The second day of the LatamChequea regional meeting focused on the current and future challenges facing fact-checking organizations: how to strengthen international collaboration networks, respond to disinformation in crisis contexts, use media literacy as a tool to foster critical thinking, and address misleading narratives about migration.
Experts and representatives from organizations in Latin America, Europe, Africa, and the United States shared experiences, initiatives, and lessons learned to continue strengthening the integrity of information and collaborative efforts in the face of a constantly evolving digital ecosystem.
Reaching New Audiences: Working with Content Creators
How can we connect with audiences who do not necessarily consume traditional media or follow fact-checking organizations? Working with influencers and content creators was the focus of one of the first sessions of the day, which highlighted the need to find new languages and forms of communication to bring reliable information to diverse communities.
Adrián Chavez, known on social media as @nochaveznada, shared some key insights for recognizing the mechanisms used by disinformation and devising communication strategies to counter them.
He pointed out that one of the main tactics used by those seeking to spread misinformation is to appeal to emotions and reinforce beliefs people already hold, rather than trying to convince them from scratch.
He also emphasized that misleading content often has recognizable hallmarks: value-laden adjectives, excessive use of capital letters, generalizations, ambiguities, and informal language tailored to different communities and regions. For this reason, he considered it important for fact-checkers to be familiar with the linguistic variations and cultural codes of the audiences they seek to reach.
One of the central points of his presentation was the need to move away from overly solemn tones and build a more horizontal form of communication. “The mistake we make -and for which we pay dearly in electoral or social terms- is believing that simply having the truth is enough to convince people of the truth,” he warned.
Chavez also urged people to understand that individuals do not believe false content because they lack intelligence, but because those messages resonate with their emotions or confirm preexisting beliefs. “It’s very important to understand this. When people fall for a lie or a misleading text or video, it’s because it tugs at our emotions or confirms something we already believed,” he noted. In that regard, he argued that journalistic rigor need not be associated with solemnity and that fact-checkers can incorporate humor, approachability, and other expressive tools.
The conversation was moderated by Liliana Elósegui of Verificado, who emphasized that organizations face the challenge of reaching communities where content creators are already fostering conversations and building trust. To do so, she noted, it is necessary to learn how to collaborate with them in a constructive way and expand strategies for responding to misinformation.
Fact-Checking Networks and the Future of the Community
Collaboration among fact-checking organizations extended beyond Latin American borders during a panel that brought together representatives from international networks. Moderated by Daniel Bramatti of Estadão Verifica and a member of the LatamChequea Council, the session addressed the sustainability of these organizations, their relationship with technology platforms, and changes in how information is produced and consumed. They also highlighted the role of regional networks in sharing knowledge, avoiding duplication of efforts, and giving greater weight to the voices of fact-checkers.
Angie Holan, director of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), reviewed the network’s work to strengthen the sector through the Code of Principles, the GlobalFact conference, and various funding programs. She particularly emphasized the importance of working alongside regional networks to build consensus and engage in dialogue with platforms. She also raised the need to build bridges with artificial intelligence companies, which could find value both in the content produced by fact-checkers and in their expertise in covering breaking news.
Regarding the future of Meta’s independent fact-checking program, she announced that the IFCN will present proposals to improve its operations on a global scale and expressed her hope to initiate a dialogue with other regional networks.
For her part, Tori Zopf of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) explained how the network promotes joint projects, strengthens its members’ capacities, and represents the sector before the European Union and funders. She also presented Integrity Base, an initiative that explores new uses for organizations’ data and potential sustainability models. In light of the rise of chatbots as a gateway to information, she noted that the sector needs to adapt to technological changes and take advantage of opportunities for collaboration among networks. “Although contexts differ, organizations can learn from one another,” she said.
From Africa, Hlalani Gumpo of Africa Facts advocated for cooperation that takes into account the continent’s diversity of languages and media ecosystems. He explained that many narratives, actors, and disinformation networks are common across countries, making it possible to draw on experiences and capabilities developed in other regions. In light of shrinking resources, he proposed staying one step ahead of misleading narratives by detecting trends and using “prebunking” -a strategy that prepares audiences to recognize disinformation before they encounter it. He also highlighted the importance of communicating fact-checking work creatively and developing capabilities to leverage artificial intelligence without compromising editorial integrity.
