Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC News) adheres to the International Fact-Checking Network Fact-checkers’ Code of Principles. These principles were developed by the Poynter Institute to promote excellence and standardization in Fact Checking.
MBFC News strictly adheres to the following principles for all fact checks:
- 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. - 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. - A COMMITMENT TO TRANSPARENCY OF FUNDING & ORGANIZATION
We are transparent about our funding sources. If we accept funding from other organizations, 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 organization and explain our organizational structure and legal status. We clearly indicate a way for readers to communicate with us. - 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. - 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.
METHODOLOGY
Selection Process
Media Bias/Fact Check (MBFC News) fact checks a wide range of political statements from both elected and non-elected government officials, media pundits, and special interest groups. We also examine claims made on social media in the form of memes and viral images.
MBFC News recognizes that Politifact, Fact Check and Snopes do a fantastic job fact checking major claims. We feel our role is to check claims that perhaps have been bypassed. We will occasionally select our own fact-checks to research, but primarily rely on submissions from users of our website. MBFC News selects what to fact check based on the following criteria:
- Is the statement rooted in a fact that can be verified? We don’t check opinions.
- Is the statement leaving a particular impression that may be misleading?
- Is the statement significant?
- Is the statement likely to be repeated by others?
- Would a typical person wonder if the statement is true or not?
Research Methods
MBFC’s research generally begins by attempting to contacting the source of a claim. If an elected official, for example, makes a claim we reach out to that individual’s office for clarification or request a source to back up that claim.
If it is not possible to contact the source, MBFC will then turn to news articles, journals, and on-record interviews with reporters and experts on the subject. On-record interviews assist our writers and researchers with the interpretation of data. MBFC does not allow off-record sources. In other words, we do not accept “experts claim.”
MBFC always seeks out nonpartisan data sources whenever possible. Such sources often include government agencies like the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Congressional Budget Office, Tax Policy Center, the Tax Foundation and the Center for Effective Government, etc.
MBFC always publishes a list of its sources along with each article.
Claim Evaluation
MBFC rating system has four ratings:
- TRUE – The statement is accurate and there’s nothing significant missing.
- MOSTLY TRUE – The statement is in general accurate but may need additional information or clarification.
- MOSTLY FALSE – The statement contains an element of truth but ignores critical facts that may give the wrong impression.
- BLATANT LIE – The statement is not accurate at all and makes a ridiculous claim.
MBFC does not use the Half-True claim as we feel it does not have value. If something is Half-True it simply is not worth reporting.
Last Updated on November 30, 2016 by
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