PLEASE ALSO SEE: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/  and attached ASIC Certificate - proof of legal regisration of Australian business

Australian Associated Press Ltd (AAP) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation established in 2020 to advance tolerance and understanding by protecting independent, ethical and sustainable news gathering and reporting in Australia. 

AAP has an 85-year legacy of providing media companies and corporations with news and information of public interest, and has been operating an editorially independent fact-checking unit, AAP FactCheck, since 2019 in a bid to combat misinformation in the region and support the growth of media literacy skills.

As a not-for-profit entity, Australian Associated Press Ltd has no owners or shareholders. It is constituted by a group of members who have no ownership rights over the organisation. The organisation is governed by a board of elected directors. AAP derives income from subscriptions to its news, image and information services. AAP, the parent company of AAP FactCheck, accepts philanthropic donations and government funding to offset the losses of its news operations. Donors, clients, funders and government do not seek, nor are granted, any influence over editorial operations or the governance of AAP. It is strictly non-partisan and objective in its operations, and funding agreements stipulate its editorial independence. AAP adheres to stringent editorial principles and a charter of editorial independence.

AAP FactCheck is a separate business unit of AAP, with its own profit and loss statement. It subsidises AAP's general newsroom operation via revenue earned from Third-Party Fact-Checking partnership agreements with Meta and TikTok, and short-term project-based partnerships with other non-partisan entities, such as Google. At all times, AAP FactCheck maintains full editorial independence. AAP FactCheck has its own homepage (factcheck.aap.com.au) within the AAP website (aap.com.au), with separate menu navigation and unique content presentation. We routinely publish at least 25 checks per month - but the monthly publication average is higher over the past 6 months, with the vast majority of content debunking consequential pieces of misinformation and disinformation.  

The relevant Company Objects are included below for your reference:

1.1 Objects

The Company is established to advance social and public welfare, to advance education and

to promote mutual respect and tolerance between Australians for the benefit of the general

public in Australia by:

(a) promoting independent, ethical and sustainable news gathering and reporting to

advance understanding in Australia of the social, economic and political circumstances

of those in need, including in regional and rural Australia and Indigenous communities,

(b) promoting activities and programs in primary and secondary schools and in tertiary

institutions that support and develop the use of accurate, fact-based communications

in social media and public discourse;

(c) providing access to accurate information about Australian society that enables and

encourages widespread understanding and tolerance among all sectors of the

community;

(d) providing access to accurate, fact-based international media sources that enables

broader public understanding of issues relating to the natural environment in

Australia, and to the security or safety of the Australian public (including from geopolitical, environmental and health causes); and

(e) pursuing any other specific purpose that will advance any of those objects.

Ownership:

AAP FactCheck is an editorially independent unit of Australian Associated Press Ltd (AAP), an independent, not-for-profit organisation that was established in 2020 "to advance tolerance and understanding by protecting independent, ethical and sustainable news gathering and reporting in Australia." It superseded the former Australian Associated Press Pty Ltd Newswire and FactCheck businesses and continued an 85-year legacy of providing media companies and corporations with news and information of public interest.

AAP is a not-for-profit company and does not have owners or shareholders. It is "motivated by public interest, ensuring the news service is not influenced by third parties.  See Ownership: https://bit.ly/3q2Rggf and attached company registration. Details of the company's registration are also published online: See https://bit.ly/3k0hxYF 

AAP FactCheck has operated since 2019 with the stated role of combatting misinformation in the region and supporting the growth of media literacy skills.

It is constituted by a group of members who have no ownership rights over the organisation, which is governed by a board of elected directors. AAP derives income from subscriptions to its news, image and information services. AAP, the parent company of AAP FactCheck, accepts philanthropic donations and government funding to offset the losses of its news operations. 

"Donors, clients, funders and government do not seek, nor are granted, any influence over editorial operations or the governance of AAP," AAP Fact-Check says in its application. "It is strictly non-partisan and objective in its operations, and funding agreements stipulate its editorial independence. AAP adheres to stringent editorial principles and a charter of editorial independence."

AAP FactCheck is a separate business unit of AAP, with its own profit and loss statement. It subsidises AAP's general newsroom operation via revenue earned from Third-Party Fact-Checking partnership agreements with Meta and TikTok, and short-term project-based partnerships with other non-partisan entities, such as Google. 

"At all times, AAP FactCheck maintains full editorial independence. It has its own homepage (https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/) within the AAP website (https://www.aap.com.au/), with separate menu navigation and unique content presentation. 

