Governing Charter

The FCN Governing Charter outlines the principles, structure, and processes that guide the FCN and its members. It establishes a robust framework for transparency, accountability, and ethical fact-checking. This charter ensures adherence to high journalistic standards while fostering collaboration among independent fact-checking organizations committed to combating misinformation.

FACT CHECKING NETWORK BOARD CHARTER

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 The Misinformation Combat Alliance (‘MCA’) is a representative body set up as a cross industry collaborative effort to combat and limit the spread of misinformation through targeted interventions and activities.

1.2 In view of the provisions of the MCA Charter, an autonomous and independent Self-Governing Body called the “Fact Checking Network Board” (‘FCN Board’ or ‘Board’) is being established through this charter document. The present document, inter-alia, lays down the process of d , functioning, powers of assessment and self-governing.

2. MISSION

2.1 The FCN Board has been set up to establish a rigorous system for verification of compliance with the MCA Code of Principles (through the verified signatory route) and a clear process for responding to the violations thereof.

3. DEFINITIONS

3.1 In this Charter, unless the context otherwise requires:

(i) “Review” shall mean all reviews filed by Applicants challenging the rejection of their application (including a decision holding them to be ineligible to apply) for verified signatory status or by a Complainant against the decision of the FCN Board in relation to a violation of the MCA Code of Principles. It is clarified that no review shall lie against the decision of the independent assessors. All reviews shall lie before the FCN Board, in the manner more fully described in this Charter.
(ii) “Review Applicant” shall mean a person or association of persons or organization or corporate entity who files a review before the FCN Board.

(iii) “Applicant” means any fact-checking organisation, whose application to become a verified signatory to the MCA Code of Principles is under process by the Independent Assessors or the FCN Board.
(iv) “Charter” is the Charter of the FCN Board, which is laid out in the present document.
(v) “Code of Principles” shall mean the Code of Principles as framed by the MCA, and which are available at (to be updated - currently appended below);
(vi) “Complaint” shall mean all complaints or grievances (by a verified signatory/third party natural or legal person) with respect to any violation of the MCA Code of Principles by a verified signatory.
(vii) "Complainant" means a person or association of persons or organization or corporate entity, who or which, makes a complaint to either the verified signatory (at the first stage) or the FCN Board (at the second stage) in relation to, in respect of and/or arising from any alleged violation of the MCA Code of Principles by a verified signatory.
(viii) “FCN Board” or the Fact Checking Network Board is an autonomous and independent Self-Regulatory Body constituted by the MCA in accordance with the principles laid out in this charter that performs the function of establishing and following a rigorous system for verification of compliance with the MCA Code of Principles (through the verified signatory route) and a clear process for responding to the violations (in the form of complaints and reviews) thereof.
(ix) “Independent Assessor” is an external and independent natural person selected by the FCN Board to support with the assessment of applications to become verified signatories, as described in more detail in Clause 10 of the Charter.
(x) “MCA” shall mean the Misinformation Combat Alliance.
(xi) “Secretariat” shall mean the secretariat of the MCA, which shall also aid the FCN in discharging its functions, as specified in this Charter.

(xii) “Verified Signatory” shall mean any fact-checking organisation that has been granted the status of a verified signatory by the FCN Board under Clause 11 within the last 2 (two) years, upon fulfilling the eligibility criteria in relation to the MCA Code of Principles.
(xiii) “Website” shall mean the official website of the MCA, which is www.mcaindia.in.

3.2 In this Charter, the use of the word “he”, “him” or “his” wherever appearing shall mean and include “she”, “her” or “hers” as the case may be; and the singular shall be deemed to mean and include the plural, unless repugnant to the context.

3.3 Words and expressions used and not defined herein, but used and/or defined in the MCA Charter shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the MCA Charter.

4. HEADQUARTERS

4.1 The headquarters of the FCN Board shall be in Delhi.

4.2 It is however clarified that the meetings of the Board shall be conducted physically or virtually, as may be decided with a simple majority (50% + 1 of members present and voting) by the members of the FCN Board.

