28 June 2021

One of FactCheckNI’s aims is to promote a culture of factual accountability amongst citizens, with an attitude of critical thinking and active verification. This applies to what we all see on social media platforms as well as what we read in newspapers, hear on broadcast media or pick up from everyday conversations.

All social media platforms could do more to prevent malicious and hateful content from being published or served as advertising. However, we should all be empowered to take responsibility to analyse what we are seeing and decide whether or not it can be taken at face value.

FactCheckNI believes that by asking yourself the following three questions, we can all reduce the likelihood of being misled by false information or unfounded rumours.

  • Where’s it from?
  • What’s missing?
  • How does it make you feel?

In summary, when it comes to online material: Think and Check before you Share.

You can read more about our thoughts on online rumours and false information in a FactCheckNI article published previously.


FactCheckNI is Northern Ireland’s first and only dedicated independent fact-checking service and a verified signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles. You can learn more about about FactCheckNI, our personnel, what our article verdicts mean, and how to submit a claim.