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.

Youturn

Organization: Youturn
Applicant: Gowthami Ramasamy
Assessor: Kanchan Kaur

Background

The applicant is a legally registered organization exclusively focused on fact-checking. It plans to upgrade to a multilingual website soon. Averaging more than one fact check a week over the last year, its focus has been around issues of public importance.

The applicant depends on advertisement revenue and subscription, apart from monies it gets as a third-party fact checker. It does not have any apparent links with the state or a political party and it confirms that it does not receive any funding from local or foreign state or political sources.

The applicant uses the same standards for evaluating equivalent claims, letting the evidence dictate conclusions. It explains how it considers the importance and reach of the claims it selects to check while not focusing on any one side. It does not support any political or policy positions and bars its staff from doing so, too.

All sources used are identified, with links provided so that the reader can replicate the fact checks. Primary sources are used, but secondary sources, too, have been employed and links to them provided. Efforts are made to check evidence against more than one source and sources are clearly identified so that the reader can infer if the interests of the sources could influence the outcome of the fact check.

Funding and ownership details are available on the website along with the organizational structure and professional biographies of the editorial team. Users can contact the team.

The methodology used by the applicant to select and publish fact checks is available on the website. Most claims are based on their reach and the importance. While checking a claim, the applicant usually checks all aspects of the claim and assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same standards for equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim. It encourages users to send in claims to check.

Its corrections policy, visible on its website, explains how mistakes are handled. The applicant has stated that there have been few occasions for it to make corrections, but has provided two examples of updates that were necessitated by additional information that came to light.

The applicant is an existing signatory and declares so in its website by displaying the IFCN badge. It also informs readers that they may complain to the IFCN if needed, by clicking on a link that leads to the complaints page of the IFCN.

Assessment Conclusion

The application may be accepted. 

on 10-Jul-2021 (2 years ago)

Kanchan Kaur assesses application as Compliant

A short summary in native publishing language

The applicant may be asked to provide this. 

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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Youturn is legally registered that is set up exclusively for the purpose of fact-checking. The same along with the registration certificate is available for the users to view on the about us page of our website. Please find the link where the registration certificate is displayed - https://youturn.in/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/YouTurn-Registration-2.pdf

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant is a legally registered organization set up exclusively for fact-checking. The certificate is easily visible on their 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?

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

1. In 2015, Social media was booming and creating a huge impact all around. Exactly around that year in Tamil Nadu, Chennai floods happened and brought people together around via social media. But at the same time, several rumors that were going rounds majorly in social media impacted society negatively. This made us fact-check the claims that are viral in social media which would have a severe impact on people if it goes without debunking. There were several claims during this critical time that were fake, myths, conspiracy stories were circulated as real news on social media. This paved a way for us to kick start fact-checking which was a need of the hour then. We got ourselves registered in 2017 officially. Our mission is to fact-check media content in a transparent, unbiased manner and to create awareness of fake news.

2. We are a team of 5 full-time employees, 2 volunteers and a team of advisors in their field of expertise (like Doctors, Polices officials, Lawyers, and IAS/IPS officers).

It is our Founder’s thought to form this organization and he plays a major role in creating a framework for fact-checking and guiding the team.

The editor takes care of the complete editorial part and manages the social media pages, Google News Initiative training, training students on fact-checking and other such events.

Our Multimedia Specialist works on creating memes (Images and Videos) for each fact-check in an easy way to reach social media (FB pages, Instagram and Twitter), followers. Sub-Editor is the one who creates and publishes all fact-checked articles.

Our volunteers are research analysts who assist in fact-checking the claims and gathering sources of information with the help of technology.

Expertise Advisors will be reached on a need basis to seek advice and clarity on sensitive topics (Eg: COVID-19 related fake news (on medicines and treatments) were debunked and reviewed with doctors before publishing sensitive information).

3. YouTurn’s main activity is fact-checking. Our activities revolve around fact-checking and publishing the claims that we receive, respond to those who submit a claim, suggestions or feedback, publish the same fact-checked articles in the form of Images (Memes) and videos for easy understanding, involve in Google News Initiative training, train students on fact-checking, attend fact-checking related interviews. We also create and publish general news articles apart from fact-checking and are categorized under “Articles” on the website.

Other Activities:

Youturn also created and released the Rubimath app with the help of Tech volunteers (Android mobile app which has maths tutorial video by Maths teacher - Rubi Teresa) for students to learn maths in an easy way.

https://youturn.in/articles/rubi-teacher-easy-maths.html

YouTurn Editor (Iyan Karthikeyan) also conducts self-defense classes for women safety under “Kuyili Program” at Corporate level.

