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.

Les Surligneurs

Organization: Les Surligneurs
Applicant: Vincent Couronne
Assessor: Laurent Bigot
Edits made by the organization after this assessment

IFCN Staff wrote:



Background

Les Surligneurs was set up in 2017, exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking, in France. Its team (60 volunteers and 3 interns) works in French.

Les Surligneurs has also launched monthly events (suspended since the coronavirus pandemic) related to fact checking.

The main activity of Les Surligneurs is related to legal checking: they publish articles that highlight mistakes made by politicians and confront them with the law.

France, where this medium is based, is a democratic country which allows "Les Surligneurs" to work independently. 

Assessment Conclusion

According to my second assessment, Les Surligneurs seem to be a reliable fact-checking partner.

Changes about criteria 4.1, 6.1 & 6.2 have been made.

This media is now compliant with all the new principles enacted by the IFCN. 

We still encourage "Les Surligneurs" to take a good look at the evaluation of the other criteria, as they contain recommendations to bring the site more in line with the IFCN code of principles.

on 10-May-2021 (2 years ago)

Laurent Bigot assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

Le site "Les Surligneurs" a été créé en 2017 dans l'objectif de réaliser du "legal-checking". L'activité principale des Surligneurs est ainsi liée à la vérification juridique: ils publient des articles qui mettent en évidence les erreurs des politiques et les confrontent à la loi. Leur équipe (60 bénévoles et 3 stagiaires) travaille en français. Les Surligneurs ont également lancé des événements mensuels (suspendus depuis la pandémie de coronavirus) liés à la vérification des faits.

La France, où se trouve ce média, est un pays démocratique qui permet aux «Surligneurs» de travailler de manière indépendante.

Il s'agit de la première demande d'adhésion des Surligneurs au Code de principes de l'IFCN. 

Et à l'issue de ce processus de réévaluation, les Surligneurs ont favorablement corrigé les manquements aux critères 4.1, 6.1 & 6.2.

A noter : l'évaluation initiale du site laissait entrevoir que plusieurs autres critères (marqués ici, cette fois-ci, comme conformes) mériteraient d'être mieux respectés ; il est nécessaire d'anticiper dès aujourd'hui une éventuelle prochaine candidature pour se mettre en conformité.

Le site pourra être un partenaire fiable de l'IFCN en matière de vérification des faits (fact-checking et debunking).

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

Les Surligneurs makes it a point of honour to be as transparent as possible, that's why on our website, by clicking on “Mentions légales” (legal notices) you will find information about our legal status. The legal status of the association is available here : https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:673f5068-a450-4478-9573-e1e8da589079 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs is a legally registered organization.

All the evidences of its legal registration are presented in the “Mentions légales” section, in the Menu, here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/


Les Surligneurs is headquartered in Paris 35, rue du Retrait, 75020 France) and is registered in the trade and companies register under number 884 638 149 R.C.S. Paris.

Information about the status of Les Surligneurs is set out quite clearly, and is quite quick to find.


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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?

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

1) The idea of Les Surligneurs emerged during the French presidential election of 2017. Many of the candidate proposals were either approximative or wrong in the light of the law. In order to clarify the debate, we have decided to examine their proposals from a legal point of view. Thus, it was with the aim of re-establishing the truth that we started our legal checking work. Since the beginning of our project, we have published more than 600 articles.

2) Les Surligneurs is a non-partisan French organization that consists of a core of permanent workers (Vincent Couronne, Tania Racho and Jean-Paul Markus). Moreover, we have around 60 volunteers and 3 interns, including university lecturers, students and lawyers. They have the mission to find legally false statements but also to write some articles.

Our management team is composed of Vincent Couronne as publication director, Jean-Paul Markus as Editor-in-chief and Tania Racho as head-editor in European law.

3) The main activity of our organization is related to legal checking. We publish articles that highlight mistakes made by politicians and confront them with the law. Moreover, we have created a podcast on fact check about the European Union. We also have our own radio program broadcast by Euradio Lyon.