AAP publishes at least 25 fact-checks a month. "with the vast majority of content debunking consequential pieces of misinformation and disinformation."

1. AAP began planning a fact-checking operation in December 2018 and set up AAP FactCheck in March 2019. We recognised there was a fact-checking gap in our region and wanted to provide a service with local understanding that was focused on Australia-relevant content ahead of 2019's NSW state and federal government elections. The goal was to encourage higher standards of public debate and equip voters with accurate, reliable information about issues of relevance while defusing disinformation. It was a way to support the Australian community and media clients that complemented the fact-based news content AAP's newswire already provided. AAP is known for producing unbiased public interest reporting, so a fact-checking service aligned perfectly with the core principles of the business, and allowed us to be part of the solution to a global problem.

2. As of December 2023, AAP FactCheck has FTE staff of five people who have responsibility for sourcing checkable claims, researching, writing and editing articles. The FactCheck Editor and his deputy have additional managerial responsibilities. In addition to a permanent FactCheck journalist, AAP cadets individually spend 6-12 weeks training with the FactCheck team to build their verification skills and take them into the AAP Newswire business. AAP FactCheck continues to work with a stable rota of freelance journalists in NZ (who have been with us since 2019). They help cover New Zealand and the Pacific, allowing us to tackle more misinformation and disinformation at times of increased need, such as election periods, whille bringing local knowledge. They have been trained by AAP FactCheck, have worked in other responsible positions, and understand our core values and standards. The Director of Editorial Partnerships has oversight of AAP FactCheck to the extent that is required to ensure standards and contractual obligations are being met, oppportunities for growth examined, and staff are properly managed, trained and recruited.

3. For 87 years, AAP has been Australia's national newswire service, providing reliable and accurate breaking news, world, sport, politics, court, finance and photographic content to every major Australian media outlet on a 24/7 basis. AAP is a not-for-profit entity focused entirely on delivering unbiased and impartial news of importance to Australians. AAP is the parent company of AAP FactCheck, but their editorial activities are completely separate. 

4. AAP FactCheck would like to expand uor team in order to address more misinformation and disinformation, and focus more on video and translations to serve a greater diversity of people. We also intend to continue our media literacy educational campaigns, and work to further raise our social media profile as a means of highlighting our work to more people. We want to ensure we continue to respond to misinformation and fake news as quickly as possible to remain as relevant as possible to the broadsest cross-section of Australians.     

1. AAP FactCheck was set up in March 2019 to fill a fact-checking gap in the region in which AAP is active to provide a service "with local understanding that was focused on Australia-relevant content" ahead of 2019's NSW state and federal government elections.

"The goal was to encourage higher standards of public debate and equip voters with accurate, reliable information about issues of relevance while defusing disinformation," according to the AAP application for annual renewal of its IFCN accreditation. "It was a way to support the Australian community and media clients that complemented AAP's newswire service. "AAP is known for producing unbiased public interest reporting, so a fact-checking service aligned perfectly with the core principles of the business, and allowed us to be part of the solution to a global problem."

2. At the time of this assessment, AAP FactCheck had a full-time staff of five people who have the responsibility for sourcing checkable claims, researching, writing and editing articles. The FactCheck Editor and his deputy have additional managerial responsibilities. (See https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-team/) 

Besides permanent FactCheck journalists, AAP cadets individually spend 6-12 weeks training with the FactCheck team to build their verification skills. It also works with a "stable rota" of freelance journalists in NZ. These journalists have been with Fact-Check since 2019 and help cover New Zealand and the Pacific. This allows AAP FactCheck to tackle more misinformation and disinformation at times of increased need, such as election periods, while, bringing local knowledge to its fact-checking. All have been trained by AAP FactCheck, and understand its core values and standards. 

AAP's Director of Editorial Partnerships has oversight of AAP FactCheck to the extent that is required to ensure standards and contractual obligations are being met, opportunities for growth examined, and staff are properly managed, trained and recruited.

3. For 87 years, AAP has been Australia's national newswire service, providing content to every major Australian media outlet on a 24/7 basis. AAP is a not-for-profit entity focused entirely on delivering unbiased and impartial news of importance to Australians. AAP is the parent company of AAP FactCheck, but their editorial activities are completely separate. 

