Guidelines

FactCheck Initiative Japan (FIJ) is working to spread fair fact-checking with media and related organizations to create a society which is not misled by misinformation.

As a part of our work, we developed fact-checking guidelines based on the code of principles of the International Fact Checking Network (IFCN).

We support and cooperate with media partners that publish fact-checking articles based on FIJ fact-checking guidelines and share related information and more.

Table of contents
1. Overview
2. Purpose and definitions
3. Descriptive items in fact-checking articles
4. Rating standards
5. Ensuring transparency of fact-checks
Member of Guidelines Committee

1. Overview

These guidelines are established in regards to the way of writing and publishing fact-checking articles for spreading high-quality and trusted fact-checks based on our commitment to the code of principles of the IFCN: 1. Nonpartisanship & Fairness, 2. Transparency of Sources, 3. Transparency of Funding & Organization, 4. Transparency of Methodology, 5. Open & Honest Corrections Policy.

These guidelines are adopted for FIJ projects. We recommend that every media source and organization follow these guidelines, regardless of whether it is in FIJ’s projects or not.

* The code of principles of IFCN are here.

2. Purpose and definitions

I. The definition of “fact-check” here is checking public statements for which we can confirm the information objectively, verify their authenticity and accuracy, and publish the results.

II. The definition of “fact-check” here is checking the facts based only on authenticity and accuracy with fair standards and evidence. It is not our purpose to protect or criticize specific political parties or organizations.

III. We define “target statements” to be statements which we choose for fact-checking.

IV. We define “fact-checking articles” to be written and published based on the criteria above and the three elements below:
1) Identification of target statements
2) Evaluation of authenticity and accuracy of target statements
3) Reason(s) for the rating and basis of information

3. Descriptive items in fact-checking articles

When writing and publishing fact-checking articles, follow the code of principles of the IFCN and satisfy the conditions below as much as possible.

I. Labeled as a fact-check article
When publishing a fact-checking article, it is essential to show that it is not an ordinary article; but it is a fact-checking article.

II. Identification of target statements
1) Target statements for fact-checking
a. As a general rule, target statements can be verified in terms of facts or accuracy by objective evidence. Statements which include opinions and claims and exclude facts cannot be target statements.
b. Target statements are published and have the possibility of having a big social impact.
2) Notation of target statements
a. Target statements should be quoted if needed and the contents should be written about specifically as often as possible, such as who, when, where, and how in the beginning of the fact-checking articles.
b. If needing to protect a person who made target statements from slander, there is no need to publish the name and it is possible to use the statement anonymously or use abstractions.
c. When a person who made target statements corrects those target statements’ misinformation, add these in fact-checking articles.
3) Postscripts that target statements are corrected
If target statements are corrected after fact-checking articles are published, add the information in a postscript.

III. Specify determination of facts and results
Specify facts assessed, results found, and evaluation or ratings of the authenticity or accuracy of the target statements after verifying.
For fact-checking articles, deciding a rating is not essential, yet when publishing fact-checking articles with ratings, use “4. Rating standards” (below) as a reference. Endeavor to make the rating fairly based on fixed standards in order to avoid arbitrary evaluation or ratings.

IV. Specify reasons and information sources
Mention objective evidence, references, and information sources specifically and in detail as much as possible for helping to verify determination of facts, results, and judgments by third parties.

V. Distinguishing fact checks and comments/explanation
1) Fact-check articles are focused on only fact checks as much as possible and avoid mixing opinions, comments, and explanation.
2) When adding explanations in fact-check articles for helping readers’ understanding, avoid adding personal opinion as much as possible and do not be critical, aggressive, or insulting unnecessarily in explanation.

VI. Avoid causing misunderstanding in headlines
Headlines of fact-checking articles are decided cautiously. Avoid causing misunderstanding about contents of target statements and verification results.

VII. Specify article update dates and authors
Fact-checking articles should include update dates and authors’ names. If it is published by an organization or a company which has multiple members, specify a person in charge of the articles.
VIII. Disclosure of correction history
When adding postscripts, correct information, or amend information, mention this history for easy checking by readers.

4. Rating standards

Rating signifies evaluation and judgment for target statements’ authenticity and accuracy included in fact-checking articles.

We recommend following these ratings below which were decided with media representatives for the purpose of avoiding making evaluations and judgments arbitrarily. These ratings are subject to change based on discussion with media representatives henceforth.

If publishing fact-checking articles without using the ratings below or with changes to the ratings below, announce your own ratings standards to the public.

(Rating lists and definitions)

5. Ensuring transparency of fact-checks

When writing and publishing fact-checking articles continually or occasionally as an organization, publish information regarding your organization and fact-checking guidelines which are created based on the code of principles of the IFCN before or at the beginning of doing this activity. Endeavor to improve transparency and reliability of fact-checking activities.

I. Original guidelines
Determine fact-checking guidelines, including the points below and announce these on the website where your fact-checking articles are published.
1) Objective and statements range
Under what purpose and what kinds of statements (themes, genres, sources/media types, etc.) would be verified.
2) Selection Criteria
What standards used for choosing the target statements.
3) Evaluation Criteria
What standards used for judgment of truth/accuracy and what kinds of rating lists and meanings used. When using our rating lists and meanings, specify it.

II. Information of the organization
As a fact-checking organization, disclose the information below:
1) Name of the department responsible or the person in charge
2) Organizational finances and uses
3) Organization’s address and contact information

September 6, 2018 Fact-checking Guidelines ver.1
April 2, 2019 Fact-checking Guidelines ver.2

(Member of Guidelines Committee)

Shiro Segawa: Professor at Waseda University Journalism School
Yoichiro Tateiwa: Executive editor of Seeds of News Japan
Hitofumi Yanai: Attorney at law, editor of Seed of News Japan’s fact-checking department
Kentaro Inui: Professor at the Graduate School of Information Sciences, Tohoku University
Kazuhisa Ogawa: Specially appointed professor at University of Shizuoka
Nobuyuki Okumura: Professor of Faculty of Sociology at Musashi University
Keiko Kanai: Professor of faculty of Applied Sociology at Kinki University
John Middleton: Professor of Graduate School of Law
Atsuo Fujimura: Director of the Japan Internet Media Association
Yo Maiki: Journalist, translator
Takeshi Yamasaki: Chairman at Science of Food Safety and Security (SFSS)