How we work

Faktoje is an active member of the International Fact-Checking Network ( IFCN ) since January 2020 and a signatory to the Code of Principles , part of the Anti Disinformation Network in the Balkans since April 2, 2020 and a member of the EFCSN (European Fact-Checking Standards Network ). Faktoje is dedicated to fighting disinformation not only through fact-checking, but also through media education, training, research and collaboration with citizens, media, civil society organizations and companies. (Click here for our projects).

Read more about our methodology ( here)

The mission of “Faktoje”  is to check the veracity of the promises, statements and actions of public officials (and entities that benefit from public funds) and then tell the public the truth.

The “Faktoje” vision
calls for a society that rejects fraud by public officials or private entities.

Our core values ​​are : Responsibility, accuracy, cooperation and teamwork, courage, independence, integrity, transparency and reliability. Beyond the core values, the work and decision-making in our organization is guided by these principles: Idealism, perseverance, sustainability, seriousness and inclusiveness.

Since its founding in 2018, the challenges of “Faktoje” have been the selection of facts to be verified, impartiality, and continuity. This document reflects how these processes are carried out.

A brief history of “Faktoje”

“Faktoje.al”, the first fact-checking service in Albania, launched in 2017. The establishment of “Faktoje” was made possible through the USAID grant fund and under the auspices of the Gender Alliance for Development (GADC), with support from the National Center for Social Studies (NCSS). The “Faktoje” team consists of editors and journalists, who focus on verifying the statements, promises and actions of public officials and the most important institutions of the country.

Since July 2019, “Faktoje” has been registered with the court with a nipt and operates as a non-governmental, fully independent media organization . ( Click here for the statute and update of the board members ( update 1 and update 2 ) .

Faktoje has been part of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) since January 2020 as a signatory member and part of the Anti Disinformation Network in the Balkans since April 2, 2020. Faktoje is committed to combating disinformation not only through verification of statements by public officials, but also through training, research and collaboration with citizens, media, civil society organizations and companies. (Click here for our projects).

What is fact-checking?

Fact-checking or fact verification is a modern, identifiable category of journalism. It aims at ensuring an accurate and unbiased analysis of public statements, in order to correct misconceptions and increase public knowledge of important matters.

How we are funded

We are transparent about our funding sources. If we receive funding from other organizations, we ensure that the funders (donors) do not influence the conclusions we reach in our reports. We provide details on the professional backgrounds of all key figures in our organization and explain our organizational structure and legal status. “Faktoje” for 2022 is funded through projects: MATRA Program from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, IREX, NED and the EU.

Audit documents 2019 &  2020  , 2021  , 2022 ,  2023 ,  2024. Financial statements  2022 ,  2023 ,  2024 .

Depoliticization, commitment to impartiality and honesty

Faktoje is an organization that does not engage in political activities. The selection for “fact-checking” of statements and promises of politicians, public officials and entities that benefit from public funds is made based on the impact they have on the lives of citizens. We do fact-checking using a standard method by applying the methodology, which is published on our official website “Faktoje.al”, subcategory “About us”.

Faktoje tries to be balanced and verify statements and promises of representatives from the entire political spectrum (government and opposition) and other public institutions. We leave it to the evidence to dictate our conclusions.

Faktoje does not employ any person who holds a paid or prominent position in a political party, in the government, or in a public company under the direct control of a political party or government. In no event will Faktoje ask or advise readers to vote for any political party, candidate for public office, or policies other than those related to fact-checking.

Faktoje requires employees not to make political statements on behalf of the organization and not to accept gifts, favors or services on favorable terms in a work environment that exceed ordinary norms of social behavior and decency.

Faktoje will not enter into any agreement or partnership with any political party and will address any reasonable conflict of interest or political bias from the experts or organizations it has cited or used.

Methodology

The methodology of “Faktoje” guides the editing team and the journalists through selecting topics, conducting research, structuring articles or videos, evaluating claims, and most importantly, drawing conclusions based on facts.