5. CONSTITUTION OF THE FCN BOARD

5.6 The FCN Board shall be a 7 (seven) member body consisting of a Chairperson, and 6 (six) members, other than 1 (one) ex-officio MCA member. It is clarified that the ex-officio MCA member shall not be entitled to vote on any matter before the FCN Board.

Eligibility and qualification

5.7 The Chairperson of the FCN Board shall be appointed by the MCA Governing Council, and must be a retired Judge of the Supreme Court or a High Court, or an independent eminent person from the field of media, broadcasting, journalism, human rights, law, or such other relevant field.

5.8 The members constituting the FCN Board shall be persons who belong to the above-mentioned fields or such other relevant fields, and shall represent a diversity of interests and experiences.

5.9 The MCA Governing Council shall decide by way of a simple majority (50% + 1 present and voting) which member of the MCA (whether from the Governing Council or from the larger MCA) shall serve as an ex-officio member of the FCN Board. The ex-officio member shall serve such role, as shall be jointly decided by the MCA (through its Governing Council) and the FCN Board.

5.10 The Chairperson and members of the FCN Board must be Indian citizens.

Appointment and Tenure

5.11 The Chairperson and the members of the Board shall be nominated by the MCA Governing Council by way of a simple majority. The process of the appointment shall be facilitated by the Secretariat, as the case may be.

5.12 All appointments to the FCN Board shall be initiated by the Secretariat at least 60 (sixty) days prior to the expiry of the term of the respective Board member(s).

5.13 The Chairperson and all members of the FCN Board shall hold office for a period of 2 (two) years. After the end of the tenure, the Board members including the Chairperson shall however continue to hold office until the Board is reconstituted, or for a maximum period of 3 months, whichever is earlier.

Provided that where a person nominated as a Chairperson/Member of the FCN Board has a charge framed against them in relation to a serious criminal offence; or is otherwise found unfit to hold office as Member of the Board, the MCA may, by a majority decision of its Governing Council, remove such person from being Member. Thereafter, such Member shall forthwith cease to be a Member of the FCN Board.

5.14 The Chairperson may resign from their office by giving an advance notice of 1 (one) month to the MCA. Any other Member of the FCN Board may resign from their office by giving an advance notice of 1 (one) month in writing to the Chairperson. The resignation shall be communicated by the Secretariat to all the members of the FCN Board as well as the members of the MCA, within two days of the receipt of such resignation. The resignation shall come into effect on the thirtieth day from the date on which the notice for resignation was tendered.

5.15 If the Chairperson is absent or unable to perform the duties specified by this Charter, the FCN Board shall, by simple majority, appoint a temporary chairperson to preside over the meetings of the FCN Board and to perform such other duties as specified in this Charter. The ex-officio MCA Member will preside at the meeting to appoint a temporary chairperson and then step aside.

5.16 A member of the FCN Board shall be deemed to have vacated his seat if he is, in the opinion of the Chairperson, absent without sufficient cause, from three consecutive meetings of the FCN Board. In such a case, the Chairperson shall communicate a request for replacement to the MCA.

5.17 Any vacancy arising as above or otherwise shall be filled, as soon as may be, by nomination in the same manner in which the Member vacating office was appointed and the Member so appointed shall hold office for the remaining period in which the Member in whose place they are nominated would have held office. The Secretariat shall start the process of filling in the vacancy, preferably within 5 working days from the receipt of the notice of resignation. The vacancy in the FCN Board shall not in any manner impede the proceedings of the Board.

5.18 A Member retiring, or whose membership otherwise ceases as above (except by reason of a warning, admonition, censure, disapproval, sanction and/or fine having been issued against him by the FCN Board/MCA and/or having been removed by the MCA Board/FCN under these Regulations), shall be eligible for renomination for not more than one additional term.