For his part, Bramatti summarized three core functions of LatamChequea: promoting projects and exchanges among organizations, facilitating the flow of information to avoid duplicating efforts, and building a unified voice when engaging with governments, companies, and other stakeholders. Among the network’s initiatives, he highlighted “Los desinformantes,” a series of in-depth investigations that aims to go beyond debunking specific claims to identify who is behind the disinformation, what narratives they promote, and how they circulate.
The discussion made it clear that networks are essential for responding to the economic, political, and technological pressures facing the sector. It also highlighted the need to expand partnerships with civil society organizations, academia, and other stakeholders, and to explore new sources of funding without jeopardizing editorial independence or audience trust.
How to Report and Combat Misinformation During a Crisis
Emergencies and social upheaval pose unique challenges for journalism and fact-checking organizations. The lack of official information, uncertainty, and the rapid spread of content can create information gaps that are exploited by those seeking to spread misinformation.
This was the starting point for a panel discussion that brought together experiences from Venezuela, Mexico, Colombia, and Spain, moderated by Alejandra Gutiérrez Valdizán of Ocote (Guatemala).
Ana Carolina Griffin of Efecto Cocuyo (Venezuela) shared her experience covering the events on the night Nicolás Maduro was ousted. She noted that, initially, the main problem was the lack of information rather than the circulation of false content. In the hours that followed, manipulated audio recordings and images appeared, though the latter played a particularly prominent role. She also explained that, in contexts of such uncertainty, fact-checking teams must be prepared to investigate and confirm information that may initially seem false but ultimately turns out to be true.
Luz Rangel, from Animal Político (Mexico), described the challenges they faced when El Mencho was killed, amid social upheaval and a lack of official information for approximately one day. That vacuum was exploited by disinformation actors, and even some reliable media outlets contributed to the spread of incorrect information in their quest for scoops. Drawing on that experience, he noted that research shows the first six to twelve hours of a crisis are particularly vulnerable to disinformation.
From Colombia, María José Echeverry of ColombiaCheck shared the work carried out during the August 10 earthquake in that country. Among the first pieces of misleading content, they identified a false aftershock alert that circulated on WhatsApp and caused further concern among the population. The organization’s response was to quickly produce preventive and explanatory content to provide useful information and help people understand what was happening.
She also noted how disinformation quickly spilled over into the political arena: opposition groups attributed the earthquake to the president’s previous statements about oil extraction. Upon investigating that narrative, they discovered it had already circulated in Venezuela.
Echeverry added an important dimension: the impact of crises on the teams themselves. The experience led them to combine breaks with opportunities for voluntary participation and to reflect on the need for internal protocols for working when fact-checkers are also emotionally affected by the emergency.
For her part, María Pascual Gómez, from Newtral (Spain), shared her experience covering the Ceuta crisis and highlighted its cross-border nature. The narratives and misinformation were not limited to a single country or language, and combined new messages with others that had already appeared in previous situations. The experience demonstrated the importance of understanding the regional and transnational dynamics of disinformation.
The discussion helped identify common lessons: the need to work with reliable sources even when access to official information is limited; to strengthen collaboration between local and international organizations; to produce explanatory and preventive content; and to develop contingency plans to respond quickly. Fieldwork and caring for the mental health of teams were also highlighted as two fundamental aspects for sustaining journalistic work during emergency situations.
Media Literacy: Initiatives and Work with Different Groups
Media and information literacy (MIL) was another central theme of the event. In an increasingly complex digital environment, developing critical thinking and providing tools to recognize and confront disinformation requires educational approaches tailored to different audiences, age groups, and contexts.
In a session coordinated by LatamChequea Educación, organizations from Chile, Venezuela, Guatemala, and Argentina presented resources and experiences that demonstrate how to bring these lessons into classrooms and other community settings.
