Nov 7, 2023
The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) is proud to announce the framework for an independent Fact Checking Network (FCN) – our initiative to develop self-governing standards and best practices for fact checking organisations in India, enabling them to become trusted partners in the fight against the weaponisation of misinformation and disinformation.
It is no secret that the spread of misinformation and disinformation online (often clubbed under the moniker of “fake news”) has become one of the most significant challenges of the modern age. Countries around the world are grappling with the difficulties of addressing this challenge, as are social media platforms, messaging services and other intermediaries which have found themselves the battlegrounds of an ever-evolving war between truth and falsehood.
In recent years, fact checking organisations have been stepping up to the challenge, helping average citizens understand the dangers of false and misleading information, and how they can be vigilant to avoid falling prey to them. India has been no exception to this phenomenon, and indeed is now home to the largest fact checking community in the world.
This is a diverse and vibrant community, which has honed its ability to effectively communicate with the diverse and vibrant people of India, no matter which language, and no matter which format, is required for the job. It is therefore an ideal partner for civil society, tech platforms and the government in their efforts to tackle the problem of misinformation and disinformation.
Given this increasingly important role for the Indian fact checking community, we also understand the need to earn the trust of India’s digital nagriks. They need to be satisfied that our work is unbiased, rigorous and fair; and that we are transparent about our approach and how we operate, so that they can feel safe relying on our assessments and fact checks when trying to make sense of the world around them.
The FCN has a robust Code of Principles that is meant to provide Indian fact checkers with the guidance they need to ensure their work is of an unimpeachable standard. The Code includes commitments to non-partisanship and fairness (including not unduly targeting any side), transparency of methodology (including explaining how fact checks are done and what evidence is used) and transparency of funding (to ensure readers are aware of any relevant bias).
While such commitments can also be found in international best practices, the FCN Code of Principles goes further, with tailored provisions to ensure that the interests of India’s digital nagriks are firmly front and centre. Fact checking organisations that sign up to the Code have to commit to ensuring that their checks are easily accessible and are not hidden behind a paywall, and that their checks can be used for non-commercial purposes like awareness campaigns under a creative commons licence. They also have to demonstrate a commitment to privacy and safety, including considerations under Indian law for protecting the identities of children and victims of heinous crimes, as well as protecting personal data under the Digital Personal Data Protection Act 2023.
Organisations that are willing to sign up to the Code of Principles will become part of a standard framework for fact checking in India, overseen by the FCN Board. The Board is a self-governing body established under a special charter to verify whether an organisation’s processes and workflow is compliant with the FCN Code of Principles. Organisations which meet the standards will be accredited as ‘verified signatories’ to the Code. This can be viewed as a certification to the public as well as platforms and government authorities that the organisation can be trusted to employ the highest standards in the conduct of fact checking.
The FCN Board will comprise independent eminent persons from the field of media, broadcasting, journalism, human rights or law – all of whom must be Indian citizens – with a retired Supreme Court or High Court judge as its Chairperson. The Board will obtain reports from expert assessors to determine whether an organisation should be accepted as a verified signatory. These assessors need to be Indian citizens with extensive experience and qualifications, and will need to demonstrate their political neutrality to perform this role. The Board will also ensure any signatories which violate the Code face consequences, including in serious cases losing their status and being barred from applying for it again. Any member of the general public can file a complaint about such violations against a verified signatory, ensuring that Indian citizens can keep their trusted fact checkers accountable.
While the MCA has worked on drawing up this framework, we want it to be a framework for all Indian fact checkers, which can eventually become a leading standard in South Asia and beyond. Any fact checking organisation with a demonstrable focus on India, and which publishes fact checks in English or any of the 22 languages recognised by the Indian Constitution, is eligible to apply to become a verified signatory. It will not be necessary for a fact checker to join the MCA to do so.
The FCN framework is meant to be a multi-stakeholder initiative that builds public trust and can become an integral part of comprehensive strategies to address online misinformation and disinformation. The framework was therefore prepared following widespread consultations with relevant stakeholders.
We hope to continue to be able to work with others committed to the fight to protect Indian citizens from online harms, and ensure that the Indian fact checking community fulfils its incredible potential for years to come. As part of these efforts, we have launched an email (factcheckthis@mcaindia.in) that will serve as a hotline where posts or messages containing potential or suspected misinformation can be sent for fact checking and verification by our member fact-checking newsrooms.
We are also excited to welcome new members to the MCA family, and look forward to expanding this community to be ever-more inclusive, diverse, and dynamic.
Bharat Gupta
President
Rajneil R Kamath
Vice President
FAQs
About MCA
Q1. What is MCA?
The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA), is a cross-industry collaborative effort, which has been set up with the objective of combatting and limiting the spread of mis/disinformation through targeted interventions and activities.
The harmful effects of the spread of mis/disinformation are well-known and widely documented. In a country like India, it has led to mob lynchings, large-scale violence, and even riots. It’s no secret that it has also led to an erosion of trust in media, institutions, and social media platforms. This is where the MCA steps in. Our aim is to create a society that is more aware and has access to factual and verified information.
Q2. How can one become a member of the MCA?