In addition to this, we organize monthly events (suspended since the coronavirus pandemic) related to fact checking. Our last event, was a debate on the topic “is fact checking useful?” with our associate Adrien Sénécat from Les Décodeurs (the fact checking section of the newspaper Le Monde).

Last but not least, we regularly work with students to bring them a Media Literacy Education, to enable them to verify online information.

We currently are on the process to start professional training activities.

4) Given that France is entering into a new round of elections including the presidential, legislative and local elections, we have for objective to follow them very closely.

Moreover, owing to the fact that it is the second time that we cover these events, we have planned to write a series of books on specific themes (such as Europe, Health matters, environmental issues, etc.), using our previous articles.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs was set up in 2017, exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking, in France. Its team (60 volunteers and 3 interns) works in French.

Les Surligneurs has also launched monthly events (suspended since the coronavirus pandemic) related to fact checking.

For the next few months, the objective of Les Surligneurs is to cover the presidential, legislative and local elections, and to follow them very closely.

The answers provided by Les Surligneurs seem trustworthy.


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago
Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Les Surligneurs team  attached a Google doc to its application. In view of what we have observed, they publish at least one fact check a week over the twelve months of publishing track.

In the future, it would be useful for the site to not only disclose the dates of the assertions it verifies, but also the date of its publications.


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

According to our assessment, the fact-checking articles of Les Surligneurs are in line with IFCN's expectations.

We find that these fact checks deal in majority (more than 75%) with “public interest” issues that “relate to or could have an impact on the well-being of individuals, the general public or society”.


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

Les Surligneurs does not have any direct link with the State, and we are completely independent of any politicians and political parties. The project is financially supported by membership fees, donations from individuals - both of them amouting for 5 % of the incomes - and by the “Chaire Citoyenneté” research center of Sciences Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye (public political science school).

Furthermore, in 2017 et 2020, we have received funding from the VIP (Versailles Institutions Publiques) research center of the University of Versailles Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines, which is a public university.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant’s editorial output is not, for us, controlled by the state, a political party or politician.

Les Surligneurs sets out how the team ensure the editorial independence of its work:

"WHO FINANCES THE HIGHLIGHTERS?

The project is financially supported by membership fees, donations from individuals, by the Hippocrene Foundation, the VIP laboratory and La Diagonale of Paris-Saclay University. The Citizenship Chair of Sciences Po Saint-Germain-en-Laye also made a financial contribution."

The team also explains: "The editorial choices of Les Surligneurs are made with complete independence from the funders." ("Notre méthode" section, in the Menu page, her: https://lessurligneurs.eu/)


done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

On our website, you will find all the information needed on the page named “Notre méthode" (accessible from main page).

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The team explains: "The editorial choices of Les Surligneurs are made with complete independence from the funders." ("Notre méthode" section, in the Menu page, her: https://lessurligneurs.eu/)

Without founding from local or foreign state or political sources.


done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

Our non-partisanship is one of the commitments of Les Surligneurs. As you will see in these 10 fact checks, we have fact checked a wide panel of politicians, from the far left to the far right. Each of these articles respects the same strict method which consists of: firstly, we look for problematic statements (compared to the law) made by politicians. They can be legally problematic because they are either false, or they need more precision, or they are simply impossible. And then we confront them with the law. By following this method, we analyze what is problematical in the statement and not the political figure. Therefore, this method ensures total objectivity, and a fine approach to the intensity of the politician’s mistake.

