Master the Art of Digital Fact-Checking

A 10-Part Guide to Detecting and Combating Online Misinformation

Robert Bourgoing/20 November 2024

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In a world where disinformation travels faster than ever, reshaping perceptions and spreading confusion, taking control of your online experience is no longer just an option; it’s a necessity. But here’s the good news: it doesn’t take a superhero to debunk a lie. What it does take is curiosity, critical thinking, and the right tools, things I will help you master.

This ten-part series of video tutorials on fact-checking (aussi disponible en français ) is designed for everyone—journalists, teachers, students, parents, or anyone curious and concerned about the authenticity of what they see online.

I’ll guide you through the latest tools and techniques used by professional fact-checkers worldwide. Each how-to video builds on the previous one, making it a progressive journey to strengthen your skills and confidence in tackling misinformation.

***This tutorial series was initially developed for the Talmil platform, part of the France-funded Balkan Voices 2 project and the EU-funded Balkan Productions, both of which coordinated by CFI, the French media development agency.

Meet Your Toolbox: What’s Coming in the Series

1. The Browser: Your Gateway to Online Verification
The series starts with the most fundamental yet powerful tool: your web browser. Whether it’s Chrome, Firefox, Edge, privacy-focused Brave and TOR, or the newcomer Arc, I’ll guide you on selecting the browser(s) that best fit your needs.

2. Browser Extensions: Mini Tools for Big Tasks
Prepare your browser with extensions like inVid for video verification, Google Lens for reverse image searches, and the Wayback Machine to uncover archived web pages. From checking metadata in images to finding the first-ever appearance of a viral video, browser extensions can save you hours.

3. Managing Bookmarks: Building a Fact-Checking Arsenal
Fact-checking involves juggling dozens of tools, databases, and sources. Organizing them effectively is key. We’ll show you how to create a bookmark structure tailored to your needs, ensuring you’re never more than a click away from the resources that matter most.

4. Fact-Checking Photos – part 1: Mastering Image Verification with Lens
This first part introduces the essentials of image verification, including using tools like Google Lens to identify manipulated or misattributed photos and trace their origins. It emphasizes the importance of observation and provides practical tips for beginners.

5. Fact-Checking Photos – part 2: A Dive into Advanced Tools and Techniques
This second part explores additional tools such as Yandex, Baidu, Bing, and TinEye to complement Google Lens. It highlights the unique strengths of each tool and demonstrates how using multiple platforms increases accuracy in verifying online images.

6. Verifying Videos – part 1: Sharpen Your Observation and Critical Skills
Videos are compelling but notoriously tricky to verify. This first part covers the basics of video verification, including identifying sources, analyzing content, and spotting manipulation. It offers a step-by-step process for assessing videos and debunking misinformation.

7. Verifying Videos – part 2: Advanced Techniques to Fact-Check Like a Pro
The second part of the tutorial focuses on advanced tools like inVid and techniques for extracting frames, creating panoramic views, and analyzing videos frame-by-frame. It also discusses methods for saving videos before they are removed from platforms.

8. Geolocating Images – part 1: Master the Basics of Finding Exact Locations
Where was this image or video taken? This first part introduces basic geolocation techniques, such as using Google Maps, Street View, and landmarks to pinpoint the exact location of a photo or video. It emphasizes observation and creative problem-solving.

9. Geolocating Images – part 2: Unveil Locations with Advanced Techniques
The second part of the tutorial delves into advanced geolocation tools and methods, including using metadata, 3D map views, and heat signatures from satellite data. It demonstrates how to verify locations of events like natural disasters or conflicts.

10. Fact-Checking Websites: Revealing Who’s Behind the Screen
In the digital age, fake websites are sophisticated enough to fool even the savviest internet users. We’ll teach you how to evaluate domain names, check for plagiarized content, and investigate the credibility of site authors.

Master the Art of Digital Fact-Checking

Meet Your Toolbox: What’s Coming in the Series

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Learn to Master the Art of Digital Fact-Checking

1. The Fact-Checkers Browser

2. The Browser Extensions

3. Managing Bookmarks

4. Fact-Checking Photos – part 1

5. Fact-Checking Photos – part 2

6. Verifying Videos – part 1

7. Verifying Videos – part 2

8. Geolocating Photos and Videos – part 1

Master the Art of Digital Fact-Checking

Meet Your Toolbox: What’s Coming in the Series

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