The IFCN welcomes new applications to its Code of Principles beginning Jan. 16, 2024. Our website is currently under renovation, so new signatories should begin the application process by emailing their interest to info@ifcn.org with "New Signatory" in the subject line.

Estadão Verifica

Organization: Estadão Verifica
Applicant: Daniel Bramatti
Assessor: Sergio Lüdtke

Background

O Estado de S. Paulo was founded in 1875 and is one of Brazil's most traditional media organizations. The group operates in print journalism, has a news agency, a radio channel, and an internet portal called Estadão. The superlative name refers to the old newspaper, printed in broadsheet size.

The Estadão fact-checking nucleus, called Estadão Verifica, was created in 2018, the year of the presidential elections in Brazil. Since 2019 the section has been a signatory to the IFCN Code of Principles.

The team at Estadão Verifica is made up of 8 journalists, including two editors and six reporters.

Assessment Conclusion

Estadão Verifica strictly complies with the IFCN codes of principles and is fully qualified to continue as a signatory.

We do, however, have some recommendations:

- Post a more objective statement exposing how it orientates the team not to get involved in political issues that could lead to questions from the public about the non-partisanship of the organization's work.

- Assess offering some point of contact with the team also on the fact-checking report pages.

- Give all readers access to the page entitled "Recebeu algum boato pelo WhatsApp? Envie para o Estadão Verifica" (Did you receive a rumor through WhatsApp? Send to Estadão Verifica). It is accessible to subscribers only.

- Encourage the portal to create or display a page that describes the organization's error correction policy.

on 24-Nov-2021 (2 years ago)

Sergio Lüdtke assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

Estadão Verifica cumpre rigorosamente os códigos de princípios da IFCN e está plenamente capacitado a seguir como signatário.

Temos, entretanto, algumas recomendações:

- Publique uma declaração mais objetiva expondo como orienta a equipe a não se envolver em questões políticas que possam levar a questionamentos do público sobre o não partidarismo do trabalho da organização.

- Avalie oferecer algum ponto de contato com a equipe também nas páginas dos relatórios de fact-checking.

- Libere acesso a todos os leitores à página intitulada "Recebeu algum boato pelo WhatsApp? Envie para o Estadão Verifica". Ela está está acessível apenas para assinantes.

- Incentive o portal a criar ou a exibir uma página que descreva a política de correção de erros da organização.

Section 1: Eligibility to be a signatory

To be eligible to be a signatory, applicants must meet these six criteria

  • 1.1 The applicant is a legally registered organization, or a distinct team or unit within a legally registered organization, and details of this are easily found on its website.
  • 1.2 The team, unit or organization is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking.
  • 1.3 The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application. For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track. Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.
  • 1.4 On average, at least 75% of the applicant’s fact checks focus on claims related to issues that, in the view of the IFCN, relate to or could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public or society.
  • 1.5 The applicant’s editorial output is not, in the view of the IFCN, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.
  • 1.6 If the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, it provides a statement on its site setting out to the satisfaction of the IFCN, how it ensures its funders do not influence the findings of its reports.

Criteria 1.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain where on your website you set out information about your organization’s legal status and how this complies with criteria. Attach a link to the relevant page of your website.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In our home page, in the section "Quem somos e o que fazemos" (Who we are and what we do), we explain that Estadão Verifica is the fact checking unit of O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper. https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/

Also fixed on our home page is a text explaining our methodology, correction policy, etc. https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/ 

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago)

Estadão Verifica is the fact-checking session of the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo, also known as Estadão. The newspaper is one of the most traditional media outlets in Brazil.

The links provided by the applicant are in full compliance with the assessment criteria.


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 1.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please answer the following questions – (see notes in Guidelines for Application on how to answer)

 1. When and why was your fact-checking operation started?
 2. How many people work or volunteer in the organization and what are their roles?
 3. What different activities does your organization carry out?
 4. What are the goals of your fact-checking operation over the coming year?

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

1) We started our operations in June 2018.

2) Estadão Verifica has an editor (Daniel Bramatti), a deputy editor (Alessandra Monnerat), and six full-time reporters. Details about the team are in here: https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/ 

3) Estadão Verifica verifies and debunks viral misinformation on social networks and message apps. We also research and publish fact-checks about politics, mainly during election campaigns.

