European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN)

VERIFIED MEMBERS

Membership in the EFCSN signifies an organisation’s rigorous commitment to provide accurate information ethically and transparently, without bias or prejudice and focus on matters in the public interest as well as a proven track record of excellence, integrity and accountability as definied in the European Code of Standards for Independent Fact-Checking Organisations.

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FakeNews Tragač

Website

https://fakenews.rs/

Date

21/09/2023

Please, answer the following questions:

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

FakeNews Tracker is primarily concerned with fact-checking. In addition to fact-checking analyses, we occasionally publish texts concerning media literacy (section: blog). Our site also has an educational section dedicated to mastering fact-checking tools. Our journalists also participate as trainers in fact-checking training courses organized by the portal's founder, the Novi Sad School of Journalism.

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

FakeNews Tragac is a platform that is established primally for fact-checking purposes. But beside that, they also covers publishing texts on media literacy and pedagogy as a blog form, and have established section that covers mastering fact-checking tools (which is to greet)..., all that richness can be seen on a first glance when you open

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

1. Publication of fact-checking analyzes related to topics of public importance (goal: 10-20 per month)
2. Conducting four thematic analyzes concerning the disinformation systems in Serbia
3. Site adaptation and strengthening of its security
4. Membership in EFCSN and strengthening of cooperation with other fact-checking organizations

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

????

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/04/2023

Just ignore this comment

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/04/2023

The given answers provide sufficient proof that the applicant is dedicate to fact-checking operation as a core activity.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

Our work is primarily focused on media from Serbia, i.e. media that publish content in the Serbian language. We occasionally analyze content in similar languages (Croatian, Bosnian, Montenegrin) and foreign languages, if they concern Serbia.

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Even when you read the contents that Tragac is analyzing, where the most of them are concerning Serbia, still a sufficient number are the contents that concern all of us nowadays. The general focus are contents that concern Serbia, but still, because this organization have substantial and demonstrable focus on one or more of the countries of the Council of Europe, plus Kosovo and Belarus, you can find enough material that concerns the adjacent countries and wide.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/04/2023

So, the applicant meets the criteria.

Article 2.2: Methodology

In order to be recognised as a verified member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN), operations must:

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

The analyzes on our website are classified into five categories, which indicate a focus on topics of public interest: Politics (Serbia), World, Society and Culture, Economy and Science. App. 90% of our analyzes refer to topics of public interest (the welfare of society or individuals), and the remaining 10% are analyzes related to culture and sports.

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/04/2023

According to the statement of the applicant and also from their work, i.e. having in mind the variety of different analysis, it can be concluded that they meet this standard.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant meets this standard

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

A section through which the public can submit possible claims for verification is highlighted in a visible place on the portal, in the upper right corner. Within the section, the conditions regarding the nature of the applications that we can take into consideration are clearly presented.

Link: https://fakenews.rs/prijavi-laznu-vest/

In addition to the website, claims can also be reported via social networks (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Tiktok), by tagging the FakeNews Tragač account or by sending a direct message. When the analysis was based on readers' submissions, it is always indicated in a visible place in the text.

The list of SM accounts:
1) Facebook: FNTragac

2) Twitter: FNTragac

3) Instagram: fn_tragac

4) Tiktok: fntragac

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/04/2023

It has an easily-accessible channel for the public to submit claims.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant has an easily-accessible channel for the public to submit claims, and a description that helps their audience understand what can/cannot be fact-checked.

Best Practices:

In addition to the required standards listed above, the Code identifies the following as a best practice that is encouraged but not required to join the EFCSN.

