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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Oštro

Website

https://www.ostro.si/si/razkrinkavanje

Date

28/09/2023

Please, answer the following questions:

Applicant

Date: 27/02/2023

Razkrinkavanje.si, a fact-checking project, was established by Oštro, a non-profit center for investigative journalism in the Adriatic region. We launched the project in May 2019 in order to raise the quality of media content and raise awareness in the public sphere about disinformation campaigns, fake news or just bad journalism practice that is distributed by the media, elected officials, political parties and interest groups in Slovenia.

In the same year Oštro became one of the founding members of the regional fact-checking network See Check that verifies information published by media in former Yugoslav countries in the Balkan region.

Razkrinkavanje.si also functions as an incubator for future investigative journalists. We believe that fact-checking is the best training ground for investigative minds and the cultivation of high professional standards. We collaborate with the Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Ljubljana, to bring students to Oštro’s fact-checking project for learning-by-doing opportunities.

In November 2020, Oštro became the first and for now only verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles in Slovenia.

In October 2021, Oštro established its sister investigative center in Croatia. The small team publishes under www.portal-ostro.hr and investigates topics that are in the public interest of people living in Croatia, more widely in the neighbouring countries and the Adriatic region.

In September 2021, Oštro joined the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO) and two years later also its subprogram ADMO.

In May 2022, Oštro became part of Meta’s "third-party fact-checking" program.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 12/04/2023

Razkrinkavanje is a project, set up for the purpose of fact-checking. All the work published on https://www.ostro.si/si/razkrinkavanje are fact-checks. Razkrinkavanje has a focus on misinformation/disinformation in Slovenia.
It it set up by the applicant, Oštro, a center for investigative journalism in the Adriatic region.

Applicant

Date: 27/02/2023

Oštro is a unique center for investigative journalism in the Adriatic region. It nurtures investigative and data journalism, champions the “right to know” as one of the fundamental human rights, and contributes to the cultivation of future generations of journalists. We investigate topics in the public interest of people in the Adriatic region and its neighbourhood.

Oštro’s stories are widely and independently sourced according to the highest professional and ethical standards. An internal fact-checking process is a vital part in our editorial workflow.

Oštro is a member of the Organized Crime and Reporting Project (OCCRP), and of the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN), therefore we regularly reach beyond Slovenia as we conduct cross-border investigations.

We also train students and established journalists across our country, civil society organisations and the interested public in Slovenia and abroad about various topics, such as fact-checking, investigative and data journalism, right to freedom of information, digital security and other skills. Oštro’s editors are often invited as speakers at the conferences, such as the Global Investigative Journalism Conference in Hamburg (GIJC19).

Oštro believes in two way communication with the readers and the public. Currently, we are the only media publisher in Slovenia, for profit or non-profit, that offers a membership program through which we aim to develop a community with our readers by including them in some of Oštro’s activities and by inviting them to public editorial meetings, where we openly discuss about editorial process and topics in public interest.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 15/04/2023

My opinion, based on the applicant's work, is that the applicant focuses investigations on issues that concern the public interest. As an example here are a few project from 2022 onwards listed (beside the project Razkrinkavanje):
- ICIJ project Deforestation Inc (https://www.ostro.si/si/zgodbe/deforestacija-v-mjanmaru-dobicki-tudi-v-sloveniji),
- project Asbestos: The Lethal Legacy (https://www.ostro.si/si/zgodbe/spregledane-zrtve-azbesta) and
- Follow the Garbage (https://www.ostro.si/en/follow-the-garbage).
In my opinion, there are two more things the applicant brought in the Slovenian media sphere which should be mentioned, having in mind public interest: fact-checking media articles and public editorial meetings.

Applicant

Date: 27/02/2023

We will continue to raise public awareness about mis- and disinformation by fact-checking statements on important topics in public interest for people in Slovenia, such as the Ukraine war, climate change, health, education, public expenditure and similar. We will thereby guard and advance the public’s right to wholesome and impartial information.

Razkrinkavanje.si will continue to function as an incubator for future muckrakers and offer new generations of journalists learning-by-doing opportunities to acquire the knowledge and skills they cannot acquire in college or in Slovenian mainstream media.

With tailored workshops for various Slovene media outlets, including local media, we will train them about fact-checking.

We will also focus our investigation on local/regional clusters of disinformation-spreading portals. Our goal is to alert the public about the increasing problem of disinformation, how it can affect them and equipping citizens with facts they can use to make informed decisions.