4) Over the coming year, we expect to focus on combating misinformation during the general elections. We aim to keep participating in collaborative projects and we hope to improve our work with our WhatsApp tipline.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica is dedicated exclusively to fact-checking and debunks misinformation spreads on social platforms.

The assessment could confirm all answers given by the applicant to this item.


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 1.3
Proof you meet criteria
- The applicant has published an average of at least one fact check a week over the course of the six months prior to the date of application.
- For applicants from countries with at least 5 or more verified signatories need to have at least a fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.
- Consult to factchecknet@poynter.org for confirmation.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Over the course of the last six months, Estadão Verifica has published 390 fact checks, average of 65/month. See the following spreadsheet: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mrPC8HokCNqhsipxoTmPMEY06tpvfyBvDQN133fy8uA/edit?usp=sharing 

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant provided a list of 390 fact-checking reports published in the six months preceding the submission of the application.


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 1.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous three months. No additional information required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The fact-checking reports published by Estadão Verifica are related to the pandemic, public policies, the electoral process, and some others subjects of interest to citizens in general. This assessment considers that the applicant is in full compliance with this item.


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 1.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please explain any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship your organization has to the state, politicians or political parties in the country or countries you cover. Also explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica has no commercial, financial, and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians, or political parties. in the country or countries you cover. We don't receive funding or support from state or political actors. Estadão's code of ethics does requires political impartiality. https://www.estadao.com.br/codigo-etica/codigo-de-etica.pdf 

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant defines on page 8 of its Code of Ethics the conduct with third parties, be they companies, public and private institutions, governments and competitors. In that same document, it reaffirms its editorial independence. In the evaluation carried out, no evidence of control or influence of the State or political parties was found.


done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 1.6
Proof you meet criteria
If you confirmed the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, provide a link to where on your website you set out how you ensure the editorial independence of your work.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago)

We don't receive funding or support from state or political actors.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Not applicable.


done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Section 2: A commitment to Non-partisanship and Fairness

To be compliant on nonpartisanship and fairness, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 2.1 The applicant fact-checks using the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim.
  • 2.2 The applicant does not unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side, considers the reach and importance of claims it selects to check and publishes a short statement on its website to set out how it selects claims to check.
  • 2.3 The applicant discloses in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. It also discloses in its fact checks any commercial or other such relationships it has that a member of the public might reasonably conclude could influence the findings of the fact check.
  • 2.4 The applicant is not as an organization affiliated with nor declares or shows support for any party, any politician or political candidate, nor does it advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues save for transparency and accuracy in public debate.
  • 2.5 The applicant sets out its policy on non-partisanship for staff on its site. Save for the issues of accuracy and transparency, the applicant’s staff do not get involved in advocacy or publicise their views on policy issues the organization might fact check in such a way as might lead a reasonable member of the public to see the organization’s work as biased.

Criteria 2.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please share links to 10 fact checks published over the past year that you believe demonstrate your non-partisanship.
Please briefly explain how the fact checks selected show that (I) you use the same high standards of evidence for equivalent claims, (II) follow the same essential process for every fact check and (III) let the evidence dictate your conclusions.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We publish fact checks and debunk rumors about politicians of all political spectrums. We always follow the same criteria and we let the evidence dictate our conclusions (see the following spreadsheet, page 2).  https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1mrPC8HokCNqhsipxoTmPMEY06tpvfyBvDQN133fy8uA/edit#gid=437033084

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant declares that it publishes fact-checks and debunks rumors about politicians from all political spectrums by following the same criteria and letting the evidence dictate the conclusions. There are no differences in approach in the ten examples provided for analysis. These examples include politicians of different ideologies and parties, and in them, it is clear that the fact-checking method is the same, regardless of the investigated content.


done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 2.2
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you explain how you select claims to check, explaining how you ensure you do not unduly concentrate your fact-checking on any one side, and how you consider the reach and importance of the claims you select to check.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago)

We explain that on our home page, section "Quem somos e o que fazemos" (https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/) and in the fixed blog post (https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/).

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

On the Estadão Verifica home page, there is a prominently fixed text whose title is "Who we are and what we do." In that text, the applicant declares that it follows the same verification standards in all rumors and lets the evidence guide its conclusions. It also states that it gives priority to stories that can cause harm to groups and individuals, depending on their degree of spread. And that the debunking of misleading content is done mainly through inquiry with official sources, such as public databases and government agencies, as well as interviews with authorities and experts.

