FactCheckNI has signed up to an international code of fact-checking.

This code of principles, which FactCheckNI helped to draft, is published by the International Fact-Checking Network at the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.

FactCheckNI was one of 35 original signatories of the code.

Other signatories include FullFact (UK) and TheJournal.ie (Ireland).

FactCheckNI is Northern Ireland’s first fact-checking service, and we are proud to subscribe to this public set of international standards.

The code is as follows:

1. 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.

2. 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.

3. A commitment to transparency of funding and organisation

We are transparent about our funding sources. If we accept funding from other organisations, 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 organisation and explain our organisational structure and legal status. We clearly indicate a way for readers to communicate with us.

4. 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.

5. 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.

FactCheckNI’s policies on fact-checking is available here: http://www.factcheckni.org/faqs/

Send your requests for fact-checking to: [email protected]