April 2: International Fact-Checking Day

Hi there 🖐

Know that, I am mostly writing about information disorders. Fact-Checking and verification are necessary for combatting misinformation and disinformation in recent days. I’m not actually in a good mood but I couldn’t skip this day!

Today is International Fact-Checking Day. Every April 2, fact-checkers, journalists, and academics celebrate. Today is important for protecting the general public from misinformation. Let’s dive into this beautiful day 🕺

The first official observation of International Fact-Checking Day was on April 2, 2017. However, the concept of having such a day was first conceived in 2014 at a conference for journalists and professional fact-checkers at the London School of Economics. The discussion was born out of a recognition of the danger that political misformation posed, particularly on social media sites; which are consumed by the masses daily.

In 2016, during the U.S. elections, fake news damaged public opinion and brought this issue into the spotlight again.

It is officially promoted by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), which partners with various media organizations worldwide. The significance of the date, April 2, is also noteworthy because it falls on the day after April Fools’ Day — cleverly pointing to the binary of ‘fool versus fact’.

On this day many different kinds of media organizations rally around and add to the growing pool of resources that can equip people to check facts, and provide tips and lessons to students and the public on ways to identify and stop the spread of misinformation or fake news.

The number of fact-checkers and the importance given to verification are increasing day by day. A year ago, Philippines journalist Maria Ressa and Russian journalist Dmitry Muratov received the Nobel Peace Prize for “their efforts to safeguard freedom of expression, which is a precondition for democracy and lasting peace.” Why is so important? Because It was the first time in over 80 years that Journalists got this award. And another point, Maria Ressa is a very famous journalist, and she is also known for combatting misinformation.

IFCN says “Fact-Checking Day is an annual celebration and rallying cry for more truth in public health, journalism, and everyday life. It is meant to be lighthearted, but practical”. If you want a part of today and join to celebrate, make sure to follow @factchecknet, and #FactCheckingisEssential on Twitter.

Whether you’re a fact-checker, journalist or citizen, Poynter will help you develop skills to sort fact from fiction. The good news, some courses are free to reach. You can get here all courses.

Are you boring with courses? Maybe, Games are a better way to understand media literacy for you. 👇

Here are 25 ways to get the truth behind topics you care about most. You can do your part to help reduce the spread of misinformation and fill their lives with facts.

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