ARIJ’s AFCN Fact Lab: A new fact-checking project supported by GNI
September 28, 2023
In commemoration of the International Day for Universal Access to Information, ARIJ‘s Arab Fact-Checkers Network (AFCN) proudly announces its partnership with Google News Initiative, to launch the “AFCN FactLab” project starting Sep 2023 and implement it on the ground in 10+ Arab countries, including: Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Libya, Morocco, Palestine, Sudan, Tunisia, and Yemen.
The project’s core is Fact-Checking Training of trainers at an in-person camp; the first of its kind in the region, to empower Arab fact-checkers to become trainers in their local communities, spreading basics of fact-checking concepts, methodologies, and skills to media outlets, media schools and universities across the region.
The project aims to reach 2000+ journalists/fact-checkers and media students in person in 2024; in addition to supporting the network of fact-checkers via the Arab Fact Checkers Network track on the side of ARIJ’s annual forum in Amman, Jordan.
This groundbreaking project is a significant step towards the Arab Fact-Checkers Network’s efforts in addressing the escalating challenges of misinformation and disinformation in the MENA region and in Arabic language.
On this International Day for Universal Access to Information, the project stands as a beacon of hope for promoting fact-checking skills, fostering collaboration between fact-checkers, media outlets, media organizations, and faculties, in addition to raising awareness about pre-publication fact-checking. This project aims to ensure that the public has access to reliable and accurate information, in line with the principles of universal access to information.
ARIJ’s AFCN:
ARIJ’s AFCN is a network dedicated to support fact-checking organizations and freelance fact-checkers in the Arab world by providing capacity building, safety, innovation and networking opportunities.
Google News Initiative:
The Google News Initiative represents Google’s comprehensive effort to consolidate its products, partnerships, and programs, all aimed at ensuring the flourishing of journalism in the digital age. The initiative concentrates on three pivotal objectives: raising the standard of information while combating misinformation, innovating business models that extend beyond advertising to support quality journalism, and enabling news organizations to effectively harness new technologies, including AI, to meet their evolving needs.
