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.

The Logical Indian

Organization: The Logical Indian
Applicant: Abhishek Mazumdar
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur

Background

The applicant, The Logical Indian Fact Check is part of The Logical Indian, a digital media organization, which, in turn, is a unit of 5W1H media, registered legally. The unit has been exclusively set up for the purpose of fact-checking and the applicant has published an average of one fact-check a week over the last year; most fact checks are in the public interest and are mostly around political topics. The applicant states that it does not receive any funding from any political sources—local or foreign—and that its work is not controlled by any politician or political party.

The applicant uses the same standards of evidence for judging equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. It considers the reach and importance of the claims it selects. Sources are clearly mentioned and the reader might reasonably conclude if the sources could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. The applicant has no affiliation with any political party and does not advocate for or against any policy positions. Its non-partisanship policy for staff is easily accessible on its site and its staff stays away from policy issues.

It identifies all sources clearly, providing links where the source is available online. Readers can replicate the fact check if they wish to. Primary sources are mainly used, and all main elements of claims are checked against more than one source. The applicant clearly identifies the sources it uses.

On its ownership and funding page, the applicant has put out the legal registration form for its parent company and makes a statement of ownership. The organizational structure of the applicant consists of two people—an editor and an intern. The biographies of the two people who make up the team are on the website. Users can communicate with the applicant easily—through the website, a Contact Us page with a form, email and social media.

The applicant makes a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish fact checks. It selects claims to check based on the importance of the claims and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check. In its fact checks, the applicant puts out evidence that appears to undermine it as well as that appears to support the claim, using the same standards on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. Where possible, the applicant seeks to contact those who made the claim for supporting evidence. It also encourages users to send in claims to check and explains what can be checked.

The applicant’s correction policy is easily accessible on its website and sets out how major mistakes are handled and seems to have been adhered to. It says that there has only been one instance of it getting a fact-check wrong and has linked to a correction that it has put up. This link had an error in the URL that has been changed as requested. The applicant is an existing signatory and, in its website, provides a link to the IFCN complaints page and informs the user that they may file complaints with the IFCN. The parent company has a corrections policy and three instances of corrections made by the parent company have been linked in the application. 

Assessment Conclusion

The applicant has made the changes requested and the application may be considered.

on 08-May-2022 (1 year ago)

Kanchan Kaur assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

The publication's main language is English. 

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Logical Indian Fact Check is a part of The Logical Indian, a digital media organisation. The Logical Indian is a part of 5W1H Media Private Limited with its registered office in Bangalore, India. Started in 2013, the company is founded by Abhishek Mazumdar (Co-Founder) and Anurag Mazumdar (Co-Founder).

The company is currently bootstrapped and generates revenue through online ads and sponsored articles. We promote limited and only socially relevant ads, and all such content is tagged as ‘Sponsored’ to clearly distinguish it from a regular article on the website.

The Logical Indian Fact-Check Team is independent of other editorial operations of the company and engages in fact-checking the stories and busting misinformation in mainstream and social media. This team reports directly to Abhishek Mazumdar, Chief Executive Officer of the company.

The link with documents verifying that The Fact Check team is a distinct team and the organisation it is part of a legal entity can be found here:

https://thelogicalindian.com/about/owershipandfunding

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Certificate of Incor... (113 KB) picture_as_pdf Fact Check incorpora... (308 KB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant, The Logical Indian Fact Check is part of The Logical Indian, a digital media organization, which, in turn, is a unit of 5W1H media, registered legally. The information is available on its website. 


done_all 1.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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?

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

1. The Logical Indian Fact Check division was set up on February 1, 2016. As the internet became cheaper in India, there was a sudden rise in the no. of misinformation and disinformation being circulated on social networking sites and communication platforms like WhatsApp. The fake news was not just being peddled by netizens on social media but mainstream media had also started to become a major source of much fake news. Seeing the need, The Logical Indian started its fact-checking division, with an intention to fact-check the claims made by politicians or public figures, the news reported by mainstream media and health-related fake news.

2. Currently, The Fact Check Team has two full-time employees and an intern. One person is the editor and another one is the writer, who fact-checks information. The editor also does the work of going through requests on WhatsApp from the readers who want to get certain information verified and assign them to the writer. Intern writes articles on the platform. The editor and writer also do regular videos busting fake information for the consumption of millennials.

3. Apart from fact-checking information, The Logical Indian Fact Check team does media literacy programs in schools and colleges across India for free. Understanding the need of making people aware of the ways they can verify information, the workshops are being done. A media literacy program goes a long way in the fight against fake news.

