A FACT-checking service – believed to be a first in Scotland – is launching with a sell-out public debate on fake news and trust in the media, taking place in Glasgow tomorrow (Wednesday April 26).
Ferret Fact Service (FFS) is a non-partisan, fact-checking project developed by the team behind the award-winning investigative journalism platform, The Ferret.
FFS is funded by Google’s prestigious Digital News Initiative.
Begins a spokesperson: “With Britain’s exit from the EU, a General Election and a possible second referendum on the horizon, it is vital that politicians and public figures are held to account for what they say.
“FFS will check statements from politicians, pundits and prominent figures about issues which the public are interested in.
“Fact checks will also be undertaken on viral claims, hoaxes and memes which are widely shared on social media but do not come from a specific person.”
The new project will fact check claims that are part of the political conversation, and will focus on current issues that are relevant to Scots.
Checks will be rated on a six-point scale of True, Mostly True, Half True, Mostly False, False, and FFS! (for those claims which defy belief).
Peter Geoghegan, journalistic director at The Ferret, said: “Fact-checking is crucially important if we are to restore the public’s trust in media.
“Scotland is going through a real period of political uncertainty with the outcome of Brexit, a snap General Election and possible independence referendum coming up, so it is more important than ever that politicians and public figures are held to account.
“Ferret Fact Service will check claims from across the political spectrum for accuracy, and we hope to provide an invaluable service for the people of Scotland.”
Megan Lucero, director of the Bureau Local at the Bureau of Investigative Journalism, said: “Holding truth to power is one of the most important roles in journalism. Ferret Fact Service is a crucial endeavour for fostering a free and critical press in Scotland and across the UK.”
FFS launch
To celebrate this exciting new project we are holding a debate in Glasgow on April 26 to inform people of our progress so far and future plans.
An expert panel discussion and Q&A will take place on fact-checking and how to restore trust in the media in a post-truth age. It will be hosted by investigative journalist and Ferret director, Peter Geoghegan.
Confirmed for the panel are: Megan Lucero from The Bureau of Investigative Journalism; BBC Scotland mobile and online editor Matt Roper; digital media and citizen journalism expert Dr Jennifer Jones; and Scotland editor at The Conversation, Steven Vass.
Notes for editors:
Information on Google’s fact checking fund https://www.theguardian.com/media/2016/nov/17/fake-news-google-funding-fact-checking-us-election
The Ferret on Google’s Digital News Initiative https://digitalnewsinitiative.com/dni-projects/ferret-fact-check/
FFS works to the International Fact-Checking Network fact-checkers’ code of principles http://www.poynter.org/fact-checkers-code-of-principles/
The Ferret is an award-winning investigative journalism platform. More information here: https://theferret.scot/about-us/
The launch event will take place at The Old Hairdressers, Renfield Lane, Glasgow on April 26th at 7pm. Tickets for the event are now sold out.
For more information, contact Alastair Brian on 07785460820 or email alastairbrian@theferret.scot
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Contact: Alastair Brian
Email: alastairbrian@theferret.scot