We will continue to be present in the public sphere. Thus, we will organise public events/editorial meetings to promote the principles of non-profit journalism. There we will discuss our previous investigations, misinformation campaigns and especially topics that are important to our members and the general public on local or national level.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 15/04/2023

The presented goals of fact-checking operation over the coming years, are in my opinion important and set up with public interest in mind.

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: 27/02/2023

According to the Media Act and the Code of the Association of Journalists of Slovenia we are already obligated to report on topics that are in the public interest.

We also have Oštro’s internal Code of Conduct. It states that “Oštro researches topics in the public interest and examines the authenticity of information in the media that the public should be informed about”. Razkrinkavanje.si is a part of Oštro and its journalists are obligated to follow the Code, including the part about researching topics in the public interest.

When we are searching for fact-checking claims our priority is public interest. We pay particular attention to claims that concern human rights, the use of public money, health, educational system, and environmental issues.

We also pay attention to who made the claim. We are more likely to decide to check if it was pronounced by a politician or some other public official rather than a publicly unknown person.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 16/04/2023

According to the applicant's website and random sample of fact-checks reviewed, I can conclude that Razkrinkavanje overwhelmingly focuses on topics that are in the public interest, such us:
- health (waiting lists, false health claims in advertising etc.),
- human rights/to alleviate prejudice (for example, NGO, LGBT, illegal migrants),
- environment,
- science,
- using public money, etc.,
- they are verifying politicians' claims (from across the political spectrum), etc.

Applicant

Date: 27/02/2023

Readers can submit their suggestions or questions from the section Contact https://www.ostro.si/en/contact) on our webpage.

We also encourage them to submit their suggestions under the Piši nam section (Send us a message) of the page about Razkrinkavanje (see: https://www.ostro.si/si/o-projektu-razkrinkavanje).

On this page we state: »If you come across content that you believe or suspect is untrue, misleading or intentionally false, please let us know. We will review the content carefully and, in accordance with editorial judgement, decide whether we will check it and publish our findings, and we will notify you after publication.«

Further information, about what kind of topics and claims we usually fact check can be found below on the same page under section Izbor vsebine (Content selection).

Our readers usually send us inquiries and suggestions for fact-checking via email, on Social Media (Twitter: https://twitter.com/razkrinkavanje, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/razkrinkavanje and Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/razkrinkavanje.si/).

There we also encourage them to contact us. Here are some examples: https://twitter.com/razkrinkavanje/status/1595428112900186114?s=20, https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=472966358266775&set=pb.100066602437580.-2207520000.&type=3, https://www.instagram.com/p/CkgnW2zIcIb/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 16/04/2023

The applicant has on its website an email address published through which readers can send the ideas/claims for verification. Occasionally the applicant on its social media encourages readers to contact them as well.

On its website there is a section Send us a message with a link to email address.
On its website there is a section Guidelines and there it can be found How you can help, where it states: If you come across content that you believe or suspect is untrue, misleading or intentionally false, please let us know. We will review the content carefully and, in accordance with editorial judgement, decide whether we will check it and publish our findings, and we will notify you after publication.
In the section Guidelines there can be found Corrections and Updates, where it states: If you as a reader find any mistake or incorrect explanation let us know via [email protected].
It is true that on the same page, but below, anyone can find what kind of topics and claims the applicant usually fact-check (Claims selection). However, in my opinion it would be more encouraging and clear if this information would be published on the same place (email address and the rules what will be fact-checked/what isn't fact-checkable).

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 16/04/2023

The applicant's methodology states: All our statements and findings are supported with evidence in the form of documents, images, files or links to credible sources of information.
All findings, that are important for the verification are clearly and precisely presented in the fact-checks. This also applies to the cases where the claim turns out to be true.

The applicants's Code of Conduct states: Whenever possible, Oštro uses primary sources, such as official data and statistics, publications and viewpoints of institutions, opinions of experts or knowledgeable persons with verifiable professional references, researches or analyses of institutions or individuals with verifiable professional references, laws and other regulations, databases of national, regional or international institutions, contracts, payment documents, business reports and data, bankruptcy documents, denouncements, indictments and other documents and databases available to Oštro’s journalists.

Based on the random sample of fact-checks reviewed I can conclude that evidence for statements and findings are relying on primary sources where possible.

