About Project

What is our code of principles?

In our work, we follow the code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN):

– A COMMITMENT TO NONPARTISANSHIP AND FAIRNESS

We fact-check claims using the same standard for every fact check. We do not concentrate our fact-checking on any one side. We follow the same process for every fact check and let the evidence dictate our conclusions. We do not advocate or take policy positions on the issues we fact-check.

– A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY OF SOURCES

We want our readers to be able to verify our findings themselves. We provide all sources in enough detail that readers can replicate our work, except in cases where a source’s personal security could be compromised. In such cases, we provide as much detail as possible.

– A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY OF FUNDING & ORGANIZATION

We are transparent about our funding sources. If we accept funding from other organizations, we ensure that funders have no influence over the conclusions we reach in our reports. We detail the professional background of all key figures in our organization and explain our organizational structure and legal status. We clearly indicate a way for readers to communicate with us.

– A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY OF METHODOLOGY

We explain the methodology we use to select, research, write, edit, publish and correct our fact checks. We encourage readers to send us claims to fact-check and are transparent on why and how we fact-check.

– A COMMITMENT TO OPEN AND HONEST CORRECTIONS

We publish our corrections policy and follow it scrupulously. We correct clearly and transparently in line with our corrections policy, seeking so far as possible to ensure that readers see the corrected version.

Who supports us?

The editor’s office strongly refuses to publish in their articles information of an illegal nature, or with propaganda and advertising. Our project have no contractual or verbal obligations towards state bodies, companies of quasi-public sector and commercial organizations.

The launch of the project was supported by the “Soros Foundation-Kazakhstan”, however the editor’s office is aimed at gradual diversification of the budget.

Who can participate in fact-checking?

Any reader, journalist, blogger or expert can send us suggestions, remarks and comments by clicking on the “Feedback” button. We are always open for dialogue, cooperation and self-improvement.

The concept of the Factcheck.kz project

Mission:

Counteracting the post-truth politics and increasing the media culture level in Kazakhstan, namely:

– mass media (journalism and blogging), that is, production and retransmission of information;

– consumption of information by the population (cultivation of conscious and critical perception of information)

Goal:

The goal is to fight against unreliable information, information manipulation, fake news.

Tasks:

– regular monitoring and reliability verification of socially significant and resonant news, facts, figures, as well as statements of public persons;

– the publication of the editor’s office “findings” (lies, truth, half-truth, manipulation, without a verdict) with a description of the verification procedure and the provision of evidence.

Fundamental rules of the Factcheck.kz:

The Factcheck.kz is an essentially independent fact-checking project, equidistant from political and other “camps”. Objectivity and impartiality are always our priority.

Any person, mass media or organization, statements, publications, phrases and figures, etc., can become an object for a fact-check within our project.

Only facts are subject to verification, not judgments, assumptions or forecasts.

The Factcheck.kz project is implemented in Kazakh and Russian. One of our tasks is to unite multilingual audience on the basis the strive for reliable information.

The methodology used by the Factcheck.kz is based on international standards and fact-checking tools.

Factcheck.kz uses only open sources to verify the facts.

In accordance with the collected evidence and the “truth-teller” criteria, the editor’s office delivers a verdict and publishes it on the website together with the collected evidence.

Any person can co-participate in the project by proposing a fact for verification, as well as his version of the verification procedure and evidence base.

The Factcheck.kz reserves the right to choose the method of verification and sources of evidence.

In case of controversial situations, the Factcheck.kz is ready to consider counterarguments, as well as the possibility of establishing an expert working group to recheck the verdict.

The Factcheck.kz can also establish a working expert group in certain cases, when it is complicated to make an unambiguous verdict.

The Factcheck.kz project is principally oriented towards the legislation of Kazakhstan, international legislation, as well as internationally recognized values and ethical norms.

In order to comply with the principle of neutrality, the authors of the Factcheck.kz cannot be members of political parties and work in the state organizations. Also, in order to avoid conflicts of interest, authors cannot write about the organizations in which they work.

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