transparently published on both MFCC's and Nest Mongolia NGO's website on the links above. 

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Nest documentation o... (1 MB)
Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

MFCC is a fact-checking unit of the legally registered NGO Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development, which is introduced on its website’s “About Us” section:

http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html 

The applicant provides sufficient information on its webpage on its funding for 2021-2022. The information can be found on the NGO’s website in English here: https://www.nestmongolia.org/

Also, in Mongolian at the MFCC’s website here: http://mfcc.mn/about.html.  


done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We are a "fact-checking section of an other parent organization". 

The statement can be found here:

http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html

Funding details of our parent organization can be found here https://www.nestmongolia.org/ on our parent organization's website in English and here on our website in Mongolian: http://mfcc.mn/about.html  

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In the “About Us” section of the webpage, it is stated that MFCC is a fact-checking unit of the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development. The page also mentions the legal status and the state registration number of the parent organization:

http://mfcc.mn/about-us.html

Funding details of the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development can be found here: https://www.nestmongolia.org/.


done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The information can be found on the following links.

The following link explains how editorial control is exercised: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html

On the following link, the assessor will be able to see introductions to each team member and their roles at the Mongolian Fact-checking center: http://mfcc.mn/team.html

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The organizational structure of the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development is clearly stated on its and the MFCC’s website:

https://www.nestmongolia.org/

http://mfcc.mn/about.html

According to the “Our Team” section of MFCC’s webpage, Battsetseg Enkhtaivan is the editor-in-chief.

The Fact-Checking Manual published on the MFCC’s website (the link provided by the applicant) explains how editorial control is exercised: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html.


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

On the following link, the assessor will be able to see introductions to each team member and their roles at the Mongolian Fact-checking center: http://mfcc.mn/team.html

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Professional biographies and contact information of all seven fact-checkers, including one editor-in-chief, are available here:

http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Readers can send us requests to have certain claims fact-checked at http://mfcc.mn/factcheck.html

This link is accessible to readers at the end of every fact-check posted on our website and at the top menu line on our website.  

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

MFCC provides various opportunities for readers to communicate with the editorial team:

1. "Our Team" section of the webpage mentions phone numbers, email addresses, and links to the social media accounts of its editor and fact-checkers: http://mfcc.mn/team.html

2. There is a generic email address (info@mfcc.mn), phone number, office address, and social media links to the MFCC page on the website's footer.

3. There is a "Request fact check" section at the top menu line of the webpage where readers can send requests to have specific claims verified by filling out the simple form of the name, email address, and the link they want to be fact-checked with the brief description.

4. At the end of every fact-check published, it is mentioned that readers can contact the editorial team at hello@mfcc.mn with any feedback on the content.


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The policy can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html

In short, we choose claims to fact-check based on their importance and potential to influence reader's life and livelihoods (consequential), its reach and educational values. Wherever necessary, we state the reason why we chose to fact-check a certain claim. 

And we explain all the procedures we take when doing the fact-check in a way that can be replicated by the reader.

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant has provided a link to its Fact-Checking Manual, which describes its fact-checking methodology and process.


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We state the reasons why we choose to fact-check a certain claim either at the beginning or at the end of each fact-check depending on the nature of the narrative. We choose the claims to fact-check depending on the importance and educational value of the topic in circulation. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The reviewed fact checks demonstrate that the MFCC selects claims based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims. Many works state the reason for choosing a certain claim to check.


done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We state in our fact-checks all types of sources, the flow of events that has happened during the research, how it has changed or evolved and make the verdict by weighing the timeliness and rigor of the evidences and sources mentioned. Links to all sources and materials used and found during the process are seen in a separate column at the right corner of the explanatory article. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The information provided by an applicant is accurate. The randomly selected sample suggests that the MFCC consistently sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim and relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.


done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We examine each source official or unofficial with the same high standards. We try to use a tool or data or a report to validate each claim made by a human where possible by keeping in mind the limitations tools and reports may have. We also approach academic sources to get professional background on complex situations. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The reviewed fact-checks demonstrate that the applicant maintains a balanced, professional approach to different claims and sources. MFCC assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made it.


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

First we try to identify the motives of the person who made the claim for making that claim, which is not necessary for all fact-checks and then we check the sources that are mentioned or quoted in the initial claim when applicable followed by contacting the person who made the claim to make clarifications.