Fabián Padilla, from FastCheck (Chile), presented Código Fake, an educational game adapted to the Chilean context based on the Reinformados initiative, developed by La Diaria in Uruguay. It is designed for elementary and middle school students, with different difficulty levels. The initiative allowed FastCheck to begin developing an educational line of work that was not part of its original structure and to explore new funding opportunities. In addition to the free version for students, the game includes a paid version aimed at teachers and institutions, with materials and activities that can be customized according to each school’s topics and circumstances.
Keren Torres Bravo, from Cotejo (Venezuela), shared two experiences. The first was “Cotejado,” an adaptation of a Spanish card game that they took to senior living facilities and which also had a Braille version for people with visual impairments. The second initiative involved the creation of school-based fact-checking resources: through workshops and guides for teachers, they supported educational institutions in training students and launching their own fact-checking initiatives.
The experience made it possible to introduce critical thinking tools to teenagers and teachers who, in many cases, were unfamiliar with fact-checking. Among the upcoming challenges, Torres Bravo highlighted the goal of expanding the initiative to more schools and universities and promoting specific curriculum components on disinformation.
From Guatemala, Alex Maldonado of Ocote presented an educational kit designed to introduce media and information literacy in the classroom, featuring Fácticat, the organization’s mascot. The resource includes a set of 34 cards and a game board for four students to participate in a fun activity, along with downloadable materials: a teacher’s guide, the game itself, worksheets, and an introductory video.
The initiative aims to make it easier for teachers to implement activities without needing specialized prior knowledge. As Maldonado summarized: “We’re not looking to train professional fact-checkers, but rather critical observers who question what they see, recognize red flags, and verify information before sharing it,” he said.
On behalf of Chequeado (Argentina), Guadalupe López presented the work developed as part of LatamChequea Educación, an initiative that brings together 37 organizations in the network and promotes the exchange and adaptation of training resources for different contexts.
In particular, she shared the “Me hice viral” experience, developed as part of the “Comunidad Informada” project. The initiative begins with a question: How can we transform everyday situations in students’ digital lives into opportunities to develop critical thinking? The resource combines a game-based experience with a teaching guide for educators, which allows them to bring the activities into the classroom and turn them into opportunities for exploration, reflection, and instructional planning.
The experiences demonstrated that media literacy can take on a wide variety of formats, tailored to different audiences and contexts: games, printable materials, school resources, activities for older adults, and initiatives that integrate new technologies. They also highlighted the value of networking to share resources, adapt methodologies, and expand the reach of educational initiatives without having to start from scratch.
Other Topics on the Agenda
The second day also featured a talk with Ricardo Bailon of DiDi on disinformation surrounding mobility and transportation. The session aimed to debunk myths and challenge perceptions circulating about these topics and to reflect on the importance of reliable information for understanding them.
In addition, there were sessions dedicated to other challenges relevant to information integrity and the work of fact-checking organizations:
- How to Trace the Money Behind Disinformation: Tools and Strategies for Investigating Its Funding Sources.
- Disinformation About Migration: A Growing Trend and Its Main Challenges.
- Beyond Funding: How to Build a Sustainable Network, Alternatives for Strengthening Organizations’ Sustainability and Impact.
- Debate: What Should We Do About Chatbots and AI Companies? Opportunities and Challenges Posed by the Expansion of Generative Artificial Intelligence.
- LatamChequea Education: How to Evaluate Our Work, Tools and Lessons for Measuring the Impact of Educational Initiatives.
A Community Building Collective Responses
Over the course of the two-day event, LatamChequea once again established itself as a space for regional and international communities to meet and exchange ideas as they seek to build collaborative responses to disinformation.
The experiences shared in Mexico City showed that the challenges of information integrity require much more than simply verifying content: they also involve building connections with new audiences, strengthening educational capacities, investigating the networks that drive disinformation, developing technological tools, and finding models that allow this work to be sustained over time.
The event was organized by Chequeado (Argentina), together with the Mexican organizations El Sabueso (Animal Político’s fact-checking unit) and Verificado, and is co-funded by the European Union. The initiative also has the support of DiDi, Coca-Cola Latin America, and La Salle University Mexico, as well as the backing of UNESCO, NED, the French Embassy in Mexico, the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung, DW Akademie, German Cooperation, and the Friedrich Naumann Foundation.
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