As independent journalists, our primordial duty is to tell the truth and present facts to help the public discern issues and concerns impacting their lives.
How do we rate claims?
FAKE – if the claim is completely invented.
FALSE – if the claim contradicts, undermines, or disputes truthful facts, actual events, and official records (e.g., laws and scientific studies).
MISLEADING – if the claim is based on truth but maliciously twisted to serve a group or individual’s vested interests.
ALTERED – pertains to images or videos manipulated to mislead the public.
MISSING CONTEXT – if the claim needs further clarification or contextualization.
Where do you post your results?
How did MindaNews Fact Check start?
Since its establishment in 2001, MindaNews has upheld its vision of being the leading provider of accurate, timely, and comprehensive news on Mindanao, serving empowered communities. Founded by reporters, it ensures accurate reporting about Mindanao, an island often subject to misinformation.
Our policy mandates thorough vetting of reports before publication. Our fact-checking initiative, with a uniform format, began in October 2021 under Internews’ Philippine Fact-Checker Incubator (PFCI) project. Prior to PFCI, MindaNews co-founded Tsek.ph, a collaborative effort to combat disinformation during the 2019 and 2022 elections.
Where do you get funds?
MindaNews sustains operations through subscriptions, book sales, and grants from non-state actors, maintaining full editorial independence. It does not accept funds from politicians or states for fact-checking. Grants from the National Endowment for Democracy (NED) and UNESCO support coverage, training, and administrative costs. Fact-checking initiatives have received support from Internews (2021-2022) and the BUILD grant (2023-2024). Funders do not influence editorial processes.
Do you accept leads from the public for fact-checking?
Yes. MindaNews encourages public leads for fact-checking and other news stories. Our fact checks include a call to action: “As with all our reports, MindaNews welcomes leads or suggestions from the public for potential fact-check pieces.”