Our policy dictates that we should contact the person who made the initial claim unless doing so may affect the fact-checkers' independence. We do have a clause dictating that regardless of the source asking to not publish the fact-check, fact-checkers have the right to decide for themselves whether or not to publish the article following the same high standards, but we discuss editorially about the necessity to contact the sources prior to making an action. 

We used to use our cell phones to contact these sources, but after receiving a number of angry calls and threats, we decided to install an office phone and introduced a new policy that require using the office phone instead of their cell phones to prevent fact-checkers from being exposed to discouraging calls and threats. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The randomly selected sample suggests that the applicant seeks to contact those who made a claim, provides their responses appropriately, mentions additional information obtained and explains if they fail to reply in their published fact checks. Even though most fact checks are based on the claims that appear online or on social media, the applicant verifies the reliability of the social media account that posted the claim and tries to reach for a response.


done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

What can be fact-checked and what can't be fact-checked are stated here: http://mfcc.mn/fcp.html

Our contact us page is here: http://mfcc.mn/factcheck.html

Readers are encouraged to contact us in as many ways as we can offer. All news reports are followed by a contact us and corrections policy note with a link to the contact us page. The page's link is also found at the top menu line on our website. 

Also, after becoming Meta's Third Party Fact-checking Partner, we've amended our Corrections policy to add ready-to-use templates for appeals and started operating a new email that will be exclusively used for appeals requests at appeals@mfcc.mn. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

A “Request Fact Check” page invites readers to submit claims to fact-check by filling the form with the name, email address, and the link they want to be fact-checked with a brief description. The page locates at the top menu line:

http://mfcc.mn/factcheck.html 

Also, the link to the Fact Checking Manual provided by the applicant thoroughly explains what can be fact-checkable and how the editorial team selects claims to fact-check.


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Our corrections policy can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/cp.html

Complaints can be submitted on our contact us page and through a link forwarded at the foot of every fact-check. 

After becoming Meta's Third Party Fact-checking Partner, we've amended our Corrections policy to add ready-to-use templates for appeals and started operating a new email that will be exclusively used for appeals requests at appeals@mfcc.mn. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

MFCC's corrections policy is easily accessible and referenced in every fact check published. First, the corrections policy appears on a specific page provided by the applicant:

http://mfcc.mn/cp.html

Secondly, at the end of every fact check, the following information is provided for readers:

If you have feedback, corrections, or other complaints related to our center's fact checks, please reach our editor at hello@mfcc.mn email address. 


done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The policy clearly sets out how MFCC makes corrections, what kind of mistakes qualify for a correction and in what cases it would be considered an update. 

The corrections policy can be found here: http://mfcc.mn/cp.html


Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The correction policy provides precise definitions of how major mistakes are handled and how the corrections and revisions are published.


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Since we applied last year, there has not been a case or a request where we needed to make a correction. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

As the applicant mentions, no correction has been published since the MFCC applied last year. 


done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We try to promote our membership at all place possible. But we have a dedicated space at the right column of every explanatory article briefly explaining how we fact-check and linking to our policies. 

Here, below our logo within the IFCN's, we link to the Complaints Policy page at IFCN's website, explaining that readers can have our work reviewed by the IFCN. 

http://mfcc.mn/blog-post-194.html

The above is an example, although the page is shown within all explanatory articles. 

Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The MFCC has a dedicated space in the right column of every fact check, briefly explaining its policy. In this column, below its IFCN Signatory logo, there is a link to the Complaints Policy page on IFCN's website, explaining that users can have their work reviewed by the IFCN. 


done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.

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.

Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO
03-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The corrections policy is stated on the mfcc.mn website on the following link: http://mfcc.mn/cp.html

And the parent company's pledge to adhere to the correction's policy is guaranteed by the order of Nest center for Journalism Innovation and Development NGO's Chairman dated May 6th, 2020 attached here, on article 9.

The order states clearly that Nest Center for Journalism Innovation & Development collectively adheres to the Open and Honest Corrections policy. 

The parent organization recently launched its own website, but has not published the corrections policy on the new website as the parent organization does not carry out any editorial operation outside of the Mongolian Fact-checking Center. 

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Nest structure appro... (1 MB)
Munkhchimeg Davaasharav Assessor
20-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

As mentioned before, the MFCC has an open and honest corrections policy available on its website:

http://mfcc.mn/cp.html 

But the parent organization, the Nest Center for Journalism Innovation and Development, does not have it published on its website. The applicant attached an official document of the order by its chairman, which says it adheres to the Open and Honest Corrections policy. The NGO does not carry out any editorial operation outside of the MFCC.  


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Munkhchimeg Davaasharav.