Links:

Éric Piolle, Europe Écologie Les Verts, Mayor of Grenoble: https://lessurligneurs.eu/grenoble-apres-un-premier-arrete-anti-pesticides-annule-par-le-juge-le-maire-eric-piolle-tente-un-arrete-anti-dechets-contre-les-pesticides/ 

Florian Philippot, Les Patriotes, President of Les Patriotes: https://lessurligneurs.eu/florian-philippot-le-decret-sur-lenseignement-de-larabe-a-lecole-decoule-directement-dune-politique-de-lunion-europeenne/

Nicolas Bay, Rassemblement national, Member of the European parliament: https://lessurligneurs.eu/nicolas-bay-rn-a-propos-de-generation-identitaire-est-ce-quune-association-lorsquelle-deplait-a-m-darmanin-ca-suffit-pour-quelle-soit-dissoute/

Christian Jacob, Les Républicains, French deputy : https://lessurligneurs.eu/christian-jacob-president-des-republicains-la-justice-est-a-larret-complet/

Audrey Pulvar, Parti socialiste, candidate for local government elections: https://lessurligneurs.eu/audrey-pulvar-propose-la-creation-de-nouvelles-taxes-pour-financer-la-gratuite-des-transports-des-2026-en-ile-de-france/ 

Hervé Morin, Les Centristes, President of Les Centristes: https://lessurligneurs.eu/herve-morin-annonce-etre-en-discussions-avec-un-laboratoire-pour-que-les-regions-puissent-acheter-des-vaccins-et-que-tous-ceux-qui-vont-bosser-le-matin-puissent-etre-vaccine/

Nadine Morano, Les Républicains, Member of the European parliament: https://lessurligneurs.eu/nadine-morano-un-probleme-pour-donner-lidentite-de-cette-racaille-condamnee-11-fois-qui-contribue-au-desordre-public-soutien-total-a-la-police/

Jean-Luc Mélenchon, La France Insoumise, French deputy: https://lessurligneurs.eu/jean-luc-melenchon-belloubet-interdit-la-visite-de-prison-au-depute-insoumis-ugobernalicis/

Marine Le Pen, Rassemblement National, President of Rassemblement National: https://lessurligneurs.eu/marine-le-pen-deplore-que-lapologie-du-terrorisme-ne-permette-pas-de-revoquer-le-statut-de-refugie/

Gérald Darmanin, La République en Marche, Minister of the Interior: https://lessurligneurs.eu/gerald-darmanin-aujourdhui-nous-ne-pouvons-pas-fermer-des-lieux-de-culte-ou-des-discours-de-haine-sont-portes/

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant fact-checks use the same high standards of evidence and judgement for equivalent claims regardless of who made the claim. We didn't find any example of unfair treatment...


done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

On our website, you will find all the information needed on the page "Notre méthode" accessible from the main page.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs does not seem to unduly concentrate its fact-checking on any one side; it seems to consider the reach and importance of claims it selects to check; and it publishes an explaination on its website to set out how it selects claims to check, here :

"Notre méthode" section, in the Menu page, here: https://lessurligneurs.eu/

"We highlight the comments made publicly by public figures (elected officials, candidates, and any person participating in the public debate); the subject must contain a legal dimension; the statement must be, with regard to the law, either erroneous, or call for a more or less strong nuance. Legally correct words are not dealt with unless they are publicly challenged. As far as possible, a balance is respected between the different political sensitivities present in the media."


done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs disclose in its fact checks relevant interests of the sources it quotes and 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.


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs are not as an organization affiliated with any party, any politician or political candidate. It doesn't advocate for or against any policy positions on any issues.


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

Please see the statement on the main page and the page "Notre Méthode" accessible from the main page https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

See also the Code of ethics, accessible from Notre méthode page : https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Ac2bae066-7aab-45d5-ae79-d15b78f8de75#pageNum=1 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs explain their policies to preserve its non-partisan way of fact-checking claims on a page titled “Notre méthode”, in the menu section, here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/

It evokes :

"As far as possible, a balance is respected between the different political sensitivities present in the media."


