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:

  1. Virality: Misinformation spreading widely on social media, messaging apps, or mainstream media.

  2. Public Interest & Harm Potential: Claims affecting public health, safety, elections, or social harmony.

  3. Authoritative Claims: Statements made by public figures, political leaders, or media organizations.

  4. User Requests: Fact-checks requested by our audience through our tipline, email, or social media.

  5.  1.2 Verification Methods

Each fact-check follows a standardised verification process that includes:

  1. Source Authentication: We trace the origin of the claim to identify whether it comes from a credible source.

  2. Official & Expert Consultation: When needed, we consult subject-matter experts, government data, legal documents, and research studies.

  3. 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.

  4. 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:

  1. Review the new evidence and verify its authenticity.

  2. Update the fact-check transparently, mentioning the correction clearly in the article.

  3. 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 continue to review and refine our fact-checks to uphold the highest standards of accuracy.

To ensure transparency and accountability, NewsMeter provides users with two avenues to address complaints regarding fact-checks:

  1. Editorial Complaints
    If you find any discrepancies in our stories or would like to correct specific information, please email us at factcheck@newsmeter.in with the article link and subject line. We review all such requests and, if necessary, update the story within 48 hours.

    • Corrections involving significant revisions are clearly marked at the beginning of the article with a detailed explanation.

    • Updates that add relevant information without altering the rating are mentioned at the end of the article.

    • Minor edits such as grammar or typos, which do not affect the accuracy or clarity, are not flagged.
      We also welcome user feedback via our website or social media platforms.

  2. IFCN Code of Principles Complaints
    For concerns about potential violations of the International Fact-Checking Networkā€™s (IFCN) Code of Principles, users may submit a complaint directly through the IFCN complaints policy. This mechanism ensures independent review of any issues related to non-compliance.

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:

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:

āœ” Virality & Public Impact ā€“ Misinformation widely shared or with the potential to cause harm.
āœ” Fact-Checkable Claims ā€“ Statements that can be verified using objective evidence (not opinions or personal beliefs).




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