4. a) To do fact-checks in regional languages (Hindi, Bengali, Marathi, Tamil and Telugu).

b) To have a dedicated team to reply to messages we get on different platforms where our presence is. Currently, we majorly use messages we get on our WhatsApp fact-check no. as a source to find fake news that is being circulated and do fact-check on them.

c) Strengthening the media literacy program and having these workshops in the rural hinterlands of India.

d) Work on getting grants and being part of media collaborations.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The unit has been exclusively set up for the purpose of fact-checking. 


done_all 1.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Logical Indian Fact Check team focuses on fact-checking claims that matter. We do fact-checks on claims we believe that if spread, can disturb communal harmony, instigate riots, harm the reputation of an individual or an organisation, if followed can harm the health of people or influence thoughts of people. Above all, we believe that no citizens should put their vote based on fake information they have consumed, so we fact-check claims made by political leaders, parties, governments or policymakers.

We are attaching the spreadsheet of the lead topic that we covered in each fact-check we published over the 12 months prior to the date of 16th April, 2022. Except for a few, all the news we fact-checked are for the common good and safety of the public.

The articles published over the last three months can also be accessed on this link - https://thelogicalindian.com/fact-check

Files Attached
insert_drive_file Total article publis... (73 KB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant has published an average of one fact-check a week over the last year. 


done_all 1.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Most of the fact checks made by the applicant are in the public interest. 


done_all 1.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Logical Indian has a strict policy against taking political funds and political ad-campaigns. The Logical Indian and its fact-check division don't have any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship with the state, politicians or political parties in the country. The Logical Indian is bootstrapped and hasn't taken any funding to explain funding or support received from foreign as well as local state or political actors over the previous financial year.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant’s work is not controlled by the state or a political party. 


done_all 1.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

We don't take funding from local or foreign state of political sources

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The applicant states that it does not receive any funding from any political sources—local or foreign.


done_all 1.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Fact Check team at The Logical Indian is always on the lookout for any news/social media posts where false information has been shared as a fact, or correct information is being shared as incorrect. A few examples of posts we take up are:

1) We verify claims made by politicians/people in important governmental positions in India

2) Information being shared against or in favour of political parties/leaders which appear untrue.

3) Posts by Facebook pages/Twitter handles spreading hate using fake information Messages from our readers, who mail/text us anything which looks suspicious.

4) Scams/Rumours which can cause fear or panic amongst people.

5) Misinformation on health or even related to business/economy.

To ensure that we verify the most viral claims, we depend on our WhatsApp fact-check no., we check for the no. of requests we have got on a piece of particular information that is being sent to us and also we google/Facebook search/Twitter search the text with which the posts are being shared to check the virality of the content.

https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/#tlifactcheckmethodology

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

It does not concentrate its fact-checking on any one side and it considers the reach and importance of the claims it selects. 


done_all 2.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Sources are clearly mentioned and the reader might reasonably conclude if the sources could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided. 


done_all 2.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Logical Indian's origin is related to Aam Aadmi Party and India Against Corruption (IAC) movement. In 2011, the country was going through a churning when there was a lot of anger against the alleged corruptions going on in the country. IAC movement brought the youth of the country out on the streets and for many it was a moment of realisation that we as citizens have hope of better governance and accountability, and the movement inspired the Founders of The Logical Indian. The Founders of The Logical Indian don't have any affiliation with AAP or any other political party. The movement led to the origin of AAP and we at the starting day of the platform (early 2014) supported the ideas proposed by them as they were relatable to the Youth. As we grew as the news platform, we have been nonpartisan and unbiased in coverage of any of the political parties.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant has no affiliation with any politician or political party and does not advocate for or against any policy positions. 


done_all 2.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

Non-Partisanship Policy - https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/#tlifactchecknonpartisan

As a digital media platform, The Logical Indian strives to achieve the highest standard of journalism. In pursuance of the same standard, The Logical Indian has a clear policy to not take donations, investments or grants from a political party or any individual leader representing a political party. The Logical Indian including its fact-checking team has a stringent policy for its employees to not be part of any political party, think tanks associated with political parties, advocacy groups or NGOs which are affiliated with political parties. Employees aren’t allowed to support even independent political candidates which might put question marks on the credibility of the individual or the organisation. Employees are expected to not be partisan while expressing their political views in public and that is reflected through our social media policy which is applicable to not just the editorial team but everyone part of the company. Disciplinary actions are taken in case of violation depending on the impact of the act.

