Information about the data verification process at Información Local.
What we verify
We check the verifiable data in each piece of information: figures, dates, deadlines, amounts, names, positions, areas of responsibility and commitments. When an official press release states something that can be checked, we check it. We do not assess opinions, political judgements or intentions: only facts.
The verdicts
– Verified. The data, figures and quotes have been checked against the sources and are correct. – Verified with caveats. The information is essentially correct, but a point needs clarifying or putting into context. The notes explain which. – Contains errors. We have found incorrect data. The notes indicate what is wrong and what the correct figure is, along with its source. – Not verifiable. It has not been possible to check the essential facts against reliable sources. We say so rather than take unverified claims at face value. – Corrected. The information contained errors that the institution or we ourselves have already corrected in the text. We keep the note on record for transparency. Articles we have not yet reviewed carry no stamp. The absence of a stamp does not mean the information is false; it means we have not yet checked it.
How we do it
1. We read the original text exactly as published by the institution. 2. We identify the verifiable claims: every figure, date, name or commitment that can be checked. 3. We consult primary sources: official gazettes (BOC, BOP, BOE), official websites, council minutes and resolutions, budgets, published contracts, official statistics (ISTAC, INE) and, when necessary, we ask the institution directly. 4. We compare with what has been published before: we cross-check against previous information from the same institution and with official replies received through Participa, our citizen participation portal. 5. We issue the verdict and explain it. Each verification note includes the cited passage, what we have checked, the explanation and the sources with links.
Who verifies
Verifications are carried out and signed off by the Información Local Team. We use artificial intelligence tools for support tasks: locating the verifiable claims in a text, detecting contradictions with previous information and translating notes into other languages. The verdict is always decided by a member of the team, never by an automated tool.
Independence
Información Local is a news outlet published by Producciones Majoreras S.L. Our verifications do not depend on any institution, party or advertiser. We apply the same criteria to all administrations, regardless of who governs them.
Corrections
If we find an error in a verification, we correct it and record the correction in the note itself. If you believe a verification is incorrect or that a piece of information deserves review, write to us at “participa@informacionlocal.es”, stating the article and the data on which you are basing your claim. We respond to all requests.
For institutions
When a verification points out an error, we inform the institution and publish its correction if one is issued. Institutions can request an account on Participa to respond directly to citizens’ contributions and to our verifications.
