Established in 2015 and operating as a non-profit Community Interest Company (CIC) since 2019, FactCheckNI are an independent team of fact-checkers committed to examining key public statements related to Northern Ireland. The team analyses the best available evidence and publish fact-check articles to enhance the quality of public debate, knowledge and understanding. The organisation also provides training in fact checking and critical thinking skills to support groups and communities in navigating the huge amount of information we are all dealing with.
Founded in response to the impact of online rumours and misinformation in further marginalising communities in Northern Ireland in the early 2010s, the team’s approach differs from many international fact-checking initiatives, prioritising media literacy and critical thinking skills. They believe fact-checking in Northern Ireland requires a tailored, multi-levelled approach.
FactCheckNI is committed to ensuring critical thinking is embedded as part of wider community building and development efforts, evidenced in the training they deliver, and the range of organisations who trust them to work with the people they represent.
“We want people to actively engage with the fact-checking process, and to be their own fact checkers. We also want to support people and communities in holding those in positions of power to account and ensure that transparency and accuracy underpin debates and discussions on issues that impact all of us living in Northern Ireland” said Dr Orna Young, Co-Founder and Managing Director of FactCheckNI. “Recently we’ve all witnessed the worst real world impact of bad information – riots in Northern Ireland, and elsewhere in the UK, show how bad information on social media can encourage and incite violent disorder in our communities and on our streets” adds Orna.
Physical violence is perhaps the worst, and most shocking, outcome from internet falsehoods. However, it is not the only negative effect. Bad information, such as misapprehensions, untruths and lies, pollute public discourse at all levels. They disconnect us, eroding trust in reliable sources of information and undermining expertise. They increase apathy and reduce participation in politics and democratic processes. Misinformation and deliberate disinformation place another hurdle between people and the accurate information and data they need to understand and relate to people and communities around them. Such barriers hinder the ability to make informed decisions affecting the lives of individuals and communities. Bad information makes people fearful. Good information counters this fear. FactCheckNI aims to counteract these negative effects by promoting good information and encouraging critical thinking, which can challenge the basis for injustice and discrimination. FactCheckNI’s website is a source of fact checked articles, where you can find out accurate information on issues that matter most to you.
The team also provides training in critical thinking skills, as well as imparting tools to empower individuals and groups to fact check both online and offline content, and has sought to strengthen the basis for political, social and economic debate at the grassroot level in Northern Ireland. The training aims to support everyone in dealing with the huge amount of information people are dealing with daily. Since 2016, FactCheckNI has trained over 7,000 people from more than 60 community-based organisations. The organisation also provides an online toolkit that provides simple tips for applying fact-checking and critical thinking skills in daily life.
Free Critical Thinking session with FactCheckNI
NICVA has invited Orna Young Managing Director from FactCheckNI to deliver this 1.5 hour online session. It will support you as you deal with information on a daily basis and help you to think critically. This training in fact-checking and critical thinking skills aims to support everyone in dealing with the huge amount of information we’re all dealing with on any given day. You can register for free here.
FactCheckNI services
FactCheckNI’s services are open to all. Use the contact details below to find out how they can support you and your work:
FactCheckNI website: https://factcheckni.org
Email: [email protected]
X (formerly Twitter): @FactCheckNI
Facebook: /FactCheckNI
Speaking of the benefits of being a NICVA member, Orna said
“NICVA has supported FactCheckNI in promoting our work and by ensuring that key issues impacting everyone working within the community and voluntary sector are represented. This support helps us ensure our work is responsive to the experience and needs of those working on a huge range of issues and areas.”