A clause from our Social Media Policy, the scope of which applies to all the employees of 5W1H Media Private Limited. Here's the clause -

"5W1H Media staffers must be aware that the opinions they express may damage 5W1H Media’s reputation as an unbiased source of news. 5W1H staffers must refrain from declaring their views on contentious public issues in any public forum and must not take part in organized action in support of causes or movements. Staffers must not include political affiliations in their profiles and should not make any postings that express political views expressing consistent inclination towards a political party, ideology, leader or a member. All political views must be neutral or solution-oriented "

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

It’s non-partisanship policy for staff is easily accessible on its site and its staff stays away from policy issues. 


done_all 2.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant identifies all sources clearly, providing links where the source is available online. Readers can replicate the fact check if they wish to. 


done_all 3.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Primary sources are mainly used, though secondary sources, too are used. 


done_all 3.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

All main elements of claims are checked against more than one source. 


done_all 3.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant clearly identifies the sources it uses. 


done_all 3.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Logical Indian Fact Check is a unit of The Logical Indian, a digital media platform. The proof of the same is attached here.

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf Fact Check incorpora... (308 KB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

On its ownership and funding page, the applicant has put out the legal registration form for its parent company. 


done_all 4.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Logical Indian is part of 5W1H Media Private Limited with its registered office in Bangalore, India. Started in 2013, the company is founded by Abhishek Mazumdar (Co-Founder) and Anurag Mazumdar (Co-Founder).

https://thelogicalindian.com/about/owershipandfunding

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Since it is a unit of the parent company, it makes a statement of ownership.


done_all 4.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

For a news organization, The Logical Indian believes it is important to have clearly defined roles and a formal structure of your fact-check team. The Logical Indian aims to ensure straightforward and best practices in fact-checking.

The structure of the fact-check team can be accessed at this link- https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/

The Logical Indian
10-May-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

For a news organization, The Logical Indian believes it is important to have clearly defined roles and a formal structure. The Logical Indian aims to ensure straightforward and best practices in fact-checking.

The Logical Indian overall crew: https://thelogicalindian.com/our-crew

The structure of the fact-checking team - https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/

The Logical Indian Fact team has an editor, a writer and an intern. The team reports directly to Abhishek Mazumdar, CEO of the company.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant makes a statement on organizational structure. In the application here, it says that it "believes it is important to have clearly defined roles and a formal structure of your fact-check team". However, it has only two people in its fact checking team—an editor and an intern. So, one can debate about how the organizational structure helps in ensuring accurate and reliable fact checks.


cancel 4.3 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-May-2022 (1 year ago)

The applicant makes a statement on organizational structure. In the application here, it says that it "believes it is important to have clearly defined roles and a formal structure of your fact-check team". However, it has only two people in its fact checking team—an editor and an intern.


done_all 4.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The biographies of those who are part of The Logical Indian fact-check team: https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/

The Logical Indian
10-May-2022 (1 year ago)

The biographies of those who are part of The Logical Indian fact-check team: https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The biographies of the two people who make up the team are put out on the website. However, the biography of the second person clearly has a mistake in the gender stated.


cancel 4.4 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
11-May-2022 (1 year ago)

The biographies of the two people who make up the team are put out on the website.


done_all 4.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

At the end of each article, we encourage our readers to send us information that they want to be verified. The text reads, "If you have any news that you believe needs to be fact-checked, please email us at factcheck@thelogicalindian.com or WhatsApp at 6364000343." Also, if readers miss that, we also have a poster at the end of each fact-check article asking users for the same.

Readers can also submit their claim for verification at the 'Contact Us' page of our website. The 'Contact Us' option is available at the top right corner of the website. 'Contact Us' option is also available in the footer of the website. The contact us option will be visible for readers on all the pages of the website. The link to the contact us page is https://thelogicalindian.com/contact-us-3/

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant provides easy means for users to communicate through its website. It has a Contact Us page with a form and has put out email addresses. It can also be contacted through social media.


done_all 4.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

On the about us section of The Logical Indian Fact Check, the methodology of selection, research, writing and publishing of our fact checks is available: https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/#tlifactcheckmethodology

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant makes a statement about the methodology it uses to select, research, write and publish fact checks.


done_all 5.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant selects claims to check based on the importance of the claims and where possible explains the reason for choosing the claim to check. 


done_all 5.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

In its fact checks, the applicant puts out evidence that appears to undermine it as well as that appears to support the claim. 


done_all 5.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant uses the same standards on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. 


done_all 5.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Where possible, the applicant seeks to contact those who made the claim for supporting evidence. 


done_all 5.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

We verify any kind of information which are important to the public. At the end of each article, we encourage our readers to send us information that they want to be verified. The text reads, "If you have any news that you believe needs to be fact-checked, please email us at factcheck@thelogicalindian.com or WhatsApp at 6364000343."

