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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Lakmusz
Website
https://www.lakmusz.hu/Date
12/07/2023
Please, answer the following questions:
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
For content creation, beyond traditional fact-checks we also publish investigations into the actors of disinformation's, narrative pieces on the media environment, interviews about disinformation, etc. We also created podcasts, newsletters and we are working on our first MIL video.
We also prepared a number of reports on the Hungarian disinformation ecosystem, held lectures, etc.
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 02/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 28/11/2023
Applicant
Date: 31/05/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
- new code of ethics for the newsroom;
- published more financial details;
- published an organigram;
- amended our corrections policy;
- amended our methodolgy section
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
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: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 30/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 30/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
ENG: https://www.lakmusz.hu/the-first-year-of-lakmusz-annual-report-2022/
HUN: https://www.lakmusz.hu/a-lakmusz-elso-eve-beszamolo-a-2022-es-tevekenysegunkrol/
"In 12 months (11 January 2021 - 11 January 2022), a total of 262 articles were published on Lakmusz. Of these, 161 articles were checked for specific claims.
Of our fact-checks, 32 were about disinformation about the Russian-Ukrainian war, 92 were about public life, politics and the economy, 23 were about public health issues, but we also wrote several articles about fake news about education, migration, climate change and the LGBTQ+ community.
Source of information we have verified:
In 72 cases, it was a Hungarian politician: in 46 cases, we verified claims from the government or a pro-government politician, and in 24 cases, we verified claims from an opposition politician (in 2 cases, claims from both an opposition and a pro-government speaker we verified in our article).
In 22 cases there were other public figures or organizations,
15 cases involved media outlets,
In 52 cases we verified information circulating on social media from a private individual or unknown source."
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
However, I have read these news from today and beside that the practice is outlined in the methodology, publications are included and access to evidence are provided
- https://www.lakmusz.hu/szinte-zavartalanul-garazdalkodhatnak-az-orosz-trollok-a-facebookon/
- https://www.lakmusz.hu/a-hamis-profilok-nem-valos-szemelyeket-kepviselnek-nincsenek-jogaik/
- https://www.lakmusz.hu/kamuvideo-terjed-arrol-hogy-zelenszkijt-glory-to-urine-azaz-dicsoseg-a-vizeletnek-felirattal-fogadtak-new-yorkban/
- https://www.lakmusz.hu/miert-nem-allithato-a-masnapossag-elleni-italrol-hogy-jo-masnapossag-ellen/
- https://www.lakmusz.hu/migransbunozes-a-bunugyi-statisztika-egeszen-mast-mutat-mint-a-magyar-jelen-es-novak-elod-felrevezeto-szamai/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
The usual practice of Lakmusz.hu is to introduce the basic statement and says it is false and prove it but if it is halfly false, halfly true, they explain it to the readers. When something is not fully false, they say: this statement is only partly true. When something is false, they say it false or misleading - depends on the statement. Their wording and approach is always precise and clear and easy to follow their arguments.
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 02/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
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.
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 30/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
The first months of their operation were marked by two major events: the Russian invasion of Ukraine in late February and the Hungarian general elections in early April. These events obviously helped them to reach their goals as the the war became one of the main themes of the election campaign, and political and war-related disinformation spread intertwined through various channels, through parts of the mainstream press and social media. Kremlin propaganda was very strong in Hungary even before the war but after the outbreak of the war it became stronger and the fact that it is prolonged meant that it had an increasing impact on the daily life: in the second half of the year misinformation was spreading in the Hungarian public sphere mainly about the domestic political and economic aspects of the war and it still continues. Therefore the significance and the impact of the first dedicated disinfo site grew faster and it became bigger than originally planned.
Their annual report (see attached) contains all important data and prove it.
