International Fact-Checking Day sees Thai truth-seekers partner with global network
The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has partnered with Cofact, Thailand’s first collaborative fact-checking platform, to train Thai fact-checkers, journalists and academics.
“Fact-checking has never been more important than it is now given that we see misinformation continue to spread regarding the Covid-19 pandemic, and our organisation can provide the tools to our Thai friends to ensure they shine a light on the truth,” said IFCN director Baybars Örsek.
The IFCN is the fact-checking organisation of choice for several major media corporations, including Google and Facebook.
Orsek was speaking on Thursday at a Cofact summit held in Bangkok to mark International Fact-Checking Day (April 2).
Cofact brought together a wide range of journalists, civil society organisations, academics, and corporate representatives, including Sure and Share, AFP Fact-Check Thailand, and the Society for Online News Providers (SONP).
Cofact announced that 2022 will be “The Year of Fact Checking” in Thailand, a concerted effort aimed at strengthening Thailand’s ability to counter disinformation and misinformation.
With support from the US Embassy, IFCN will partner with Cofact to launch the first fact-checking curriculum in Thailand, an online course that will train Thailand’s local fact-checkers, journalists, and academics, equipping them with skills to identify reliable sources and debunk viral misinformation.