Files Attached
EstadãoVerifica.png (1 MB)
done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 2.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

There is an obvious concern to provide context for readers in Estadão Verifica's fact-checks. By providing information that allows a good understanding of the context associated with the conclusion about the claims' veracity, the applicant reveals the eventual interests of the sources and characters involved.

The assessment did not identify any cases that were a need to disclose any relationships that could influence the fact-checking conclusions.


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 2.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will assess compliance through a review of the fact checks published over the previous year. No additional information required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The analyzed fact-checking reports found no evidence of favoring or supporting any party, politician, or candidate. Nor was any defense of political positions or any other issues identified. On the contrary, there is a concern for transparency and accuracy in the reports published by Estadão Verifica.


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 2.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to a place on your website where you publish a statement setting out your policy on non-partisanship for staff and how it ensures the organization meets this criteria.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago)
Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

There are statements regarding the applicant's non-partisanship on the pages provided for the evaluation of this item. And team members and their roles are prominently listed on both.

However, we recommend that Estadão Verifica publishes a more objective statement exposing how it orientates the team not to get involved in political issues that could lead to questions from the public about the non-partisanship of the organization's work.


done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Section 3: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Sources

To be compliant on sources, applicants must meet these four criteria

  • 3.1 The applicant identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact checks, providing relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish. In cases where identifying the source would compromise the source’s personal security, the applicant provides as much detail as compatible with the source’s safety.
  • 3.2 The applicant uses the best available primary, not secondary, sources of evidence wherever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, the applicant explains the use of a secondary source.
  • 3.3 The applicant checks all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence save where the one source is the only source relevant on the topic.
  • 3.4 The applicant identifies in its fact checks the relevant interests of the sources it uses where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

Criteria 3.1
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica's fact-checks identify the sources consulted in the investigations and provide the links so that the audience can confirm the authenticity and integrity of the data and facts obtained.

The fact-checkings analyzed found no cases in which the identification of sources could compromise their safety.


done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 3.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

As a rule, the applicant uses data, facts, and evidence from primary sources and produces consistent fact-checking reports. It is also common to refer to secondary sources in these reports, but the cases found are always news published in known and reliable media. And these sources are used in a complementary way to reinforce the fact-checking conclusion or provide more context for readers.


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 3.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The analyzed fact-checking reports are complete and convincing, leaving no place for doubt. Key elements are verified from evidence obtained from more than one source. Even when there is a single source or enough to clarify the aspects investigated, other sources, primary and secondary, are usually used to reinforce the fact-check conclusion.


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 3.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the applicant’s use of sources in a randomised sample of its fact checks to assess compliance. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We have not found instances where it would be necessary to alert readers by identifying sources' interests that could influence the accuracy of any evidence provided by those sources.


done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Section 4: A commitment to Transparency of Funding & Organization

To be compliant on funding and organization, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 4.1 Applicants that are independent organizations have a page on their website detailing each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year. This page also sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
  • 4.2 Applicants that are the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization make a statement on ownership.
  • 4.3 A statement on the applicant’s website sets out the applicant’s organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.
  • 4.4 A page on the applicant’s website details the professional biography of all those who, according to the organizational structure and play a significant part in its editorial output.
  • 4.5 The applicant provides easy means on its website and/or via social media for users to communicate with the editorial team.

Criteria 4.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please confirm whether you are an ‘independent organization’
or ‘the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization’ and share proof of this organizational status.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Our affiliation to O Estado de S.Paulo newspaper is stated in the name of our organization. The newspaper regularly explains our role when mentioning us on news articles. https://politica.estadao.com.br/noticias/geral,estadao-verifica-lanca-novo-servico-por-whatsapp,70003506752 

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica is the fact-checking session of the centenary newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo and the internet portal Estadão. Both belong to Grupo Estado.


done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 4.2
Proof you meet criteria
If your organization is an “independent organization”, please share a link to the page on your website where you detail your funding and indicate the legal form in which the organization is registered (e.g. as a non-profit, as a company etc).
If your organization is “the fact-checking section or unit of a media house or other parent organization”, please share a link to the statement on your website about your ownership.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago)

Section "Quem somos e o que fazemos" (Who we are and what we do): https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica publishes on its home page a statement that it is the fact-checking branch of the newspaper O Estado de S. Paulo.


done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 4.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out your organizational structure, making clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We detail our organizational structure in this post fixed to our home page: https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/ 

This information is also on our home page, section Quem somos e o que fazemos.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

All professionals involved in the fact-checking work of Estadão Verifica are listed on the website with their respective bios and the role each one occupies in the organization's structure.


