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Liputan 6 - Cek Fakta

Organization: Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
Applicant: Edu Krisnadefa
Assessor: Sara Schonhardt
Edits made by the organization after this assessment

IFCN Staff wrote:

Please check improvements in this attachment: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1UTuTwSB2YkzJ90u55kPLAYE4UpKStqjy/view


From the assessor:

Liputan 6 continues to show improvements. Its most recent amendments more clearly define the authors and key actors behind the fact-checking project. It’s worth noting that the reporters who do the fact checks do so specifically but not explicitly, and while they’re listed as Fact Checkers on the editorial team page, their specific profiles don’t include this distinction.

The sourcing also shows an improvement by including links directly to information that allows the reader to replicate the fact check.

It appears that Liputan6 is trying hard to achieve compliance. My concern is that they are doing so in haste. The fact check methodology, for example, says that the fact check team consists of three people when further down five people are listed.

My recommendation is that Liputan6 be accepted on the condition that it submit proof of continuous improvements after three months and continue to working to ensure compliance with IFCN principles. 


Conclusion and recommendations
on 11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

Sara Schonhardt wrote:

Liputan6 has made improvements since the previous application. It has increased the frequency with which it publishes its fact-check stories and created a sub-channel for readers to access those stories in one place. However, I believe there are still some areas that could use improvement.

My recommendation is that Liputan6 is compliant with most principles and should make edits to be accepted. Categories that could use improvement are:

Organization: The fact-checking operation should be made a more distinct section of Liputan6, its team of reporters more clearly defined and the stories made more accessible. It’s methodology could be laid out more clearly and readers more actively invited to reach out.

Transparency of Sourcing: Sources should be more clearly and accurately referenced or linked to so readers can replicate the fact check.

on 11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

Sara Schonhardt recommended Accept with edits


Section 1: Organization

Criterion 1a
Proof of registration
Evidence required: Please provide evidence that the signatory is a legally-registered organization set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking or the distinct fact-checking project of a recognized media house or research institution.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

- Liputan6.com is a legal entity incorporated as a limited liability company registered with the Ministry of Justice and Human Rights under the name of PT Liputan Enam Dot Com

- Liputan6.com is also registered with the Dewan Pers (Press Council), http://dewanpers.or.id/perusahaan

- Liputan6.com is a member of Asosiasi Media Siber ndonesia (AMSI) (Cyber Media Association of Indonesia). http://www.amsi.or.id/

- The process of fact-checking is being carried out by the Monitoring & Research Team.

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)
Criterion empty.

done 1a marked as Partially compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Criterion 1b
Archive
Evidence required: Insert a link to the archive of fact checks published in the previous three months. If you do not collect all fact checks in one place, please explain how the fact-checking is conducted by your organization.

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago

Liputan6 has grouped all its fact-check articles under a sub-channel “Cek Fakta” found here: http://news.liputan6.com/kategori/cek-fakta. The sub-section lies under the News section of the website and can be accessed through the direct URL or by clicking on the News section of the homepage. The fact-checking process is performed by the Monitoring and Research Team, which consists of seven people led by an executive editor and is tasked “to provide input and facts” to the editing team.

The team is not explicitly defined as the fact-checking team. It also does special reports. In my interpretation of its methodology, found here, Liputan6 reporters fact check information as a regular part of the reporting process.

In some cases, as noted in its Fact-Check Methodology, “whereas the fact-check is indirect or not in an instant due to time, location, and complexity of an issue at hand that hinders the provision of in-depth fact-check, then the process of fact-checking is being carried out by the Monitoring & Research Team.”

