Code of Principles

Code of principles of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) to which TSM adheres: The Stage Media is one of the certified organizations of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) of the Poynter Institute. The organization undergoes an annual evaluation by an academic or independent expert hired by IFCN to analyze whether the five principles of the Code are met. The expert makes a recommendation to certify or not the organization, which, in the case of TSM, was always positive (in 2023 and 2024). The IFCN Board approves the certification. Below we present the Code of Principles to which we commit so that everyone can monitor compliance and check TSM.

The Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) is committed to promoting excellence in fact-checking. We believe that impartial and transparent fact-checking can be a powerful tool for accountability journalism. On the other hand, partisan or unsourced fact-checking can increase distrust in media outlets and experts and taint public understanding.

This code of principles applies to organizations that regularly publish impartial reports on the accuracy of statements made by renowned public figures and institutions and other widely circulated claims of interest to society. It is the result of consultations among fact-checkers around the world and provides practical principles to which they should aspire in their daily work.

Commitment to Impartiality and Equity

We always check using the same standards; we do not lean towards any particular side. We follow the same process for each check and let the evidence dictate our conclusions. We do not defend or take sides for the facts we check. To ensure impartiality and equity in the verification selection process, an editorial committee, composed of the Editorial team, analyzes the degree of relevance of the available material on a daily basis. Opinions, comments or statements of commitment are not subject to verification, except when they are based on data or facts whose veracity can be assessed. TSM does not express an opinion.

Commitment to Transparency of Our Sources

We want our community to be able to verify our findings for themselves. We provide all sources in a detailed manner so that the community can replicate our work, except in cases where the personal safety of a particular source may be compromised. TSM consults the individual who created the statement to determine the original source of the data utilized. If the statement is obtained directly, other sources are used to confirm its veracity and explain its significance and impact. If this is not feasible, the check is conducted using alternate methods, such as documentation (public and private reports, studies, or statistical compilations) and interviews with professionals. If someone has a known political allegiance, it is indicated.

After confirming the facts, any relevant context that aids comprehension is supplied. Context is defined as the local socioeconomic, historical, and cultural context, as well as, if feasible, the regional and international ones. In any case, considerable effort is taken to guarantee that verification.

Commitment to Transparency in Our Financing and Organization

We are transparent about our funding sources. If we accept funding from other organizations, we make sure that these do not influence the conclusions we reach in our reports. We detail the professional backgrounds of all key figures in our organization and explain our organizational structure and legal status. We provide our community with a clear avenue of communication with us.

Commitment to Transparency of Our Methodology

We explain the methodology we use to select, research, write, edit, publish, and correct our fact-checks. We encourage our readers to send us statements for verification and we are transparent about the reasons and how we do our fact-checking.

Commitment to Open and Honest Corrections

We publish our corrections policy and follow it to the letter. We correct in a clear and transparent manner per our policy so that we can ensure that our community has access to the corrected version.

Policy

To ensure the independence of our content, TSM makes sure that no member of the team including the members of our advisory board is not involved in political activities or that none of us has any ties with a political group or any civic movement. These include a commitment to nonpartisanship and fairness, transparency of sources, transparency of funding and organization, transparency of methodology, and an open and honest corrections policy. TSM also follows the publications of each of our employees online to ensure that they have not taken a position or engaged in a political struggle. This is to ensure the independence of our project vis-à-vis political organizations. We are an independent team and TSM has no political link.