Fact-checking, Digital Security, Data Journalism: Starter's Guide

"The importance of accuracy in this information age cannot be overemphasised."



This is a practical handbook on fact-checking, digital security, and data journalism developed for journalists, citizen reporters, and journalism students in Kenya. It is designed to equip journalists with the necessary knowledge and skills to practice responsible, accurate, and ethical journalism and to develop critical thinking skills to better navigate today's landscape of information and media. Topics covered include the fundamentals of fact-checking and debunking of false information, safeguarding digital information and protection against cyber-attacks, and how to create accurate and compelling data-driven stories.



The handbook was produced as part of the four-year project "Our County - Our Responsibility! Telling Data-Stories Revealing Citizens' Realities" (2020-2023) funded by the German Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ) through the Catholic Media Council (CAMECO). The project sought to enhance the capacity of community media and youth journalists to inform and empower citizens to better understand the funding mechanisms in local governance and actively participate in shaping their local development. (See Related Summary below for more information.) The content of the handbook was edited by the Kenya Community Media Network (KCOMNET)'s coordination team after a series or workshop training sessions for local journalists and citizen reporters conducted in cooperation with Code for Africa.



The guide is divided into the following three sections that contain readings, notes, self-tests, and activities designed to enhance the learning experience:

 

1. Fact-Checking: This section explores the fundamentals of fact-checking, including the identification and debunking of false information. It delves into the importance of verification and provides practical techniques to verify images and videos. It also discusses the importance of transparency in media and the role it plays in fostering trust and credibility.
2. Digital Security: This section focuses on safeguarding digital information and protecting it against cyber-attacks. It examines various types of cyber threats and discusses the importance of digital security in the context of journalism. It offers tips and tools to enhance journalists' digital security and to reduce risks in an increasingly interconnected world.
3. Data Journalism: This section introduces the world of data and its application in journalism. It looks at how to find and analyse data, as well as how to create compelling data-driven stories. It explores data visualisation techniques and tools such as Data Wrapper and discusses the role of social media in engaging with audiences.