In the past year, the rise of AI-generated “deepfakes” has become a significant concern. Notable examples include a fake audio recording of Joe Biden discouraging voters, a manipulated campaign video of Donald Trump, and artificial images of the Middle East conflict, created to sway public opinion for both Palestinian and Israeli causes. These AI-generated images have spread widely on social media, raising alarms about distinguishing trustworthy from untrustworthy content.
Platforms like TikTok and X are particularly problematic, frequently hosting misinformation and conspiracy theories about topics like the Gaza conflict and the Princess of Wales’s health. This surge in questionable news content highlights the need for journalists to exercise extra caution and ensure solid evidence when reporting on sensitive issues such as wars or global emergencies.
Drawing on our extensive experience combating disinformation, we’ve compiled a valuable resource for newsrooms and freelancers. This guide offers practical tips, tools, and best practices to enhance both your reporting and social media presence
Follow up with the latest fact-checked and debunked news stories
Follow fact-checking organizations that support media literacy programs and collaborate with authorities to monitor online platforms for harmful content.
- The European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO), EU’s largest interdisciplinary network to counter disinformation
- The 14 existing EDMO national or multinational hubs cover all 27 EU Member States as well as Norway, in the EEA.
Follow news & fact-checking organizations that cover live global emergencies
Verify whether images and videos are real and in accurate context by using fact-checking tools
When it comes to digital fact-checking tools, journalists can use:
- The verification platform Truly Media, to better deal with the increased volume and complexity of online disinformation, by using multiple fact-checking tools, like Reverse Image Searches, Verification by location and image analysis algorithms. Learn more about Truly Media’s functionalities here.
- TruthNest, a Twitter analytics tool, which is also integrated into Truly Media. TruthNest uses several metrics in order to retrieve and provide a variety of analytics that can help gain additional insights about a Twitter account (activity, network, influence, bot probability score).
- One of the most well-known ways of verifying images online, Google’s image search can help tracing back to where else a photo has appeared online, helping make sure that the used images are legitimate.
In order to spot and tackle disinformation, another valuable source is this collection of training courses and toolkits, provided by First Draft. (available also in French, Spanish and German)
Cross-check quotes with official channels
The internet is flooded with misinformation, including fake quotes, misattributed quotes, and quotes taken completely out of context. Even videos can be manipulated to create a misleading narrative. For journalists, the gold standard for quoting someone is always to conduct an interview yourself (or at least be present). However, in today’s fast-paced world, this isn’t always possible.
Here’s how to ensure the quotes you use are credible:
- Prioritize official sources: Look for information from verified government accounts on social media, official company websites and media teams, or press releases from reputable organizations.
- Beware of unidentified sources: Be wary of quotes attributed to generic groups like “scientists,” “doctors,” or “experts” without a specific individual identified.
Fact-check numbers and consult experts to verify data
It’s easy to fabricate numbers, especially when they aren’t linked to a specific source. Never trust a statistic unless you can verify its origin and always double-check the data personally. For instance, every major scientific paper is accessible online (even if many are behind paywalls), so instead of relying on someone else’s interpretation of the research, journalists should review the data themselves.
The same principle applies to government statistics, which are typically published, and reliable data from organizations such as the United Nations. Even when the numbers are accurate, it’s often helpful to consult an independent expert to understand their implications—the saying “there are lies, damned lies, and statistics” remains relevant today
Protect communications and sensitive information in case of global emergencies
If journalists want to tackle some of the ethical challenges when sharing sensitive information and visuals, they can take steps like the one described in the Digital Security Guide, issued by the Rory Peck Foundation.
Furthermore:
- There is a helpful guide from the Global Investigative Journalism Network (GIJN) on the essential steps that journalists need to follow in emergency situations.
- When speaking to survivors of attacks and refugees, here are some tips on what to do before, during and after the interview. The Dart Center for Journalism & Trauma has also gathered significant resources for journalists who report on survivors of the conflict.
- Poynter also sums up ethical considerations for journalists as the Russian invasion of Ukraine unfolds.
Last but not least, we must point out that in war reporting, newsroom staff can also suffer from PTSD/vicarious trauma. Here are some tips for journalists to protect their mental health while witnessing these tragic events
Check also
- Infographic: ATC’s fact-checking experience
- Fighting Disinformation: The path towards being an expert
- 5 ways journalists fact-check stories in the age of fake news
- Digital News Report 2024: Key findings on news consumption & trust in news
- Digital News Report 2024 is out: 15 key findings for publishers
- Misinformation: how fact-checking journalism is evolving – and having a real impact on the world