5.19 The Chairperson shall be paid such honorarium, and other Members shall receive such allowances and/or fees for attending the meetings of the Authority, as the MCA (through the Governing Council) may decide from time-to-time.

6. MEETINGS

6.20 The FCN Board shall meet at least once in every 2 (two) months, at such time and place in the NCT of Delhi or virtually, as the Chairperson may notify in writing.

Explanation: It is hereby clarified that this does not prevent the FCN Board to decide by way of a simple majority to conduct physical meetings elsewhere other than NCT of Delhi.

6.21 If any FCN Board Meetings are required over and above as stipulated in Clause 6.1, the Chairperson may call for them in accordance with the procedure specified herein.

6.22 The Chairperson, through the Secretariat, must inform the remaining members of the FCN Board at least 14 (fourteen) days before any scheduled meeting; and shall observe the rules of procedure at the meetings as the FCN Board may prescribe.

6.23 All FCN Board Meetings shall have at least 3 (three) Members, one of whom must be the Chairperson (or their nominated representative from within the FCN Board) for quorum. In the absence of the required quorum, the FCN Board Meeting shall be postponed to the next available date upon confirmation of availability from the members required for the quorum.

Provided that no act or proceeding of the FCN Board shall be deemed to be invalid by reason merely of the existence of any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of the Governing Council or the absence of quorum in a meeting.

6.24 No person being a Chairperson/Member of the FCN Board shall participate in any decision regarding the grant of verified signatory status or adjudication of a grievance in which such Member has any direct or indirect involvement, or commercial interest, or in which such Member may be interested as an agent/representative/any other capacity of any verified signatory/fact-checking organisation/the concerned party.

6.25 Minutes of every FCN Board Meeting shall be maintained and circulated by the Secretariat within five calendar days from the date of the Board meeting.

6.26 All decisions of the FCN Board shall be by way of a simple majority (50% + 1) of the quorum present.

7. FUNCTIONS OF THE FCN BOARD

7.27 The objects of the FCN Board shall be to grant verified signatory status to Applicants who comply with the MCA Code of Principles; and to decide complaints against or in respect of verified signatories insofar as they relate to their work in combating misinformation and fact-checking.

7.28 The FCN Board shall be tasked with the following specific tasks:

(i) To decide applications for grant of verified signatory status (after taking into consideration the recommendations of independent assessors vis-à-vis an Applicant’s compliance with the MCA’s Code of Principles);

(ii) To oversee and ensure the alignment and adherence by the verified signatories to the MCA’s Code of Principles through the complaints mechanism of the grievance redressal system;

(iii) To adjudicate review requests by Applicants challenging the rejection of their application for verified signatory status.

Explanation: It is hereby clarified that the jurisdiction of the FCN Board only extends to organisations who have applied for, or been granted, verified signatory status. The FCN Board cannot adjudicate disputes or complaints in respect of members of the MCA, if they do not have verified signatory status, unless expressly referred by the MCA Governing Council.

7.29 All FCN Board decisions shall be taken by a simple majority of members present and voting (50% + 1), unless specified otherwise in this charter.

7.30 The FCN Board shall strive to ensure consistency across all their decisions and shall publish all its decisions, recommendations, and orders. This includes the recommendations issued by the independent assessors regarding an applicant’s application, in case of a successful application.

Explanation: It is hereby clarified that in case the independent assessor recommends the rejection of an application to become a verified signatory, such recommendation shall not be published on MCA’s website. It shall only be shared/ be accessible to the unsuccessful applicant.

8. FUNCTIONS OF THE CHAIRPERSON

8.31 The Chairperson shall:

(i) Convene and preside at all meetings of the FCN Board;

(ii) Decide and regulate the procedure of the FCN Board in respect of any matter, including the adjudication of a complaint or a review;

(iii) Perform any other incidental or ancillary function necessary for the efficient and regular functioning of the FCN Board.

