Claim Selection:
False or misleading news pieces or claims can be sent to us through our email, fact-check helpline number, or our social media platforms. We actively monitor both mainstream and social media for potentially questionable content, including viral posts, propaganda, and misinformation.
Our social media and input teams spend hours interacting with news pieces, online and those received by our reporters. Most of our verifying and debunking are based on their recommendations, or our own team scouring the internet for factual misrepresentation. Focus has always remained on stories or claims with larger implications, wider audiences (we use tools like CrowdTangle and Google Trends to track widespread dissemination), pertinent or trending topics, and areas of regular mis/disinformation.
Here, we discuss and consider the potential harm that could be caused, the potential reach (virality), the individual(s)/account(s) making the claim(s), the potential consequences or importance of the claim, and the time horizon (old or new). We focus on verifying and working to debunk misleading political news, current affairs, and major events like the Covid-19 outbreak and statements surrounding it. Our fact-checks range from sports, health, lifestyle, and history to policy, among other topics. We maintain a neutral stance while selecting the claim.
Research :
Once the subject for a fact-check is determined, it undergoes discussion within Fact Checking Team. The subsequent step involves comprehending the material, specifically what was stated or posted. Great care is taken to initially determine whether the claim is verifiable. We refrain from fact-checking opinions or attempting to refute claims presented in an opinionated manner.
Upon identifying the nature of the claim, we directly reach out to the individual or entity, seeking evidence to substantiate the assertion. We prioritize obtaining the claimant's response through various channels.
Our attention then shifts to scrutinizing the credibility and reliability of the source. We rely on authoritative sources such as government websites, reputable journals, well-known organizations' websites, magazines, newspapers, or company publications for the information backing claims. In addition to traditional methods of contacting potential sources, we employ various internet tools to verify the origin of viral photos or videos before drawing conclusions.
Another integral aspect of the fact-checking process involves reaching out to subject matter experts, official authorities, or the police to gather their perspectives and record their views.
GROUND LEVEL VERIFICATION:-
Our one of the important call is to examine the content. With a keen eye, irregularities can be noticed. On many occasions, we have been able to easily identify misleading pieces of information which allow us to quickly debunk them. Details are key to our work, for recognizing and then understanding the context in which the piece would have to be fact-checked. We are listing below some common irregularities that can be found, which can help you, as readers, conduct your own fact-checking:
Language: Audio in videos especially can help identify locations/regions to an extent
Background images, posters, addresses: Common in both videos and images. Can help identify various aspects of a claim
Source of content: What type of account is posting? Are they regularly posting any content? Is this content along any specific party lines? Check their earlier posts to gain such information. Check profile details too. Are they regularly reposting content others have posted? Or sharing similar posts from the same accounts? Such information can reveal a lot.
We tap into this extensive network of reporters and correspondents spread across the country and beyond to validate facts directly from the field. To uphold credibility and objectivity, we refrain from assigning the task of cross-verification or confirmation to a reporter who may have submitted their own report on the same subject or served as a primary source for the information under investigation. In our narratives, we incorporate hyperlinks where feasible, directing readers to the origins of information and evidence utilized to formulate conclusions, empowering them to autonomously assess authenticity.
Crafting & Publishing :
We strive to communicate confirmed information in a clear, concise, and transparent fashion, complemented by a thorough and pertinent viewpoint. Our reports are crafted with a balanced level of detail for accessibility and comprehension, providing a transparent trajectory of the steps taken to arrive at our conclusions. Special consideration is given to maintaining a neutral tone in our fact-check posts, avoiding editorial commentary and focusing solely on the verified facts. Before publication, each report undergoes an additional review by the team member.
Post - Publishing:-
Upon the publication of a fact-checked report, we actively track audience feedback via story comments or social media channels. If any inaccuracies are highlighted, we conduct a comprehensive review and, if deemed necessary, implement updates or corrections adhering to our established correction policy.