AAP Fact-Check listed the following objectives in its application:

a) To advance social and public welfare and advance education, and also to promote mutual respect and tolerance among Australians for the benefit of the general public in Australia by:

b) promoting independent, ethical and sustainable news gathering and reporting to advance understanding in Australia of the social, economic and political circumstances of those in need, including in regional and rural Australia and Indigenous communities,

c) promoting activities and programs in primary and secondary schools and in tertiary institutions that support and develop the use of accurate, fact-based communications in social media and public discourse;

d) providing access to accurate information about Australian society that enables and encourages widespread understanding and tolerance among all sectors of the community;

e) providing access to accurate, fact-based international media sources that enable a broader public understanding of issues relating to the natural environment in Australia, and to the security or safety of the Australian public (including from geopolitical, environmental and health causes); and

f) pursuing any other specific purpose that will advance any of those objects."

4. a) "AAP FactCheck would like to expand our team to address more misinformation and disinformation;
b) focus more on video and translations to serve a greater diversity of people;
c) we also intend to continue our media literacy educational campaigns;
d) further raise our social media profile as a means of highlighting our work to more people.;
e) ensure we continue to respond to misinformation and fake news as quickly as possible to remain as relevant as possible to the broadest cross-section of Australians.     

Australia has fewer than 5 IFCN signatories. In the six months to December 5, AAP FactCheck published 215 fact-check articles. This equates to 35.88 checks per month.                           

This criterion has been far exceeded by AAP FactCheck. While only required to publish one fact-check a week, in the six months to mid-December 2023 when this application was submitted, it had already published 215 fact-checks. This equates to an average of almost 36 a month.

No information required.

Having reviewed AAP FactCheck's published fact-checks for the past three months, I am satisfied that it meets the required criterion. 

AAP is the parent company of AAP FactCheck.

Regarding AAP: For 87 years, AAP's newswire has been at the forefront of delivering impartial, independent and accurate news to Australia’s leading media outlets and beyond. It is one of only a handful of news agencies worldwide not solely funded or influenced by its government. AAP operates editorially independently of government in Australia - it has no political affiliation nor agenda, and does not receive funding from any individual politician or political party. The Australian government contributed a $15m lifeline to AAP over two years (ending in 2022) when AAP was emerging from near collapse. In 2023, the Australian government extended that transitional funding for AAP, providing $5 million mid-year, with a further $6m announced in early December that has not yet been received (as at 14/12/2023). 

Regarding AAP FactCheck: AAP FactCheck is a business unit within AAP.  AAP FactCheck's operational costs are covered by revenue from third-party fact-checking contracts, and any margin is contributed back to AAP's core services.  AAP FactCheck has not received funding from the Australian Government, or any other government. AAP FactCheck's editorial independence is carefully guarded, and not for sale to any partner, client, funder or contributor. 

AAP FactCheck abides by AAP's Charter of Editorial Independence, which can be found here: https://www.aap.com.au/about-items/aap-charter-of-editorial-independence/  Relevant principles are included below:

Independence – With due regard to the public interest, AAP’s news service will remain free from government, corporate, client or factional influence.

Impartiality – AAP will supply objective news free from political partisanship or bias to ensure its integrity and independence.

Balance and Fairness – AAP will not promote particular views or interests, either through undue emphasis or by suppressing relevant material. Individuals, organisations or groups will have a timely right of reply.

AAP FactCheck abides by AAP's Code of Practice and Neutrality statement, which can be found here: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/. An extract is included below:

Impartiality and Fairness

2.1. AAP does not promote particular views or commercial interests, either through undue emphasis or by suppressing relevant material.

2.2. In reporting views on controversial matters, always seek to include a fair balance of other views. Any comment or conjecture by the journalist writing the story should be identifiable as such.

2.3. AAP journalists have latitude to express their own views more freely only when, in the opinion of the Editor in Chief or Editor, they have special knowledge or expertise or sufficient reputation. Such pieces should be labelled as View, Comment or Analysis.

2.4. Individuals or groups singled out for criticism should be given a right of reply, in the original story whenever possible.

2.5. Emotive or contentious adjectives should be avoided unless they are being quoted.

AAP is the parent company of AAP FactCheck.

While APP has received some funding from the Australian government, it operates editorially independent of the government and has no political affiliation nor agenda, and does not receive funding from any individual politician or political party. 

The Australian government contributed a $15-m lifeline to AAP over two years (ending in 2022) when AAP was emerging from near collapse. In 2023, the Australian government extended that transitional funding for AAP, providing $5-m mid-year, with a further $6m announced in early December which had not yet been received by 14/12/2023. 

 AAP FactCheck is a business unit within AAP. The fact-check unit's operational costs are covered by revenue from third-party fact-checking contracts, with any remaining margin contributed back to AAP's core services.