9. ANNUAL BUDGET AND OUTLAYS

9.32 The FCN Board shall have a separate audited book of accounts and all income and expenses shall be duly accounted for.

9.33 All the expenditures of the FCN Board, including any/all expenses in connection with the functioning of the FCN Board, shall be borne by the MCA.

9.34 The Secretariat shall manage any/all expenses and outlays in accordance with the budgetary allocation as provided by the MCA. In the event that the expenses and outlays exceed budgetary allocations, the MCA Governing Council shall adopt such appropriate measures as decided by a simple majority, and inform the FCN Board accordingly.

10. INDEPENDENT ASSESSORS

10.35 The FCN Board shall maintain a roster of independent assessors.

10.36 The FCN Board shall select the independent assessors from amongst the names proposed by the Secretariat with reasons to be recorded in writing.

10.37 The MCA, through the Secretariat, shall invite independent assessors to be part of the FCN Board roster, based on the fulfilment of the following criteria that the independent assessor:

(i) Be a citizen of India;

(ii) Be a resident of India and must ordinarily reside in India;

(iii) Has at least 15 years of professional experience, of which a minimum of 10 years should be in journalism or research-based journalism teaching; This does not include experience in pure academics without research-based contributions to the field of journalism, ethics and/or fact-checking;

(iii) Has demonstrated contribution to the field of fact-checking and media literacy or public-interest journalism. In the case of only the latter, the candidate should exhibit a clear understanding of fact-checking and demonstrate proof of skill acquisition/up-skilling in fact-checking;

(iv) Has demonstrable political neutrality. All relevant political, commercial, and professional affiliations of the independent assessor should be disclosed to the MCA; and

(v) Has an active association with a fact-checking or media literacy initiative/network.

10.38 While deciding the allocation of an independent assessor for a particular case, the MCA, through the Secretariat, shall propose the names of independent assessors from amongst its roster, keeping in view, inter alia, the following factors:

(i) Proficiency of the independent assessor in the relevant language;

(ii) Proficiency of the independent assessor in the relevant domain;

(iii) The relevant political, commercial, and professional affiliations of the independent assessor which have been disclosed;

(iv) Any direct or indirect association with the Applicant;

(v) Any potential conflict of interest.

Explanation: In case the Secretariat deems it necessary, it can ask an independent assessor to submit a declaration outlining his (a) political/commercial/professional affiliation; (b) association with the Applicant; (c) potential conflict of interest; and (d) any other factors that may give rise to justifiable doubts as to the independent or impartiality of the independent assessor.

10.39 The powers and functions of the independent assessors are as follows:

(i) To decide whether the applicant meets the eligibility criteria to apply for verified signatory status;

(ii) Assessing the compliance of an Applicant seeking to become a verified signatory with the MCA’s Code of Principles;

(iii) Seeking information/data/clarifications from an Applicant during the assessment process;

(iv) Providing suggestions to the Applicant to make certain changes in order to meet the criteria to become a verified signatory status;

(v) Giving a final recommendation to the FCN Board about whether an Applicant is compliant with the MCA’s Code of Principles and should be granted verified signatory status; and

(vi) Any other function that the FCN Board may unanimously decide and delegate.

The final recommendation of the independent assessors – in case of a successful recommendation – shall be made publicly available, if and after the Board decides to grant verified signatory status to the applicant.

Explanation: The publication of the final recommendation of the independent assessor(s) shall not include the details of the deciding independent assessor(s).

