Advanced Fact-checking Trainer’s Guide

About The Fact-Checking Trainer’s Guide

What is Fact-Checking?

Fact-checking is the process of verifying that all the facts in a piece of writing, news article, speech, or other forms of communication are correct. It is a form of investigative inquiry aimed at ensuring information accuracy. 

This involves examining the sources of information, cross-referencing with credible and reliable references, and identifying any potential biases or misinformation.

Fact-checking aims to curbs the spread of misinformation and disinformation. The awareness on tools that can be leveraged for fact-checking is very crucial to mitigate the spread of false information and fake news. 

This process is especially crucial in journalism, research, and public discourse to maintain the integrity and reliability of information disseminated to the public.

Purpose of the Guide

This comprehensive guide is designed to equip journalists and civic watchdogs with the guidelines to train others in advanced fact-checking methods. Trainers will learn training methodologies, fact-checking techniques, critical thinking, digital verification and how to combat information disorder effectively. 

This guide provides guidelines for the advanced fact-checking training sessions with details on the learning objectives, exercises, evaluation methodologies, interactive and engaging processes to ensure experiential learning.

It provides a framework on proven methods and techniques to effectively train others on fact-checking, using open-source tools for identifying misinformation and disinformation with hands-on skills for their day to day work deliverables.

Learning Objectives

This guide is designed to equip trainers and

facilitators with a set of competencies and

tools that will allow them to:

• Provide trainees with a deep understanding of fact-checking principles and practices.
• Equip trainees with practical skills in using fact-checking tools and resources to addressing region-specific misinformation and fact-checking needs in Mali.
•  Create engaging and interactive learning environments.
• Promote unbiased and objective fact-checking methods among trainees.
• Identify tools for assessing trainees’ understanding and application of fact-checking skills.

Contents Of The Training Guide

This training guide provides practical guidelines on how to facilitate the advanced fact-checking training.

The items included in this guide include:

Methodology - Training design approaches to structure and optimise the learning experience.

Curriculum - Advanced fact-checking curriculum content tailored to the target audience, including journalists

Case Study - Case studies to simulate real-world situations

Structure - A well-designed structure and format of the training sessions.

Evaluation Tools - A set of workshop evaluation tools.

Interactive Activities - Activities to ensure engagement and interactivity of participants during the training.

Behind the Training Manual

This manual is published under the FOKABEN - TROUVONS LA SOLUTION project led by Search for Common Ground in collaboration with Code for Africa

You can access the training manual below.