ARIJ’s AFCN Presents Findings from its Study on Fact-Checking Harmful Claims in the Arab World

October 27, 2026

The Arab Fact-Checkers Network (AFCN) from ARIJ held a virtual session titled “Fact-Checking Harmful Claims in the Arab World: Discussing a New Study & Book”, where British researcher Peter Cunliffe-Jones and Tunisian academic Dr. Arwa Kooli presented findings from a newly published study. The webinar took place as part of the pre-forum activities for the ARIJ 18th Annual Forum.

Supported by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and led by Stellenbosch University in South Africa, the study examined how fact-checkers in the Arab world select claims based on potential harm, in addition to assessing the quality of fact-checking outputs produced by Arab fact-checking organizations.

The research included an assessment of 200 claims (100 fact-checked by professional fact-checking organisations/initiatives and 100 submitted by the general audience via the AFCN Chatbot), evaluation of 400 fact-checks published by 10 Arab fact-checking organizations in 2024, and 9 interviews with editors-in-chief.

The study concluded with practical recommendations, including expanding claim sourcing beyond social media, prioritizing verification of claims with higher public impact, diversifying reporting formats (such as in-depth reports and investigations into disinformation campaigns), and strengthening evidence documentation and methodological transparency. The session also addressed common misconceptions surrounding information disorders and emphasized the importance of diversifying sources of claims.

During the webinar, Cunliffe-Jones also introduced his book “Fake News – What’s the Harm?“, outlining a practical framework for assessing the potential damage of misinformation and prioritizing claims. He highlighted key findings on how harmful information shapes public behavior and decision-making, underscoring the need for robust professional methods to counter it.

Nadia Moharam, a journalist from Egypt, noted that the webinar was insightful and inspiring, helping her better understand the concept of “information harm” and how to identify claims truly worth verifying, while gaining practical tools for the Arab fact-checking context.

Ali Almutawakel, a researcher from Yemen, shared that the webinar deepened his understanding of misinformation challenges in the region and equipped him with practical skills and tools to address them responsibly and effectively.This session is part of the pre-events for the 18th ARIJ Annual Forum, scheduled to take place in Amman from 5 – 7 December 2025.