11. VERIFIED SIGNATORIES

Eligibility

11.40 The following shall be the eligibility criteria for becoming a verified signatory to the MCA Code of Principles, as will be assessed by the independent assessors:

(i) The Applicant must be an organization (such as a company, LLP, partnership, trust, society, or sole proprietorship) legally registered in India; or a distinct unit or team in an organisation legally registered in India that is exclusively devoted to fact-checking;

(ii) The Applicant's fact-checking activities must have a substantial and demonstrable focus on India;

(iii) The Applicant’s fact-checking must have been, substantially and demonstrably, published (a) either in English, or (b) in one of the 22 languages listed in Schedule VIII of the Constitution of India, in the course of the twelve months prior to the date of application;

(iv) The Applicant must have published an average of at least six fact-checks a month over the course of the twelve months prior to the date of application, and at least 75 fact-checks in the twelve months prior to the date of application;

Explanation: If the Applicant is working primarily in an under-represented language, in which no existing member of the MCA has been conducting regular fact checks, then the Applicant must have published an average of at least 38 fact-checks over the course of the twelve months prior to the date of application or at least 75 fact-checks in the 24 months prior to the date of application;

(v) On average, in the opinion of the independent assessors, at least 75% of the Applicant’s fact checks must relate to issues that could have an impact on the welfare or well-being of individuals, the general public, or society, or have a public interest element;

(vi) The Applicant’s editorial output, in view of the independent assessors, must not be under the control of the state, any political party or a politician;

(vii) The Applicant must, fully and fairly, disclose if it receives funds from local or foreign state or political sources;

Provided that if the organization receives funding from local or foreign state or political sources, it must provide a statement on its website and its application setting out to the satisfaction of the independent assessor, how it ensures its funders do not influence the findings of its fact-checks/reports.

Assessment System

11.41 Any organisation interested in becoming a verified signatory can fill the application form to become a verified signatory available on the Website and pay the application fees as prescribed, demonstrating fulfilment of eligibility criteria as laid out in Clause 11.1 of this Charter as well as the MCA’s Code of Principles.

11.42 All membership applications received by the 19th of every month shall be sent out by the Secretariat to the panel of independent assessors.

11.43 The panel of independent assessors shall assess the application against the eligibility criteria laid down in Clause 11.1 of this charter and the MCA Code of Principles.

11.44 During this assessment process (and before they send their final recommendation to the FCN Board), the independent assessors can seek further clarifications and information from the Applicant.

In case the Applicant is partially compliant with the MCA Code of Principles, the panel of independent assessors is empowered to return an application endorsing so, granting the Applicant liberty to re-apply within 60 (sixty) days from the receipt of the returned application.

11.45 On the basis of their assessment, the panel of independent assessors shall forward, along with reasons in writing in the format as prescribed, the following:

(i) Recommendation of approval, endorsing that the Applicant is compliant with the MCA Code of Principles and the eligibility criteria laid down herein; or

(ii) Recommendation of disapproval, endorsing that the Applicant is non-compliant with the MCA Code of Principles or fails to meet the eligibility criteria laid down herein.

Decision by the FCN Board

11.46 Upon receiving a recommendation of approval or disapproval from the panel of independent assessors, the FCN Board, within 45 (Forty-five) days from the receipt, must decide to:

(i) Confirm a recommendation of approval by the panel of independent assessors in writing, after which the Applicant will be termed as a ‘verified signatory’.

(ii)Reject a recommendation of approval by the panel of independent assessors by providing reasons in writing;

(iii) Confirm a recommendation of disapproval by the panel of independent assessors.

Provided that the FCN Board need not convene physically to take a decision to confirm or reject a recommendation as contemplated above. Voting can take place online, if so decided by a simple majority (50%+ 1) vote of the Board.

11.47 In case the independent assessors send a recommendation of disapproval of an Applicant’s verified signatory status and the FCN Board disagrees with the same, the Board may send it back to the same panel of independent assessors for reconsideration by providing its reasons in writing. However, if the panel of independent assessors returns with a recommendation for disapproval, the FCN Board is bound to follow the same (and in such case, such recommendation shall not be published, but shall only be shared with the unsuccessful applicant).

Explanation: It is clarified that the Applicant will be at liberty to request a review to the final decision of the FCN Board rejecting its application following the reconsideration by independent assessors.

