Definitions of Terms and Expressions Frequently Used in Producing Content for “The Checker”
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The Platform:
The Checker is a digital media verification and literacy platform affiliated with INSM for digital rights in Iraq. The platform includes its presence on social media accounts, its official website, and any other digital footprint on the internet. -
The Methodology:
The set of policies and principles adopted by The Checker for verifying information, combating media disinformation, and promoting digital media literacy. -
Content:
All types of data including images, videos, texts, statements, statistics, information, outputs from traditional or alternative media outlets circulating in the digital space, as well as verification materials and educational or awareness content related to digital security produced by The Checker -
Sources:
Entities, individuals, or institutions relied upon for verification, data gathering, or monitoring of digital content. These include all types of media, official and notable social media accounts, personal or public profiles, and any party that produces content subject to verification under The Checker’s methodology. They are classified into:-
Claim Sources: Pages, websites, platforms, or media outlets that originate or circulate the claim.
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Verification Sources: Reliable parties, websites, platforms, or media outlets used by The Checker to obtain conclusive evidence that confirms or denies the accuracy of a claim.
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Promotion:
The act of broadcasting, informing, persuading, or reminding users about a specific piece of information or a misleading claim. -
#Stay_a_checker (#خلّيك_فاحص):
The official hashtag of The Checker consistently used across all types of content produced and published by the platform. It reflects an ongoing call to readers and users to stay alert against disinformation, engage critically with circulating content, and apply The Checker’s fact-checking guidance and media literacy tips. -
(Unedited) – “دون تصرّف”:
This phrase appears in The Checker’s investigations when confirming or denying a claim and is placed before the quoted text of the claim. It indicates that The Checker has not edited, revised, or excerpted the circulated text, but is quoting it as-is, without altering the grammar, phrasing, or presentation. In some cases, words considered violations by social media platforms may be partially encrypted to avoid restrictions, without changing their meaning or pronunciation—ensuring readers encounter the claim in its full, original form.