Article 3.1: Non-Partisanship and Impartiality

In order to be recognised as a verified member of the European Fact-checking Standards Network (EFCSN), operations must:

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

When analyzing media outlets and topics, FakeNews Tragač is guided by the criterion of impartiality. Journalists analyze all media content with equal attention, regardless of editorial policy, form of ownership and other characteristics of the media. Donors have no influence on the content published by FakeNews Tragač. We set out how we ensure the editorial independence here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Since Tragac as a professional fakeNews organization strives for editorial independence, a side from the political and donors influence, it is guided by the criterion of impartiality that can be seen through their analysis as well as on their web page under the section "O nama" where their good sound methodology is clearly presented in 9 (nine) articles, especially the part "Nepristrasnost u radu", where it is stated that "donors have no influence on the content published by FakeNews Tragac. No advertisements or sponsored posts are published on the portal". All funding sources are listed on the web page!

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant complies with this standard based on the evidence they provided in the application

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

FakeNews Tragač is not 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. We do not endorse or advise the public to vote for any political parties or candidates for public office.

We set out how we ensure the editorial independence here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

This part of their methodology is also visible in their work as well as on their web page under the section "O nama" where the part "Nepristrasnost u radu" decisively forbids lobbying for political parties and actors; forbids encouraging its readers to vote/not vote for a particular political party or actor and also do not allows its editors or journalists to publicly express support for any political party or actor, nor to make statements of a fan character to the media.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant complies with this standard based on the evidence they provided in the application

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We do not conclude any agreement or partnership with a political party or any other public relations and similar activities that could compromise the operation’s reputation for independence and impartiality.

We set out how we ensure the editorial independence here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Also, in their work as well as on their web page under the section "O nama", there is a part "Nepristrasnost u radu" in which it is stated that FakeNews Tragac is non-partisan and none of the journalists, editors and consultants are members of a political party. In that light, FakeNews Tragac does not enter into contracts or partnerships with political parties or actors. Being not affiliated with political parties and actors, their analysis are fact-based and reflect their strict methodology and ethics.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The policy is sufficient to ensure compliance with the standard

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We do not employ anyone who holds a salaried and/or prominent position in a political party, government, state or public company under the direct control of a political party or government.

We set out how we ensure the editorial independence here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

The same can be said also for this question. According to their web page, section "O nama", part "Nepristrasnost u radu": "FakeNews Tragac does not engage as an associate anyone who has a paid/prominent position in a political party, the Government of Serbia, the Parliament of Serbia, provincial and local government institutions, as well as public enterprises".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant complies with this standard based on the evidence they provided in the application

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

If there is a conflict of interest involved in the way any topic is researched or presented, it would be clearly stated in our analysis. If the text quotes someone who is personally involved in the case related to disinformation, such a statement is never treated as sufficient evidence.

We set out how we deal with this issue here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

In our work so far, we have not had any cases that would require indicating a conflict of interest.

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

The same can be said also for this question. According to their web page, section "O nama", part "Nepristrasnost u radu": "If the process of choosing an interlocutor or source involves a conflict of interest in any way, information about this is always stated in the text. If the source we are interviewing for the purposes of the analysis is directly involved in an event about which disinformation was spread, we do not consider the statement of such a source to be sufficient evidence, but we try to reach conclusions with the help of as much other evidence as possible".

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

Both FakeNews Tragač and its founder (Novi Sad School of Journalism) have internal policies barring employees from making partisan statements in the name of the operation or organisation and have procedures in place to take action if they do.

We set out how we deal with this issue here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

According to their work and also numerous internal and external guidelines given on their web page it can be said that the Tragac's team uses the same in their work in order to assure its professional standards. In this context, as stated: "If any of the editors or journalists makes a move that harms the reputation of the media or goes against the stated principles, a special meeting of the editorial staff and management is organized to review the circumstances and make appropriate decisions. In this case, decisions are made in accordance with the Statute of the founder (Novi Sad School of Journalism) and relevant laws".

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We have internal policies that bar employees from accepting in a professional context any gifts, favours, or services with advantageous conditions that go beyond common social and courtesy items, as well as procedures in place to take action if they do.

