Diligent journalists, researchers, and individuals with critical thinking skills consistently pose questions such as “How do we know that?” or “How does the person making this claim actually know it?” This questioning lays the groundwork for fact-checking. Today misinformation is everywhere, and it’s fortunate that there are several reliable fact-checking tools that anyone can use to verify information. Below, I introduce the top software options that you can use in your professional and personal life.
Imagine someone claiming that they won 1 million NZD in the NZ Casinos. You’re wondering whether this statement is true or not. How would you verify this information? Drawing from my 10 years of experience as a journalist, I’ll share with you some useful tips.
Now, let’s look at what fact-checkers do. Fact-checking involves many steps. But the crucial initial phase in fact-checking is identifying the type of statement that was made. Statements can fall into three categories: those that can’t be fact-checked, those that can be fact-checked, and those that fall in between. You can only work with the last two types of claims.
Now, I am giving you the list of software that you can use for fact-checking. Actually, all these tools are simple, and you do not need any special technical knowledge to use them.
Spike
This is a software tool designed to help users identify viral content across the internet. It gathers data from social media, news sites, and forums to show emerging trends and spot possible misinformation. By analyzing this data, Spike keeps users updated on the latest developments in the online world.
CrowdTangle
CrowdTangle is also a social media monitoring tool that helps users track the virality of content across various platforms. It is owned by Facebook. CrowdTangle detects possible misinformation, and reveals what people are interested in. Users can track how content spreads, see engagement stats, and spot influential users. It is widely used by journalists, researchers, and fact-checkers.
ClaimReview Schema Generator
Developed by Google, this tool allows fact-checkers to create structured data markup. By tagging claims and corresponding fact-checks with this schema, search engines can better identify and display information in search results.
TinEye
Fact-checkers use TinEye to identify the origins of images circulating online. By uploading or entering an image URL, users can quickly discover where else the image has appeared on the web.
Hoaxy
This software was developed by researchers at Indiana University. Hoaxy visualizes the spread of misinformation on social media by mapping the dissemination of false claims and fact-checking articles. Hoaxy provides valuable insights into the dynamics of online misinformation campaigns.
Truth Goggles
Truth Goggles is a browser extension that prompts users to critically evaluate online content by highlighting potential inaccuracies and biases. Truth Goggles encourages media literacy, and individuals become more discerning consumers of information.
Newsguard
Newsguard employs a team of trained journalists to assess the credibility of news websites based on journalistic standards and transparency. Newsguard gives users color-coded ratings and detailed analyses of news sources so they can determine if the source is reliable or unreliable.
Full Fact Toolkit
Developed by the UK-based fact-checking organization, this toolkit offers a suite of tools for automating fact-checking. It can identify claims in text, search for relevant evidence, and generate structured data for fact-checks. Full Fact streamlines the fact-checking process, allowing fact-checkers to focus on more nuanced analysis.
Dataminr
Dataminr uses AI to spot new events and trends on social media instantly. It sifts through millions of tweets and helps fact-checkers catch possible misinformation early on.
Check
Check is an open-source platform developed by Meedan. Check makes fact-checking teamwork easier. It has tools for notes and tracking changes, allowing teams to check claims together, share proof, and post fact-checks in various languages.
ClaimBuster
This is an automated fact-checking tool that uses natural language processing algorithms to identify verifiable claims in texts. ClaimBuster analyzes news articles and transcripts, flagging statements that require further investigation. So, fact-checkers can focus on the most impactful claims.
With these advanced software tools, you too can effectively combat false information and promote truth and accuracy in society. So, now when you read something that you doubt or when your friend claims something (like winning huge sums in online casinos), you know how to verify this info. You see, we are living in a world where not only researchers and journalists must know how to use fact-checking technology. I believe every person should know how to combat misinformation. Hopefully, such lessons would be added to school and university curricula.