"AAP FactCheck has not received funding from the Australian Government, or any other government. "AAP FactCheck's editorial independence is carefully guarded, and not for sale to any partner, client, funder or contributor," it says in this application. 

AAP FactCheck abides by AAP's Charter of Editorial Independence. See: https://bit.ly/3U2lWNA 

Relevant principles of the AAP charter include:

Independence: With due regard to the public interest, AAP’s news service will remain free from government, corporate, client or factional influence.

Impartiality: AAP will supply objective news free from political partisanship or bias to ensure its integrity and independence.

Balance and Fairness: AAP will not promote particular views or interests, either through undue emphasis or by suppressing relevant material. Individuals, organisations or groups will have a timely right of reply.

AAP FactCheck also abides by AAP's Code of Practice and Neutrality statement. See: https://bit.ly/3q2Rggf https://bit.ly/3q2Rggf 

Impartiality and Fairness

2.1: AAP does not promote particular views or commercial interests, either through undue emphasis or by suppressing relevant material.

2.2: In reporting views on controversial matters, always seek to include a fair balance of other views. Any comment or conjecture by the journalist writing the story should be identifiable as such.

2.3: AAP journalists have latitude to express their own views more freely only when, in the opinion of the Editor in Chief or Editor, they have special knowledge or expertise or sufficient reputation. Such pieces should be labelled as View, Comment or Analysis.

2.4: Individuals or groups singled out for criticism should be given a right of reply, in the original story whenever possible.

2.5: Emotive or contentious adjectives should be avoided unless they are being quoted.

AAP FactCheck's parent organisation receives Government support. AAP FactCheck is editorially independent of AAP, clients and funders - and contributes revene back to the parent company. 

AAP FactCheck abides by AAP's Charter of Editorial Independence, which can be found here: https://www.aap.com.au/about-items/aap-charter-of-editorial-independence/

AAP FactCheck is also bound by AAP's Code of Practice and Neutrality Statement, which can be found under our FactCheck "Who We Are" menu: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/ and is repeated on the general AAP site: https://www.aap.com.au/about-us/#item-2

AAP FactCheck's parent organisation receives Government support. AAP FactCheck is editorially independent of AAP, clients and funders - and any revenue after its costs back to the parent company. 

AAP FactCheck abides by AAP's Charter of Editorial Independence, which can be found here: https://www.aap.com.au/about-items/aap-charter-of-editorial-independence/

AAP FactCheck is also bound by AAP's Code of Practice and Neutrality Statement, which can be found under the "Who We Are" menu: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/ and is repeated on the general AAP site: https://www.aap.com.au/about-us/#item-2

AAP FactCheck applies the same high standard of claim selection, fact-checking, writing and editing across all its content, regardless of the subject matter or origin.

In the past six months, AAP FactCheck has spent the majority of its time and effort debunking political misinformation and disinformation inspired by a referendum held in October 2023, and a New Zealand general election.

AAP FactCheck responds to the disinformation environment within which it works. It has no control over the type or purpose of misinformation and disinformation prevalent in this region, but simply addresses it by applying a uniform and consistent methodology. During the lead up to the referendum, the information landscape was dominated by false claims that tended to support a "no" vote for the Australian referendum. AAP FactCheck's work reflects that reality. 

AAP FactCheck refused to manufacture false equivalency by attempting to fact-check equal numbers of claims in support of the "yes" and "no" vote. That would not have been reflective of the information environment at the time, and to take that approach would have been misleading in itself. Our fact-checking was therefore not "unduly concentrated" on either side of the referendum debate, despite more debunks dealing with disinformation supporting a "no" vote. It reflected the environment within which the team worked. In fact, AAP FactCheck spent additional time and effort pro-actively ensuring checkable claims in support of the "yes" campaign were not being overlooked, which confirmed our assessment of the information environment was not inappropriately skewed. This involved staff being routinely assigned to social listening duties and actively searching traditional and social media, and monitoring campaigns for checkable claims tending to suport the "yes" case.

AAP FactCheck's work during the referendum accurately reflects the disinformation environment at the time - and the team's debunking work followed the evidence and facts to their conclusion, without agenda.

This question ultimately seeks to ascertain if AAP FactCheck is non-partisan. 

To further testify to our objectivity, the below list shows debunks on a range of misinformation and disinformation about politicians and policies from various sides of politics. The same procedures are followed and the same high standard of evidence has been applied. The claims were selected based on our publicly-stated selection criteria (see https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-process/ ) and what was trending in Australia, NZ and the Pacific at the time of the check.