Their code of ethics is foundable via their website here:
https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/track?uri=urn%3Aaaid%3Ascds%3AUS%3Ac2bae066-7aab-45d5-ae79-d15b78f8de75#pageNum=1

It evokes :

"Independence from all powers, freedom of choice of subjects and their treatment, critical thinking; Neutrality, impartiality, objectivity; exclusion of any political or even hateful comments; political balance;"


done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

For our legal checking work, we mainly use primary legal sources such as European treaties or laws from official sources (eur-lex.europa.eu, Constitutional council, legifrance.gouv.fr). Nevertheless, we sometimes use secondary sources like articles from other media. All sources are cited in our articles (with a hyperlink). Legal sources do not include undisclosed legal materials such as legal contracts between private parties. All legal sources Les Surligneurs use are accessible online.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs identify the source of all significant evidence used in its fact checks (primary legal sources such as European treaties or laws from official sources). They also provide relevant links where the source is available online, in such a way that users can replicate their work if they wish.



done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs use the best available primary sources of evidence. 


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs check all key elements of claims against more than one named source of evidence, even if their legal checking activity often requires them to use only one source.


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs identify in their fact checks the relevant interests of the sources they use where the reader might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.



done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

The SARL (Société à responsabilité limitée) company is the editor of the website lessurligneurs.eu. The SARL is independent. The website carries activities of fact-checking only and is not the fact-checking section or the unit of a media house or other parent organization.

The association Les Surligneurs is a non-profit organization aiming at supporting the participation of student and volunteers to the functioning of the website.

In the section named “Notre méthode” a statement ensures that lessurligneurs.eu defines its editorial line independently. In Mentions légales page a statement explains that the association Les Surligneurs cannot influence the editorial line of the media.

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Statuts Les Surligne... (457 KB)
Les Surligneurs
04-May-2021 (2 years ago)

The SARL (Société à responsabilité limitée) company is the editor of the website lessurligneurs.eu. The SARL is independent. The website carries activities of fact-checking only and is not the fact-checking section or the unit of a media house or other parent organization.

The association Les Surligneurs is a non-profit organization aiming at supporting the participation of student and volunteers to the functioning of the website.

In the section named “Notre méthode” a statement ensures that lessurligneurs.eu defines its editorial line independently. In Mentions légales page a statement explains that the association Les Surligneurs cannot influence the editorial line of the media.

On this same "Notre méthode" page, a paragraph describes sources of funding of Les Surligneurs for its previous financial year.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs are an independent organization.

And there's a page that sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered, here:

lessurligneurs.eu (“Notre méthode” section in the menu)

But there's no page or paragraph on its website detailing with precisions each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year.


cancel 4.1 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
10-May-2021 (2 years ago)

Les Surligneurs are an independent organization.

And there's a page that sets out the legal form in which the organization is registered, here:

lessurligneurs.eu (“Notre méthode” section in the menu)

There's a paragraph on its website detailing with precisions each source of funding accounting for 5% or more of total revenue for its previous financial year.


done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

Funding is detailed on "Notre méthode" page https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

The legal form is explained on "Mentions légales" page https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs are an independent organization.

They detail their sources of funding and the legal form in which the organization is registered here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/ ("Notre méthode" section in the Menu page)



done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

The organizational structure and the way the editorial control is exercised is clarified on "Notre méthode" page. https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs present their organizational structure and makes clear how and by whom editorial control is exercised (Chief editor, editors, authors, etc.) here :

https://lessurligneurs.eu/  ("Mentions légales" section in the Menu page - name of publication director)

https://lessurligneurs.eu/ ("Le projet" section in the Menu page - name of all the members)


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

On our website, you will find all the information needed on the section named “Le Projet” (The Project). https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs present a page detailing the professional biography of all those who play a significant part in its articles here :

https://lessurligneurs.eu/ ("Le projet" section in the Menu page - name of all the members)


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

- In the statement on the main page: https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

- On the page "Notre méthode' > "Nous contacter": https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

- At the bottom of each article: https://lessurligneurs.eu/olivier-veran-reflechit-a-conditionner-le-droit-de-sortie-des-residents-dehpad-a-leur-vaccination/ 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

It’s quite easy for readers to contact Les Surligneur’s team: there’s an email address here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/ ("Notre méthode" section in the Menu page)

It would be better to make this means of communication easier in the future.