Also, if readers miss that, we also have a poster at the end of each fact-check article asking users for the same.

In the methodology section of our website, we have explained what kind of claims readers can expect to be fact-checked. The link is here: https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/#tlifactcheckmethodology

Additionally, on the 'Contact Us' page where readers can submit any information they want to be verified, we have explained what kind of claims The Logical Indian verifies. https://thelogicalindian.com/contact-us-3/

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check and explains what can or can not be checked. 


done_all 5.6 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago)

The Logical Indian as an organisation has always been upfront in owning its mistakes and apart from corrections, in the case of major blunders, we have issued public apology to our readers. The same value is carried by The Logical Indian Fact Check team. For any factual error in our fact-check article, as it comes to our notice, we do a revised article with a new conclusion and explain the correction at the top of the article and distribute it on all the social media platforms where our presence is.

There are multiple avenues where our readers can reach out to point out any correction in our contents. The one avenue which our readers often use is "suggest a correction" tab that is available at the end of each fact-check article. The screenshot of the same option is attached here. The other way is they can email directly to us at factcheck@thelogicalindian.com.

The overall correction policy with details of different kinds of errors and the ways we addressed them is summed up here:

The Logical Indian fact-check team takes all effort to ensure that any of the information that goes live is verified. We endeavour to be promptly responsive in correcting errors in the material published on our platform. When we run a correction, clarification on our social media handles or share an editor’s note, our goal is to tell readers, as clearly and quickly as possible, what was wrong and what is correct. Anyone should be able to understand how and why a mistake has been corrected.

Updating a Report

We make it a practice to put notes on stories if a story has been updated. It is important for us to use a correction or clarification to inform readers whenever we correct a significant mistake or edit a story to include comments and updates from a stakeholder.

Corrections

If we are substantively correcting an article, photo caption, headline, graphic, video or other material, we promptly publish a correction explaining the need for the said change. For any factual error in our fact-check article, as it comes to our notice, we do a revised article with a new conclusion and explain the correction at the top of the article and distribute it on all the social media platforms where our presence is.

Clarification

When our journalism is factually correct but the language we used to explain those facts is not as clear or detailed as it should be, the language is rewritten and clarification is added to the story. A clarification is also used to note if we initially failed to seek a comment or response that has since been added to the story.

Other Corrections Policies

When we publish erroneous information on social networks, we correct it on that platform. We retract the incorrect information if we cannot alter it.

If one believes a story we have published is inaccurate, please suggest corrections via the ‘Suggest A Correction’ section that appears at the end of every web story that is published. We also request our community members to send the correction to factcheck@thelogicalindian.com.

The Logical Indian correction policy can be assessed in our about us section: https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/#tlifactcheckcorrectionpolicy

Files Attached
Screenshot 2020-05-2... (147 KB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant’s correction policy is easily accessible on its website. 


done_all 6.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The policy sets out clearly how major mistakes are handled and seems to have been adhered to. 


done_all 6.2 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

Since the inception of The Logical Indian fact-check team, there has been only one instance when there was an error in our fact-check article and we apologised for the error and put the correct information with the apology.

https://thelogicalindian.com/fact-check/old-image-of-iskcon-temple-distributing-food-viral-34184

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant says that there has only been one instance of it getting a fact-check wrong and has linked to a correction that it has put up. However, the text in the URL to the story mentions a different story completely. It might be a good idea to change it. As a fact-checker, the applicant needs to be accurate in its work. 


done_all 6.3 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

We have linked it on the corrections policy section informing users about the complaints page on the IFCN website: https://thelogicalindian.com/about-fact-checking/#tlifactcheckcorrectionpolicy

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The applicant is an existing signatory and, in its website, provides a link to the IFCN complaints page and informs the user that they may file complaints with the IFCN. 


done_all 6.4 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

The Logical Indian
16-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The link to the parent media company's correction policy: https://thelogicalindian.com/policy/corrections

Since its existence, The Logical Indian has always believed in giving accurate information to our readers. In case of factual errors/major blunders, we have issued a public apology with corrections. We have done articles too on our mistakes to ensure that users of the original see the correction and the corrected version.

Here are a few links to the corrections made in case of error:

https://twitter.com/logicalindians/status/1382983812620029953

https://www.instagram.com/p/CaB8gjyqaop/

https://www.facebook.com/logical.indian/photos/a.480080892121635/3985638641565825/


Kanchan Kaur Assessor
24-Apr-2022 (1 year ago) Updated: 1 year ago

The parent company has a corrections policy and three instances of corrections made by the parent company have been linked in the application. 


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.