Fact-checking is one of the most powerful tools for protecting communities from false information. At its core, fact-checking is simply the process of verifying whether a claim is true, misleading, exaggerated, or false.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The first step in fact-checking is to clearly identify the claim. For example, someone may post that fuel prices have doubled overnight<\/em> or that a certain polling station has been moved<\/em>. Before reacting, it is important to isolate exactly what is being claimed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The next step is to trace the original source. Many false stories are reposted several times, making it difficult to know where they started. A screenshot shared in a WhatsApp group may actually come from an unverified Facebook page or an old post taken out of context.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In Zambia, many misleading governance-related claims circulate during periods of political debate. A statement about a law, public spending, or local development project may be widely shared without any official reference. In these situations, checking government websites, public statements, or credible media sources becomes essential.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fact-checking also requires comparing information across multiple sources. If a major claim is true, it is likely that other trusted platforms will also be reporting it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Images and videos should also be checked carefully. Across Nigeria, Kenya, and Zimbabwe, many election-related falsehoods have involved reused videos from previous events or even from other countries entirely. A video showing unrest in one country may be falsely labelled as happening in Lusaka or Harare.<\/p>\n\n\n\n One simple but powerful fact-checking habit is to check the date. Sometimes genuine news stories from previous years are reshared as if they are current. During elections, this tactic is often used to reignite fear or anger.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Fact-checking does not need to be highly technical. It starts with everyday habits: asking questions, checking sources, verifying dates, and refusing to share information until it is confirmed.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At Dikoding Deception, this is exactly the culture we want to build \u2014 a community of responsible internet users who do not simply consume information, but actively question it and use it to demand accountability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Techniques to Spot Misleading Content Effectively<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Check the Source<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Read Beyond Headlines<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Verify Images and Videos<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Cross-Check Facts<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Question the Motive<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Watch for Emotions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Use Verification Tools<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n CrowdTangle \u2013 track trending social media posts<\/p>\n\n\n\n Browser extensions & apps<\/strong> to help check content quickly:<\/p>\n\n\n\n NewsGuard<\/a> \u2013 credibility rating for websites<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
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