Since June 2020, Maldita.es has operated an automated fact-checking service on WhatsApp (+34 644 22 93 19) that provides users with daily content and is capable of analysing videos, audio, images and text, comparing them with its database and automatically responding when a debunk already exists.
This IFCN programme will enable Maldita.es to design, develop and implement courses and surveys through the same service.
After two years of using this tool, which improves journalists’ workflows and strengthens the relationship between citizens and the organisation, thereby reducing the impact of disinformation on WhatsApp, we have new ideas that we will now be able to put into practice thanks to this grant. The project will allow us to scale the service’s current features by adding user interaction to deliver media literacy content and activities that help journalists better understand users’ needs, profiles and other aspects of disinformation consumption on private messaging platforms. This will strengthen the fight against disinformation and help reduce digital inequalities by providing accessible, free knowledge to the public.
As part of this same project, there are 10 other organisations receiving grants across 8 countries:
- Dubawa (Nigeria)
- Factcheck.ge (Georgia)
- Bolivia Verifica (Bolivia)
- Fatabyyano (Jordan)
- Lupitan6 (Indonesia)
- EFE Verifica (Spain)
- Facta.news (Italy)
- Boom (India)
- Newschecker.in (India)
WhatsApp has more than 2 billion users worldwide and, according to the Digital News Report 2022, more than 34% of the population in Spain uses it to get news and information.