11.48 The decision of the FCN Board shall be conveyed to the Applicant within 45 days. In case an Applicant is dissatisfied with the decision of the FCN Board, the Applicant may prefer a review request to the FCN Board within 30 days from the receipt of such decision.

11.49 The status of verified signatory shall only be valid for a period of two years. After the end of the two-year period, the status shall be liable for renewal/re-assessment, by following the same procedure as prescribed above. The Applicant can apply for renewal/re-assessment at most 120 days before the expiration of its verified signatory status.

12. PROCESS FOR GRIEVANCE REDRESSAL OF A COMPLAINT

Procedure for filing a complaint

12.50 A Complainant may prefer a complaint against a verified signatory for violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles, at the first stage with the verified signatory itself.

Explanation: It is hereby clarified that the Complainant may be either a verified signatory or a third-party natural or legal person.

Explanation 2: It is hereby clarified that the FCN Board can also suo motu initiate proceedings against a verified signatory in respect of any matter which falls within the mischief contemplated in the MCA’s Code of Principles or relating to any matter falling within or arising from it; and in such case all other procedures prescribed herein shall, mutatis mutandis, be followed as if such proceedings were a review.

12.51 A Complainant may prefer a complaint against a verified signatory for violation of the MCA’s Code in the format provided on the Website either:

(i) within fifteen (15) days from the receipt of the verified signatory’s decision; or

(ii) within fifteen (15) days of filing such a complaint with the verified signatory if the complaint has not been resolved.

12.52 All complaints/ grievances shall be in the mode and manner as published on the Website.

12.53 Once the complaint/ grievance is received by the FCN Board, the Secretariat shall check its compliance with the mode and manner prescribed in this regard. Any incomplete grievance shall not be assigned a reference number by the Secretariat. In such a case the grievance/review shall be sent back to the Complainant, who shall re-submit the grievance/review within three days of receipt.

12.54 If the complaint is in the mode and manner as prescribed in this regard, it shall be assigned a registration number, and within 14 days, a copy of the same shall be sent to the concerned verified signatory (“Respondent”) as named in the complaint. It is hereby clarified that the independent assessors shall not be involved in any manner with the adjudication of the complaint (or any review).

12.55 The Respondent verified signatory may furnish a reply within 15 (fifteen) days of the receipt of the complaint by the FCN Board.

Adjudication by the FCN Board

12.56 The Secretariat may, upon being satisfied regarding the completion of information and documentation presented before it, fix a date for the final hearing of the complaint after issuing a prior notice of a minimum of 14 (fourteen) days intimating the parties of such hearing.

12.57 The procedure to be followed by the FCN Board while entertaining a complaint is elaborated below:

(i) The FCN Board shall have a quorum of at least 3 (three) voting members, including the Chairman (or their nominated representative from within the FCN Board). All decisions of the FCN Board shall be by way of a simple majority (50% + 1) of the quorum present.

(ii) The FCN Board shall have the option to conduct the hearings virtually or physically and the Parties shall have the option to attend such hearings virtually, either in person or through their authorised representative/counsel.

(iii) If during any hearing being conducted by the FCN Board, the complainant or the concerned verified signatory fails to appear without any cause, the FCN Board may proceed to hear and adjudicate on the grievance in their absence.

12.58 The FCN Board shall pass a reasoned order in writing within 3 (three) months of registration of the complaint and decide as follows:

(i) If no violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles is made out: it shall dismiss the complaint;

(ii) For a violation arising out of the mis-interpretation (and not disregard) of the MCA’s Code of Principles: it may have a private discussion with the verified signatory and issue private formal advice to the verified signatory. In addition, it may issue a public advisory to prevent a repetition;

(iii) For any non-serious violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles: it may issue private formal advice, or a public formal reprimand to the verified signatory, and specify in either case the action needed to be taken by the verified signatory to prevent future violations.

