Maldita.es will verify live the debate of 4-N

This week, the Maldita.es team is focusing on the live verification of the four-party electoral debate. As we did in previous general, regional, municipal, and Andalusian elections, we will be very attentive during the debate to inform you on the spot about what is true and what is false in the statements of the main politicians of this country.

How can you follow our verifications during the debate?

• On Maldito Dato’s Twitter.
• You can read our verifications on eldiario.es‘s political minute during the debate.
• If you have downloaded our Maldita App, from there you can access live updates of the verifications we are conducting.
• The next day, we will report on the lies caught on Julia en la Onda from Onda Cero, Gente Despierta from RNE, Carne Cruda, and 120 minutes from Telemadrid.

How is an electoral debate verified live?

The Maldito Dato team, experts in political verification, led the team in previous debates. They are the ones who listen to the politicians’ speeches every day, so they are the best acquainted with the topics that the candidates usually discuss and the data they typically use—true or not—and have databases prepared to expedite verification as much as possible.

We listen carefully to what politicians say to catch their statements on the fly. When we detect a figure or a statement that seems suspicious or that we have heard before, the Maldito Dato coordinator assigns that statement to a writer who transcribes it verbatim on a spreadsheet and checks if it is verifiable.

Once the statement is transcribed verbatim and we observe that it can be checked, we begin the verification process. A team member investigates the possible misinformation. Using data, facts, and arguments, they demonstrate the falsehood or veracity of the candidate’s statement. During the process, we consult primary sources, verify the origin of the information, and cross-reference with official databases. If necessary, we also contact experts on the topic to clarify any doubts that may arise and with political parties to understand their approach or point of view.

If the data and facts show that the candidate’s statement is false or needs context, the writer writes the information providing all sources and as much detail as possible. Once it is considered that the falsehood or need for context of the statement has been demonstrated, the writer assigns one of the three possible categories used by Maldito Dato: «false,» «false but…» or «true but…» as defined in our methodology.

This verification is sent to the Maldito Dato coordinator, who conducts a second verification, requests the appropriate clarifications, and modifies anything necessary, even the category of the fact. Afterward, this piece is sent to the editor-in-chief who performs a third and final verification with the same characteristics as the previous one. When the three levels of verification are completed and the team is satisfied, the fact is ready to be published.

If we detect a statement that is true during this process without the need for additional context or information, all details are sent to the Maldito Dato coordinator who, if there are no errors, internally assigns the category of «true» and we continue listening to the debate because we do not publish statements that are true since we assume that politicians, by rule, should tell us the truth.