At Newschecker, we are committed to transparency and fairness in our fact-checking process. If any fact-check involves an individual or entity with a direct or indirect conflict of interest with our organisation, we will disclose this information in the relevant fact-check to ensure that our readers are fully informed and can assess the context of our findings.

At Newschecker, we are deeply committed to maintaining objectivity and non-partisanship in all our operations. Upon joining, every employee is thoroughly briefed on our non-partisanship policy, ensuring that our fact-checks remain purely factual and free from personal opinions.

We ensure that all members of our fact-checking team are free from affiliations with political parties and advocacy organisations, except for those promoting transparency in governance or democratic reforms.

The following principles are non-negotiable in our non-partisanship policy:

1. Fact-Checks Must Be Objective: Personal biases and opinions are not allowed and usage of neutral language is required in all fact-checks.
2. No Political Affiliations: Employees are not permitted to affiliate with any political party or advocacy organization, except for those advocating transparency, information integrity or measures that strengthen democracy.
3. Neutral Conduct: Employees are not allowed to campaign for or display symbols or attire representing a political viewpoint.
4. Resource Use: Organisation resources cannot be used for printing, sharing, or copying materials that support a specific political perspective.
5. Protest Participation: Employees are not permitted to participate in protests for political causes.
6. Influence and Campaigning: Employees must not influence colleagues or campaign for votes for any political party.
7. Consequences of Policy Violation: Any employee found violating this policy will undergo an internal process, after which necessary disciplinary actions will be taken.

Newschecker abides by India’s data privacy laws and ensures that all content shared under this license complies with applicable legal frameworks.

Except where otherwise noted, all content on Newschecker is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (CC BY 4.0). This license allows for the following uses:

1. Share — You are free to copy and redistribute the material in any medium or format.
2. Adapt — You are permitted to remix, transform, and build upon the material for any purpose, even commercially.

Terms of Use:

• Attribution: You must provide appropriate credit, including a link to the license, and indicate if any changes were made. Attribution must be done in a reasonable manner but not in a way that suggests endorsement by Newschecker.
• Transparency: Any modifications to the material must be clearly indicated.
• Commercial Use Notification: While the CC BY 4.0 license allows for commercial use, we kindly request that you inform us if our content is being used for commercial purposes. This helps us track the usage of our intellectual property and ensures that our content is used responsibly.

Guidelines for Attribution: To ensure proper attribution when using our content, please follow these guidelines:

• Include the Title of the work.
• Credit the Author (Newschecker).
• Provide the Source (a link to the original article or page on newschecker website).
• Specify the License (e.g., “Licensed under CC BY 4.0”).

We respect the intellectual property and efforts of other fact-checking organisations, initiatives, and independent fact-checkers. We do not republish or reuse any part of their content without providing clear attribution to the original source. Where applicable, we notify the original creators prior to reuse, ensuring compliance with the licensing terms of their content.

At Newschecker, we are committed to safeguarding the privacy, safety, and dignity of individuals featured in our fact-checks. Our policies are guided by ethical standards and applicable laws to ensure responsible reporting. Below are the key principles we follow:

Protecting Vulnerable Individuals

We obscure the identities and images of individuals when there is a reasonable concern for their safety, privacy, or dignity. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Victims of heinous crimes.
• Victims of sexual assault or gender-based violence.
• Children (minors below the age of 18).
• Other vulnerable individuals who may face harm or stigmatisation if identified.

We avoid using graphic or explicit images that could cause distress to individuals depicted or our audience. If such images are essential for context, we edit or blur them to protect identities while maintaining the integrity of the report.

Protecting Minors

Newschecker is restrictive, respectful, and considerate when mentioning or identifying minors. As permitted under existing laws:

• We do not identify minors in our reports unless absolutely necessary and legally permissible.
• We make every effort to protect their privacy and avoid any reporting that could harm or stigmatise them.

Handling Personal Information

We anonymise or partially conceal personal information (such as telephone numbers, IDs, passports, bank account numbers, email addresses, etc.) that could lead to harassment or misuse. Exceptions are made only when such information forms crucial evidence for a fact-check and is handled in compliance with:

• The Digital Personal Data Protection (DPDP) Act, 2023.
• Our Privacy Policy

If you believe any content published by Newschecker violates these principles, you can report it to us at [email protected]. We take all concerns seriously and review them promptly to ensure compliance with our policies.

We are committed to maintaining a safe, respectful, and supportive work environment that fosters well-being and resilience among our team members. We recognise the potential risks of trauma and harassment associated with fact-checking activities and have implemented measures to address these challenges.

Mitigating Distressing Content: To protect our team, we:

• Provide trigger warnings in communication channels for gory or triggering visuals.
• Offer medical insurance covering telecalling sessions with mental health professionals and subscriptions to Headspace and CultFit for stress management.
• Foster a culture of mutual respect, emphasising the importance of respecting each other’s time and energy, with zero tolerance for misbehaviour.

Reporting Incidents: Team members should report harassment or trauma incidents immediately to their reporting manager/ managing editor or HR representative. Reports can be made confidentially, and retaliation is not tolerated.

Support Services: Affected members can access psychological support, counseling, and legal assistance if needed. Workload adjustments are also available upon request.

Addressing Incidents

• Investigation: We conduct prompt and fair investigations upon receiving reports.
• Consequences: Appropriate actions, from warnings to termination, are taken against perpetrators.
• External Harassment: We support staff by liaising with relevant authorities and digital platforms to mitigate risks.