Liputan6 has increased its number of fact checks in the last three months, going from an average of less than once a week in January to almost daily in March. The previous assessor recorded the number of fact-check stories from September 2017 - January 2018 in her second assessment as follows:

- September 2017 : 1 time

- October 2017 : 1 time

- November 2017 : 2 times

- December 2017 : 1 time

- January 2018 : 5 times

I counted the number of stories under the fact-check subsection for February 2018 - 13 April 2018 as follows:

- February 2018 : 16 times

- March 2018 : 29 times

- April 13 : 12 times

This frequency meets the requirement for compliance. Since the organization appears to have just ramped up its fact-checking process, I would recommend waiting a bit longer to see whether Liputan6 can establish a more consistent, regular publishing schedule.


done_all 1b marked as Fully compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Section 2: Nonpartisanship and Fairness

Criterion 2a
Body of work sample
Evidence required: Please share links to ten fact checks that better represent the scope and consistency of your fact-checking. Provide a short explanation of how your organization strives to maintain coherent standards across fact checks.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

In principal, the fact-check is carried out through two mechanisms:

First, fact-check is done directly by the redact team regarding the ongoing or soon to be investigated fact, data, or event. The data acquisition process is in accordance to the journalistic activity in verifying the truth to cover both sides and in regards to the general public interest.

Second, whereas the fact-check is indirect or not in an instant due to time, location, and complexity of an issue at hand that hinders the provision of in-depth fact-check, then the process of fact-checking is being carried out by the Monitoring & Research Team.

The Monitoring & Research Team consists of 3 persons, led by a manager at the level of an Executive Editor.

Here is a set of examples of news coverage that clarifies the issues:

http://www.liputan6.com/tag/cek-fakta

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289685/fakta-beda-data-impor-garam-dua-kementerian

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289707/fakta-gempa-di-jakarta-tak-terkait-gerhana-bulan

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289652/fakta-isu-lgbt-berembus-di-parlemen

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289765/fakta-penyebab-naiknya-harga-beras

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289281/fakta-penyebab-gagal-registrasi-kartu-sim-prabayar

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289157/fakta-judi-online-berkedok-gim

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289267/fakta-penipuan-e-commerce-lewat-hacking-dan-pishing

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289873/fakta-sejoli-korban-hakim-jalanan

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289631/fakta-penipuan-ilmuwan-asal-ri-di-kampus-belanda

http://news.liputan6.com/read/3289890/fakta-isu-pki-jelang-tahun-poltik-2019

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

Liputan6 seems to follow a standard formula for its fact-check stories that starts with laying out the allegedly false claim or information in need of verification. It then investigates those claims and draws a conclusion as to whether the news is true or not. Fact-check stories cover a range of topics, from politics to business to health care. Links provided included stories fact checking whether safety standards were being ignored on infrastructure projects, the validity of a rumored attack on an Islamic boarding school and a statement by the vice governor of Jakarta that rickshaw drivers from elsewhere were moving into the city.


done_all 2a marked as Fully compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Criterion 2b
Nonpartisanship policy
Evidence required: Please share evidence of your policy preventing staff from direct involvement in political parties and advocacy organizations. Please also indicate the policy your organization has as a whole regarding advocacy and supporting political candidates.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

(http://www.liputan6.com/pages/tentang-kami)

Liputan6.com does not carry any political interests and stand above and for all groups. It is non-partisan.

Reporters, editors, photographers and all members of the news staff of Liputan6.com should not be involved with any political party.

All of the news staffer or Liputan6.com has to subject Journalistic Code of Ethics established by the Press Council through Press Council Regulation Number: 6 / Regulation-DP / V / 2008 About Ratification of Press Council Decree Number 03 / SK-DP / III / 2006 on Journalism Code of Ethics Press Council Regulation.

http://www.liputan6.com/pages/kode-etik

Article 1

Indonesian journalists are independent in producing accurate and balanced news to devoid any malicious intention.

Interpretation

A. Independent, meaning representing events or facts according to self-conscience without interference, coercion, and intervention from other parties including owners of press companies.

B. Accurate, meaning to be trustworthy as in adherence to the objective circumstances when the events occur.

C. Balance, meaning that all parties have equal opportunity.

D. Devoid any malicious intention, meaning no intention to deliberately and solely cause any harms to others.

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

On its About Us page, http://www.liputan6.com/info/tentang-kami, Liputan6 states the following: “Liputan6.com does not work for any political interests and stands on and for all classes, as well as non-partisans.”

