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.

Pravda

Organization: Pravda
Applicant: Jakub Śliż
Assessor: Grzegorz Piechota

Background

Having reviewed thoroughly the ‘Pravda’ association's application, documents and fact checks, I have concluded that the applicant is compliant with the IFCN Code of Principles.

Assessment Conclusion

I would like to recommend the IFCN Board to accept the application of the 'Pravda' association.

The ‘Pravda’ association is a young non-profit watchdog organisation with a potential to become one of the reliable sources of information. People who stand behind it are students – volunteers.

As they explain, its previous hackathons and competitions, where they presented technological solutions to problems of spreading false news in social media, laid ground for the launch of the ‘Pravda’ association.

The 'Pravda’ association was registered in July 2020. Over 6 months of 2022 (March-August 2022) they fact checked 36 statements (1.5 fact checks per week). It is less than other Polish fact-checking organisations such as the ‘Demagog’ association or the ‘Przeciwdzialamy dezinformacji’ but they are compliant with the IFCN expectations.

I would like also to praise their efforts to educate the public via Instagram account with 4046 followers and 270 posts, Facebook with 1,892 followers.

During the evaluation of ‘Pravda’ Association policies and practices, I read all of their documents and fact checks, and I found they met the highest standards of quality and impartiality.

In the Polish context, an increasingly polarised and polluted public debate, the fact checking service that the applicant provides advances understanding and decision-making by the public.

on 12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago)

Grzegorz Piechota assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

Stowarzyszenie ‘Pravda’ jest młodą, godną zaufania organizacją fact-checkingową w Polsce. Z pasją i zaangażowaniem dostarcza obywatelom bezstronnej i wiarygodnej informacji, przyczyniając się do poprawy jakości debaty publicznej.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago)

Pravda is legally registered in Poland as an association. Information about the association can be found on the website under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/stowarzyszenie/.

Link to copy of an excerpt from National Court Register: https://pravda.org.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/odpis_krs_pravda.pdf.

Link to our statute: https://pravda.org.pl/statut-stowarzyszenia/.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago)

The applicant’s Association ‘Pravda’ is legally registered. Their status may be easily verified at the Polish Government’s registry of companies and non-profit organisations: https://ekrs.ms.gov.pl/web/wyszukiwarka-krs/strona-glowna/

The information about their legal status is available on the applicant’s site.


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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?

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We started fighting disinformation in early 2019. During many hackathons and competitions, we presented our technological solutions to the problems related to fake news on social media. With previous experience, we have decided to formally register as an association in the middle of July 2020.

Our team consists of 20 people, and each association member works pro bono. The roles of our members are described under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/zespol/.

Except for fact-checking, our association carries out projects in cooperation with our partners. All of our previous and ongoing activities can be found under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/stowarzyszenie/. As provided in the aforementioned link, currently, we are:

To this date, over five thousand students from all around Poland have used our educational materials. We partnered with significant educational organizations this year to reach even more teachers and students. We are also planning on scaling our fact-checking activities before the elections in Poland. We hope that we will be able to grow our volunteer base by 100% and produce much more valuable content for our readers.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

All required information is available on the applicant’s web site. The association ‘Pravda’ was set up with the goal of fact-checking.

They don’t only conduct fact checks but also run other projects:

* educational campaign #zaszczepfakty in cooperation with the World Health Organisation (subject: debunking coronavirus & vaccination myths);

* prototype a fact-checking tool to analyse and counteract fake news on a larger scale, semi-automatically;

* publish educational content regarding fact-checking, critical thinking;

* publish in-depth reports and investigations about disinformation and manipulation techniques.


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Our fact-checks are listed under the following links:

We made a distinction between statements (wypowiedzi) and information that we found online (eg. social media or websites) or were sent to us by our readers (informacje).

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

During my review of the applicant’s website, I discovered 2 sections of fact checks: called ‘the statements’ and ‘the information’.

I reviewed a number of records published from 1st March 2022 to 31st August 2022:

* I found 0 fact checks in the ‘statements’ section.

* I found 36 fact checks in the ‘information’ section.

* 36 fact checks in total during the period of 26 weeks proves the applicant is eligible to be a signatory.

They are active on Twitter, Facebook, TikTok and YouTube so even though they provide less fact checks on their website than other polish IFCN signatories they are quite active on other social platforms. 


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago)

I reviewed 20 fact checks published in the period of March 2022-August 2022 for quality and confirmed that at least 75% of them were related to important issues.

I confirmed that the statements that were subjects of the fact checks were mainly published on websites or presented on TV with significant reach to have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.

1. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kto-stoi-za-hasztagiem-stopukrainizacjipolski/

2. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-szpitale-otrzymuja-premie-za-hospitalizacje-pacjentow-z-covid-19/

3. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kto-naprawde-zbiera-zniwa-wojny-na-ukrainie/

4. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-pieniadze-ze-zbiorki-na-bayraktara-na-pewno-trafia-do-ukraincow/

5. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kontrowersyjne-zdjecie-aktywisty-lgbt-barta-staszewskiego-fotomontaz/

6. https://pravda.org.pl/artykuly/prorosyjskie-zrodla-dezinformacji-do-ktorych-odwoluja-sie-setki-artykulow-wikipedii/

7. https://pravda.org.pl/artykuly/prorosyjskie-zrodla-dezinformacji-do-ktorych-odwoluja-sie-setki-artykulow-wikipedii/ (tłumaczenie artykułu: Artykuł przetłumaczono z euvsdisinfo.eu za zgodą autorów.)

8. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/niepokojace-napisy-na-rosyjskich-rakietach-wyjasniamy/

9. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-polska-wyplacila-500-az-700-tysiacom-dzieci-z-ukrainy/

10. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-abw-zaczela-blokowac-strony-za-szerzenie-rosyjskiej-propagandy/

11. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kanapka-na-czesc-bandery-w-restauracjach-mcdonalds-to-fake-news/

12. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/polskie-firmy-ktore-sprzedaja-i-wytwarzaja-produkty-w-rosji-sprawdzamy/

13. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-tvn24-wciaz-nadaje-reklamy-leroy-merlin/

14. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-zywnosc-drozeje-bo-chiny-wykupily-polowe-zboz-swiata/

15. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/jak-przebiega-proces-nadawania-numerow-pesel-obywatelom-ukrainy/

16. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-rosja-naprawde-wysyla-na-front-przestepcow/

17. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-janusz-korwin-mikke-powiedzial-ze-szczepionki-powoduja-homoseksualizm/

18. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/szczepionkowi-giganci-niepokojace-fakty/

19. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-komisja-europejska-w-zaden-sposob-nie-pomogla-polsce-z-uchodzcami/

20. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-za-3-miesiace-uchodzcy-z-ukrainy-beda-musieli-obowiazkowo-sie-zaszczepic/


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We do not receive funding from any local or foreign state or political sources. Our funding from other sources (such as donations, shopping plugin) is explained under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/finansowanie/

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago)

The association ‘Pravda’ informs on its website that it has not received any external funding yet. ‘Pravda’ was founded in July 2020, its first financial report is available on its website and it covers period: 27.07.2020 – 31.12.02020. The financial report confirms that Association ‘Pravda’ didn’t get any external funding in 2020.

Judging by the information on Association ‘Pravda’ site I may confirm that the applicant is not controlled by any state, a political party, neither a politician.


done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We do not receive funding from any local or foreign state or political sources. Our rules ensuring editorial independence of our work can be found under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/jak-dzialamy/.  

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The association ‘Pravda’ informs on their website that it has not got any external funding yet.

The applicant stated that it ensured the editorial independence from donors. The quality review of the applicant’s website proved their non-partisanship. 


done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Each of our fact-checks is created according to the same methodology thoroughly described under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/jak-dzialamy/. Our methodology is based on the IFCN code of principles and follows simple steps:

  • We choose subjects of great importance and of different authors (regarding their political orientation). We also include the reach and influence of the information upon selecting it.
  • We use reliable and primary sources (when possible) that are always linked in our text. This enables readers to reproduce our fact-checking process themselves.
  • During our research, we always find more sources than we ultimately link to. This ensures that there are few if any, sources that undermine our verdict.
  • After the final version of the text is written, the previously unengaged editor does his research and tries to find any sources that disprove our thesis.
  • The so-called cross-checker also checks if our thesis is justified enough by our arguments.
  • We apply necessary changes taking into account the crosschecker’s comments.

Below we share links to 10 fact-checks that we believe demonstrate our non-partisanship:

  1. https://pravda.org.pl/wypowiedzi/czy-dwie-dawki-pfizera-sa-skuteczne-tylko-w-39/
  2. https://pravda.org.pl/wypowiedzi/czy-rzad-pis-przez-5-lat-przyjal-o-100-wiecej-nielegalnych-imigrantow-niz-rzad-po/ 
  3. https://pravda.org.pl/wypowiedzi/czy-pis-wybuduje-sobie-palac-za-ponad-dwa-miliardy-zlotych/ 
  4. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-liczba-lotow-z-bliskiego-wschodu-na-bialorus-rzeczywiscie-zostala-podwojona/ 
  5. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-francja-wstrzymala-sprzedaz-kajakow-aby-zapobiec-migracji/ 
  6. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-w-singapurze-niezaszczepieni-na-koronawirusa-beda-musieli-sami-oplacac-leczenie/ 
  7. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-wsrod-krajow-ue-wydatki-na-zdrowie-spadly-tylko-w-polsce/ 
  8. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-polska-to-kraj-z-najgorszym-dostepem-do-antykoncepcji-w-europie/ 
  9. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-janusz-korwin-mikke-powiedzial-ze-szczepionki-powoduja-homoseksualizm/ 
  10. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-tvn24-wciaz-nadaje-reklamy-leroy-merlin/ 


Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant proved that it used the same high standards of evidence regardless of who made the claim (the ruling party, opposition, etc.).


done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

An important claim should refer to the social interests and well-being of society and/or its members. In our decision-making process, we also vary the authors’ affiliations. We lean towards claims that might be of greater importance to our distinctive group of readers. The final choice is made as a result of all of these factors taken into account.

Our methodology is described in detail under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/jak-dzialamy/

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There is an appropriate statement on the applicant’s website. The quality review of the applicant’s website also confirmed the diversity of the claims selected for checking.


done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Based on a review of 20 fact checks, I may confirm the applicant identified the sources of all significant evidence, provided relevant links and that I might have been able to replicate their work.

The applicant used the primary sources and it used more than one source to check the key claims.

Here are the 20 latest fact checks used to evaluate the applicant’s compliance:

21. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kto-stoi-za-hasztagiem-stopukrainizacjipolski/

22. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-szpitale-otrzymuja-premie-za-hospitalizacje-pacjentow-z-covid-19/

23. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kto-naprawde-zbiera-zniwa-wojny-na-ukrainie/

24. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-pieniadze-ze-zbiorki-na-bayraktara-na-pewno-trafia-do-ukraincow/

25. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kontrowersyjne-zdjecie-aktywisty-lgbt-barta-staszewskiego-fotomontaz/

26. https://pravda.org.pl/artykuly/prorosyjskie-zrodla-dezinformacji-do-ktorych-odwoluja-sie-setki-artykulow-wikipedii/

27. https://pravda.org.pl/artykuly/prorosyjskie-zrodla-dezinformacji-do-ktorych-odwoluja-sie-setki-artykulow-wikipedii/ (tłumaczenie artykułu: Artykuł przetłumaczono z euvsdisinfo.eu za zgodą autorów.)

28. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/niepokojace-napisy-na-rosyjskich-rakietach-wyjasniamy/

29. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-polska-wyplacila-500-az-700-tysiacom-dzieci-z-ukrainy/

30. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-abw-zaczela-blokowac-strony-za-szerzenie-rosyjskiej-propagandy/

31. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/kanapka-na-czesc-bandery-w-restauracjach-mcdonalds-to-fake-news/

32. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/polskie-firmy-ktore-sprzedaja-i-wytwarzaja-produkty-w-rosji-sprawdzamy/

33. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-tvn24-wciaz-nadaje-reklamy-leroy-merlin/

34. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-zywnosc-drozeje-bo-chiny-wykupily-polowe-zboz-swiata/

35. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/jak-przebiega-proces-nadawania-numerow-pesel-obywatelom-ukrainy/

36. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-rosja-naprawde-wysyla-na-front-przestepcow/

37. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-janusz-korwin-mikke-powiedzial-ze-szczepionki-powoduja-homoseksualizm/

38. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/szczepionkowi-giganci-niepokojace-fakty/

39. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-komisja-europejska-w-zaden-sposob-nie-pomogla-polsce-z-uchodzcami/

40. https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-za-3-miesiace-uchodzcy-z-ukrainy-beda-musieli-obowiazkowo-sie-zaszczepic/


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant is an independent organisation. When reviewing its website, I have not noticed any display of support for any party or politician, nor advocacy for or against any policy position in public debate.


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago)

Our non-partisanship policy for all the members of our association is described under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/zespol/.

Our statute includes non-partisanship as one of our principles. All of our members are required to disclose any memberships in political parties or political youth organizations. Our statue can be found under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/statut-stowarzyszenia/.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant has the policy that obliges the staff to be non-partisan.


done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Based on my review of 20 fact checks, I can confirm that the applicant identified all significant sources of evidence. 


done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Based on my review of 20 selected fact checks, I can confirm that the applicant used the best available primary sources. 


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Based on my review of 20 selected fact checks, I can confirm that applicant checked all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence. 


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Based on my review of 20 selected fact checks, I can confirm that the applicant identified in its checks the relevant interest of the sources where it is applicable. 


done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Pravda is legally registered in Poland as an independent association. Information about the legal form of the association can be found on our website under the following links: https://pravda.org.pl/stowarzyszenie/ and https://pravda.org.pl/finansowanie/.

