Foto: StopFals.md
In today’s fast-paced world, political narratives are crafted and spread with unprecedented speed, often leaving voters struggling to differentiate between truth and disinformation.
This issue is particularly significant in the Republic of Moldova as the country gears up for the 2024 presidential elections and a crucial referendum, where the stakes are high regarding Moldova’s path towards EU integration. Anti-EU disinformation narratives are actively trying to create internal political turmoil, leveraging disinformation to polarize the public and challenge the country’s European aspirations.
In this context, fact-checking has become an essential tool for safeguarding democracy. One innovative approach to this process is the Checkathon—a fact-checking marathon that puts political claims under the microscope. But what exactly is a Checkathon, and why is it important in this context?
What is a Checkathon?
A Checkathon is a marathon-style event designed to fact-check political narratives and candidates’ claims.
It is an intensive exercise aimed at promoting transparency and accountability by ensuring that the public is informed with accurate information, especially in the lead-up to elections.
What is the format of a Checkathon?
Since 2014, Funky Citizens and Factual.ro have been testing various formats for Checkathons during different events in Romania.
One format involves live fact-checking during political debates, speeches, or interviews. In this case, a team of fact-checkers works quickly to verify candidates’ statements in real time, focusing on speed and accuracy to prevent the spread of misinformation during crucial moments.
Another method looks at candidates’ political programs and/or campaign promises. Here, fact-checkers analyze past statements and policy proposals to evaluate their validity. This
This approach is more detailed and gives a deeper understanding of what a candidate is really offering and whether their promises hold up to scrutiny.
Who can participate?
One of the unique aspects of a Checkathon is its openness to a wide variety of participants. The diversity in the backgrounds of participants enriches the experience and ensures a well-rounded approach to fact-checking.
For example, journalists, including reporters and professional fact-checkers who are familiar with the political landscape, participate in checkathons to improve their skills with advanced fact-checking tools. Trainers, who are experts in media literacy and disinformation, also take part by sharing their knowledge and teaching others how to spot misleading claims.
Students of Political Science, Journalism, and Communication are another key group. They are future professionals eager to dive into the world of political fact-checking and understand its vital role in maintaining healthy democracies. Finally, the general public is always welcome—anyone passionate about transparency and truth in politics can participate, helping to create a more informed and engaged community.
What are the outcomes of a Checkathon?
A Checkathon is more than just a fact-checking exercise; it’s a powerful tool that brings about several great benefits:
- Enhanced Fact-Checking Skills: Participants leave with better techniques for quickly and accurately verifying information, whether they’re checking facts in real time or examining longer-term political claims.
- Increased Media Literacy: As participants sharpen their critical thinking skills, the broader public benefits too. More people will learn the importance of fact-checking and how to avoid falling for disinformation.
- Strengthening Democracy: With accurate information at their fingertips, voters can make informed decisions. Checkathons can also create a ripple effect, helping people tell the difference between truth and falsehoods, which leads to healthier political discussions.
- Collaboration Across Sectors: By bringing together journalists, trainers, students, and the general public, Checkathons encourage collaboration and the sharing of ideas and expertise among diverse participants.
Which organizations conduct fact-checking in Romania and the Republic of Moldova?
Fact-checking organizations are crucial in promoting transparency in a democratic political system. Some of the key organizations involved in organizing Checkathons and broader fact-checking initiatives include:
Funky Citizens (Romania): A non-governmental organization at the forefront of fact-checking in Romania. They organize Checkathons in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, and collaborate with a broad network of European partners to enhance media literacy and political transparency.
Factual.ro project (Romania): A trusted Romanian fact-checking platform that verifies public claims and offers clear analyses of political statements, helping everyone grasp the importance of accurate information.
StopFals.md (Republic of Moldova): Dedicated to combating misinformation in the Republic of Moldova, Stop Fals creates engaging fact-checking articles to clarify misleading claims, especially during the 2024 elections.
Watchdog.md (Republic of Moldova): Known for insightful studies and analyses, WatchDog monitors political developments and advocates for government transparency, helping the public understand the political landscape in the Republic of Moldova.
Brodhub.eu: An information hub that plays a key role in political monitoring and disinformation research across Europe. Important fact-checks, studies and analyses from Romania and the Republic of Moldova are regularly featured on this platform.
Spotlight: Moldova’s 2024 Presidential Elections and Referendum
Foto: StopFals.md / Facebook
In the Republic of Moldova, the 2024 Presidential elections and referendum are critical moments for the country’s political present and future. As anti-EU disinformation is frequently used to polarize voters and manipulate public opinion, fact-checkers play an essential role in debunking false narratives and maintaining transparency. Moreover, fact-checking initiatives will help ensure that voters have access to accurate information as they head to the polls on October 20 and November 3.
According to Watchdog.md, disinformation on the topic of elections is a significant concern in the Republic of Moldova, and fact-checking efforts ahead of the 2024 elections aim to mitigate its impact. From October 7 to October 18, there were 9 Checkathon events held in Chișinău, Republic of Moldova, organized by the Fact Frontier: Romania-Moldova coalition. Five events focused on presidential candidates and four were related to the referendum.
The broadcasts received support from Moldova 1 television, which featured real-time monitoring and verification of candidates’ statements by a team of fact-checkers from StopFals.md.
Key disinformation narratives from the presidential debate included the claim that the EU promotes LGBTQ+ propaganda, which was dismissed as a manipulated threat without any supporting directive.
Additionally, accusations that Moldova is a vassal state of Western Europe were countered by highlighting its valuable economic and cultural partnerships that uphold national sovereignty.
Claims that referendum results are meaningless were debunked by explaining their legal importance, while assertions that EU membership would resolve Transnistrian conflicts and undermine statehood were found exaggerated, as the EU lacks mechanisms for such resolutions and member states retain control over internal policies.
Moreover, experts refuted unfounded allegations that the EU imposes anti-religious values, emphasizing respect for cultural diversity. The notion that Moldova would face sanctions for opposing EU policies was also countered, showing that member states can negotiate freely.
Finally, the accusation that the referendum mocks the Constitution was clarified through its legal processes, and concerns about the ineffectiveness of European funds were addressed by demonstrating their positive impact on local communities.
We invite you to check out our newsletter, Republic of Moldova Before Elections. It is a joint collaboration between Funky Citizens, Watchdog.md and StopFals.md, which provides insights into how disinformation spreads in Moldova leading up to the 2024 presidential elections and the referendum. We hope you find it informative!
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Checkathons are powerful tools in the fight against political disinformation. They empower voters with the truth, promote media literacy, and strengthen democratic processes by ensuring that political claims are held to rigorous standards of truth. Whether you’re a journalist, student, or simply someone passionate about political transparency, participating in a Checkathon is a meaningful way to contribute to a healthier and more informed society.
By fact-checking initiatives such as Checkathons in Romania and the Republic of Moldova, we can ensure that the future of politics is built on truth, not deception.