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 4.4
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you set out the professional biographies of those who play a significant part in your organization’s editorial output.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We detail each team member role in this post fixed to our home page: https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/ 

This information is also on our home page, section Quem somos e o que fazemos.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The bios of the two editors and the six reporters that make up the Estadão Verifica team are published on the website.


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 4.5
Proof you meet criteria
Please share a link to where on your website you encourage users to communicate with your editorial team.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We have a blog post encouraging users to send us messages through WhatsApp https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/ 

We also detail all different ways readers can get in touch with us on our home page, section Quem Somos e o que Fazemos.

Another way of reaching out to our readership is through Estadão's social media. Example: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17849055179530607/ 

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

There are many contact points available for the reader to make contact with the editorial team. These points are visible on the homepage and on the page where Estadão Verifica describes its fact-checking methodology. We recommend that the applicant evaluates to offer some point of contact on the verification pages as well. When the audience reads the fact-checking report, they do not have direct access to these contact points.


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Section 5: A commitment to Standards and Transparency of Methodology

To be compliant on methodology, applicants must meet these six criteria

  • 5.1 The applicant publishes on its website a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish its fact checks.
  • 5.2 The applicant selects claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check.
  • 5.3 The applicant sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.
  • 5.4 The applicant in its fact checks assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.
  • 5.5 The applicant seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence, noting that (I) this is often not possible with online claims, (II) if the person who makes the claim fails to reply in a timely way this should not impede the fact check, (III) if a speaker adds caveats to the claim, the fact-checker should be free to continue with checking the original claim, (IV) fact-checkers may not wish to contact the person who made the claim for safety or other legitimate reasons.
  • 5.6 The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable.

Criteria 5.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to the statement on your website that explains the methodology you use to select, research, write and publish your fact checks.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago)
Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica describes its methodology on the two pages whose links were provided for this assessment. On both pages, Estadão's fact-checking section also encourages its readers to submit questionable content for verification. However, one of the pages entitled "Recebeu algum boato pelo WhatsApp? Envie para o Estadão Verifica"(Did you receive a rumor through WhatsApp? Send it to Estadão Verifica) is accessible only to subscribers. This content should be open to all readers.


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 5.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant always mentions the reasons that led the investigation, drawing readers' attention to the importance of disproving such content. When the investigation is opened based on the reach of questionable content, Estadão Verifica reports the reaching numbers.


done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 5.3
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The fact-checking reports demonstrate that the applicant is rigorous in using relevant evidence to support its conclusions.


done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 5.4
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica declares that it follows the same verification standards for the different rumors investigated, leaving the evidence to guide its conclusions. And that gives priority to stories that can cause harm to groups or individuals, depending on their degree of spreading. The fact-checking reports analyzed by this assessment confirm the application of this methodology without finding cases that deviate from this pattern.


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 5.5
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the methodology used in a randomised sample of your fact checks to assess compliance with these criteria. No additional evidence is required.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Most of the fact-checking reports analyzed randomly mention the authorship of the checked statement. Sometimes there is a publication of a statement made by the author of the claim; in others, there is information that the author was either not found or did not answer the questions sent by the applicant. Another part of the reports debunks misleading content published by diverse pages and profiles without focusing on a specific author.


done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 5.6
Proof you meet criteria
Please describe how you encourage users to send in claims to check, while making it clear what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable. Include links where appropriate. If you do not allow this, explain why.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

As we previously stated, we have a blog post encouraging users to send us messages through WhatsApp https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/

We also detail all different ways readers can get in touch with us on our home page, section Quem Somos e o que Fazemos.

Another way of reaching out to our readership is through Estadão's social media. Example: https://www.instagram.com/stories/highlights/17849055179530607/ 

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verfica has highlighted on its home page a text that explains what readers can do to suggest fact-checks and how the applicant will handle these suggestions. A similar text is posted on a page whose link is fixed, also prominently, on the home page. That page describes the methodology, mentions that Estadão follows the IFCN code of principles, and provides the ways for the audience to send suggestions and criticisms.


