Building news savvy: Best practices
▸Engagement
Check it Out
WHAT IS IT?
Chequeado, translated as “Checked,” is an independent, nonpartisan media nonprofit recognized for its innovation in connecting with audiences. It verifies what public officials are saying, openly and with public input. The project began October of 2010 and has 15 partners throughout Latin America emphasizing transparency and data sharing. It is part of the International Fact-Check Network, and part of a verification trent Duke University’s Reporting Lab noted.
WHO’S BEHIND IT?
Chemist Roberto Lugo, physicist Julio Aranovich and economist José Alberto Bekinschtein founded the project in Argentina, using organizations such as FactCheck.org for inspiration. In recent years, director Laura Zommer emphasizes, Chequeado’s support is growing from smaller, public donations for its efforts throughout Latin America. Young journalists with the project innovate using GIFs and interactive games to explain the importance of journalistic verification.
DOES IT WORK?
Media experts noted its reach and impact during the 2015 Argentinian presidential election with live-debate checks and shares. Olivia Sohr, special projects coordinator, said it has 206,000 Twitter and 68,000 Facebook followers. Alexios Mantzarlis, director of Poynter’s International Fact-Checking Network, called it a global leader because it sparked independent fact-checking throughout Latin America with Agency Lupa (Brazil), ColombiaCheck and Lie Detector of La Silla Vacía (Colombia), among others.
HOW TO DO IT
Engaging with the public is key in following Chequeado’s model. Users can access education platform Chequeador, which helps to teach users how to do their own fact checking. A life-sized interactive board game traveled to cities highlighting a local, community issue. Directors use promotional crowdsourcing through videos on social media (Twitter and Facebook) to request public donations. Innovations director Pablo Martín Fernández provided strategy tips, including successful formats and images.
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Sayo Akao is a recent graduate from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism & Mass Communication. As digital communication specialist in the News Co/Lab, Akao is assisting the team to create positive change in news literacy through a variety of different approaches.