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 26/05/2023

There is all relevant evidence for fact-checking (World Bank data, Eurostat, portal Finance.si, expert...).
https://www.ostro.si/si/razkrinkavanje/objave/golob-neutemeljeno-o-industrijski-razvitosti-slovenije

https://www.ostro.si/si/razkrinkavanje/objave/ni-dokazov-o-opustitvi-zgodnjega-zdravljenja-covida

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

The evaluation has changed after clarification of the standard by EFSCN (via email).

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 20/04/2023

Based on the random sample of fact-checks reviewed I can conclude that applicant provide at least two sources to verify the claim of an investigation where possible.

But the applicant did not outline in its methodology that they provide al least two, preferably more, sources to verify central claim of an investigation and that they will explain the use of a secondary sources where suitable primary sources are not available.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 15/08/2023

After assesor's comment we added: "Vrednotenje izjav temelji na vsaj dveh, med seboj neodvisnih, virih." See that change at "https://www.ostro.si/si/o-projektu-razkrinkavanje, "Metodologija", "Način vrednotenja vsebin in uporaba virov."

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

Compliant; the applicant's methodology has been changed and it is outlined that they provide al least two sources to verify central claim of an investigation.

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 26/05/2023

All information about the use of sources is a part of their methodology. Also, the following articles were checked:

https://www.ostro.si/si/razkrinkavanje/objave/ukinitev-krmisc-ne-bi-povzrocila-samoregulacije-medvedov

https://www.ostro.si/si/razkrinkavanje/objave/ne-drzi-da-vse-vec-strelskih-pohodov-zagresijo-osebe-lgbt

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 18/04/2023

The Applicant's Code of Conduct states: Oštro uses unnamed sourcing in investigative stories only when these sources have justifiable reasons to remain anonymous. Journalists explain these reasons to the public and use the information acquired in such manner only to outline the background and according to the agreement with the source.

However, in the applicant's methodology it is not stated that in the fact-checks they will include anonymous sources only if the safety of the source is at risk and if the information the source provides is corroborated by named sources or material evidence.

Only as a recommendation: In my opinion it would also clearer and more easily accessible if all the fact-checks methodology standards are outlined in the applicant's section Methodology of the website (not just in Code of Conduct).

Based on the random sample of fact-checks reviewed I can conclude that they do not use anonymous sources.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 15/08/2023

After assesor's comment we added: "V analizah Razkrinkavanj.si ne uporabljamo anonimnih virov." See that change at "https://www.ostro.si/si/o-projektu-razkrinkavanje, "Metodologija", "Način vrednotenja vsebin in uporaba virov."

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

In the updated applicant's methodology it is stated that in the fact-checks they do not use anonymous sources.

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 26/05/2023

All the random samples of fact-checks contain the name of all sources.

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: 27/02/2023

The Razkrinkavanje.si project is committed to Oštro’s internal Code of Conduct (see article 6 under Fundamental Principles on this link: https://www.ostro.si/en/code-of-conduct).

Until now there has not been a case of conflict of interest regarding our fact-checking project.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 22/04/2023

The evaluation has changed after clarification of the standard by EFSCN (via email).

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 23/04/2023

The applicant's Code of Conduct states: Oštro discloses actual and also apparent conflicts of interests of its editor in chief, editors, journalists and external contributors. Every member of the editorial staff must inform the editorial office of any actual or apparent conflict of interest as soon as such competing interests become apparent or no later than in 24 hours. The editorial staff excludes this member from the relevant work process.

In the applicant's methodology it states: Fact-checking is based only on credible and verifiable sources of information.

However, in their methodology or Code of Conduct it is not stated directly that in the fact-checks they will explicitly address any conflict of interest or political bias from experts or organisations citied.

In the random sample of fact-checks reviewed I haven't found any fact check citing expert or organisation for which I would be familiar that have a conflict of interest or are political biased.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 15/08/2023

All journalists of Razkrinkavanje.si are obliged to respect Oštro's internal code (and other documents, such as Kodeks novinarjev Slovenije) which concludes conflict of interest.

After assesor's comment we added: "Novinarji so zavezani profesionalnim načelom, kot jih določajo Oštrov interni kodeks, Kodeks novinarjev Slovenije, Münchenska deklaracija in kodeks IFCN." See that change at "https://www.ostro.si/si/o-projektu-razkrinkavanje, "Metodologija", "Način vrednotenja vsebin in uporaba virov."

