In order to support the information ecosystem, Meta and the IFCN collaborate as important partners through Meta’s Third Party Fact-Checking Program.
In order to provide journalists in the Asia Pacific region, including Pakistan, with a free introductory fact-checking course, Facebook and Instagram owner Meta on Wednesday announced a partnership with the nonprofit Poynter Institute of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN).
Three modules covering the fact-checking, verification, and debunking, as well as health misinformation and disinformation, will make up the course, according to a press release issued today to announce the collaborative project.
According to the press release, “the course will prepare journalists on how to identify fact-checkable claims, the methodology for fact-checking, and tools and techniques to assist in their journey.” It also stated that the self-paced course could be finished in two to three hours and was currently offered in 15 languages, including English and Urdu.
The region’s journalists, academics, and aspiring fact-checkers are all encouraged to take part. Everyone who completes the course successfully will be awarded a certificate honouring their dedication to enhancing the global information ecosystem.
Aya Lowe, the Asia Pacific region manager for Meta’s Integrity Partnerships, called fact-checking an “essential pillar” of her efforts to combat misinformation within the organisation. She was quoted in the press release as saying, “We believe upskilling people in Asia Pacific with courses like this is critical to help develop and strengthen the entire system.”
Through the Meta partnership, the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), according to Interim Director Ferdi Ozsoy, is “taking a crucial step in empowering people with the necessary tools to combat misinformation and strengthen journalistic excellence in the Asia-Pacific region.”
In order to support the information ecosystem, Meta and the IFCN collaborate as important partners through Meta’s Third Party Fact-Checking Program. The press release states that these programmes “support journalists and strengthen and increase the credibility of fact-checkers in the Asia Pacific region in the fight against misinformation.”