Membership is open to fact-checking organisations, civil society organisations, civic tech entities, publishers, industry bodies, research and academic organisations, and any organisation that shares the vision and mission of the MCA. Interested organisations can apply through a simple form available on the MCA website.
Q3. Where does MCA get its funding from?
The governing charter mandates the MCA to raise grants, subscriptions, gifts, sponsorships, donations, and partner contributions to support the execution of yearly plans and maintain operations. The MCA is currently funded by the fee receipts from projects it does under its advocacy, media literacy, and training programmes. Programmes that align with the MCA’s vision and mission are chosen. As per the current charter in force, and available on the MCA website, membership is free. We plan to update it to include membership charges from all members.
Q4. What will be the scope of work and operations at MCA?
MCA’s vision is to create a trusted, safe, and open information ecosystem leading to an aware and enlightened society in the country. The mission is to reach every internet user and encourage them to become digital and media literate, which can help them discern fact from fake. The scope of work falls under the following categories:
- Media literacy
- Advocacy
- Innovation
- Compliance
You can read about all these activities in detail here.
About the FCN
Q5. What is the FCN?
Fact-Checking Network (FCN) is an independent initiative to adopt best practices and develop self-governing standards for fact-checking organisations in India, enabling them to become trusted partners in the fight against the weaponisation of misinformation and disinformation.
Q6. What is the FCN Code of Principles?
The FCN Code of Principles is meant to provide Indian fact-checkers with the guidance they need to ensure their work is of an unimpeachable standard. The code includes commitment to non-partisanship and fairness (including, not unduly targeting any side), transparency of methodology (including explaining how fact-checks are done and what evidence is used), and transparency of funding (to ensure readers are aware of any relevant bias). The FCN Code of Principles is informed by international standards but tailored to meet the interests of Indian fact-checkers and users.
Q7. What is the difference between MCA and FCN?
MCA is the umbrella alliance of organisations interested in fighting misinformation through multiple initiatives and is guided by the mission and vision of the alliance. Whereas, FCN is an independent fact-checking specific network being set up by the MCA, which aims to ensure that fact-checking in India meets the highest possible professional standards.
Q8. How is the FCN different from the IFCN and are they related?
Fact-Checking Network (FCN) is MCA’s independent initiative to develop self-governing standards and best practices for fact-checking organisations in India, enabling them to become trusted partners in the fight against the weaponisation of mis/disinformation. The FCN Code of Principles is meant to provide Indian fact-checkers with the guidance they need to ensure their work is of an unimpeachable standard. Organisations that are willing to sign up to the Code of Principles will become part of a standard framework for fact-checking in India, overseen by the FCN Board. The Board is a self-governing body established under a special charter to verify whether an organisation’s processes and workflow is compliant with the FCN Code of Principles. Organisations which meet the standards will be accredited as ‘verified signatories’ to the Code. This can be viewed as a certification to the public as well as platforms and government authorities that the organisation can be trusted to employ the highest standards in the conduct of fact-checking.
The IFCN, on the other hand, stands for the International Fact-Checking Network at the Poynter Institute which was launched in 2015 with the aim of bringing fact-checkers and advocates of factual information together globally. Other than the common aim of advocating for factual and verified information, there is no direct connection between the two. However, some of the MCA members and future signatories of FCN may be IFCN’s verified signatories.
Q9. Who can be an FCN signatory? Does one need to be a verified signatory of the IFCN to apply?
Any fact-checking organisation that meets the criteria laid down in the Code of Principles can become a signatory. Being a signatory signifies the intent of the organisation to carry out fact-checking in a non-partisan and impartial way. Fact-checking activities of the potential signatories should also meet other standards laid down in the Code of Principles. The applicant organisation does not need to be a verified signatory of the IFCN.
Q10. How will you ensure assessors are non-partisan and free from influence?
The assessment process is designed to rule out assessor bias. The assessment criteria is elaborate and objective. The assessor selection process also has its checks and balances. Further, assessors will have to declare any political affiliation, possible conflict of interest at the time of applying as well as at the time of applications for assessments being allotted to them.
About the MCA governing council
Q11. Is there a board or governing council that runs the affairs of the MCA?
Yes, the MCA is run by a governing council that reports to the larger body of all MCA members frequently.
The governing council has 15 (Fifteen) members, divided as per the following:
- President (Executive)
- Vice President (Working)
- Treasurer
- GC Members (9)
- Independent governing council Members (3) – Nominated by the other 12 members of the board within two months of the governing council being constituted.
Current GC members include:
Bharat Gupta (President), Jagran New Media
Rajneil Kamath (Vice-President), News Checker
Rahul Namboori, Fact Crescendo
Rakesh Dubbudu (Member), Factly
Sudipta Sengupta (Member), THIP
Tarunima Prabhakar (Member), Tattle
Anshul Tewari (Member), Youth Ki Awaaz
Kevin Lee (Member), Yuvaa
Tamseel Hussain (Member), Pluc TV
Q12. What is the tenure of the governing council?
Members of the governing council are elected for a two-year term. A governing council member can serve for a maximum of two consecutive terms. The governing council (12 members) will be elected by the members of the MCA. The same includes the president, vice-president and treasurer. At the time of elections, members of the MCA can nominate themselves or others who are members of the MCA.
For media queries please contact: pressqueries@mcaindia.in