Explained PH strongly believes in the power of educating people on the internet to promote societal change and foster understanding among groups with differing opinions. Our fact-checking campaign is committed to combating various forms of disinformation that could result in conflict online and in real life, maintaining that all discourse must be based on truthful information.

The organization also recognizes the crucial role of truth in a nation's development, as democracy can only flourish when information is accurate and honest; it is Explained PH’s vision to clarify misleading claims, protect the truth-tellers, and hold those responsible for spreading disinformation accountable.

The Fact-Check Division humbly requests the public’s support by promoting the facts.

Methodology

Explained PH will source claims either from the netizens who use the "Report Claims" button on their website or from their own staff's investigations. Our writers will then thoroughly research the content and add a fact-check rating of false, altered, satirical, misleading, or true on the reported claim. After rating the claim, an article explaining the basis behind such will be published.

Ethical Considerations

It is the responsibility of our editors to conduct a rigorous fact-checking process before publishing any news or claims. In the event that the organization inadvertently releases content containing inaccurate ratings or facts, it is its obligation to expeditiously make the necessary amendments.

Should the publication overlook any essential facts presented in an article, the division editors must consult with Explained PH's editors, the concerned Explained department, and researchers to gain a deeper understanding of the subject matter for the dissemination of accurate information.

The organization is accountable for any misleading information in its content and must issue an official statement. Nonetheless, as diligent Explainers who strive to publish news and factual content, the staffers reserve the democratic right to defend themselves.

Fact Check Rating

False

Contents or claims without factual basis.


“If alcohol isn't available, especially for the poor, just go to a gasoline station, and use [gas] to disinfect.” In the midst of COVID-19 – July, 2020 –  Former Philippine President Rodrigo Duterte claimed that petrol is an option for disinfection and could be used to clean used disposable masks but there is no factual basis as to the efficacy of this. The Integrated Chemists of the Philippines (ICP) also warned the public that inhalation of gasoline can be harmful to our health.

Altered

Edited media (video, image, or audio) that can mislead people due to lack of context.

In this spliced video, the part where the former Vice President discussed the assumption that an average Filipino family consumes 10 kilograms of rice every week was cut. Robredo originally broke the equation down as such: 10 kilograms of rice x 40 PHP x 4 weeks = PHP 1600. 

Satire

Contents released for entertainment. 

The satirical Facebook page Cebu Dairy News makes fun of the numerous complaints that have been made by netizens about the rejection of folded or creased polymer thousand peso bills by malls and other establishments, claiming that the Central Bank encourages the Filipinos to frame and laminate the new bills despite the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) already reiterating that polymer and paper banknotes that have been folded or creased remain as acceptable legal tender that may be used for any transaction.

Misleading

Claims whose wording leans towards a biased truth and claims with clickbait headlines.


The poor construction of the article’s headline led to it being repeatedly misinterpreted. The virus that was unearthed from the permafrost does not actually “create zombies.” Rather, the virus itself is the one being referred to as “zombie,” given that it has been revived after 48, 500 years.

True

Verified claim with factual information. 

Last March 25, about 2000 ram heads, ewes, dogs, wild goats, cows, gazelles, and mongooses were discovered at the temple of Ramses II in the ancient city of Abydos in Egypt. Dating back to the Ptolemaic Age, these artifacts are believed to be offerings to Ramses II. The excavation mission was conducted by New York University’s Institute for the Study of the Ancient World.