The below articles demonstrate a mix of subject matters and political parties, with the articles all following a common methodology to a defined set of conclusions.

Liberal/National coalition

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/dutton-wrong-about-albaneses-record-on-the-voice/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/experts-say-cash-is-wrong-on-rights-claim/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/senator-price-wrong-with-claim-about-pms-speech/

Labor and minor progressive parties

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/labors-university-figures-dont-check-out/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/pms-claim-about-higgins-report-misleads/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/andrews-cant-take-full-credit-for-victorian-mp-pay-reforms/

Independent/Right Wing

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/hanson-wrong-to-say-mps-would-have-to-consult-the-voice/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/senators-garlic-cure-claim-smells-a-little-strange/

AAP FactCheck applies the same high standard of claim selection, fact-checking, writing and editing across all its content, regardless of the subject matter or origin.

In the past six months, AAP FactCheck says it has spent the majority of its time and effort debunking political misinformation and disinformation inspired by a referendum (https://bit.ly/3S63dyi) held in October 2023, and a New Zealand general election. (The referendum question related to a proposal to alter the Constitution to recognise the First Peoples of Australia by establishing an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice.)

AAP FactCheck says it responds to the disinformation environment within which it works. It has no control over the type or purpose of misinformation and disinformation prevalent in this region but simply addresses it by applying a uniform and consistent methodology. 

"During the lead-up to the referendum, the information landscape was dominated by false claims that tended to support a "no" vote for the Australian referendum. AAP FactCheck's work reflects that reality. 

"AAP FactCheck refused to manufacture false equivalency by attempting to fact-check equal numbers of claims in support of the "yes" and "no" vote. That would not have been reflective of the information environment at the time, and to take that approach would have been misleading in itself.

"Our fact-checking was therefore not "unduly concentrated" on either side of the referendum debate, despite more debunks dealing with disinformation supporting a "no" vote. It reflected the environment within which the team worked. In fact, AAP FactCheck spent additional time and effort pro-actively ensuring checkable claims in support of the "yes" campaign were not being overlooked, which confirmed our assessment of the information environment was not inappropriately skewed."

To ensure a balance in its fact-checks, AAP Fact-Check says its staff was routinely assigned to social listening duties and actively searching traditional and social media, and monitoring campaigns for checkable claims tending to support the "yes" case."

AAP FactCheck says its work during the referendum "accurately reflects the disinformation environment at the time - and the team's debunking work followed the evidence and facts to their conclusion, without agenda." (A random check by this assessor confirms that it was non-partisan in its fact-checking of the referendum.)

AAP FactCheck also supplied a list showing that it debunked a range of misinformation and disinformation about politicians and policies from various sides of the political spectrum. 

An assessment of the supplied list confirmed that the same procedures were followed and the same high standard of evidence applied. (AAP says the claims were selected from content that was trending in Australia, NZ and the Pacific at the time of the check, as well as its publicly stated selection criteria (see https://bit.ly/3CJeHhZ) and 

The fact-checks, below, demonstrate a mix of subject matters and political parties, and the articles all follow a common methodology to arrive at a defined set of conclusions.

Liberal/National coalition

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/dutton-wrong-about-albaneses-record-on-the-voice/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/experts-say-cash-is-wrong-on-rights-claim/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/senator-price-wrong-with-claim-about-pms-speech/

Labor and minor progressive parties

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/labors-university-figures-dont-check-out/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/pms-claim-about-higgins-report-misleads/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/andrews-cant-take-full-credit-for-victorian-mp-pay-reforms/

Independent/Right Wing

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/hanson-wrong-to-say-mps-would-have-to-consult-the-voice/

https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/senators-garlic-cure-claim-smells-a-little-strange/

AAP FactCheck's selection criteria are explained here: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-process/

AAP's Charter of Editorial Indpendence can be found here:  https://www.aap.com.au/about-items/aap-charter-of-editorial-independence/

AAP FactCheck's Neutrality Statement can be found here: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/

See the following:

AAP FactCheck's selection criteria: https://bit.ly/3CJeHhZ

AAP's Charter of Editorial Independence: https://bit.ly/3U2lWNA

AAP FactCheck's Neutrality Statement:  https://bit.ly/3q2Rggf

No information required.

Having done a random assessment of fact-checks over the past year, I am satisfied that AAP Factcheck meets the required criteria.

No information required.

Having done a random assessment of fact-checks over the past year, I am satisfied that AAP Factcheck meets the required criteria.