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: 10/02/2023
"The editorial staff of Lakmusz and the journalists and editors working there always carry out their work to the best of their professional ability, according to the principles laid down in the Lakmusz methodology, and decisions on content are solely and exclusively in the hands of the editorial staff;"
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
"do not take a position in favour of any party or political force, do not encourage voting for party or candidate(s);"
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
"not enter into partnership agreements or other arrangements with political or other organisations that would undermine the independence and impartiality of the editorial;"
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Here are three articles about the "national/civiv" consultation, a political tool used by both the government and the opposition to ask very leading questions to manufacture support by their base:
Govt consulatiton -
https://www.lakmusz.hu/csusztat-josol-manipulal-mondatonkent-ellenoriztuk-orban-viktor-konzultacios-levelet/
https://www.lakmusz.hu/71-manipulacios-technika-a-nemzeti-konzultaciokban/
Oppo consulatition -
https://www.lakmusz.hu/hasonlo-eszkozokkel-manipulal-marki-zay-konzultacioja-mint-a-kormanye/
A longread about how news of a rocket attack in Poland got misreported throughout the Hungarian mediaspace, both in govt controlled and independent outlets:
https://www.lakmusz.hu/orosz-bombatalalatbol-lengyel-becsapodas-igy-tudositott-a-magyar-media-a-keddi-raketatincidensrol/
A nuanced analysis of a speech by the PM on vocational trainings with both debunking some statement and confirming others:
https://www.lakmusz.hu/mi-szakmunkasok-joggal-buszkelkedett-orban-a-szakkepzes-eredmenyeivel/
Reporting on false/misleading claims around the 15th of March celebrations (national holiday) from both sides of the political spectrum:
https://www.lakmusz.hu/vago-istvan-szerint-20-30-ember-nezte-a-miniszterelnok-beszedet-a-valosagban/
Detailed analysis of misonformation on Facebook around the Russian invasion of Ukraine on both sides of the political spectrum:
https://www.lakmusz.hu/ellenzeki-visszhangkamra-es-oroszparti-kavalkad-honnan-tajekozodnak-a-haborurol-a-magyar-facebookozok/
Factchecking and partially confirming a controversial claim by a govt minister:
https://www.lakmusz.hu/gulyas-gergely-szerint-nemetorszagban-nem-sztrajkolhatnak-a-pedagogusok-ez-reszben-igaz/
Debunking a popular claim by opposition FB groups about the salaries of heads the educational foundations
https://www.lakmusz.hu/tenyleg-tobb-penz-megy-el-az-egyetemi-alapitvanyok-vezetoire-mint-hallgatoi-osztondijakra/
Analysis of claims by both sides of the political spectrum tied to a picture of PM Orban meeting President Zelensky
https://www.lakmusz.hu/testbeszed-na-olvassatok-libsik-orban-es-zelenszkij-kezfogasaba-mindenki-azt-lat-bele-amit-szeretne/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
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: 10/02/2023
- They protect the identity of the subjects of articles when disclosure would put them in danger; they do not disclose the identity of the disseminators of disinformation when they are not public figures or when disclosure is not justified by the public interest. Articles will anonymise/hide any personal information that could give rise to harassment (e.g. telephone number, e-mail address, passport number, bank account number, etc.).
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
example: https://www.lakmusz.hu/memekbe-csomagolva-terjeszti-a-megafonhoz-kotodo-oldal-hogy-a-civilek-terroristak-zelenszkij-ugynok-a-diakok-pedig-kulfoldi-penzen-tuntizgetnek/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
example: https://www.lakmusz.hu/memekbe-csomagolva-terjeszti-a-megafonhoz-kotodo-oldal-hogy-a-civilek-terroristak-zelenszkij-ugynok-a-diakok-pedig-kulfoldi-penzen-tuntizgetnek/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
- Whenever possible, we will share the evidence we have uncovered and the main claims of our article with the person from whom the verified statement originated before publishing the article. We will give them the opportunity to respond to these and ask them to share the evidence, sources and data on which they have based their statements.
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
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: 10/02/2023
In order to deal with this pressure, we set up a number of protocols within the newsroom. All staff is required to report and forward any intimidating or harassing message or other types of communication which is reviewed by the management of our publisher and our legal team and we notify the authorities when necessary.
We organize regular meetings in which we talk about harassment and intimidation and we started running and internal survey in which staff members can also signal issues.
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
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: 10/02/2023
https://www.lakmusz.hu/modszertan/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
https://www.lakmusz.hu/modszertan/
No corrections were issued since our launch.
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
https://www.lakmusz.hu/modszertan/
the list of the updated articles are here:
https://www.lakmusz.hu/tag/modositasok/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
https://www.lakmusz.hu/modszertan/
it links to the artciles amended. We havent had to issue any corrections since our launch but those would be available from the corrections policy section of the "Methods" page whic is linked on the top of the homepage.
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
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: 10/02/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
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: 10/02/2023
About us: https://www.lakmusz.hu/rolunk/
Methods: https://www.lakmusz.hu/modszertan/
Masthead: https://www.lakmusz.hu/impresszum/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 20/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
This is outlined in our Masthead section: https://www.lakmusz.hu/impresszum/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
About us: https://www.lakmusz.hu/rolunk/
Methods: https://www.lakmusz.hu/modszertan/
Masthead: https://www.lakmusz.hu/impresszum/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
https://www.lakmusz.hu/impresszum/
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 31/10/2023
https://www.lakmusz.hu/modszertan/
https://www.lakmusz.hu/gyakran-ismetelt-kerdesek/
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 05/12/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 03/10/2023
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:
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Needs more info
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Needs more info
Date: 27/11/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 28/11/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Eva Vajda (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 04/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
Applicant
Date: 10/02/2023
Balint Fabok (assessor)
Compliant
Date: 31/10/2023
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: 10/02/2023