It does not have an official corporate policy that prevents staff from direct involvement in political parties and advocacy organizations. The company does state in its application that “involvement in political parties will make the company's name poor and can be considered not independent by the public.” In its corporate rules, employees can be sanctioned in the form of a warning letter for performing actions that could harm the company’s name or image.

As a member of the Indonesian Press Council, Liputan6 says it subjects all news staff to the Journalistic Code of Ethics established by the Council. New employees are required to participate in a 5-day orientation class that discusses the importance of being an independent journalist who can not be involved in political parties.

Liputan6 includes its code of ethics on its website: https://www.liputan6.com/info/kode-etik


done_all 2b marked as Fully compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Section 3: Transparency of Sources

Criterion 3a
Sources Policy
Please share a brief and public explanation (500 words max) of how sources are provided in enough detail that readers could replicate the fact check. If you have a public policy on how you find and use sources for your fact-checking, it should be shared here.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

To help readers carry out their own fact checking, we also include the source links in the article itself. Through the inclusion of links from valid sources, readers have a direct access to validate the information. The fact checked articles could be accessed publicly in http://www.liputan6.com/tag/cek-fakta

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

Stories do include at least one official source. When necessary, official data is also often referenced. On occasion, secondary sources from other news agencies are also used.

However, key sources are not always referenced or are not referenced in a way that would allow readers to replicate the fact check. Links in the stories often lead to the general organization publishing the data rather than direct data or evidence related to the claim being checked. This observation was also made by the previous assessor, who noted: “The source of most of the articles being assessed linked to the organizations/ individuals being covered. It is not directly to evidence it uses to fact-checked it.”

For example, this story about infrastructure accidents says there have been “seven accidents related to infrastructure development projects in the last 6 months and 13 accidents in the last 2 years,” according to the Ministry of Public Works and Public Housing. The link provided goes to the ministry’s main page rather than to the source of that information. In the same story, it’s unclear whether a quote from the minister of Public Works and Public Housing was given directly to Liputan6 or came from another source. If the latter, there is no link to the source of the comments.

The source of the claim being verified is also not always linked to or referenced. One story about a policy on credit card data from the finance ministry cites rumors that have been circulating. Another checking the truth of an attack on an Islamic boarding school identifies the source of the information as an individual Facebook user but does not include a link to that page.


done 3a marked as Partially compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Section 4: Transparency of Funding & Organization

Criterion 4a
Funding Sources
Evidence required: Please link to the section where you publicly list your sources of funding (including, if they exist, any rules around which types of funding you do or don't accept), or a statement on ownership if you are the branch of an established media organization or research institution.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

(http://www.liputan6.com/pages/tentang-kami) Liputan6.com was initially owned and operated by the television station SCTV, a subsidiary of PT Surya Citra Media Tbk (SCM/http://www.scm.co.id/), a company listed at the Indonesian Stock Exchange. SCM itself is a subsidiary of Emtek (www.emtek.co.id), Since 24 May 2012, Liputan6.com was transferred into another company, PT Kreatif Media Karya (“KMK”). PT Elang Mahkota Teknologi Tbk (Emtek) (www.emtek.co.id), owns 99.99% of KMK. Financial statement available on Emtek (http://www.emtek.co.id/annual-report) and Indonesia Stock Exchange (http://www.idx.co.id/en-us/home/listedcompanies/financialannualreport.aspx) In adherence to the new regulation issued by Dewan Pers Indonesia, since 14 March 2016 the portal Liputan6.com is owned and operated by PT Liputan Enam Dot Com, a subsidiary of KMK which holds 99.99% ownership. Liputan6.com funds its operational from the revenue of its advertisement deals through web banner, native ads, and video ads.

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

As stated in its application, “the portal Liputan6.com is owned and operated by PT Liputan Enam Dot Com, a subsidiary of KMK which holds 99.99% ownership.”