AAP FactCheck content must be based on the facts alone. We do not include commentary, opinion or political bias. Staff must disclose any conflict of interest at the point when AAP FactCheck is assigning claims for checking - and if a conflict arises, that staff member will be removed from writing the analysis on the claim in question.

As outlined in AAP's Code of Practice, failure to disclose a personal conflict can result in dismissal at the AAP Editor's discretion. We are bound by the AAP Code of Practice, but AAP FactCheck has more stringent requirements relating to never expressing opinion or judgment (covered in items 2.2 and 2.3 in the Code of Practice).

Please see our Neutrality Statement and Full Code of Practice here: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-neutrality/  

Please see the Charter of Editorial Independence here:  https://www.aap.com.au/about-items/aap-charter-of-editorial-independence/

In its application, AAP FactCheck says its content must be "based on the facts alone. We do not include commentary, opinion or political bias. Staff must disclose any conflict of interest at the point when AAP FactCheck is assigning claims for checking - and if a conflict arises that staff member will be removed from writing the analysis on the claim in question."

"As outlined in AAP's Code of Practice, failure to disclose a personal conflict can result in dismissal at the AAP Editor's discretion. We are bound by the AAP Code of Practice, but AAP FactCheck has more stringent requirements relating to never expressing opinion or judgment (covered in items 2.2 and 2.3 in the Code of Practice).

2.2. In reporting views on controversial matters, always seek to include a fair balance of other views. Any comment or conjecture by the journalist writing the story should be identifiable as such.

2.3. AAP journalists have the latitude to express their own views more freely only when, in the opinion of the editor-in-chief or editor, they have special knowledge or expertise or sufficient reputation. Such pieces should be labelled as View, Comment or Analysis."

No information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck identifies the source of all significant evidence used in their fact-checks. It also provides relevant links if the source is available online so that users can replicate their work if they wish to.

No information requiredNo information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck uses the best available primary sources of evidence whenever suitable primary sources are available. Where suitable primary sources are not available, AAP FactCheck discloses and explains the reason for the use of a secondary source.

No information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck uses more than one named source for key elements of claims, except where a single source is the only one relevant to the topic.

No information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck identifies relevant interests of the sources where a user might reasonably conclude those interests could influence the accuracy of the evidence provided.

AAP is a not-for-profit organisation committed to bringing accurate and unbiased news to the Australian mass media market and the public. AAP FactCheck is a self-contained unit within AAP and contributes revenue back to the AAP budget. AAP FactCheck observes AAP's editorial principles and standards, but has its own additional editorial processes and expectations, and remains operationally separate from the daily AAP news operation.

AAP FactCheck has its own editor, deputy editor and journalists, and in some cases, more stringent standards than those that apply to the rest of AAP. The AAP FactCheck Editor reports to the AAP Director of Editorial Partnerships, who provides additional oversight of FactCheck content to ensure it meets editorial standards and remains bias-free. AAP's Editor and CEO have no direct input into the operations of AAP FactCheck.

Please see the Organisational Structure page: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/

While AAP FactCheck is a self-contained unit within AAP and contributes revenue back to the AAP budget it has its own has its own additional editorial processes and is operationally separate from the daily AAP news operation.

AAP FactCheck has its own editor, deputy editor and journalists and, in some cases, it says it has "more stringent standards than those that apply to the rest of AAP."

The AAP FactCheck Editor reports to the AAP Director of Editorial Partnerships, who provides additional oversight of FactCheck content to ensure it meets editorial standards and remains bias-free. AAP's Editor and CEO have no direct input into the operations of AAP FactCheck.

See Organisational Structure: https://bit.ly/3k0hxYF 

Please see the Organisational Structure page: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/

See Organisational Structure: https://bit.ly/3k0hxYF 

Please see the Organisational Structure page: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-organisational-structure/

See Organisational Structure: https://bit.ly/3k0hxYF                                                                                                            

Please see AAP FactCheck Team: https://www.aap.com.au/aap-factcheck-team/

See: AAP FactCheck Team https://bit.ly/3mFSsUT 

Please see:

Suggest A FactCheck / Make a Suggestion page: https://www.aap.com.au/make-a-submission/

Request A Correction page: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-corrections/

Contact page: https://www.aap.com.au/contact-factcheck/

There is also a CONTACT US button at the foot of every page of our website.

