NewsMeter Fact-Check Methodology
At NewsMeter, we are committed to upholding the highest standards of accuracy, transparency, and impartiality in fact-checking. Our methodology ensures that all fact-checks follow a consistent process, regardless of who made the claim. We adhere to ethical journalism principles, disclose conflicts of interest where relevant, and remain independent of any political or governmental influence.
1. Our Fact-Checking Process
1.1 Identifying Claims to Fact-Check
We select claims for verification based on the following criteria:
Virality: Misinformation spreading widely on social media, messaging apps, or mainstream media.
Public Interest & Harm Potential: Claims affecting public health, safety, elections, or social harmony.
Authoritative Claims: Statements made by public figures, political leaders, or media organizations.
User Requests: Fact-checks requested by our audience through our tipline, email, or social media.
1.2 Verification Methods
Each fact-check follows a standardised verification process that includes:
Source Authentication: We trace the origin of the claim to identify whether it comes from a credible source.
Official & Expert Consultation: When needed, we consult subject-matter experts, government data, legal documents, and research studies.
Advanced OSINT & Digital Forensics:
Reverse image search to detect manipulated visuals.
Geolocation & metadata analysis to verify images and videos.
Satellite imagery to verify location-based claims.
Forensic tools for detecting deepfakes and AI-generated content.
Cross-Referencing with Reliable Sources: We compare claims against information from verified government databases, scientific studies, and authoritative media reports.
1.3 Rating System
After investigation, we categorise fact-checked claims as:
True ā The claim is accurate with supporting evidence.
False ā The claim is inaccurate and misleading.
Misleading ā The claim has elements of truth but is taken out of context or misrepresented.
Partly True ā The claim is partially accurate but missing key details.
Satire/Parody ā The claim originates from a satirical source and is not meant to be taken as fact.
2. Collaboration & Respect for Other Fact-Checkers
2.1 Ethical Use of External Fact-Checks
NewsMeter respects the work of other fact-checking institutions and independent fact-checkers.
We do not republish or reuse any part of their content without explicit consent or proper attribution.
When possible, we notify the original publisher before reusing content, adhering to their licensing terms.
3. Corrections & Accountability
3.1 Corrections Policy
If a credible correction request is received, we:
Review the new evidence and verify its authenticity.
Update the fact-check transparently, mentioning the correction clearly in the article.
Ensure that readers of the original report see the corrected version.
3.2 Corrections in the Last Year
We did not receive any formal correction requests in the past year. However, we regularly review and refine our fact-checks to maintain accuracy.
If you find any discrepancy in our stories or would like to correct certain information, please do write to us at factcheck@newsmeter.in with the related article and subject line. We assure you that we will update the changes wherever necessary within 48 hours. NewsMeter also welcomes feedback from its users be it on social media platforms or on its website.
When significant revisions or substantial modifications are made to a fact-check story after its publication, we distinctly mark them as "Correction" at the beginning of the article. This approach ensures transparency by providing detailed explanations for the changes made. If additional information is added after publication, offering valuable insights or perspectives without altering the rating, we label such updates as "Update" at the end of the article. Minor editorial adjustments, like correcting typographical errors, misspellings, or grammatical inaccuracies that our editors consider insignificant, are typically not highlighted.
For complaints about potential non-compliance regarding the Code of Principles, you can utilize IFCN complaints policy.
4. Funding
NewsMeter is primarily self-funded through investments from its promoters, covering approximately 35% of operational costs. Both the Fact-Check Unit and Editorial Team operate independently, ensuring that funding sources do not influence editorial decisions.
NewsMeter also generates revenue through advertisements from Google AdSense, Taboola, Columbia, and other advertisers. More than 50% of our operational costs are covered by advertisement revenue. However, advertisers have no role in:
Selecting claims for fact-checking.
Influencing the findings of fact-checks.
Shaping our editorial policy.
NewsMeter also receives nominal revenue from news aggregators like Dailyhunt, which automatically pick up our stories via RSS feeds. We do not provide exclusive content to any news aggregator. News aggregators have:
No influence on our editorial policy.
No role in selecting news stories or fact-checks for publication.
An insignificant financial impact, contributing less than 3% of our operational costs.
Importantly, NewsMeter does not receive any funding from local or foreign state or political sources.
5. User Engagement & Claim Submissions
5.1 How to Contact Us
Readers can reach our editorial team through multiple channels:
Website Contact Page: https://newsmeter.in/contact-newsmeter
WhatsApp Tipline: +91 7482 830 440
Email: factcheck@newsmeter.in
5.2 Submitting a Claim for Fact-Checking
We encourage the public to send claims for verification through our tipline, email, and social media handles.
To ensure efficiency, we prioritise:
ā Virality & Public Impact ā Misinformation widely shared or with the potential to cause harm.
ā Fact-Checkable Claims ā Statements that can be verified using objective evidence (not opinions or personal beliefs).
