Science Feedback participates in creating biggest fact-checking database for European Elections

Science Feedback is collaborating in a project with the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) and a coalition of over 40 fact-checking organisations across Europe to create a comprehensive fact-checking database focused on the 2024 European Parliament Elections, supported by Google.

This first-of-its-kind open database collects and categorises political fact-checks, disinformation debunks, prebunking articles and narrative reports on transcontinental trends reported by a coalition of 40+ fact-checking organisations across Europe in a project known as Elections24Check.

It emphasises checks on claims made related to the 2024 European Elections. Users can search and filter for articles in different languages, relating to specific countries and political parties, and pertaining to certain topics, such as climate change and security and defence. The goal is to increase cross-country collaboration and act as a resource for European citizens ahead of the vote in June.

As part of the project, statistical information about disinformation trends during the election will become available as organisations input their data, and researchers will have the ability to request access to a full dataset.

Participating fact-checking organisations will also publish reports analysing the data.

Chair of the EFCSN Carlos Hernández-Echevarría said, 

“Elections24Check will offer an early detection system of online misinformation for the entire continent. Participating fact-checking organisations not only cover the EU but also the wider community of neighbouring European countries as well. This is important because misinformation travels widely across borders”.

Vice President of Government Affairs and Public Policy for Europe at Google, Annette Kroeber-Riel, added, 

“We are proud to support the work of fact checking organisations across Europe at a crucial time, as election misinformation can travel across borders and risk undermining democratic processes. This initiative led by the EFCSN and its 40+ member organisations will support quality information for voters, and pave the way for election coalitions in the future”.

Contributing fact-checking organisations have made commitments to transparency, non-partisanship and journalistic excellence, focused on serving the public interest as established in the European Code of Standards for Independent Fact Checking Organisations.

• Access the database at https://elections24.efcsn.com/.