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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PA Media

Website

https://pa.media/pa-fact-check/

Date

18/10/2024

Please, answer the following questions:

Article 2.2: Methodology

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

Derek Bowler (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 06/07/2024

The applicant provides archived links to where it found the information for its fact check but does not share enough information for a reader to be able to replicate the verification process.

For example:

A man shouted ‘well done Russ’ at the Prime Minister and ultra-runner Russ Cook

"The video is a short clip from a longer video which was shared on the Prime Minister’s account on social media platform X of him meeting Russ Cook, who ran the entire length of Africa in a 352-day challenge and is known as the “Hardest Geezer”.

Derek Bowler (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 06/07/2024

The process of verifying the content is not explained to the reader, merely where the content was found,

In A video from Gaza shows babies in a hospital which appears to have power there is no explanation of how they arrived at the evidence and what process was used to get there.

A reader would not be able to replicate the process unless they had substantial knowledge and verification skills themselves.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 25/07/2024

We have updated this fact check to add more details on our fact-checking process, including use of the website’s code and reverse image search. Following this feedback we reviewed all fact checks published so far, making updates to other checks – including this one – where we thought more detail on our processes might be helpful.

Derek Bowler (assessor)

Non Compliant

Date: 19/08/2024

While significant work appears to have been undertaken to improve the explaining of the process to the reader, a new issue has emerged. There is no transparency to the audience that the fact-checks have been updated to include new information.

Both https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/a-video-from-gaza-shows-babies-in-a-hospital-which-appears-to-have-power/

And

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/a-man-shouted-well-done-russ-at-the-prime-minister-and-ultra-runner-russ-cook/

Have been updated but no update and reason for update has been presented to the audience. This gives a lack of transparency to the audience, with the story now appearing to have met EFCSN standards from the minute of publication. Clear reason for updates on the stories would need to be provided for compliance.

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 19/09/2024

Apologies, it appears the update to the first check did not pull through correctly. We have now updated this to show which paragraphs have been updated and why: https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/a-video-from-gaza-shows-babies-in-a-hospital-which-appears-to-have-power/

We have not made any updates to the second example: https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/a-man-shouted-well-done-russ-at-the-prime-minister-and-ultra-runner-russ-cook/

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 19/09/2024

Other recent examples of checks which have been updated include:

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/fact-check-picture-of-john-swinney-has-been-edited/
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/fact-check-bus-stop-advert-of-rishi-sunak-is-manipulated-photograph-from-serbia/
https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/fact-check-photo-of-rishi-sunaks-mothers-pharmacy-is-from-the-2000s/

Applicant

Non Compliant

Date: 25/09/2024

As our fact-checking service has developed over the last year, we have updated and changed the API which powers our site at https://pa.media/pa-fact-check/

An unintended consequence of this was that updates to older fact checks were not showing consistently on the site. Once aware of this we made the updates manually so that all changes to checks were clear and transparent.

For those checks where the updates were not working properly, neither the note about the update nor the updated information itself was showing on the site, so at no point were updated checks showing without a clear note showing what and where the update was.

Abbas Panjwani (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/06/2024

Articles are all accompanied with source links. As an example of best practice, the applicant includes links to archived source material, which reduces the chance source information will be lost to readers over time.

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: 15/05/2023

For all fact checks, PA clearly identifies the claim, presents the findings with both live and archived links to primary sources whenever possible, and may contact the source or third party experts for further information or context. Up until May 2024, we also used rating categories including “missing context”, “false” and “partly false” at the top of each check for the readers’ convenience, as explained in our methodology here: https://pa.media/about-pa-fact-check/#fact-checking-at-pa. All checks are then reviewed by an editor before being published.

Here are 10 fact checks showing our non-partisanship, how we let our findings dictate the evaluation, and how we apply the same methods and high standards to all fact checks. They also show how we check a broad range of claims which can have an impact on a person’s life and wellbeing – including health, immigration, crime, climate change and social issues – from across the political spectrum:

1. Ireland's new Criminal Justice Bill criminalises possession of materials with intent to incite hatred over protected characteristics

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/irelands-new-criminal-justice-bill-criminalises-possession-of-materials-with-intent-to-incite-hatred-over-protected-characteristics/

We found a claim that new legislation, aimed at updating Ireland’s hate crime laws, would make sharing or viewing non-mainstream media content illegal. As well as consulting details of the Bill itself, we also spoke to a legal expert based in Dublin for further explanation and context, finding that the misleading claim missed key details.

2. No new flying or meat taxes appear likely to be introduced

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/no-new-flying-or-meat-taxes-appear-likely-to-be-introduced/

Our review of these claims in a major speech on climate change found the evidence showed that while the various proposals had all been mentioned at some point by someone, there was little to suggest that any of them were close to being implemented by the Government. We examined the detail of what was said, provided live and archive links which showed the evidence for each claim – breaking the fact check up into bite-size chunks – and showed how the claims were all missing context.

3. The autumn statement provided the biggest cut on record to the amount of national insurance employees pay

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/the-autumn-statement-provided-the-biggest-cut-on-record-to-the-amount-of-national-insurance-employees-pay/

These claims around tax cuts, particularly around national insurance, caught our attention. One of our finance specialists looked into the data and evidence from the body offering independent economic forecasts and analysis before comparing it with previous tax levels and putting it into context of both wage growth and frozen tax thresholds, finding that the Government claim did not show the whole picture.

