The Research and Writing Process

MISBAR works with experts with varying views on each matter and only relies on reputable source material. If a claim is suspect, we try to reach out to the person who made the statement for supporting evidence and an opportunity to comment. MISBAR delivers informative content that provides readers with context and opposing points of view by focusing on clarity, transparency and balance.

To find claims, our editorial team and journalists look for statements, posts, videos, and photos to fact-check. We read transcripts, speeches, news stories, press releases, and campaign brochures. We watch TV and scan social media. We work with a network of writers ("Fake Hunters") from different countries and backgrounds. Readers send us suggestions via email to editor@misbar.com and can submit claims via https://www.misbar.com/submit. We also receive many claims via our social media accounts. After all this, we select the most newsworthy and significant claims.

• Does the statement seem misleading or sound wrong?
• Is the statement significant? We avoid minor claims.
• Is the statement likely to be repeated by others?
• Is the statement verifiable? We don’t rate opinions.

We select statements about topics that are in the news and viral on social media. Without keeping count, we try to select facts to check all political ‘wings.’ At the same time, we more often fact-check groups that hold power or people who repeatedly make attention-getting or misleading statements.

Once a suspicious claim has been selected for a fact check, MISBAR engages in systematic research to verify it. To debunk any fake claim, MISBAR may use one or more of the below methods:

1. Using internet tools like Google Reverse Image search to determine the origin of viral photographs or videos and also to verify if the same image or video has been used earlier in similar or different contexts.
2. Internet search using various Search filters (date, time, place, keywords etc.) to arrive at the origin of posts and messages circulating on the internet.
3. Establishing contact with the local authorities in case of viral rumors, particularly the communally sensitive ones to verify the truth behind them.
4. Reviewing original video or transcript to verify if the statements attributed to public figures have been clipped to distort the message.
5. Referring to primary data or official data source/s to verify exaggerated claims.
6. Contacting the person to whom a seemingly fake claim is attributed.
7. Consulting reputed subject matter experts where necessary.

Once a suspicious claim has been selected for a fact check, MISBAR engages in systematic research to verify it. To debunk any fake claim, MISBAR may use one or more of the below methods:

Once a writer completes a draft, he or she submits the article to an editor who checks the content for accuracy, clarity and completeness. Updates are made as needed, followed by a final round of editing prior to publication.

Again, if you want to know more or to send material you want to publish or verify, you can contact the editorial team by using the feedback form link in the Contact Us section of the site.

Readers can send us suggestions via email to editor@misbar.com and can submit claims via https://www.misbar.com/submit, or contact us form https://www.misbar.com/contact