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

https://lessurligneurs.eu/ on "Notre méthode" page, containing as well our Code of ethics.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Les Surligneurs give precisions about its fact-checking methodology, here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/  ("Notre méthode" page, in the Menu page)

The details are in line withe the specific domain that Les Surligneurs explore : the legal-checking. 


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs select claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims, and sometimes explain the reason for choosing the claim to check.



done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs set out in its fact checks relevant evidence that appears to support the claim as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.


done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs assess the merits of the evidence found using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

Since 15 June 2020, Les Surligneurs send an email or a private message on social media or via any other way aiming at establishing a contact, to those who made the claim. The answer is always taken into account. In addition, whether those who made the claim answered or not, a reference to the attempt to contact is made in the article.

The first case of this new policy can be read here : https://lessurligneurs.eu/nicolas-bay-rn-veut-abroger-la-directive-europeennes-sur-les-travailleurs-detaches/ 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In view of what we have observed, Les Surligneurs seeks where possible to contact those who made the claim.



done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

Firstly, in a statement on our main page, users are encouraged to contact us by email if they have found a problematic statement, after reading the criteria according to which a statement can be fact-cheked: https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

Secondly, on the section named “Notre méthode", users are encouraged to do the same. https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

Thirdly, we encourage users to send in claims via our social medias such as Twitter and Facebook.

Concerning what readers can legitimately expect will be fact-checked and what isn’t fact-checkable, we clearly mention it on the section named “Notre méthode". We also directly answer to the request on our social media as you can see here: https://twitter.com/V_Couronne/status/1238370702232862722?s=20

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

There’s an e-mail address for readers who want to submit claims to fact-check on Les Surligneurs website. We can find it in the homepage here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/

And the address is also here:  https://lessurligneurs.eu/ (“Notre méthode" section, in the Menu page).

It explains :

"A political comment to report to us? See how to do it in "Our method" and write to us.

Don’t hesitate: it’s in the public interest."


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago) Updated: 3 years ago

On "Notre méthode" page, it is stated that "En cas d’erreur, l’article est amendé avec mention de l’ajout en pied d’article". (In case of a mistake, the article is modified and the modification is referenced at the bottom of the article). https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

At the bottom of each article, it is written "Une erreur dans cet article ? Faites-le nous savoir !" (A mistake in this article? Tell us!), including an hyperlink to the contact email. See here for an example https://lessurligneurs.eu/jean-luc-melenchon-lfi-levons-les-brevets-sur-les-vaccins-pas-de-profit-sur-la-sante/ 

For an example of an article which has been modified, please see https://lessurligneurs.eu/didier-raoult-nous-continuerons-a-traiter-nos-patients-avec-les-traitements-que-nous-estimons-les-plus-adaptes-en-letat-actuel-de-la-science-et-des-connaissances/ 

Les Surligneurs
04-May-2021 (2 years ago)

On "Notre méthode" page, it is stated that "En cas d’erreur, l’article est amendé avec mention de l’ajout en pied d’article". (In case of a mistake, the article is modified and the modification is referenced at the bottom of the article). https://lessurligneurs.eu/ 

At the bottom of each article, it is written "Une erreur dans cet article ? Faites-le nous savoir : contact@lessurligneurs.eu" (A mistake in this article? Tell us: contact@lessurligneurs.eu). The same email address is made available in "Notre méthode" and "Le projet" sections. As such, the reader is able to send an us an email. See here for an example https://lessurligneurs.eu/jean-luc-melenchon-lfi-levons-les-brevets-sur-les-vaccins-pas-de-profit-sur-la-sante/ 

For an example of an article which has been modified, please see https://lessurligneurs.eu/didier-raoult-nous-continuerons-a-traiter-nos-patients-avec-les-traitements-que-nous-estimons-les-plus-adaptes-en-letat-actuel-de-la-science-et-des-connaissances/ 

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs' website give precisions about its corrections policy in a specific webpage, here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/ ("Notre méthode" section in the Menu page)

So Les Surligneurs has a corrections policy that is easily visible and accessible. 