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

Compliant

Applicant

Date: 27/02/2023

See article 2 under Fundamental Principles on this link: https://www.ostro.si/en/code-of-conduct

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 23/04/2023

The applicant's Code of Conduct states: Oštro is a nonpartisan organization committed to professional journalistic standards. Oštro and its reporters do not get involved in advocacy, political activities, public relations and similar activities that could pose a threat, real or percepted, to Oštro’s nonpartisan and independent status as inscribed in Oštro’s establishment act.

However, I could not find any information if they have procedures in place to take action if the employees make partisan statements.

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 28/08/2023

The commitment to professional journalistic standards is a fundamental principle at Oštro. Involvement in political activities, public relations and similar activities presents a serious threat to the non-partisan and independent status of Oštro.

So far, we have not had a case of an employee who would violate Oštro’s rules and internal standards. However, if this would have happened, the editor in chief would discuss the alleged violation with said journalist. If necessary, she would get legal consultation about the case. If a violation was confirmed and found that it influenced the independence or integrity of Oštro, such a journalist would have to leave the team. Depending on the nature of the case, Oštro would also publish a notice about it.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

Compliant.

Applicant

Date: 27/02/2023

See article 3 under Fundamental Principles on this link: https://www.ostro.si/en/code-of-conduct

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 23/04/2023

The Code of Ethics for Journalists of Slovenia states: In order for a journalist to avoid an actual or perceived conflict of interests, the journalist must refuse gifts, favours, rewards, and other benefits. The journalist shall avoid work outside of the journalist profession which would reduce his credibility or the credibility of the journalist community.

However, I could not find any information if they have procedures in place to take action if journalists accept any gifts, favours, or services with advantageous conditions that go beyond common social and courtesy items.

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 28/08/2023

Oštro is committed to upholding professional principles as set out in the Code of Slovene Association of Journalists, the Charter of Munich and IFCN’s Code of Principles.

The Code of Ethics for Journalists of Slovenia states: In order for a journalist to avoid an actual or perceived conflict of interests, the journalist must refuse gifts, favors, rewards, and other benefits. The journalist shall avoid work outside of the journalist profession which would reduce his credibility or the credibility of the journalist community.

As stated above, we have not yet had a case of violation of Oštro’s rules and internal standards. The receipt of gifts, favors, rewards and other benefits is completely unacceptable for a journalist. Such a journalist would not be able to remain on the team and Oštro may have to publish a notice about the case.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

Compliant.

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:

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: 27/02/2023

We have not yet had specific training for staff addressing the risk of trauma or harassment. However we let all of our staff know, they can always talk to editors if they do not want to work on specific topics.

In case of harassment or any other comments towards our reporters that could harm their mental health, the editor -in-chief speaks with the reporters, offers them help and also checks with legal professionals if there are any legal or other actions that should be taken.

Applicant

Date: 27/02/2023

Download File

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 25/04/2023

According to the applicant's answer, they are aware of the risk of trauma and harassment experienced by staff, and they have some protocols in place to handle such situations. However, training to staff was not provided.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 19/09/2023

Oštro will provide trainings about risk of trauma and harassment if needed.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 19/09/2023

Compliant.

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: 27/02/2023

We were live fact-checking the debates before local elections in 2022 and posted statements, argumentation and mark on our social media. During one debate in November we accidentally attributed the statement to another person.

We have withdrawn the claim from social media and apologised to everyone involved for the mistake, which was unintentional but nonetheless unacceptable.

https://www.facebook.com/razkrinkavanje/posts/pfbid02MmoVhvETdesniE8NjdvnntRUoRHr1JMUMrEWfsWaMCSNLp9XaWAa3x9GywLENiZQl.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 23/04/2023

In the applicant's correction policy it is not outlined that they will, if the original publication in which the mistake was made is not editable, make a correction in the same format and channel as the original so that as far as possible users of the original can see the correction and the corrected version.