The company had an initial capital of IDR 55.750 billion and total assets (as of December 2017) of IDR 101.3 billion. It estimates operational costs for 2018 at IDR 12 billion per month. Liputan6.com says it funds its operations through advertisements, including Web banners, native ads and video ads. It expects ad revenues for 2018 to reach IDR 131 billion.


done_all 4a marked as Fully compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Criterion 4b
Staff
Evidence required: Please link to the section detailing all authors and key actors behind your fact-checking project with their biographies. You can also list the name and bios of the members of the editorial board, pool of experts, advisory board, etc. if your organization has those.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

The names as follows are also assigned as fact checker persons:

(http://www.liputan6.com/info/redaksi) Irna Gustiawati - Executive Editor with 18 years of journalism experience at 3 media companies

http://www.liputan6.com/me/Irna.Gustiawati Andi Muhyiddin - Executive Editor with 17 years of journalism experience at 5 media companies

http://www.liputan6.com/me/Andi.Muhyiddin Shinta NM Sinaga - Managing Editor with 19 years of journalism experience at 6 media companies

http://www.liputan6.com/me/shinta.sinaga Edmiraldo Siregar - Senior Editor with 5 years of journalism experience at 3 media companies

http://www.liputan6.com/me/edmiraldo.siregar Dini Nurilah - Researcher with 3 years experience at research companies

http://www.liputan6.com/me/Dini.Nurilah Diyah Naelufar (Researcher with 2 years experience at research companies) http://www.liputan6.com/me/diyah.naelufar

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

The authors of the fact-check stories are listed on the editorial page as part of the Monitoring and Research team. There is no separate category that distinguishes them as part of the fact-checking team. Their bylines are at the top of each story and link to a profile page with their bio.


done 4b marked as Partially compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Criterion 4c
Contact
Evidence required: Please link to the section where readers can get in touch with the organization.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

The readers of Liputan6.com shall be able to reach us at: Email address: redaksi@liputan6.com Facsimile number: 021 - 722 9697 Telephone number: 021 - 722 9681 Website: http://www.liputan6.com/info/contact

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

There is an online form for contacting the newsroom with complaints: http://www.liputan6.com/info/form-pengaduan. The organization also includes an email and phone numbers on its contact page. At the bottom of the Fact-Check Methodology page there is an email address (cekfakta@liputan6.com) where readers can submit fact-check suggestions. The fact-check stories do not provide information about how readers can contact the organization with suggestions or input.


done 4c marked as Partially compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Section 5: Transparency of Methodology

Criterion 5a
Detailed Methodology
Evidence required: Please link to a section or article detailing the steps you follow for your fact-checking work.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