But all the hyperlinks lead to the opening of an Outlook messaging ... If this messaging is not correctly configured by the Internet user, it is impossible for him to send a message. Better than Les Surligneurs refer to a specific online form.



cancel 6.1 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
10-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs' website give precisions about its corrections policy in a specific webpage, here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/ ("Notre méthode" section in the Menu page)

So Les Surligneurs has a corrections policy that is easily visible and accessible. 

And it's possible for the readers to send messages. 



done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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

Les Surligneurs
04-May-2021 (2 years ago)

The definitions of the correction policy have been added in "Le Projet" and "Notre méthode" sections, as well as in the code of ethics. It states as follow :

"Readers are also welcome to comment on publications by writing to contact@lessurligneurs.eu. We give an answer by email, and we either take into account the comment and mention the amendment at the end of the article, or we explain the reader why his or her comment hasn't been taken into account.

The other way round, we may not answer whenever the reader's comment isn't a legal opinion but in fact a political one, whenever the comment's aim is not to amend an article, and whenever the comment is part of a digital harassment strategy."

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs' corrections policy sets out :

"-The reader is also a proofreader. At the bottom of each article, any reader can contact the editorial team and dispute a point in the article. Les Surligneurs always respond. In case of error, the article is amended with mention of the addition at the bottom of the article.

- Have you spotted an error in one of our articles? Tell us, and we will correct it after the necessary checks. We always respond to your requests."

Les Surligneurs don't explain in their website that some complaints may justify no response. And their policy doesn't set out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, Les Surligneurs' code of ethics doesn't mention the correction policy at all...


cancel 6.2 marked as Request change by Laurent Bigot.
Laurent Bigot Assessor
10-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs' corrections policy sets out :

"-The reader is also a proofreader. At the bottom of each article, any reader can contact the editorial team and dispute a point in the article. Les Surligneurs always respond. In case of error, the article is amended with mention of the addition at the bottom of the article.

- Have you spotted an error in one of our articles? Tell us, and we will correct it after the necessary checks. We always respond to your requests."

Les Surligneurs explain in their website that some complaints may justify no response. And their policy sets out clear definitions of what it does and does not cover, Les Surligneurs' code of ethics mentions the transparency of their relationship with their readers, but note clearly their correction policy...


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

In January 2021, a politician, Mr Glucksmann, gave us more information on a statement we had written an article about. In light of his remarks we modified the article. The modification is signaled at the bottom of the article https://lessurligneurs.eu/dapres-raphael-glucksman-lunion-europeenne-ne-dispose-pas-dinstruments-commerciaux-qui-permettent-dinterdire-des-produits-dentrer-sur-le-marche-europeen-provenant/  

However, readers ask us for clarifications rather than correction. We receive these requests mainly via twitter. We answer them directly, as you can see here https://twitter.com/MenezUhel/status/1237747605674831873 and here https://twitter.com/V_Couronne/status/1258749139136978944?s=20.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs provide evidence that it makes corrections openly and transparently, seeking as far as possible to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.

Les Surligneurs give only one example of correction in their website, here:

https://lessurligneurs.eu/dapres-raphael-glucksman-lunion-europeenne-ne-dispose-pas-dinstruments-commerciaux-qui-permettent-dinterdire-des-produits-dentrer-sur-le-marche-europeen-provenant/

Les Surligneurs should make a statement (in this application form) to explain that no other correction request has been made in the previous six months...



done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

We are not an existing signatory.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Les Surligneurs are not an existing signatory.



done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.

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.

Les Surligneurs
05-Mar-2021 (3 years ago)

We are not the fact-checking unit of a media company.

Laurent Bigot Assessor
01-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Not concerned. 

But Les Surligneurs should mention their correction policy in their own code of ethics...


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Laurent Bigot.