In the example provided it can be seen that they made a correction in the same channel, it was clear from the post what was the correction and the corrected version (no screenshot) and there was also an apology.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 15/08/2023

After assesor's comment we added an adjective "original article". Please see correction policy at: https://www.ostro.si/si/o-projektu-razkrinkavanje at "Smernice":

V uredništvu bomo dopis skrbno pregledali. Če bomo ugotovili, da smo naredili napako ali da smo izpustili informacije, pomembne za razumevanje neke teme, bomo besedilo v originalnem članku popravili tako, da bomo popravek označili z zvezdico, na dnu besedila pa bomo spremembo pojasnili in navedli datum spremembe. Razen kadar gre za zahtevi za objavo popravka ali prikaz nasprotnih dejstev po zakonu o medijih, kjer je opredeljen tudi način njune objave, bomo tako popravljeno besedilo označili kot »popravek« oziroma »dopolnitev«.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

My comment was: In the applicant's correction policy it is not outlined that they will, if the original publication in which the mistake was made is not editable, make a correction in the same format and channel as the original so that as far as possible users of the original can see the correction and the corrected version.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 19/09/2023

After assesor's comment we have updated the methodology on https://www.ostro.si/si/o-projektu-razkrinkavanje. We have added: "Če izvirne objave, v kateri je napaka, ni mogoče urejati (denimo na družbenih omrežjih), bomo vsebino popravili v enakem formatu in kanalu kot izvirnik."

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 19/09/2023

Compliant.

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/05/2023

You may consider adding it to the fact-checking operation's corrections policy.

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: 27/02/2023

https://www.ostro.si/si/o-projektu-razkrinkavanje

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 25/04/2023

In the applicant's correction policy it is stated: If you come across content that in your opinion has affected your right or interest, you have a right to correction or reply under the Media Act. We will publish it in a manner, provided by Media Act.
This procedure does not include independent third-party who would review the complaint if the subject of an article is not satisfied after an internal complaints process has been followed.

According to the applicant's correction policy, published on their webpage, I can not conclude that their practice is to offer an independent (third-party) review of a complaint. In their correction policy on the website an independent review is not explained.

However, in Slovenia there is Journalists’ Ethics Council that determine the compliance of individual actions with the Code of Ethics for Journalists of Slovenia (The Code states: A journalist has to verify the accuracy of the collected information and avoid errors. Errors that are made - even though unintentional - must be acknowledged and remedied.)

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 28/08/2023

Oštro publishes complaints and replies in the manner prescribed by the Mass Media Act. Depending on the case, Oštro consults a lawyer about the right course of action.

Individuals can also complain to the Ethics Council of the Slovene Association of Journalists.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

Only as a recommendation: it could be stated in the applicant's correction policy that individuals can also complain to the Journalists’ Ethics Council.

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: 27/02/2023

See section Board Members here: https://www.ostro.si/en/people

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 25/04/2023

On the applicant's webpage Board Members and the Members of the Board of Experts are listed, but not their tasks.

(Their tasks are explained in the Establishment Act that the applicant add it in this application, but it is not published on the applicant's website.)

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 19/09/2023

We think that it is not necessary that Establishment Act is published on our website. However, it is publicly accessable at online register Ajpes.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 19/09/2023

The standard (see template in Annex 5) states that governance structure (names of the people involved) and its task has to be available and easily accessible on the website.

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 19/09/2023

The evaluation has changed after clarification of the standard by EFSCN (via email).

As a recommendation: in my opinion it would be good to mention on the webpage what are the Board Members and the Members of the Board of Experts in charge of.

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:

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 26/04/2023

The applicant's finance is publicly available on their webpage. One of their principles of publication the financing data is that the names of individuals whose voluntary contributions help Oštro continue to pursue quality journalism will not be made public. The names of contributors will be published solely at their express request or if their overall annual contribution will exceed Oštro’s estimated monthly expenses (> EUR 17,000).

On their webpage it is clear that $5,000 were donated by Anne Avis (via OCCRP) and and €3,074 by individuals. However, it is not clear, especially knowing their principles of publication (mentioned above), if any of the individuals contributed more than 1 % (1.756 EUR) of all income sources (175.623).

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 28/08/2023

Except one individual donor who is clearly stated on the financing site, no individual contributed more than 1 % (1.756 EUR) since the establishment of Oštro.

As stated in the principles of publication of Oštro’s financing data, names of individuals whose voluntary contributions help Oštro continue to pursue quality journalism will not be made public, except at their express request, or if their overall annual contribution exceeded Oštro’s estimated monthly expenses (> EUR 17,000).

Names of companies who donated to Oštro will be published, if their overall donations exceed one tenth of Oštro’s estimated monthly expenses (> EUR 1,700).

Tina Kristan (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 14/09/2023

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

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.