Product Overview: Pagella Politica
Introduction
Pagella Politica, which translates to “Political Report Card” in English, is an editorial project launched in 2012 that specializes in fact-checking and analyzing Italian political discourse. The primary mission of Pagella Politica is to help readers understand the dynamics of politics by relying on verifiable numbers and facts.
Key Features
Fact-Checking
Pagella Politica focuses on monitoring and verifying the declarations made by Italian political figures, particularly mid-rank politicians. The project selects statements based on their relevance and resonance in media and political debates, ensuring a balanced coverage across different politicians and parties to avoid undue concentration on any single individual or party.
Methodology
The fact-checking process involves several steps:
- Statement Selection: Statements are identified using a machine-learning classifier, specifically a Support Vector Machine (SVM), trained on a dataset of politicians’ statements.
- Validation: Pagella Politica validates the fact-checkable statements identified by the classifier.
- Scoring: Each fact-checked statement is assigned a “truthfulness” score on a five-point scale, similar to the “Pinocchio Test”.
Content and Publication
Fact-checking results are published on the Pagella Politica website, as well as on social media platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram. This ensures that the fact-checked politicians are aware of the verification process and its outcomes.
Independence and Transparency
Pagella Politica maintains strict independence from political parties and movements. None of the founders, owners, or staff members are affiliated with any political entities, which is a fundamental requirement for working with the organization. The project is financed through the sale of content and services to third parties and participation in international projects, avoiding any funding from political parties or public Italian authorities.
International Collaboration
Pagella Politica has been an active member of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) since 2017 and adheres to the IFCN’s Code of Principles, which outlines best practices in information verification. The organization is also part of the European Fact-checking Standards Project, working towards establishing a Code of Professional Integrity for European fact-checkers.
Additional Initiatives
In addition to its core fact-checking activities, Pagella Politica has launched other initiatives such as Facta.news, which focuses on debunking non-political disinformation. The organization collaborates with significant Italian media entities like RAI and AGI, further enhancing its reach and credibility.
Functionality
- User Engagement: Readers can report potential violations of the IFCN Code of Principles directly to the IFCN.
- Transparency: The project provides links to the original sources of the statements being fact-checked, ensuring transparency and accountability.
- Educational Value: By focusing on verifiable facts and numbers, Pagella Politica helps readers gain a clearer understanding of political dynamics and the accuracy of political statements.
In summary, Pagella Politica is a robust fact-checking platform that enhances the transparency and accountability of Italian political discourse through rigorous verification processes, independent funding, and a commitment to international standards of fact-checking.