Our MAD (Monitoring, Archiving and Debunking) methodology combines monitoring, archiving, and debunking disinformation. We monitor potentially false claims in the media and on social media, archive them, and verify them using independent sources and evidence. We publish the fact-checking results together with a verdict, an explanation of our findings, and links to the sources used.
Information Selection
To identify false or questionable information, we regularly monitor content published in traditional and online media, as well as on social media platforms.
StopFake specialises in identifying and debunking Russian disinformation. Claims are selected for fact-checking based on their public significance, reach, potential harm, and relevance to the project’s area of expertise, regardless of the political affiliation or identity of the person making or sharing them. The same standards of sourcing and evidence apply to all claims selected for verification.
Indicators of False Information
- Emotionally charged language and presentation
- Vivid or figurative presentation of information without specific data, figures, or supporting arguments
- Lack of balance in the presentation of different viewpoints (the material reflects only one position)
- Lack of factual evidence (references, statements from officials or eyewitnesses, or photographic or video evidence)
- An unreliable source disseminating the information
- Anonymous or questionable authorship
- Signs of digital manipulation or falsification of visual content (photos or videos)
Verification Process
Information is verified through the following steps:
- Searching for corroborating information in publicly available sources
- Identifying witnesses and gathering eyewitness accounts
- Requesting clarification and information from official authorities
- Consulting experts in specialised fields on topics subject to manipulation and disinformation in the media (including medicine, environmental issues, economics, technology, science, etc.)
- Analysing sources that publish false information (websites and social media accounts)
- Gathering information about organisations and individuals responsible for spreading false information
- Analysing photographic and video materials
Sources and Impartiality of Fact-Checking
- To verify a central claim, StopFake uses at least two independent sources that do not obtain information from one another or rely on the same original source
- Priority is given to original documents, official data, full recordings of statements and interviews, original photographs and videos, and first-hand testimony
- Publications that reproduce information from a single original source are not considered separate corroborating sources. Any exceptions to the minimum source requirement are explained in the fact-check
- The editorial team examines the financial, professional, organisational, and political affiliations of experts and sources involved in the verification process if these could affect its impartiality. To do so, the team reviews publicly available information and, where necessary, requests additional clarification
Right of Reply
- Before publishing a fact-check, the editorial team seeks comment from the person who made the claim or the party directly concerned, if their response could clarify a disputed fact, provide additional evidence, or help accurately present their position
- The editorial team may decide not to send a request if the party’s position has already been made public and is sufficiently clear for verification, or if contacting them is practically impossible or could pose a safety risk
- If the editorial team has sent a request but received no response before publication, this is stated in the fact-check. Responses received after publication are considered in accordance with the Corrections Policy if they contain information relevant to the verification
Assessment of Accuracy and Editorial Review
- Based on verified facts, responses from official institutions, expert comments, eyewitness accounts, and the results of analyses of media sources, photographs, and video materials, the editorial team prepares an analytical article and issues a verdict
- Every publication must be reviewed by at least one editor who is not its author
- If doubts arise regarding the reliability of the information or the soundness of the conclusions, at least two members of the StopFake editorial board are involved in the review
- Material is published only after receiving editorial approval
Verdicts
Based on the results of its verification, the StopFake editorial team issues one of two verdicts: “Fake” or “Manipulation.”
Fake refers to information based on a distorted fact or fabricated content, as established through verification using multiple sources.
Manipulation refers to a half-truth or a statement that is partially true but presented in a way that leads the audience to a false conclusion.
Information for which no evidence is available to confirm or disprove its accuracy may also be classified as manipulation.
Tools Used for Analysis
First and foremost, our fact-checkers rely on common sense and a healthy degree of scepticism when analysing texts. Google helps us trace the origins of a news story. To identify the registrant of a website domain used to disseminate the information in question, we use Who.is. Web.archive.org can help determine whether an article has been altered.
To verify photographs, the StopFake team uses Google’s reverse image search, TinEye, FotoForensics, RevEye, Exif.regex.info, and other tools. For video verification, we typically use YouTube DataViewer and InVID.
An overview of software and tools available for information verification can be found in the Tools section.