(iv) For a serious violation of the Code: it may temporarily suspend the verified signatory status, to allow independent investigation before deciding the course of action and/or allow the verified signatory to correct its course of action. The suspension period may range from three months to two years. In extreme/exceptional circumstances, it may withdraw the status of ‘verified signatory’ from the Respondent and prohibit it from re-applying for a verified signatory status for a period of 3-5 years.

Explanation 1: Any flagrant violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles such as the deliberate concealment of any requisite information in the application for becoming a verified signatory as provided in Clause 11 shall constitute a serious violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles.

Explanation 2: Any minor violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles, such as not setting forth all relevant evidence or non-identification of a source in a fact check, which does not have the effect of changing its outcome, shall not constitute a serious violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles.

Explanation 3: The prohibition from re-applying for a verified signatory status can only be levied for a maximum period of 5 years at a time, and cannot operate in perpetuity.

12.59 No person being a Chairperson/Member of the FCN Board shall participate in any complaint in which such Member has any direct or indirect involvement, or commercial interest, or in which such Member may be interested as an agent/representative/any other capacity of either party.

12.60 The decision of the FCN Board shall be final, shall be informed to all parties and published on the Website within 14 days of the decision. Further, the Secretariat shall endeavour to publish a summary of every complaint adjudicated on the Website and provide statistics regarding the number of complaints received, adjudicated, and penalties levied in its Annual Report and newsletter published from time to time.

12.61 No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against FCN Board, or any Member(s) thereof or any person acting under the direction of the Board in respect of anything which is done or intended to be done in good faith under this Charter.

12.62 No suit or other legal proceeding shall lie against any verified signatory in respect of any action taken in compliance with the orders/directions of the FCN Board.

13. PROCEDURE AND ADJUDICATION OF REVIEW REQUESTS

13.63 If any Applicant/ Complainant is dissatisfied with the decision of the FCN Board either (i) rejecting its application for verified signatory status; (ii) or holding it to be ineligible to apply and consequent rejection, (iii) or the decision of the FCN Board in relation to its complaint, it may request a review against the same to the FCN Board within a period of 30 days of the receipt of the FCN Board’s order.

13.64 The procedures contemplated in Clause 12 above for the adjudication of a complaint arising out of the violation of the MCA’s Code of Principles shall apply, mutatis mutandis, for reviews to be adjudicated by the FCN Board.

14. SECRETARIAT AND ITS DUTIES

14.65 The Secretariat shall be responsible for the discharge of day-to-day administrative activities of the FCN Board, including but not limited to:

(i) Managing and maintaining the official portal/e-mail ID established for receiving applications for verified signatory status, complaints, and reviews;

(ii) Issuing notices/communications to Applicants, verified signatories, independent assessors, complainants, and third parties, as directed by the FCN Board;

(iii) Facilitating the voting by the FCN Board on the recommendations of the Independent Assessors, as contemplated in Clause 11.7, by circulating physical/online forms and tabulating results;

(iv) Organization and management of complaints and reviews in the manner as provided in this charter;

(v) Making a synopsis of any complaint or review, if the FCN Board so requires;

(vi) Publishing a summary of every complaint and review adjudicated on the Website and providing statistics regarding the number of complaints and reviews received, adjudicated, and penalties levied in its Annual Report and newsletter published from time to time;

(vii) Maintaining records of the decisions of independent assessors and FCN Board, and publishing them on the Website as directed;

(viii) Organizing sittings and hearings of the independent assessors and the FCN Board;

(ix) Maintaining records and performing such other activities as mandated/directed by the FCN Board;

(x) Maintaining the minutes of all meetings;

(xi) Facilitating the appointment and payment of Members of the FCN Board, as may be required; and
(xii) Any other task that has been delegated to the Secretariat by the FCN Board.

(xiii) Facilitating and conducting a review of the charter and Code of Principles at periodic intervals by consulting with key stakeholders. The first review will be conducted after one year from the date the Code of Principles comes into effect, and then every two years thereafter.

End