There are several ways that users can contact AAP FactCheck. See:

Suggest A FactCheck / Make a Suggestion: https://bit.ly/3nNOMj4 

Request A Correction:https://bit.ly/2ZXF0D5

Contact page: https://bit.ly/3nSpVe6 

There is also a "CONTACT US" button at the foot of every page of the website. https://bit.ly/3nNOMj4

Please see:

How We Work/Our Processes: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-process/

How We Work/Verdicts: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-verdicts/

See:

How We Work/Our Processes: https://bit.ly/3CJeHhZ

How We Work/Verdicts: https://bit.ly/3CHj5yj, which lists the different fact-check verdicts and explains what each one means.

No information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck selects the claims to check based primarily on the reach and importance of the claims.

No information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck sets out in its fact checks relevant evidence that supports the claim, as well as relevant evidence that appears to undermine it.

No information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck assesses the evidence it finds using the same high standards applied to evidence on equivalent claims, regardless of who made the claim.

No information required

I am satisfied that AAP FactCheck seeks, where possible, to contact those who made the claim to seek supporting evidence.

AAP FactCheck has a page specifically dedicated to encouraging people to reach out with claims: https://www.aap.com.au/make-a-submission/ 

There is also a message encouraging readers to 'contact us': https://www.aap.com.au/contact-factcheck/

We clearly set out what is in and out of scope within the How We Work/Our Processes menu item https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-process/ and reference or reiterate that information in multiple places throughout our website.

AAP FactCheck has a dedicated Make a Submission page encouraging people to submit claims for fact-checking: https://bit.ly/3nNOMj4

There is also a dedicated Contact page: https://bit.ly/3nSpVe6, as well as a CONTACT US link at the foot of all of the site's pages: 

AAP FactCheck makes it clear what it can and can't fact-check. See How We Work/Our Processes: https://bit.ly/3CJeHhZ It also references or reiterates this information in other places on the website.

Please see Request A Correction page: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-corrections/ 

See: Request A Correction page: https://bit.ly/2ZXF0D5 

No information required.

I am satisfied AAP's corrections policy adheres to the IFCN's corrections criteria.

AAP FactCheck articles often lead to criticism from those who dislike the published verdicts. The majority of feedback to AAP FactCheck is from people expressing frustration/disappointment with the outcome of an investigation. The feedback is frequently crude, offensive and/or threatening. However, any feedback containing genuine queries or challenges to the actual substance of the fact-check articles receives a prompt response from either the AAP FactCheck Editor, or Deputy Editor.

By way of example of AAP FactCheck's adherence to the policy, AAP FactCheck outlines 1. a serious complaint that was escalated to AAP's independently-chaired Standards Committee, and 2. a second example resulting in a clarification.

1. A staff member of former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet contacted AAP FactCheck within hours of a check being published about the then-premier's claim that "NSW had the fastest growing economy in Australia" (https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/perrottet-wrong-on-fastest-growing-economy-claim/) . AAP FactCheck found this claim to be false. The Premier’s Office said the verdict was wrong and requested the article be taken down. However, AAP FactCheck stood by the verdict on the basis that the premier was relying on projections, rather than actual growth, and the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics supported a false verdict. AAP FactCheck responded to the Premier's office within one hour of its initial complaint, despite that complaint being made after hours. AAP FactCheck also fielded several more phone conversations, text messages and further emails over the next 18 hours. No correction was required, but a fresh comment from the Premier's office was included, as it had previously been sought but not provided. (The Premier's Office did not respond to two approaches for comment over the course of the four days immediately prior to publication). The edit was highlighted in the verdict section of the story. AAP FactCheck referred the matter to AAP Standards for independent review and no issue was identified with the handling of the complaint.        

2. A story was updated on 1/6/23 with the following note: Edits to ‘Our Verdict’ paragraph two, and addition of paragraphs 26 and 27 to make clear 'Recognise A Better Way' is not the only ‘no’ group said to have applied for DGR status. This update was made in response to a complaint about a check (https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/abbott-deducts-context-on-no-votes-tax-status/) regarding allegations of preferential treatment for one side of the referendum debate. 

AAP's response:

"AAP FactCheck articles often lead to criticism from those who dislike the published verdicts. The majority of feedback to AAP FactCheck is from people expressing frustration/disappointment with the outcome of an investigation. The feedback is frequently crude, offensive and/or threatening. However, any feedback containing genuine queries or challenges to the actual substance of the fact-check articles receives a prompt response from either the AAP FactCheck Editor or Deputy Editor.

By way of example of AAP FactCheck's adherence to the policy, AAP FactCheck outlines 1. a serious complaint that was escalated to AAP's independently-chaired Standards Committee, and 2. a second example resulting in a clarification."