4. More than 4,500 ‘legacy’ asylum claims remain in the backlog

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/more-than-4500-legacy-asylum-claims-remain-in-the-backlog/

This claim, around having a achieved a key Government promise to clear the asylum backlog, made headline news but closer examination of the official Government statistics showed it was misleading. When we gave the Prime Minister a right to reply, he conceded there were still a “small minority of cases… which require further work”.

5. Whooping cough cases are rising and can cause serious complications

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/whooping-cough-cases-are-rising-and-can-cause-serious-complications/

Various claims were dismissing recent health warnings about the dangers of a rise in cases of whooping cough. The evidence from the UK health bodies showed it to be a severe illness which has been around for centuries, with the worst cases needing hospital treatment. We laid out the evidence and included the latest National Health Service guidance on symptoms and potential treatments.

6. Votes are not cast electronically in UK general elections

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/votes-are-not-cast-electronically-in-uk-general-elections/

To investigate this claim, around how a contract for electronic voting machines had been handed to Fujitsu in Scotland, we looked at and explained how elections are run, based on evidence from independent bodies, as well as the difference between casting electronic counting and voting, and the involvement of Fujitsu in any related election contracts. We also spoke to the independent Electoral Commission as a strong second source.

7. Food banks are busier, but we do not know exactly how many people use them

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/food-banks-are-busier-but-we-do-not-know-exactly-how-many-people-use-them/

When we looked into claims made in this “missions document”, the evidence and analysis of the figures it relied upon showed the figure quoted referred to the number of food parcels handed out by a charity, rather than the number of people using their services. We provided links, both live and archived, to primary sources for all the facts we relied upon as we presented our findings in an easy-to-follow and understand check. We also offered the Labour Party a right to reply.

8. If 300 people are sent to Rwanda it would cost £2 million per person

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/if-300-people-are-sent-to-rwanda-it-would-cost-2-million-per-person/

To investigate a series of claims on X around the cost of sending someone from the UK to Rwanda, we followed the evidence and analysed a breakdown of official costs for the scheme, finding that the figures were mostly true. We also contacted Labour - the primary source of the claim - to gain a full understanding of how they had completed their analysis and the Conservative Government, for some added context.

9. A man shouted 'well done Russ' at the Prime Minister and ultra-runner Russ Cook

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/a-man-shouted-well-done-russ-at-the-prime-minister-and-ultra-runner-russ-cook/

When we looked into this claim, and found the original video, we showed how the audio had been changed. We provided links, both live and archived, to the primary source.

10. Fact check: The last Labour government narrowly missed interim child poverty targets

https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/fact-check-the-last-labour-government-narrowly-missed-interim-child-poverty-targets/

We looked into this claim given its potential to sway voters on the emotive issue of child poverty in the run-up to the UK general election. Having looked into all the available statistics, it was clear the claims was not supported by the data, even though there are several ways in which poverty could be measured. After exploring these, we contacted the Labour MP who made the claim who explained the basis on which she had made the claim but could not provide a source. This is the same process and approach which we would take to any claim.

It's worth noting that this is one of the first checks where we have added the kicker “Fact check” to the headline and dropped the one/two word rating (while retaining the clear evaluation). As our fact-checking operation has become more established, the kicker has been used to highlight and differentiate our fact checks from our regular newswire copy. We also removed the one/two word evaluation as we frequently found it was not helpful to readers, and a single paragraph outlining the facts was more useful.

Abbas Panjwani (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 06/07/2024

The applicant says: “We fact check claims about issues in the public interest, focussing on what was said, not who said it”. Its articles check claims from across the political spectrum.

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.

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: 15/05/2023

We have made the following update to a published fact check:

April 10 2024: POLITICS Mayor FactCheck: https://pa.media/blogs/fact-check/london-mayor-sadiq-khan-has-ruled-out-a-pay-per-mile-driving-charge/ We added further information from a response to a Freedom of Information request, detailing what had been added and where in a published note which ran at the top of the fact check.

Abbas Panjwani (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 09/07/2024

The applicant has provided evidence of adding updates to articles in a clear and transparent manner. While the applicant details its corrections policy, this does not explicitly mention updates, which would help readers be certain as to whether an article has been updated or not. Does the applicant plan to tweak its stated policy on its about us page to reflect this?

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 25/07/2024

We have updated the “about us” page on our website to include the following paragraph as part of our corrections policy: “If new information specifically relevant to a particular check comes to light after publication, we will update the check in a clear and transparent manner, adding a note to the top of the check stating it has been updated, explaining what the update is and where it appears.”

Abbas Panjwani (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 26/08/2024

The about page gives readers assurance about when and how updates are reflected in articles.

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.

Article 4.1: Organisational transparency

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

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:

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, Belarus or Russia”.

5.b Please provide all the relevant information to demonstrate the existence of “a meaningful connection with the country or countries where the mis- and disinformation your organization fact-check originates from”.

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.

A man shouted ‘well done Russ’ at the Prime Minister and ultra-runner Russ Cook

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.