FactCheckNI news and press statements; sole author research and opinion articles
Disinformation in a pandemic: sharing fact checkers’ experiences
23 March 2021
As part of the Imagine! Belfast Festival of Ideas and Politics, editors from three fact-checking organisations across these isles shared their experiences of work during the pandemic — Claire Milne (Full Fact), Christine Bohan (TheJournal.ie), and Allan Leonard (FactCheckNI). The event was hosted by Ciaran Hanna from InsideIreland.ie. Continue reading Disinformation in a pandemic: sharing fact checkers’ experiences
COVID-19 conspiracy theories: how to have ‘the talk’
by Dr Orna YOUNG
11 December 2020
Any discussion of COVID-19 and the development and introduction of vaccines to combat it invariably gives rise to talk about conspiracy theories. “Is it part of a global ‘plandemic?’ Are the vaccines being introduced to track us?” We have all seen these types of comments and discussions taking place online. Continue reading COVID-19 conspiracy theories: how to have ‘the talk’
Overcoming closed borders: opening up fact-checking solutions
Interview with Giovanni ZAGNI (Director, Pagella Politica)
by Allan LEONARD
24 November 2020
“I haven’t seen some of my colleagues in six months,” remarked Giovanni Zagni, director of Pagella Politica, based in Milan. Conducting this interview via Zoom was a salutary reminder of unprecedented times in which we are living — never before have so many people globally have had to attempt to conduct their work, commerce, research, and collaboration remotely. Fact checkers may be more accustomed to applying their digital skills from anywhere — online access permitting — but remote camaraderie is a new phenomenon. Continue reading Overcoming closed borders: opening up fact-checking solutions
FactCheckNI awarded funding by Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
14 September 2020
FactCheckNI, Northern Ireland’s first and only dedicated fact-checking service, has been awarded funding by the Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust to conduct our work entitled “Empowering People Through Facts”. The Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust (JRCT) aims to fund work which will contribute to the ongoing transformation of the Northern Ireland conflict. Continue reading FactCheckNI awarded funding by Joseph Rowntree Charitable Trust
Telling stories with data: FactCheckNI session at Global Fact 7
by Allan LEONARD
29 June 2020
As part of the annual summit of the International Fact-Checking Network, FactCheckNI hosted “Telling Stories with Data” at Global Fact 7, an online session that explored the use of data in news and information presented to the public. I moderated the conversation between John Campbell (Business and Economics Editor at BBC Northern Ireland) and Niall O’Neill (statistician at the Northern Ireland Statistics and Research Agency (NISRA)). The session aimed to impart an appreciation of the importance of the integrity of trustworthy official data sources and the benefits that this has for fact-checking organisations, through good working relationships with statistics agencies. Continue reading Telling stories with data: FactCheckNI session at Global Fact 7
Statement: COVID-19 death rate fact check
FactCheckNI
1 May 2020
On Friday, 24 April, FactCheckNI published a fact check, “Are COVID-19 deaths in Northern Ireland 50% higher than Ireland?” The fact check was in regards to an article published earlier that week on Wednesday 22 April in the Irish Times, “Coronavirus: Ireland is one island with two different death rates”. The content of this article was shared on Facebook’s platform, as well as other social media platforms. Continue reading Statement: COVID-19 death rate fact check