We set out how we deal with this issue here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Yes, they have. According to the web page statement: "In accordance with the Serbian Code of Journalists, journalists and editors of FakeNews Tragac are obliged to refuse all gifts offered to them as journalists, except protocol gifts. The journalist is obliged to report to the newsroom if he has been offered any kind of gift".

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

All non-partisanship policies are clearly presented here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Nepristrasnost u radu).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Namely, the whole part ""Nepristrasnost u radu" under section "O nama" speaks about their non-partisanship policies. Just for example, the first one says that: "When choosing media and topics, FakeNews Tragac is guided by the criterion of impartiality, and analyzes all content with equal attention, regardless of editorial policy, form of ownership and other properties of the media".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant has adequately complied with this standard by including a clear and complete summary of their non-partisanship policies on their website.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

FakeNews Tragač does not participate in advocacy activities. Its founder, the Novi Sad School of Journalism, only participates in advocacy activities related to strengthening media integrity in Serbia and introducing media literacy into the education system. More information: https://novinarska-skola.org.rs/en/about-nssj/

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Since FakeNews Tragac is primary focused on fact-checking operations, beside that his founder The Novi Sad School of Journalism is is a civil society organization that is dedicated to the development and professionalization of the media scene in Serbia and the region.., it does not participate in advocacy activities.

Article 3.2: Privacy and Safety

In order to be recognised as a verified member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN), operations must:

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We have a rule related to obscuring image and/or identity of subjects of an investigation when there is a reasonable concern for their safety.

We set out how we deal with this issue here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Etički standardi).

In the past year, there have been no cases requiring this kind of intervention.

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

On the web page, in the section about Ethical Standards, indeed, there is a statement according to which: "FakeNews Tragac strictly takes care of the personal and contact information of the people it writes about; such data are never published, and if the visuals as part of the graphic equipment of the text include some personal data, such data is obscured". It is a statement that is equally practice in everyday work of the Tragac's team.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We have a rule related to this issue and it is presented here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Etički standardi).

Unless it is crucial to the analysis or understanding of the context, we do not list the names of individuals who have posted a particular false claim on social media. When it comes to mainstream media, we avoid naming journalists who have published inaccurate content.

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

According to the rule, FakeNews Tragac "does not reveal the identity of persons who have published certain inaccurate content on social networks under their personal name, except when such information is important for understanding the context; in the analyzes concerning the mainstream media, the focus of reporting is on the media itself, while the names of journalists who published inaccurate content are not mentioned, except in cases where such information is important for understanding the context".

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We have a rule related to this issue and it is presented here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Etički standardi).

In the past year, there have been no cases requiring this kind of intervention. We have never published sensitive private information about the persons we write about.

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Indeed. There are several rules under the section "Ethical standards" that confirms that:
- FakeNews Tragac does not abuse the institution of an anonymous source and uses it only in cases where anonymization is necessary and the anonymous source's statement is of great importance for the analyzed case;
- FakeNews Tragac does not reveal the identity of the persons who proposed certain content for analysis, nor does it reveal their contact information;
- FakeNews Tragac pays special attention when writing analyzes and graphic equipment in cases that require analysis of content about children, minors, patients and other sensitive groups. We do not publish pictures of minors, nor pictures of actors whose safety could be endangered due to increased publicity. The photos we use as evidence are, in sensitive cases, partially or completely blurred;

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We have a rule related to this issue and it is presented here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (section Ispravke grešaka i pravo na odgovor).

Our team offers and respects a right-of-reply. We are publishing replies without any abbreviations and editorial interventions.

We had the last such case in June 2021, when we were approached by an actor whose statements we analyzed. Link: https://fakenews.rs/2021/06/21/reagovanje-dr-gorana-belojevica-na-tekst-fn-tragaca/

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

On the web page, under the section "Ethical standards" there is a statement that says: "FakeNews Tragac strictly respects the right of reply. Details regarding this policy are available under the Error Corrections and Right of Reply tab". Also in practice, there is a case from 2021, but in the period 2022/3. there were no corrections to their texts.