"1. A staff member of former NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet contacted AAP FactCheck within hours of a check being published about the then-premier's claim that "NSW had the fastest growing economy in Australia" (https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/perrottet-wrong-on-fastest-growing-economy-claim/). AAP FactCheck found this claim to be false. 

The Premier’s Office said the verdict was wrong and requested the article be taken down. However, AAP FactCheck stood by the verdict on the basis that the premier was relying on projections, rather than actual growth, and the latest data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics supported a false verdict. 

AAP FactCheck responded to the Premier's office within one hour of its initial complaint, despite that complaint being made after hours. AAP FactCheck also fielded several more phone conversations, text messages and further emails over the next 18 hours. 

No correction was required, but a fresh comment from the Premier's office was included, as it had previously been sought but not provided. (The Premier's Office did not respond to two approaches for comment over the course of the four days immediately prior to publication). The edit was highlighted in the verdict section of the story. AAP FactCheck referred the matter to AAP Standards for independent review and no issue was identified with the handling of the complaint."       

"2. A story was updated on 1/6/23 with the following note: Edits to ‘Our Verdict’ paragraph two, and addition of paragraphs 26 and 27 to make clear 'Recognise A Better Way' is not the only ‘no’ group said to have applied for DGR status. 

This update was made in response to a complaint about a check (https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck/abbott-deducts-context-on-no-votes-tax-status/) regarding allegations of preferential treatment for one side of the referendum debate."

A link to the IFCN Code of Principles and the IFCN complaint policy can be found on our Corrections page: https://www.aap.com.au/factcheck-corrections/

There are links to the IFCN Code of Principles and the IFCN complaint policy on AAP's Corrections page: https://bit.ly/2ZXF0D5

AAP's corrections policy is outlined in our Code of Practice: https://www.aap.com.au/about-us/#item-2

AAP's Standards Committee routinely monitors all responses to requests for corrections to ensure they align with AAP's Code of Practice as well as community standards. 

AAP Standards Committee most recent report was submitted to the AAP board in August 2023, noting no corrections policy breaches for the year. That report confirms AAP produced more than 75,000 stories, with a total error rate of less than 1.0 per cent. In the year preceding the report, only 18 stories contained errors made by AAP that resulted in the highest response level (either a story 'Kill' or a 'Takedown') - which amounts to less than 0.024 per cent of the total stories published.

The corrections policy (linked above) states:

3. Corrections

3.1. Inaccuracies or suspected inaccuracies which affect the integrity of stories on our wires must be dealt with promptly.

3.2. When we acknowledge an inaccuracy, a correction should be issued at urgent priority.

3.3. Challenges to accuracy or fairness in our stories must be referred to the News Editor or Editor. If there is serious doubt, particularly on legal grounds, we must alert subscribers to hold a story pending clarification. If such doubts are confirmed, we must advise subscribers to kill the story, issue take-down notices to internet subscribers and replace with a corrected version as soon as possible.

AAP FactChek is a unit of AAP and adheres to its corrections policy. This policy is outlined in AAP's  Code of Practice: https://bit.ly/3nWnrLw

AAP's Standards Committee monitors all responses to requests for corrections to ensure that they align with the Code of Practice as well as its community standards.

The Committee comprises members appointed by the CEO who meet regularly to review complaints and other editorial issues, as well as provide guidance and advice as necessary. It aims to preserve the integrity, independence, quality and freedom from bias of the AAP news service, as well as to protect and promote the value of AAP’s news to the Australian public."

The AAP Standards Committee's most recent report, which was submitted to the AAP board in August 2023, noted no corrections policy breaches for the year. 

The report confirmed that AAP produced more than 75,000 stories, with a total error rate of less than 1.0 per cent. In the year preceding the report, only 18 stories contained errors made by AAP that resulted in the highest response level (either a story 'Kill' or a 'Takedown'). This amounted to less than 0.024 per cent of the total stories published.

The corrections policy (https://bit.ly/2ZXF0D5) states:

"3. Corrections

3.1. Inaccuracies or suspected inaccuracies which affect the integrity of stories on our wires must be dealt with promptly.

3.2. When we acknowledge an inaccuracy, a correction should be issued at urgent priority.

3.3. Challenges to accuracy or fairness in our stories must be referred to the News Editor or Editor. If there is serious doubt, particularly on legal grounds, we must alert subscribers to hold a story pending clarification. If such doubts are confirmed, we must advise subscribers to kill the story, issue take-down notices to internet subscribers and replace it with a corrected version as soon as possible."