Boom, other digital organisations set up fact-checking body

Fact-checking is the process of verifying the factual accuracy of questioned reporting and statements

The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA), a group of nearly 10 organisations, which includes Boom, Logically Facts and The Quint, have come together to form an independent self-regulatory body, Fact Checking Network (FCN), with participants expected to verify information, including that related to the government.

The mushrooming of web portals, the explosion of social media and advances in technology have sparked concerns about misinformation as well as disinformation. Several media organisations in the country have set up so-called fact-checking units, while some platforms' primary job is that of a fact-checker.

In April, the Centre decided that only a body appointed by it could fact check information related to government. For fact-checking non-government content,  the Centre favoured the industry setting up a self-regulatory body.

"The FCN’s Code of Principles does not specify/mandate on the kind of misinformation that signatories should fact-check, and its principles apply to checks about any type of content, whether related to a government or not," MCA said in response to a questionnaire sent by Moneycontrol. The establishment of the FCN was announced on November 7.

The signatories would have to ensure that the majority of the fact checks were done in public interest, the  MCA, which has not made its Code of Principles public, said.

Moneycontrol written earlier that MCA sought the blessings of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) to form such an SRO for fact-checking non-government online content. There is no information in public domain to say the MCA has got MeitY nod.

"At the moment, there is no legal obligation that has been vested on fact checkers to constitute an SRO under any such regulation. However, given regulatory trends, the MCA wanted to be proactive and constitute a fact checking network," the MCA said.

The self-regulatory body's primary role will be to accredit fact checking organisation vis-a-vis their compliance to the code of standards and take up grievances. A Hindustan Times report said organisations can start applying for accreditation from 2024.

The MCA was formed in 2022 in the wake of increasing volumes of misinformation and fake news in the country. Its members also include Fact Crescendo, India Today, Tattle, People Like Us Create, Newsmeter Factcheck and  The Logical Indian.

In response to a query on whether MCA was working with internet companies, and if such platforms take down content the SRO's signatories fact check, it said such companies are free to use checks by their signatories.

"The FCN does not have control over how the internet companies publish/host content. Internet companies will be free to utilise the assessments of verified signatories and even prioritise them if they so desire – but there is no regulatory or legislative framework in place to make them do so," the MCA said.