Link to copy of an excerpt from National Court Register: https://pravda.org.pl/wp-content/uploads/2020/12/odpis_krs_pravda.pdf.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant has not got any funding yet. The legal form of the applicant’s organisational registration as a non-profit association can be confirmed online.


done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Detailed information describing our founding can be found under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/finansowanie/. This site also includes information on the legal form of the association.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant is confirmed to be an independent organization. There is a detailed information published on its website regarding their funding sources. The legal form of the applicant’s organisational registration as a non-profit association can also be confirmed online.


done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Our organizational structure is described under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/zespol/. It is also complementary to our methodology, which can be found here: https://pravda.org.pl/jak-dzialamy/.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant is an organization of 23 students - volunteers. All members roles are described on their website. One of the students acts as an Editor in Chief.

The applicant makes it clear that Pravda is solely responsible for its editorial work.


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We have set out our professional biographies of all the members of our association here: https://pravda.org.pl/zespol/.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There is a website page with the necessary information about people playing significant part in the editorial output.


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We encourage users to communicate with our editorial team using contact forms which can be found on our website in two places. The first general contact form can be found here: https://pravda.org.pl/kontakt/. The second one used for submitting claims and information to fact-check can be found here: https://pravda.org.pl/zglos-do-weryfikacji/.

We also frequently remind our readers that they can contact us on our social media if they have found anything suspicious that is worth fact-checking.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant offered users different ways of communicating with the editorial team: an online contact form, email, and social media.


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Our methodology is explained under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/jak-dzialamy/.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The required statement explaining the methodology of selecting, researching, writing, and publishing fact checks is present on the applicant’s website.


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After my review of 20 different fact checks, I may confirm that the applicant selected claims based on the reach and importance of the claims.


done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After my review of 20 different fact checks, I may confirm that the applicant used relevant evidence to support and to undermine the claims. 


done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After my review of 20 different fact checks, I may confirm that the applicant assessed the merits of the evidence using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After my review of 20 different fact checks, I may confirm that the applicant sought where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence.


done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We encourage our readers to send claims to fact-check using the form, which can be found here: https://pravda.org.pl/zglos-do-weryfikacji/. We also encourage them to send us private messages on our social media profiles. We determine which of the sent claims are fact-checkable after we receive them. It allows us to analyze and understand better what the expectations and needs of our readers are. Having this knowledge, we will be able to explain what is fact-checkable based on the misconceptions of our readers. Whenever one of our readers sends us a claim, we explain what is fact-checkable and what is not.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After a review of the website, I can confirm that the applicant made it easy and encouraged users to send in claims to check. The applicant made it also clear what reader can expect to be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. 


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We describe our corrections in each of our corrected articles. We state when and what changes were made on top of the article so that it is clearly visible for the reader. We also inform about corrections under the respective corrected fact-checks’ posts on our social media profiles. We explain our corrections policy under the following link: https://pravda.org.pl/jak-dzialamy/

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After the review of the applicant’s website, I can confirm that the applicant has corrections policy that is visible and easily accessible. 


done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After the review of the applicant’s website, I can confirm that the applicant correction policy describes how the errors are handled. 


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

There were some mistakes of nonsubstantive nature detected by members of our association after the publication, mostly regarding grammar and style errors. Information about the date of the correction and changes made are available on top of the article, including the previous, incorrect version. Here is the link to the mentioned article: https://pravda.org.pl/wypowiedzi/dzieci-w-zwiazkach-jednoplciowych/ 

Some corrections were made because of new information that our association received after the publication. Here is the link to the mentioned articles: https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/czy-na-wegrzech-od-1-sierpnia-bedzie-mozna-przyjac-trzecia-dawke-szczepionki/https://pravda.org.pl/informacje/mam-zawal-czy-nie-otrzymam-pomocy-bez-wykonania-testu-na-covid-19/https://pravda.org.pl/wypowiedzi/nie-szczepienia-przeciw-grypie-nie-zwiekszaja-ryzyka-zachorowania-na-koronawirusa/.

There was no correction request over the previous year.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After my review of the applicant’s website, I may confirm that correction was done openly and transparently. It was clearly marked. 


done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We inform users about the possibility of informing IFCN about code violations under this link: https://pravda.org.pl/jak-dzialamy/

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

After my review of the applicant’s website, I may confirm that the required link to IFCN site is in place. 


done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.

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.

Pravda
23-Aug-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Not applicable.

Grzegorz Piechota Assessor
12-Oct-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Not applicable.


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Grzegorz Piechota.