In focus

#mediadev Fact Checking Dossier DW Akademie

DW Akademie | Media in Libya, Stability Through Reconciliation

Using fact-checking to combat Libya’s social media war

The conflict in Libya is a model example of how fake news can fuel violence. DW Akademie has been supporting the Libyan fight against disinformation.

In focus: fact-checking

The spread of mis- and disinformation online is damaging communities around the world. This special offers a broad overview of how to tackle this problem. You will get to know the different approaches fact-checkers are currently using, learn from experts worldwide, dig into various examples from DW Akademie projects and find many useful resources.

Case Study: EthioCheck Lab

Developing Fact-Checking strategies with Human Centered Design — insights of an approach in Ethiopia.

People working in a group with a laptop and paper documents

Fact-checking fact sheets: Network fact-checking

Fact-checking networks can pool resources and share information and best practices: measures which help to heighten efficiency, improve overall results, and ultimately increase public trust.

Fact-checking fact sheets: Resources and ideas to help combat the coronavirus infodemic

Finding trustworthy information on the ongoing global coronavirus pandemic has become harder; lies and misinformation more widespread. Listed here are a few ideas and resources that can help.

Is fact-checking effective? A critical review of what works – and what doesn’t

Does fact-checking change what people think, believe, or do? Sort of. But even if fact-checkers can’t convince everyone, their work promotes accountability, challenges misinformation, and fosters media literacy.

A man votes at a voting booth in the 2012 US election

Fact-checking fact sheets: Event-based fact-checking

Election cycles can spark a huge amount of misinformation and disinformation. But fact-checkers can counteract the noise, providing a vital counterweight.

Fact-checking as a social contract: An interview with GhanaFact’s Rabiu Alhassan

Re-establishing trust in the press and closing the gap between traditional and digital media are key goals as GhanaFact’s Rabiu Alhassan works towards carving out a place for fact-checking in Ghana.

Introduction

Fact-checking factsheets: Approaches to combating a growing problem

Getting the facts right has always mattered, but misinformation and accusations of fake news have changed the face of journalism and the media. Get to know the many different approaches fact-checkers are currently using.

interview

Ethiopia’s uneasy relationship with press freedom: Fighting misinformation at the highest level

Abel Wabella, an Ethiopian blogger and author, and founder of the fact-checking website Addis Zeybe, shares the challenges of fighting misinformation in a multilingual country like Ethiopia.

Profiles

Myth Detector Lab: Busting myths with verification in Georgia

In 2014, Georgia's Media Development Foundation launched its fact-checking website Myth Detector to expose the truth behind the lies, explore hidden political agendas and identify the aim of disinformation.

Code4Africa: Newsroom-centered verification network

Code for Africa (CfA) set up East Africa's first network of newsroom-based verification desks, structured as an iLAB, to counter the spread of mis- and disinformation.

Colombiacheck: Holding politicians to account

Colombiacheck was launched by the Colombian journalists' network Consejo de Redacción (CdR), with support from DW Akademie, after the divisive 2018 national election.

Approach: Journalistic Training

Training journalists as frontline fact-checkers

Journalists are the first line of defense against information abuse and fake news. Specific training helps strengthen their ability to respond to the threat on an ongoing, everyday basis.

Approach: Media and Information Literacy

Media and Information Literacy programs provide fact-checking skills

Many fact-checkers train others in verification methods through Media and Information Literacy programs. These make use of fact-checkers' expertise, enhance their public standing, and sometimes provide crucial funds.

Artikelbild Weltzeit 2 | 2019 | Lynchmorde in Indien

Feature Article

Fact-checking under challenging conditions: Problems with technology, resources, conflict, and repression

Fact-checking work can differ greatly from one country to the next, depending on everything from patterns of social media use to lack of resources.

Three women are kooking at a smartphone, one holding another phone in her hand

fact-checking

In Africa, fact-checkers need a local perspective

The problem of disinformation in Africa cannot be solved from an American or Western centric perspective. Kenya-based verification initiative PesaCheck uses an approach that is tailored to the local context.

Latin America's first fact-checking group: Chequeado

Argentina-based start-up Chequeado is the first fact-checking initiative in Latin America. The head of Chequeado, Laura Zommer, shares her experiences with the organization, including learnings and failures.

People work together at a table with computers

Spreading the truth: Global networks, partnerships, and collaborations among fact-checkers

Misinformation is a global problem that demands a global response. The international fact-checking movement has come together in different ways to develop shared solutions.

DW Innovation

KID-Toolbox: Learn to verify! 19.05.2021

A short, down-to-earth guide to analyzing people, institutions, claims, and audiovisual content on the internet.

A woman watching TV using a remote control

Fact-checking fact sheets: Myth-busting and infotainment

The infotainment and myth-busting approach looks for more trivial cases of mis- and disinformation and exposes them to ridicule in a bid to gain a wider audience and make fact-checking more attractive.

Programmcode mit Auge und Technologie Hintergrund

Approach: Automation

The strengths and weaknesses of automated fact-checking tools

Automated fact-checking (AFC) uses digital tools to identify, verify, and respond to misleading claims. These tools can assist human fact-checkers with certain tasks, but they will not replace them any time soon.

How can fact-checking be improved? Some suggestions from scholars and practitioners

Fact-checking is popular but not always optimally effective. How can fact-checkers improve? What might they consider doing differently? Here are some proposals from fact-checkers and those who study them.

Approach: Civil Society Involvement

Civil society actors offer community-based fact-checking

Civil society and NGOs can work effectively to stop mis- and disinformation with expertise and facts. One advantage is they often already have ties with the public, which can help to quickly counter misinformation.

Fact-checking fact sheets: Guerilla/DIY fact-checking

Guerilla fact-checkers are on the front lines in the battle against disinformation – using low-cost quick fixes to push back with immediate, expert analysis of breaking news.

A curated guide to resources and ideas

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, fact-checking was a vital counterweight to misinformation. Here is a curated resource guide to help anyone – from journalist to news consumer – get started.

Feature Article

Checking every corner: Structures, perspectives, and funding of fact-checkers around the world

Fact-checking caught on as a way to improve political reporting, but today it is a broad and diverse field. How do fact-checkers in different countries work in collaboration – and competition – with journalists?

interview

Fighting disinformation: Moving from band-aid solutions to a systemic approach

Damian Tambini, an expert in media and communication regulation, thinks we need to address misinformation more systemically. He says that we need a system that is optimized for truth and designed involving civil society.

Approach: Investigation

Investigative journalism and the 'muckraker' as the oldest form of fact-checking

Investigative journalists shine a light into dark places – taking risks to provide considered, careful and thorough analysis of current issues and uncovering mis- and disinformation in their communities.

Coronavirus

Fact-checking meets its greatest challenge to date: The COVID-19 infodemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed the nature of fact-checking from a primarily journalistic tool to a weapon in the fight against dangerous information-sharing practices and disinformation campaigns.

By studying COVID-19 misinformation, we help to better understand how misinformation about the virus spreads

Coronavirus

New insights in the battle against misinformation

Philip Mai and Anatoliy Gruzd are at the forefront of global research on social media. On #mediadev, they discuss their research on misinformation, their new portal, COVID19MisInfo.org, and the future of fact-checking.

DW Akademie Faces of MIL Tamar KIntsurashvili

Interview

Fact-checking and media literacy in practice: An interview with Myth Detector Lab founder Tamar Kintsurashvili

Tamar Kintsurashivili has long been involved with media development projects in Georgia. She discusses disinformation issues and explains how fact-checking and Media and Information Literacy work together.