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.

← Return to organization page

Raskrinkavanje

Website

https://raskrinkavanje.ba/

Date

31/08/2023

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:

Applicant

Date: 28/02/2023

Raskrinkavanje fact-checks all kinds of harmful disinformation and disinformation sources in BiH and the region. All of the topics we fact-check are of public interest, whether they contain harmful or misleading claims about politics, elections, societal issues, or health. Additionally, we often debunk false claims that appear as part of various online scams that pose direct threat to safety or wellbeing of people (fake giveaways used to harvest personal information or advance “click-farms”, advertisments for pseudomedicinal products that use made-up testimonies and interviews with experts or celebrities, etc.). Finally, we often use our fact-checking investigations and meta-analysis to expose broader schemes like click-farms and other types of inauthentic or fraudulent behavior aimed to mislead, disinform, or harm social media users and general population.

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 24/04/2023

After a random selection of fact-checks, I ensure that their work overwhelmingly focuses on topics in the public interest.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 09/05/2023

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

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 24/04/2023

There is an impressum of Raskrinkavanje with all information about authors and editors which means that they have at least one round of editing before publication.. But it should be helpful if Raskrinkavanje adds this requirement to their fact-checking operation's methodology.

Applicant

Compliant

Date: 03/07/2023

On our "Methology" page, under the section "Izbor medija za praćenje i izvori", we have added point d) Kontrola kvalitete, where this process is explained. Here is the text of the current addition:
Raskrinkavanje odlučuje o tvrdnjama koje će ocijeniti i temama koje će obrađivati prvenstveno na osnovu kriterija javnog interesa (da li je tema relevantna, aktuelna i postoji li interes čitatelja/ki za temu). Svaka tema mora biti prihvaćena od strane uredničkog kolegija, a minimalno od strane bar jedne osobe koja vrši uredničku funkciju. Nakon što se provede istraživanje i prikupe činjenice o temi koja se obrađuje, svaka analiza mora biti pregledana od strane bar jedne osobe koja vrši uredničku funkciju. Analiza se objavljuje tek nakon odobrenja kvalitete cijelog procesa. Urednički kolegij snosi punu odgovornost za finalnu verziju sadržaja koji je objavljen na web stranici Raskrinkavanje.ba i snosi odgovornost za sve eventualne propuste.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 14/05/2023

Even they have an very good and sound structured methodology, it can't be seen clearly that inside the methodology there is a step according to which it can be guaranteed that each investigation goes at least one round of editing by someone other than the author!

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 03/07/2023

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/08/2023

After adding this point the methodology is completed and is much more clear a sound based!

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: 28/02/2023

This is made public and explained in the "About" section of our website https://raskrinkavanje.ba/o-raskrinkavanju and “About” section of our parent organization: https://zastone.ba/organizacija/

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 24/04/2023

These standards are explained in more detail in the organization's procedures (Zasto ne) and it can be also published on the website Raskrinkavanje.

Applicant

Compliant

Date: 03/07/2023

We have added this note in our "O nama / Nepristrasnost u radu" section, linking to organization's procedures:

Raskrinkavanje se u radu u potpunosti pridržava principa nepristrasnosti i sprječavanja sukoba interesa koji su definisani načelima svoje matične organizacije i mogu se pronaći na ovom linku: https://zastone.ba/organizacija/

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/08/2023

Ok.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 22/05/2023

They have it on the web page of their parent organization: www.zastone.ba/organizacija

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: 28/02/2023

Applicant

Date: 28/02/2023

Download File

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 24/04/2023

This is not mandatory.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 22/05/2023

There is nothing to evaluate!?

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 03/07/2023

While we aim to develop such measures, we don't currently have any in place. This is a best practice recommendation and not mandatory for verification.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/08/2023

I just wanted to see if there is such. But, still, this is a best practice recommendation, meaning it is not mandatory for verification.

Article 3.3: Honest corrections

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

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 22/05/2023

I can not detect a direct channel on the web page!

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 03/07/2023

We have added a clear and more explicit note to our corrections policy encouraging those whose claims are rated, and/or our readers, to point to errors and request corrections by using our email and social media channels. This text is added to our "O nama / Ispravke netačnih navoda" section:

Raskrinkavanje poziva sve medije i druge aktere/ke koji su predmet naših analiza, a čije izjave i izvještaji se provjeravaju i ocjenjuju, da pruže dodatna pojašnjenja i činjenice ukoliko smatraju da naši izvještaji i ocjene ne odgovaraju postojećim činjenicama. Kontaktirati nas možete putem zvanične e-mail adrese [email protected]. Pozivamo također i čitatelje/ke da nam ukažu na uočene greške i/ili zatraže ispravke takvog sadržaja putem gore navedenog maila ili društvenih mreža Facebook, Twitter i Instagram.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/08/2023

Now the situation is much more clear for those who wants to claim or point to errors requesting correction by the organization

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: 28/02/2023

Download File

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 24/04/2023

This report is a "best practice" which means that it is not mandatory.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Needs more info

Date: 22/05/2023

There is nothing to evaluate!?

Applicant

Needs more info

Date: 03/07/2023

We don't currently undergo such reviews. This is recommended as a best practice, but not mandatory for verification.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/08/2023

Having in mind this, it is understandable that they don;t have it yet.

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: 28/02/2023

Required information can be found through following links:
https://raskrinkavanje.ba/o-raskrinkavanju

https://zastone.ba/organizacija/

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 21/04/2023

Recommendation - it is clear that Raskrinkavanje.ba is founded by NGO Zasto ne. Still, they can also publish all important information (legal status, registration number, stakeholders etc.) on the Raskrinkavanje.ba website to ensure full transparency.

Applicant

Compliant

Date: 03/07/2023

We have added the link to organizational information to our "O nama" (About us) page.

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 29/08/2023

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 22/05/2023

This information is adequately explained on the organization's webpage

Proof of registration/legal status:

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 22/05/2023

Document attached!

Proof of ownership:

Milica Bogdanovic (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 25/04/2023

All mentioned documents should be published on the website of Raskrinkavanje.

Applicant

Compliant

Date: 03/07/2023

We have added the link to organizational information, which includes the Statute and registration information, to our "O nama" (About us) page.

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 22/05/2023

Document attached!

Proof of governance structure:

Dejan Donev (assessor)

Compliant

Date: 22/05/2023

Document attached!

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 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.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.

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.