http://www.liputan6.com/pages/metode-cek-fakta Research Methodology (http://www.liputan6.com/pages/metode-cek-fakta) Liputan6.com has been intensive in carrying out fact check since the Presidential Election 2014. Back then, both candidates were battling neck-to-neck and their supporters were running negative campaigns against each other. Liputan6.com commissioned its Monitoring & Research Team to carry out fact-checking on a daily basis. The Team resides at the News Desk and was tasked to provide input and facts to the redact team. In principal, the fact-check is carried out through two mechanisms: First, fact-check is done directly by the redact team regarding the ongoing or soon to be investigated fact, data, or event. The data acquisition process is in accordance to the journalistic activity in verifying the truth to cover both sides and in regards to the general public interest. Second, whereas the fact-check is indirect or not in an instant due to time, location, and complexity of an issue at hand that hinders the provision of in-depth fact-check, then the process of fact-checking is being carried out by the Monitoring & Research Team. The Monitoring & Research Team consists of 3 persons, led by a manager at the level of an Executive Editor. This team does not only do the fact check, it also produces ‘liputan khusus’ (special reportage) and ‘info grafis’ (info graphics). The special reportage is published on a weekly basis under the name ‘Journal.’ (http://www.liputan6.com/tag/journal) The team was strengthening up itself as the fact checker during the Pemilihan Kepala Daerah (“Municipal Election”, known in the acronym “Pilkada”) DKI Jakarta in 2017. The Pilkada was so dramatic during which one candidate was accused of a primordial (known in the acronym SARA) violation as per the allegation spread by the opposing team. Pilkada DKI 2017 took place under a fiery condition. The SARA accusation torn apart the society, especially with the use of native vs. non-native labeling. The research methodology for fact check is as follows: 1. Tracking down any particular statements, claims, or statistical data out there and compare them to the original source. - To ensure that news source has a verified account status and traceable source with clear identity. - To go through the consistency of the accounts or person in order the check any peculiarities or out-of-ordinary patterns and track record. - In the case that the source is dubious, the next step would be a journalistic one through an interview with a resource entity for verification purpose and cross checking with others. - If the news source is unmistakable, the editorial team inquire the aforementioned source further for liaison in order to verify whether he or she actually did the posting or make the statement, or data release. - To check with several official or verified sites, or sites whose identity of administrator is clearly presented, example: - The Central Bureau of Statistics (https://bps.go.id/) - The Central Bank of the Republic of Indonesia (http://www.bi.go.id) - Ministry of State Secretariat (http://setkab.go.id/) - Indonesian Institute of Sciences (http://lipi.go.id/) - Gadjah Mada University (https://ugm.ac.id/) - Center for Strategic and International Studies (https://www.csis.org/) - etc 2. Not to quote anonymous source without any supporting fact and proper documentation, recording, photos, videos, etc 3. Retaining an expert to help in interpreting the data. Within the company, Liputan6.com has an existing standard operating procedure (SOP) on Coverage and the Protection for Journalist. Such SOP is aimed: 1. To provide a reference for the news coverage activities in adherence to the journalistic standard and in compliance with the regulation or ethical code within the company. 2. To ensure that the news reporting from reporter, photographer, or VJ on the field occurs in a continuous and relevant manner to the issue or as planned in the editorial meeting. 3. To provide safety guideline for journalists when covering a disaster or conflict area.

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

Liputan6 outlines its fact-check methodology on a dedicated page found here: https://www.liputan6.com/info/metode-cek-fakta. The methodology explains why the outlet conducts fact checking. It notes that fact-checking is done as part of its regular reportage and in some cases, such as those that require more in-depth fact-checking, is conducted by the Monitoring and Research Team.


done_all 5a marked as Fully compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Criterion 5b
Claim submissions
Evidence required: Please link to the page or process through which readers can submit claims to fact-check. If you do not allow this, please briefly explain why.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

The readers of Liputan6.com shall be able to reach us at: http://www.liputan6.com/info/form-pengaduan or Email: cekfakta@liputan6.com

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

The organization provides a step-by-step explanation of its methodology on its website, though it could use more clarity. The methodology does not lay out in detail what claims readers can expected to be fact-checked


done 5b marked as Partially compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Section 6: Open & Honest Corrections Policy

Criterion 6a
Corrections policy
Evidence required: Please link to the page with your policy to address corrections. If it is not public, please share your organization's handbook.

Cek Fakta - Liputan 6
10-Jul-2018 (5 years ago)

Our policies on verification, news balance, correction, and the rights to response refer to the Cyber Media Guidelines as posted on the Liputan6.com website: http://www.liputan6.com/info/pedoman-media-siber. According to that guidelines, we have to put the correction and apologize in the article when there was any inaccuracy in term of content, writing, or mis-quote.

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago

In its application, Liputan6 states that it follows the corrections policy outlined in the Journalistic Code of Ethics stipulated by the Indonesian Press Council, of which it is a member.

Its policies regarding corrections are listed on its code of ethics page, found here: https://www.liputan6.com/info/kode-etik and its cyber media guidelines page here: https://www.liputan6.com/info/pedoman-media-siber


done 6a marked as Partially compliant by Sara Schonhardt.

Criterion 6b
Examples of corrections
Evidence required: Please provide two examples of a correction made, or correction requests handled, in the past year.

Sara Schonhardt Assessor
11-Jul-2018 (5 years ago) Updated: 5 years ago

The organization has provided examples of its implementation. There is a complaint form for readers but no direct corrections form or process.


done 6b marked as Partially compliant by Sara Schonhardt.