Best Practices

In addition to the required standards listed above, the Code identifies the following as a best practice that is encouraged but not required to join the EFCSN.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

In June 2022, the editorial staff of FakeNews Tragač attended a training dedicated to the mental health of journalists held by the organization Mental Hub from Novi Sad.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

No hay archivo adjunto

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

According to the risk of this profession, this and many other measures are more than expected, in order to have more and more professional person and professionally shaped information.

Article 3.3: Honest corrections

In order to be recognised as a verified member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN), operations must:

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We are correcting every known mistake promptly with a correction note in the same publication.

Corrections or complaints policy is published here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (Section: Ispravke grešaka i pravo na odgovor).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

As is stated on their web page: "if the error is exclusively of a spelling/grammatical nature, without the objective possibility that such an error has misled someone, the correction will be entered without a special note".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant’s corrections policy adequately complies with the standard.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

Corrections or complaints policy is published here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (Section: Ispravke grešaka i pravo na odgovor).

A record of the corrections published over the previous year is published here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (Section: Arhiva ispravki).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

On their web page can be found section "Error corrections and the right of reply" as well as special section "Archive of corrections".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The applicant publishes a record of corrections on their website in compliance with this standard

Best Practices:

In addition to the required standards listed above, the Code identifies the following as best practices that are encouraged but not required to join the EFCSN.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

No hay archivo adjunto

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

As is written in the "Archive of corrections", "in the period 2022/3. there were no corrections to the texts".

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/04/2023

Just ignore the previous comment of mine, since there is no report

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 05/06/2023

I can't find a written summary of a report

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 20/09/2023

These are "best practice" articles that applicants are not required to fulfill.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

This opportunity is presented here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (Section: Ispravke grešaka i pravo na odgovor).

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Tragac develop and gave a special notification with a direct link for audience: "If you submitted an objection regarding the text, and you think that our answer was not satisfactory or that we did not consider all aspects of the case, we offer the possibility of an independent assessment in cooperation with experts for the analyzed area. You can also submit a complaint about our texts or our work to the European Network of Fact-Checking Standards via the given link".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

Applicant’s effort to fulfil this best practice is compliant

Article 4.1: Organisational transparency

In order to be recognised as a verified member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN), operations must:

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

It is explained here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/
Details regarding the organization of the editorial work are available in the section "Struktura redakcije".

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Indeed. Everything is good explained under the section "Struktura redakcije" where it is stated also that "the texts are prepared by members of the editorial staff and collaborators, whose names and biographies you can read in the imprint".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

This information is adequately explained on the applicant’s website.

Proof of registration/legal status:

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

The information disclosed under this standard is confidential and is only disclosed to the assessors and the Governance Body of the EFCSN.

Proof of ownership:

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

The information disclosed under this standard is confidential and is only disclosed to the assessors and the Governance Body of the EFCSN.

Proof of governance structure:

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

The information disclosed under this standard is confidential and is only disclosed to the assessors and the Governance Body of the EFCSN.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

Full names and short professional biographies of the editors are available here: https://fakenews.rs/impresum/ (Section "Ko su naši novinari?")

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Everything is good explained under the section "Impresum"

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

More specific under the section "Ko su naši novinari?" everyone can find full names and short professional biographies of the editors.
So, this information is included on the applicant's webpage.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

This information is included on the applicant’s website.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

Full names and short professional biographies of our journalists and consultants are available here: https://fakenews.rs/impresum/ (Section "Ko su naši novinari?")

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 07/04/2023

Everything is good explained under the section "Impresum"

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

So, this information is included on the applicant's webpage.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

This information is included on the applicant’s website.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

FakeNews Tragač aligns its procedures with the statute of the founder, Novi Sad School of Journalism. The Statute of the organization is available here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

The Statute is included on the applicant's web page, under the section "O nama".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

The bylaws are made available on the applicant’s website.

