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Adverse Media Check

Gain a clear view of your candidates' public reputation to make more confident hiring decisions.

Adverse Media Check

Trusted by organisations of all sizes, worldwide.

What is an adverse media check

An adverse media check looks for any mention of a candidate in the press or mainstream media that could be seen as negative or damaging. It searches public news sources and it checks name variations to make sure a near match doesn't slip through.

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Screens mainstream news sources worldwide

Best in breed checks

Catches name variations up to a 90% match

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Covers seven negative media categories

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Flags links to fraud, terrorism and trafficking

Integrated

Links every result back to its news source

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Results in 1 to 3 working days

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Say goodbye to guesswork on new hires 

Stop relying on a quick search before you make an offer. Referoo's adverse media check searches mainstream news and public reporting for anything that could put your business at risk, so due diligence on high-visibility hires is consistent, documented and fast.

  • 1 to 3 working days average turnaround
  • Up to 90% name match accuracy
  • Sourced from mainstream outlets such as CNBC
  • No manual searching required
  • Direct link to every flagged article

3 simple steps to a clear result

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1. Candidate enters their details

The candidate provides their name, date of birth and address. Nothing else is needed to start the check.

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2. Referoo runs the search

We search mainstream news sources for any negative coverage of your candidate, including likely variations of their name.

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3. Checks done! 

Any results are linked back to the original news source and ready to review on the candidate record in Referoo or your integrated HR or ATS platform. 

The risk of skipping an adverse media check

  • An undisclosed history of fraud or corruption can expose the business
  • Involvement in money laundering or organised crime rarely turns up in a standard reference check
  • Regulators and clients increasingly expect employers to show they did their due diligence
  • A single damaging headline becomes the company's problem within days of going public
  • Manual news searches by hiring managers are inconsistent and hard to defend if a decision is ever challenged
  • Categories like terrorism, trafficking and business fraud carry compliance exposure well beyond the individual hire
Social Media Check Inclusions

Why teams trust an adverse media check

Hiring for a senior or high-profile role puts your reputation on the line. This check gives you clear, documented evidence that stands up when it matters.

Built for scrutiny 

Every result links back to the original article, so nothing is taken on faith.

 

Right-sized for high-visibility roles

Designed for senior and prominent hires where reputational risk matters most.

Speed that keeps your hiring on track

A 1 to 3 working day turnaround fits a standard offer timeline.

 

Consistent and objective

Defined negative media categories keep results comparable across candidates.

 

What's included in the adverse media check

  • Search across mainstream news sources for negative or damaging coverage
  • Name variation matching up to 90 percent
  • Checks against Animal Rights, Business and Financial, Crime and Court, General News, Military and Security, Corruption, and Politics and Government categories
  • Direct link to the original news source for every flagged result
  • No fixed lookback period, results depend on what has been reported
  • Turnaround of 1 to 3 working days
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See the Adverse Media Check in action

Ready to transform your hiring process? Schedule your free demo and discover why organisations worldwide trust Referoo for their hiring needs.

Your demo will showcase:

  • Seamless integration with your hiring workflow
  • Customisable solutions tailored to your business
  • Advanced tools to save time and improve efficiency
  • Dedicated support to maximise your experience

Simply fill out the form and we'll be in touch to schedule your personalised demo and set you up for success.

FAQs about Adverse Media Checks

It's a screening check that searches mainstream news and media sources for any negative or damaging coverage linked to a candidate. It checks name variations for accuracy and does not access private accounts or online portals.

There's no set time limit. Results depend entirely on what has been reported in media and public sources, so older coverage can still surface if it's still publicly indexed.

It's most relevant for senior and prominent roles, anyone whose position puts them in front of customers, analysts or media, where reputational risk to the business is higher.

Negative media categories including crime and court, business and financial, corruption, politics and government, military and security, animal rights and general news.

Turnaround is 1 to 3 working days from the point the candidate submits their details.

There's no blanket legal requirement, but employers carry a general duty of care and, in regulated industries, may face specific due diligence expectations. A documented, consistent screening process is far easier to defend than an ad hoc one if a hiring decision is ever questioned.

A police check confirms formal criminal records. An adverse media check searches public reporting instead, so it can pick up conduct that's been reported in the media but never resulted in a formal record.

Just their name, date of birth and address. There's no additional paperwork required to start the check.

No. The two are complementary. A police check confirms formal records while an adverse media check picks up reported conduct that may not appear on a criminal record at all.

Time for smarter due diligence? Time to Referoo it. 

Book a demo and we'll show you exactly how adverse media checks fit into your hiring workflow, or start today with a check for your next senior hire.