4. We are on track in publishing a minimum of 15 fact-checked articles per week in Tamil and English. The major goal for us this year is to increase our team volume in order to fact-check and publish more articles and to translate all our articles into English. We also have plans on upgrading our website to multilingual so that users can switch to any language they prefer. Also, we intend to create a mobile application (Both Android and iOS). We have planned to create tutorials in video format on debugging fake news and to conduct sessions in colleges and schools. So our goal for this year, in a nutshell, is to upgrade ourselves technically, conduct more awareness events and increase our team size.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The website has been set up exclusively for fact checking but has moved into other areas like a math app. The applicant says that it plans to upgrade to a multilingual website.


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We are constantly publishing no less than 15 fact-checked articles per week since our initiation in 2017. This link gives the complete list of fact checks that we have done so far - https://youturn.in/category/factcheck.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant has been publishing fact checks regularly—averaging more than one 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

On average, 85% to 90% of our fact-checks are focussing on the claims related to issues that have an impact on society. The rest of the fact-checks are focusing on the claims related to History and Literature in order to make people understand the truths and myths.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Most fact checks by the applicant have been around issues of public importance. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Youturn is an independent organization that is self-funded and relies completely on advertising revenue, income from the articles that get published and membership subscriptions. We do not have any commercial, financial and/or institutional relationship to the state, politicians or political parties in India or all over the world. We also have not received and will not receive any financial support from foreign as well as local state or political actors.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant depends on advertisement revenue and subscription, apart from monies it gets as a third-party fact checker. It does not have any apparent links with 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We are not receiving funding from local or foreign state or political sources.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

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


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We fact-check claims no matter if it supports or against any party or person. We also fact-check all the claims and create articles providing the sources that support the fact-checks. The sources that we refer are authenticate, hence maintaining high standards. We follow the same essential process in fact-checking any claim say political or medical or whatever category it belongs to. Also please refer to the ‘Proof Links’ column that lists the sources referred at the end of each article. All our fact-checked articles maintain the same process and standard and the same can be checked in the Factcheck section of our webpage. Below is the list of 10 fact-checked articles published over the past year that demonstrates our non-partisanship. We have listed sample articles in which the claims were made by reputed news channel/person/authority, claims that supports and against state and national ruling political parties, religion, etc., 

1. https://youturn.in/factcheck/tamilnadu-milk-price-increase.html

2. https://youturn.in/factcheck/bjp-manifesto-tamilnadu-name-change.html

3. https://youturn.in/factcheck/admk-alliance-opinion-poll.html

4. https://youturn.in/factcheck/chidambaram-temple-statue-rain.html

5. https://youturn.in/factcheck/maridas-news18tamil-fake-mail.html

6. https://youturn.in/factcheck/8th-century-varaha-lifting-earth.html

7. https://youturn.in/factcheck/corona-steam-inhalation-kirambu.html

8. https://youturn.in/factcheck/tamilnadu-minority-language-schools.html

9. https://youturn.in/factcheck/actor-suriya-neet-book-launch.html

10. https://youturn.in/factcheck/npci-30-cap-upi-payment-apps.html

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant uses the same standards for evaluating equivalent claims. It follows a similar process for all fact checks and lets evidence dictate conclusions. 


done_all 2.1 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.

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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer Category – ‘Fact-Checking Methodology’ on this link - https://youturn.in/about-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant does not focus on any one side while checking claims; it explains how it considers the importance and reach of the claims it selects to check. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Pieces of evidence related to the article are clearly explained in the article. And the same is given as links under 'Proof Liks' at the end of all the articles. Archived links of the sources are also provided in the article for the readers to view in case the link is removed later.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant website clearly states the sources it uses; readers can easily conclude if the interests of the sources influence the findings of the fact check. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Youturn is an independent organization and is not affiliated or supports any party, any politician or political candidate. It also does not advocate for or against any policy positions on any political issues.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant is not affiliated to and does not support any political party, politician or 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer Category ‘Policy on Political Involvement’ on this page - https://youturn.in/about-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

A non-partisan policy is clearly laid out of the staff and enunciated in the website, too. The staff have been instructed not to indulge in any advocacy or publicly discuss 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The users need not blindly follow what the article says but can verify the information themselves using the links provided in the 'Proof Links' section of the articles.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant identifies all sources it uses and provides links so that the reader can replicate the fact check. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

All our articles hold the sources of evidence including available primary and secondary sources with a clear explanation.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Mainly, the applicant uses primary sources. But, it has used secondary sources, too, and provided links to those sources. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We fact-check all the elements in the received claims including a minute data and explain in our article on which is true and which is not with enough sources of evidence.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant makes an effort to check all key evidence 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Sources of the evidence are carefully picked and are readily available for the readers to view at the end of each fact-checks under the section 'Proof Links'

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

All sources are clearly identified so that the reader can infer if the interests of the sources could influence the outcome of the fact check. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Youturn is a legally registered organization and does not depend on any other organization. Please refer to the attachment of the registration certificate. 