Article 4.2: Financial transparency and conflicts of interest

In order to be recognised as a verified member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN), organisations or parent organisations must:

OPTION A

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

The information disclosed under this standard is confidential and is only disclosed to the assessors and the Governance Body of the EFCSN.

OPTION B

Final Ratings

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

The information disclosed under this standard is confidential and is only disclosed to the assessors and the Governance Body of the EFCSN.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

An updated declaration of all incomes of the initiative (2018-2022) is available here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

This information has been adequately disclosed on the applicant's web page under the section "O nama".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

This information has been adequately disclosed on the applicant’s website.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

The statement is available here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (Section "Nepristrasnost u radu")

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

This information has been adequately disclosed on the applicant's web page under the section "Impartiality in work".

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

This information has been adequately disclosed on the applicant’s website.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

We do not have significant unpaid commitments made to other organisations.
Information regarding this issue is available here: https://fakenews.rs/o-nama/ (Section "Medijska pismenost i druge aktivnosti")

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

This information has been adequately disclosed on the applicant's web page under the section "Media education and other activities" more in details.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

This information has been adequately disclosed on the applicant’s website.

Applicant

Date: 22/02/2023

Final Ratings

First assessor rating :

Compliant

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Conversation

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

This Fake-News organization doesn't publishes sponsored content.

Biljana Sekulovska (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 05/06/2023

Applicant doesn't publish sponsored content

Final Ratings

Second assessor rating :

Compliant

Best Practices

In addition to the required standards listed above, the Code identifies the following as a best practice that is encouraged but not required to join the EFCSN.

I. ELIGIBILITY TO APPLY In order to apply to the EFCSN, your fact-checking operation must first meet the criteria outlined in Chapter 5.2 of the Code.

1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?

2. How many people work or volunteer in the operation and what are their roles?

3. Please list any activities besides fact-checking that your operation engages in.

4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?

5. Please explain the geographical scope of your fact-checking operation and how you fit the Code’s requirement to “have a substantial and demonstrable focus on one or more of the countries of the Council of Europe, Kosovo or Belarus”.

6. Please attach a list of an average of four original fact-checks per month from the past year if this is your first time applying to the EFCSN or from the past two years if you are renewing your application.

7. Please note which policies you have had to change, if any, over the past 6 months in order to comply with the Code.

2.A. Make available and easily accessible on their website an explanation of the process used to select, research and complete investigations, including a definition of any rating systems used.

2.B. Assess the merits of the evidence found using the same standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.

2.C. Primarily focus on topics that are in the public interest, defined here as issues that concern the welfare of society or individuals, and be willing to explain, if requested by an assessor, how various investigations fit this definition.

2.D. Make available and easily accessible on their website a channel through which the public can submit possible claims for verification and encourage users to send claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.

2.E. Identify and include in publications, when possible, access to all evidence or other required information for a reader to replicate the verification process.

2.F. Provide evidence for every pertinent factual statement made in an investigation, relying on primary sources where possible. Set out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.

2.H. Name all sources except when their safety is at risk. In such exceptions, anonymous sources may only be included if the information they provide is corroborated by named sources or material evidence.

2.I. When quoting experts, establish their credibility in the relevant topic.

2.J. Ensure each investigation undergoes at least one round of editing by someone other than the author before publication.

2.K. Present findings in precise, factual and non-emotive language, while taking care not to overstate conclusions.

2.L. Report on the operation’s impact on issues of public interest

3.1.A. Be editorially free and politically independent.

3.1.B. Not endorse or advise the public to vote for any political parties or candidates for public office.

3.1.C. Not conclude any agreement or partnership with a political party or any other public relations and similar activities that could compromise the operation’s reputation for independence and impartiality

3.1.D. Not focus investigations unduly on one particular political party or side of the political spectrum.

3.1.E. Not employ anyone who holds a salaried and/or prominent position in a political party, government, state or public company under the direct control of a political party or government.

3.1.F. Explicitly address in publications any reasonable conflict of interest or political bias, including from experts or organisations cited.

