AFCN conducts “Fact-checking: Strategic planning & development” Workshop at ARIJ24 forum
December 8, 2024
Within the framework of the ARIJ24 forum in 2024, entitled “Journalism Unbound” held from December 6 to 8, 2024, AFCN organised a workshop titled “Fact-checking: Strategic planning and development”, supported by the Norwegian Foundation for Investigative Journalism (SKUP).
The workshop brought together 19 fact-checkers from 18 fact-checking organisations/initiatives across 9 Arab countries. Over the three days, the workshop aimed to enhance participants’ skills in developing fact-checking methodologies and strategic planning to investigate disinformation campaigns, as well as empower them to use their findings through their fact-checks in international courts and cases related to wars and human rights violations.
The first day featured a training session led by the expert in fact-checking, Dr. Arwa Kooli from Tunisia, focusing on developing fact-checking organisations’ methodologies. During this session, participants explored effective ways to improve their methodologies to strengthen the credibility of their work.
On the second day, the training was conducted by Moroccan media monitoring and analysis expert Anass Bendrif, who delivered a session about strategic planning for investigating disinformation campaigns. This session focused on how to design comprehensive strategies to uncover disinformation campaigns and produce high-quality fact-check reports.
The workshop concluded with a joint session led by Raji Abdul Salam and Ihsan Adel on the last day, to discuss how to enhance fact-checking investigations for use in international courts. This session highlighted methodologies for transforming fact-checking findings into legal evidence that can be used in international cases related to wars & human rights violations.
Participants expressed great appreciation for the training provided by the experts, highlighting its importance in boosting their ability to counter disinformation and produce effective fact-checking reports that serve the public good.
Noraldin Elhassan from “Check Sudan” described his experience in the workshop, saying: “For the first time, we realized the potential of using fact-checking pieces as a tool that can contribute to legal procedures and investigations in international courts.”
Walid Kouini, Manager of “Algeria Check” added: “The topics covered in the workshop were comprehensive, and the practical work made a significant difference in benefiting from the content. It was exceptional and fostered an atmosphere of collaboration and great competition in a friendly and remarkable environment among the various participants”. It is worth mentioning that this training was part of a series of sessions, workshops, and meetings held by the ARIJ’s AFCN during the 17th ARIJ Forum in Jordan.