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Section 6: A commitment to an Open & Honest Corrections Policy

To be compliant on corrections policy, applicants must meet these five criteria

  • 6.1 The applicant has a corrections or complaints policy that is easily visible and accessible on the organization’s website or frequently referenced in broadcasts.
  • 6.2 The policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, how major mistakes, especially those requiring revised conclusions of a fact check, are handled, and the fact that some complaints may justify no response. This policy is adhered to scrupulously.
  • 6.3 Where credible evidence is provided that the applicant has made a mistake worthy of correction, the applicant makes a correction openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.
  • 6.4 The applicant, if an existing signatory, should either on its corrections/complaints page or on the page where it declares itself an IFCN signatory inform users that if they believe the signatory is violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN, with a link to the IFCN site.
  • 6.5 If the applicant is the fact-checking unit of a media company, it is a requirement of signatory status that the parent media company has and adheres to an open and honest corrections policy.

Criteria 6.1
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a link to where you publish on your website your corrections or complaints policy. If you are primarily a broadcaster, please provide evidence you frequently reference your corrections policy in broadcasts.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

As clearly stated in the section "Quem somos e o que fazemos" (Who we are and what we do), we publish our corrections on the same URL of the original article. We detail our correction policy further in this fixed blog post https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/ 

In this example, we corrected an information in this article after a reader message us on WhatsApp. https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/bolsonaro-alta-petrobras-predio-vitoria/                           

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica offers a link on the home page to a form in which readers can request corrections. When corrections are needed, the site edits the text, informs that the page has been updated, and describes its reason.

On the page that describes its methodology, Estadão Verifica presents its error correction policy and the contact points for reporting any inaccuracies. The applicant undertakes in that text to make the correction and publish the update on its social media channels.


done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 6.2
Proof you meet criteria
The assessor will review the corrections policy to verify it meets critera. No additional information needed.

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The Estadão Verifica team undertakes on the website to analyze all requests for corrections it receives. Once the error is confirmed, the team makes the necessary changes on the fact-checking report's page. The error correction policy is generic, but it is well applied from what can be seen in this assessment.


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 6.3
Proof you meet criteria
Please provide a short statement about how the policy was adhered to over the previous year (or six months if this is the first application) including evidence of two examples of the responses provided by the applicant to a correction request over the previous year. Where no correction request has been made in the previous year, you must state this in your application, which will be publicly available in the assessment if your application is successful.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

As it is stated on this blog post, we receive correction requests through a Estadão form and also on our e-mail. https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/recebeu-algum-boato-envie-para-checagem-do-estadao-verifica/

This is an example of a fact check corrected after a reader reached out to us through WhatsApp. https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/bolsonaro-alta-petrobras-predio-vitoria/

In this example, the correction was requested through e-mail. https://politica.estadao.com.br/blogs/estadao-verifica/publicacoes-distorcem-dados-e-confundem-repasses-entre-governo-federal-e-amazonas/ 

Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant provided two examples of applying its error correction policy, one case from January and the other from October 2021. In both cases, Estadão Verifica published the correction at the top of the text.

The correction includes the content update date, the corrected items, and the reason for the edition.


done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 6.4
Proof you meet criteria
If you are an existing signatory, please provide a link to show where on your site you inform users that if they believe you are violating the IFCN Code, they may inform the IFCN of this, with a link to the complaints page on the IFCN site.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Estadão Verifica is already a signatory to the IFCN code of principles. On the page describing its methodology, the applicant explains the code and reaffirms its commitment. The website also informs readers that they can use a form to submit a complaint directly to the IFCN if they think any action violates any of the principles.


done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.

Criteria 6.5
Proof you meet criteria
If you are the fact-checking unit of a media company, please provide a link to the parent media company’s honest and open corrections policy and provide evidence that it adheres to this.

Estadão Verifica
20-Oct-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago
Sergio Lüdtke Assessor
20-Nov-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The Estadão website has a page that lists all the texts that had any corrections. In it, there is a form for readers to report errors. This page is accessible by a link located at the bottom of the website.

We couldn't find a page that describes the organization's error correction policy.


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Sergio Lüdtke.