BY IRWIN ANGIKI
A fact-check and verifying training is underway in Honiara for journalists provided by BBC Media Action and the Media Association (MASI).
The four-day workshop began on Tuesday, May 4, at the MASI conference room.
SIBC Editor, Frederick Kusu, and Island Sun Editor, Irwin Angiki, are the trainers, supported by the BBC MA Project Coordinator in the Solomon Islands, Adrian Sina.
The training covers the basics of fact-checking and verification in the first day, before exploring tools and resources available for journalists throughout the rest of the workshop – including fact-checking, video and image verification, OSINT (Open Source Intelligence), expanding and developing existing knowledge on ‘what does not add up’, transparency, forensics and analysis, debunking deep fakes, digital safety and wellbeing, press releases, mis-disinformation, plane and ship tracking, dealing with Gen AI, etc.
OSINT utilises information available in the public domain, and the training teaches participants how to access and use it.
Some of the materials covered in the training are relatively new because participants have not yet come across them in their work, have or have not heard of them, such as plane and ship tracking and the resources available, face or name checking using online databases, debunking deep fakes, etc.
But, Solomon Islands is developing and catching up with the world, and some day in the near future journalists involved in fact-checking will find themselves in situations where such skills are needed.
Participants include journalists from ZFM, Sunday Isles, Barava FM, Tavuli News, Solomon Star, SIBC, Island Sun and the RSIPF Media Unit.
Senior politics and general news reporter for SIBC, Alfred Pagepitu, after the session yesterday shared how the training is important to him.
“As a Radio and online journalist for SIBC, the workshop is very useful for my daily reporting work. It helps me improve how I check facts before broadcasting or posting news online.
“Overall, it helps me serve listeners and online audiences better through trustworthy reporting. The training gives me practical skills I can use in both radio and digital news. Learning from experienced journalists helps me improve my professionalism.
“It strengthens my confidence in producing accurate and reliable news for the public,” Mr Pagepitu said.
Fact-checking and verification are disciplines within journalism which have become increasingly critical in the operation of mainstream media houses, especially in this era of social media and artificial intelligence (AI).
Journalists in their roles to keep public informed are duty-bound to tackle mis- and disinformation in the public information space where audience access information and news.
Having the necessary skills, knowing how to use resources and knowing where to apply them are important traits for journalists to take onboard in order to effectively fulfill this duty.
The training follows a Training of Trainers workshop in Suva, Fiji, attended by Mr Kusu and Mr Angiki in early March which was led by an editor of BBC Verify, Flora Carmichael.
The training uses information and material provided by BBC Verify.
BBC Verify is a specialised investigative unit within BBC News launched in May 2023 to combat disinformation and increase transparency.
The BBC is regarded as the largest ‘retail’ or direct-to-consumer market news service in the world. BBC is consistently ranked as the most trusted international news provider globally, a position it maintained into 2026. It frequently ranks first for trust, reliability, and independence among international audiences, reaching over 418 million people weekly through its various platforms.
Its headquarter is in London, UK.
Photo credit: Adrian Sina
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