Real-Time Fact-Checking: Moldova’s First Debate
Published Monday 7 October 2024 at 17:05
This evening, democracy comes to life through debates: in the Republic of Moldova, at 7:00 PM, the first debate of the Fact Frontier initiative will begin on the online platforms of the public broadcaster Moldova 1. It will be a session where candidates' statements are monitored and fact-checked in real-time by a team from StopFals, part of a project supported by Funky Citizens, Transparency International Moldova, and the Association of Independent Press of Moldova, with support from the Google News Initiative.
Fact Frontier: The Romania-Moldova Coalition represents a unique effort to combat misinformation during the pre-election period and will actively contribute to keeping the public well-informed throughout the 11 scheduled electoral debates in the Republic of Moldova. This initiative not only supports fact-based debates but could also serve as an example for Romania and other European countries, demonstrating that real-time fact-checking of political statements is essential for a healthy democracy and an informed electorate.
The project also includes training sessions and "checkathons," inviting young journalists and students to actively participate in fact-checking efforts. These activities are held in both Romania and the Republic of Moldova, emphasizing the need for media integrity.
We hope that the Fact Frontier initiative will inspire other countries to support informed electoral debates and adopt a model in which fact-checking is a central part of democratic dialogue.