International Fact-Checking Day is observed on 2 April and is all about setting the record straight and protecting the general public from misinformation and disinformation.

While the name may appear to be self-explanatory, fact-checkers help to protect the reputation of a publication through the verification of facts and prevention of misinformation or journalistic fraud.

Happily, this can help reduce lawsuits and cases of defamation, which errors in reportage may lead to; hence, it’s evident that the fact-checker plays quite a key role here, too.

In a world where news comes from all kinds of social media sources (ranging from Twitter to Reddit to Instagram), information and media can very easily be manipulated to misguide or sway public opinions. In some ways then, fact-checkers are the superheroes of today, doing us all a public service!

History of International Fact-Checking Day

The first official observation of International Fact-Checking Day was on 2 April 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 misinformation posed, particularly on social media sites; which are consumed by the masses daily. In 2016, during the U.S. elections, fake news wreaked havoc and brought this issue into the spotlight again, which is why the observance was officially created in 2016, though celebrated a year later.

It is officially promoted by the International Fact-Checking Network (I.F.C.N.), 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.

Factually speaking, fact-checking as a thing belongs to the recent past and has been in existence for less than 100 years. It has its roots in the era of American ‘yellow journalism’ — where truth took the backseat to sensationalism when it came to headlines; all for the sake of profit. Initially dominated by women and considered a feminine job, fact-checking began to gain legitimacy as a career with the establishment of “TIME” magazine in the 1920s. With the explosion of fake news on social media sites now, it has doubled in importance.

International Fact-Checking Day timeline

1913
The Bureau of Accuracy and Fair Play
Ralph Pulitzer and Joseph White began the bureau to catch repeat offenders who make errors.

1920s
Fact-Checking Becomes a Career
Fact-checking has become a legitimate career in many newspapers, magazines, and publishing houses.

1970s
Men Enter the Fact-Checker Workforce
Following a complaint about sex segregation, “TIME” magazine paves the way for men to become fact-checkers too — and they become the first to hire four men.

1990s
Public Fact-Checking Sites Emerge
Fact-checking websites like Snope and Smoking Gun emerge, offering a chance to check political facts.

How to Observe International Fact-Checking Day

Run fact-check on your own

On the next piece of news you come across on your social media platform of choice, try using the methods prescribed by Google to verify the information stated. Welcome to your first step on the path to awareness!

Simple ways to run a fact-check by anyone

  • •Check Credentials – Is the author specialized in the field that the article is concerned with? Does s/he currently work in that field? Check LinkedIn or do a quick Google search to see if the author can speak about the subject with authority and accuracy.
  • •Read the “About Us” section. Does the resource have one? It may be on a tab at the top of the page, or a link at the bottom of the page, but all reputable websites will have some type of About Us section and will provide a way for you to contact them.
  • •Look for Bias – does the article seem to lean toward a particular point of view? Does it link to sites, files, or images that seem to skew left or right? Biased articles may not be giving you the whole story.
  • •Check the Dates – Like eggs and milk, information can have an expiration date. In many cases, use the most up-to-date information you can find.
  • •Check out the Source – When an article cites sources, it’s good to check them out. Sometimes, official-sounding associations are biased think tanks or represent only a fringe view of a large group of people. If you can’t find sources, read as much about the topic as you can to get a feel for what’s already out there and decide for yourself if the article is accurate or not.
  • •Interrogate URLs – We see quite a bit of domain manipulation these days. For instance, what looks like a .edu domain, followed by .co or “lo,” is likely a fake or deceptive site. If you are seeing a slightly variant version of a well-known URL, do a little investigating.
  • Suspect the sensational – When you see something posted that looks sensational, it is even more important to be skeptical. Exaggerated and provocative headlines with excessive use of capital letters or emotional language are serious red flags.
  • Judge Hard – If what you’re reading seems too good to be true, or too weird, or too reactionary, it probably is.

Importance

Fact-checking is important in the content writing and formation approach since less-factual content can greatly influence people’s opinions, and it can largely report their actions. People will make the wrong decisions if they build their actions on the wrong information, and these decisions can lead to unintended results.

For instance, posting biased or un-factual content on social media without checking credibility could negatively impact the public’s point of view of your trustworthiness.

Un-factual content or writeups could lead to serious consequences, both legal and reputational. It is important to take some time to verify the accuracy of any written piece before publishing it. Also, knowing the potential consequences of sharing inaccurate information is essential.

Fact-checking in proofreading is essential to ensure accuracy and prevent the spread of misinformation. It requires Subject Matter Expert (SME) involvement to ensure the accuracy and credibility of the information being verified.

The responsibilities of subject matter experts in fact-checking include verifying the accuracy of claims, cross-referencing multiple sources, and ensuring that the information is unbiased and reliable. SMEs possess deep knowledge and expertise in their respective fields, enabling them to evaluate claims and provide reliable assessments. It involves:

  • Demonstrating the accuracy of statements and sources
  • Cross-referencing and researching the claims made
  • Providing context for the information presented