 - Selection process
  1. We collect and verify statements from public officials across the political spectrum by monitoring:
  • major print or online newspapers, national and local;
  • major news agencies;
  • websites and social media profiles of political representatives;
  • party websites
  • websites of ministries and government
  • Youtube and other video platforms.
  1. The “Faktoje” methodology guides the team in selecting statements for verification based on their importance and resonance in the public and political debate. We avoid bias and focus on a single politician or party.
  2. We only choose statements that are based on facts or verifiable data.
  3. We quote the statement exactly as reported by the source, illustrating it with links to the article/video/screenshot so that the public can verify the statement for themselves.
  4. When we verify data, we cite the sources on which we base our estimates, so that everyone has the opportunity to check them.
- Research methods
  1. We ask the person who made the statement what facts they base it on.
  2. It is a fundamental right to inform the subject that his/her statements are being verified. “Faktoje” selects for “fact-checking” only statements made publicly.
  3. We request official information from public institutions.
  4. “Faktoje” contacts public institutions based on Law No. 119/2014 “On the Right to Information”.
  5. We refer to the media for facts on the matter.
  6. We are looking for what other media outlets have found before us. This research may help with new facts or evidence regarding the verification of the statement.
  7. We use online search engines.
  8. During verification, we search for data on Google and other engines.
  9. We verify on the ground
  10. Field verification is essential for categorizing promises and statements.
  11. We seek the opinion of experts.
  12. Experts contribute to an exhaustive and clear explanation of the facts during verification.

Rating statements

“Faktoje” uses 4 ratings for every statement or promise:

  • TRUE– The statement is accurate and no significant facts are missing.
  • PARTLY TRUE– The statement is partially accurate, but leaves out important context-related details.
  • FALSE– The statement is not accurate.
  • NO RATING – Upon verification process, the statement is found to be misleading, as a result it displays missing or confusing facts, and thus no conclusion can be drawn.

Fact-checking article publication

After the article is finished by the respective journalist, it is edited by the responsible editor. After revision and completion with data (if such are suggested), the editor approves that the fact-check article is in accordance with the methodology. In the end of this process the article is published on Faktoje website and on social media.

  • How we correct our errors

We all make mistakes! “Faktoje” corrects errors in published stories as quickly as possible and with appropriate transparency.

Faktoje is committed to correcting errors in a transparent and accountable manner. When a correction is necessary and the original publication cannot be edited, the correction is distributed in the same format and through the same channels as the original publication, to ensure that the audience is notified of the updated information.

If new information is added to a publication, it is announced with an update note in the same publication.

In cases where the error is significant—that is, it significantly changes the conclusions of the investigation or deviates from Faktoje’s methodology—the correction includes the correct information as well as an explanation of the circumstances that led to the error. Any new information added to an article is accompanied by an update note within the same publication.

*Corrected news can be found in the subcategory ” Complaints and Corrections”

How correction requests are evaluated – part of Faktoje’s corrections policy

Faktoje takes every request for correction seriously and handles them in an impartial, prompt and transparent manner. Any request for correction can be sent via the official email info@faktoje.al . The request must contain clear information on the article or content in question, as well as clarifications on the information that is considered inaccurate, along with sources that support the proposed correction.

Upon receipt of the request, the Faktoje editorial team reviews it within a reasonable period of time, usually no more than 5 working days. During the evaluation, the facts are verified through reliable sources and, if necessary, the parties involved are contacted. If the request is justified, a clear correction is made to the original content (if possible) or a separate correction is published in the same channels as the initial publication. In any case, Faktoje informs the requester of the result of the evaluation. This procedure aims to guarantee the integrity of the published content and maintain public trust.

If you suspect that there is a violation on our part of the principles of journalism or the code of ethics, you can also file a complaint with the EFCSN by filling out the form you find at this link or the IFCN using this link.

You can fact-check too!

You can report, send messages and suggestions for fact-checking in the “You can fact-check too!” section. When submitting reports to “Faktoje”, it is assumed that you agree with their publication, excluding cases when you request for them not to be published or anonymity to be preserved.

Advocacy Guidelines – Faktoje

  1. Defending Freedom of Expression
    We promote freedom of expression as a fundamental pillar of democracy, resolutely opposing hate speech and disinformation. We defend the right to express oneself, but also the right to learn the truth.
  2. Promoting Media Literacy
    We advocate for media literacy in schools and communities. We simplify complex topics and empower citizens to question sources, recognize information manipulation, and engage critically with the media.
  3. Supporting Ethical Journalism
    We promote fact-based, transparent and accountable journalism. We collaborate with journalists, provide training and denounce unethical practices with facts.
  4. Strengthening Public Resilience to Disinformation
    We raise awareness about the ways in which disinformation spreads and influences public opinion. We use articles, visualizations, and concrete cases to highlight the threat posed by information manipulation.
  5. Gender Equality
    We use inclusive language, empower women’s voices in the media, and highlight how misinformation disproportionately impacts.