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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Full Fact
Website
https://fullfact.org/Date
15/06/2023
Please, answer the following questions:
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 19/03/2023
“inform and improve public debate” - who made this statement and in what context.
Who What where when and why required
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/06/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 19/03/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Development of AI tools to support fact checking
Our approach is explained in a joint statement with Africa Check and Chequeado: https://fullfact.org/blog/2019/jun/how-fact-checking-works/
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 03/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 03/04/2023
A review of Full Fact's website shows it does focus its fact-checking activities on European stories, but the applicant has not offered this and explained this in detail in this application.
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/06/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/04/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
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: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/04/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
A random sample of six fact-checks on the Full-Fact website showed full compliance with the methodology it has set out.
A significant number of claims assessed deal with social media posts that have gone viral rather than claims made by politicians or other leading public figures. But they all appear to be in the public interest and meet the criteria of promoting good information.
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/04/2023
As part of the organisations fact-checks, Full Fact outlines the claim, why it is necessary to fact-check the claim, the verdict and the action taken by the organisation following the outcome of the fact-check.
The organisation hyperlinks to all relevant and supporting materials, offering full transparency to readers.
The organisations also offer a follow-up on the action taken following fact-checks.
For instance, Health minister’s claims on nurse pay fact checked the organisation followed up with the subject for comment and to offer a right of reply, to which the subject did not respond. This was then displayed under the story.
What is a little concerning is the opinion shared with this infomation.
The box which contains this information about right of reply is titled "We deserve better than bad information."
After confirming that the political figure did not reply, which is her right, the next sentence says, "It’s not good enough." while then asking the public to join the fight for good information.
This type of box appears in a number of different stories and does not show a correct impartiality.
In the instance highlighted above, critizes a public servant and aims to mobilise a mob mentality based on their opinion of what is right and what is wrong. Even though Full Fact offered a right of reply, it also was critical of a public servant for invoking their constitutional rights.
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
The organisation offers a healthy balance of health, crime and political stories, while also a focusing on misrepresented content which has the potential to go viral.
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
The organisation provides information on the claim, including direct links to where the content was found allowing the audience to be able to uncover the evidence for themselves.
The organisation also adheres to copyright standards, including direct courtesy to copyright holders when using material.
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
This is also included in its methodology in citing sources of content.
For example
https://fullfact.org/health/accident-emergency-delays-excess-deaths/
The RCEM’s estimate stems from a 2021 study published in the Emergency Medicine Journal (EMJ). It found spending 8-12 hours in A&E between arrival and admission to a ward increased the risk of death within 30 days by 16%—equivalent to one extra death for every 72 patients. The NHS Constitution pledges that A&E patients should be admitted, discharged or transferred within four hours. Risk of death started to increase after five hours and the rate worsened as with longer waiting times.
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Out of the sample pool, there was no instance of an anonymous source or a source that needed to be protected for a specific reason.
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Non Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
For instance, Health minister’s claims on nurse pay fact checked the organisation followed up with the subject for comment and to offer a right of reply, to which the subject did not respond. This was then displayed under the story.
What is a little concerning is the opinion shared with this infomation.
The box which contains this information about right of reply is titled "We deserve better than bad information."
After confirming that the political figure did not reply, which is her right, the next sentence says, "It’s not good enough." while then asking the public to join the fight for good information.
This type of box appears in a number of different stories and does not show a correct impartiality.
In the instance highlighted above, critizes a public servant and aims to mobilise a mob mentality based on their opinion of what is right and what is wrong. Even though Full Fact offered a right of reply, it also was critical of a public servant for invoking their constitutional rights.
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/06/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
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.
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 04/04/2023
However, the issue from answer 2K arises around the idea of balance.
(a) in an impartial, objective, balanced, and independent manner observing strict political neutrality and, to the extent that such principles may be applied to such purposes, consistent with the principles enunciated in the Code of Practice for Official Statistics;
The current wording of the right of reply box is a concern and needs to be addressed before we consider the organisation compliant.
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/06/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
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: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
A detailed search of the website shows that there is a very rare issue at the organisation.
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 13/03/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
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: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
https://www.facebook.com/FullFact.org/photos/10160564141789747
https://www.facebook.com/FullFact.org/photos/10157479009719747When fact checking information relating to minors we always consider whether identifying or naming the minor is appropriate, and would generally err on the side of not identifying them. For example in a series of fact checks about hoax ‘missing child’ posts we have chosen not to name real children involved.
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
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: 10/01/2023
Applicant
Date: 16/01/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 29/03/2023
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: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 04/04/2023
However in its application, Full Fact makes reference to „these kind of corrections are rare for us“
Is it possible for the organisation to provide these examples so we analyse.
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 04/04/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/06/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Chris Morris (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 29/03/2023
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: 10/01/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
In particular, if the subject of a piece complains about it, and they are not happy with Full Fact’s response, the organisation will offer an internal review, and if necessary the trustees can appoint an independent person to review the complaint.
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: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
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:
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/01/2023
Derek Bowler (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/04/2023
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: 10/01/2023