3.1.H. Have internal policies that bar employees from accepting in a professional context any gifts, favours, or services with advantageous conditions that go beyond common social and courtesy items, and have procedures in place to take action if they do.

3.1.I. Make available and easily accessible on their website these and any other non-partisanship policies (See template in Annex 3)

3.1.J. Only advocate for issues that are relevant to the mission of fact-checking and are compatible with a reputation for independence and impartiality. Organisations that engage in advocacy must set out public guidelines on how they adhere to these standards.

3.2.A. Obscure the image and/or identity of subjects of an investigation when there is a reasonable concern for their safety.

3.2.B. Take measures to avoid exposing the source or identity of user-generated disinformation content to undue public scrutiny.

3.2.C. Be restrictive, respectful and considerate when mentioning or identifying minors and make efforts to protect their privacy.

3.2.D. Anonymise any personal information that could allow the harassment of people (i.e. at least partially concealing telephone numbers, IDs or passports, bank account numbers, email addresses…).

3.2.E. When appropriate and possible, a right-of-reply should be offered to any named person or organisation who is the source of the inaccurate claim and/or is the subject of significant criticism or allegations.

3.2.F. Put in place measures that aim to address the risk of trauma or harassment experienced by staff as a result of the operation’s activities, including but not limited to providing training to prevent and identify symptoms.

3.3.A. Correct every known mistake promptly with a correction note in the same publication in which the error was made; if the error is only typographical, grammatical or stylistic, a correction note is not needed.

3.3.B. When the original publication in which the mistake was made is not editable, disseminate the correction in the same format and channel as the original so that as far as possible users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.

3.3.E. Make available and easily accessible on their websites a corrections policy and a record of the corrections published over the previous year in the first application for EFCSN membership and of the previous two years upon renewal.

3.3.F. Include in their corrections policy, available and easily accessible on their websites, a detailed account of how they assess requests for corrections.

3.3.G. Offer audiences direct channels to request a correction, within the corrections policy on their website.

3.3.I. Undergo an internal and documented annual review of published corrections to determine whether methodological and procedural changes should be made to avoid repeating the same mistakes in the future.

3.3.H. Inform audiences of the possibility of submitting a complaint to the EFCSN under the terms of article 6 with a link to the complaint form.

4.1.A. Make available and easily accessible on their website a statement that sets out the applicant’s organisational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.

4.1.B. Make available and easily accessible on their website regularly updated information related to the ownership and legal status of the operation and/or parent organisation. People or entities holding over 5% of the shares must be disclosed (see template in Annex 4).

4.1.C. Make available and easily accessible on their website regularly updated information related to the governance of the operation and/or the parent organisation (see template in Annex 5).

4.1.D. Provide proof of the ownership, legal status and governance of the organisation to the external assessors

4.1.E. Make available and easily accessible on their website regularly updated information about the identity of the editors or decision makers behind the operation, including any relevant previous roles.

4.1.F. Make available and easily accessible on their website regularly updated information about the positions held by all staff involved in the fact-checking operation’s editorial output, including any relevant previous roles.

4.1.G. Make available and easily accessible on their website a statement setting out the operation’s mission, values and internal guidelines in place to protect its independence.

4.1.H. Make available and easily accessible on their website the organisation’s bylaws, understood as the rules or statutes that govern the members of an organisation.

4.2.A. Disclose all income sources contributing 1% or 5.000 euros (whichever the higher), from the most recent annual accounts when joining and the last two annual accounts when renewing membership, to external assessors and the Governance Body

4.2.D. Make available and easily accessible on their website an updated declaration of all unpaid significant commitments made to other organisations (see Annex 9).

4.2.F. Make available and easily accessible on their website goods and services they receive from external sources, including paid subscriptions or free access to tools, software and/or advertising, that make a material difference to their finances (5% of net income).

4.2.H. Make available and easily accessible on or from their website the full annual accounts of their organisation for each year since joining the EFCSN.