Files Attached
picture_as_pdf YOUTURN_REGISTRATION... (113 KB)
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

A page on the applicant’s website provides details of its funding. The applicant is an independent, legally registered organization. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer to Category – 'Funding' on this page - https://youturn.in/about-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

In a statement on ownership on its website, the applicant clearly states that it is an independent organization set up for the purpose of fact checking. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer to Category – ‘Team behind Youturn’ on this page - https://youturn.in/about-us .

Organizational structure is displayed as an image under the 'Team behind Youturn' section. The team is categorized into two - 1. Management Team, 2. Editorial Team. The proprietor, Mr. Kalidasan is the one who owns the Organization and is funding the Company. He comes under the Management Part of the Company. It's the idea of our Founder, Mr. Vignesh to start the organization and he is the advisor of the Organization. The management team has given complete freedom of decision authority to the Editorial team in order to provide unbiased fact-checks. The editorial team is lead by Mr. Iyan Karthikeyan. He is our Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief and is the sole responsible person for the editorial part, where the proprietor or Founder doesn't exercise editorial control in any way. Our Sub-Editor creates and published articles once it is verified by our Editor-in-Chief. Research Analysts research and fact check the claims. The Multimedia Specialist takes care of the memes and video section. Sub-editor, Research Analysts, and Multimedia Specialist report to the Editor.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The organizational structure set out on the website clearly explains how and by whom editorial control is exercised. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer Category – ‘Team behind Youturn’ on this page - https://youturn.in/about-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

A page on the website details the professional biography of all who play a significant role in the editorial output. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Users can communicate with any of our team members using the contact page for which the link is mentioned here - https://youturn.in/contact-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Users can easily communicate with the editorial team through the Contact Us page. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer Category – 'Fact-Checking Methodology' on this link - https://youturn.in/about-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant’s website has a page that clearly explains 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The claims are prioritized based on the importance and the articles are published after fact-checking. What would happen if the claim seems to spread further is explained in the articles whenever needed.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Most claims checked by the applicant are done so based on the reach and the importance of the claim. The applicant usually explains why it has chosen a 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Relevant evidence to prove or to disprove any claim is provided in the articles.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

While checking a claim, the applicant usually sets out evidence that supports the claim as well as undermines it. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We fact-check claims the same way for all the claims regardless of who made the claim. Similarly, sources are provided in all the articles regardless of what the claim is or who made it.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant assesses the merits of the evidence found using the same standards for 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We have tried to contact the person who has made the claim or whose information is in the claim whenever needed. We publish our articles with the evidence that we collect and also will attach the conversation with the person (hiding the identity sometimes) if needed. But we do not contact for all the claims since we initially look for evidence and the contact will be made only if we think is necessary. 

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Where possible, and necessary, the applicant seeks to contact the person who made the claim. However, it does go ahead and publish the fact check, nevertheless. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer to the section 'Submit a Claim' on this link - https://youturn.in/about-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant encourages users to send in claims to check. At the end of each fact check, the applicant provides a button for users to send claims and a form to respond to any article. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please refer to the section 'Corrections Policy' on this link - https://youturn.in/about-us

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant has a corrections policy that is clearly stated and visible 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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We are open for corrections and the policy for the same can be viewed on our website.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The policy explains in some detail how mistakes are handled, how staff has been trained to handle mistakes, especially major ones. It has adhered to this policy, largely. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We have made a very few corrections/updates in fact-check articles most of which are clarifying the queries or adding additional information to the articles. Below are 2 such articles.

1. https://youturn.in/factcheck/psbb-teacher-whatsapp-chat-viral.html

2. https://youturn.in/factcheck/edappadi-palanisamy-war-room-image.html

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant has stated that there have been few occasions for it to make corrections to its work. However, it has provided two examples of updates that were necessitated by additional information that came its way. 


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

Please check the page https://youturn.in/about-us


Youturn
30-Jun-2021 (2 years ago)

Please check this page https://youturn.in/about-us/

Please check right below the "Recognition" part and above the "Report Article" button.

"If you believe we are violating the IFCN Code of Principles, you can inform the International Fact-Checking Network here." Clicking this sentence will take the user to the Complaints policy page of the IFCN website.


Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant is an existing signatory and declares so in its website by displaying the IFCN badge. However, clicking on the badge does not provide the reader a link to make a complaint. The applicant needs to change this in order to provide a link to the space where users can make a complaint, possibly the Complaints Policy page of the IFCN website. 


cancel 6.4 marked as Request change by Kanchan Kaur.
Kanchan Kaur Assessor
10-Jul-2021 (2 years ago)

The applicant is an existing signatory and declares so in its website by displaying the IFCN badge. It also provides informs readers that if they believe the website is violating the IFCN code, they may inform the IFCN. It also provides a link to the Complaints page of the IFCN website.


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.

Youturn
25-May-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

We are an independent organization.

Kanchan Kaur Assessor
21-Jun-2021 (2 years ago) Updated: 2 years ago

The applicant is an independent, fact-checking organization and not a unit of any media company, so this criterion does not apply to it. 


done_all 6.5 marked as Compliant by Kanchan Kaur.