Ramallah – October 9, 2025 — The Palestinian Center for Development and Media Freedoms (MADA) concluded yesterday, Wednesday, a specialized training workshop on “Fact-Checking Fake and Misleading News,” with the participation of a group of students from the Faculty of Media at Al-Quds Open University. The workshop was held as part of the project “Promoting Civic Space and Social Accountability in Palestine”, funded by the European Union Office in Jerusalem.
The two-day workshop aimed to strengthen journalists’ capacities in verifying the accuracy of information and combating the spread of rumors, particularly in light of growing digital challenges and the increasing circulation of misleading news across social media platforms. The training included hands-on exercises using digital verification tools and techniques, alongside discussions of real-life case studies from the Palestinian media landscape, focusing on the most prevalent misleading topics and the platforms most susceptible to misinformation.
Trainer RIHAM ABU AITA introduced participants to the concept of media monitoring and its significance in verifying information, exposing fake news, and assessing source credibility. She also covered monitoring tools, tracking engines, and search engines—most notably Google, the world’s largest information base.
ABU AITA further explored key terminology related to misleading news, how such content is presented, and strategies for countering misinformation. She highlighted essential fact-checking tools and outlined a user-centered verification approach based on five guiding questions, with particular emphasis on contacting sources to confirm information. The session also addressed tools for verifying images, especially in the context of the growing prevalence of AI-generated visuals.
At the conclusion of the workshop, MADA underscored the importance of building media professionals’ capacities in this field, emphasizing that information verification is a cornerstone of professional journalism and a vital means of safeguarding the public’s right to knowledge. The Center noted that this training is part of its broader efforts to promote press freedom and enhance the quality of media performance in Palestine.
