RMIT FactLab is committed to fighting the viral spread of misinformation and disinformation that can harm people and undermine democratic processes.
RMIT FactLab is committed to fighting the viral spread of misinformation and disinformation that can harm people and undermine democratic processes.
RMIT FactLab is committed to fighting the viral spread of misinformation and disinformation that can harm people and undermine democratic processes.
We are a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s code of principles, which requires a commitment to fairness, transparency and non-partisanship. Find out more about the IFCN.
RMIT FactLab's researchers and journalists monitor and identify potential misinformation and disinformation in the form of text, images and videos. They then fact check and assess the veracity of online content, before publishing their work on this site.
RMIT FactLab provides a platform for interdisciplinary research into online misinformation and disinformation, including the impact of new technologies such as artificial intelligence on the digital news ecosystem.
We provide fact-checking education and training to school kids, university students, fact checkers, journalists, and civil society groups. If you would like to find out more about the training we provide, contact factlab@rmit.edu.au.
Our fact checking and verification of social media content relies on rigorous research that draws on multiple sources. All our work is produced in accordance with the requirements of our IFCN accreditation.
Our team includes highly experienced journalists and researchers who are trained in traditional and digital fact-checking methods. Our work is supported by interns from RMIT University’s journalism and professional writing courses, as well as interns from other disciplines and universities.
RMIT FactLab’s work is primarily supported by RMIT University, research grants and philanthropic donations. We do not make a profit from our fact-checking activities or research. Funding goes directly towards operating costs, and any surplus goes back into research, fact checking or other social and philanthropic activities. Support our work with a tax-deductible donation. As third-party fact-checkers we also receive funding from Meta. Public donations cannot be used to fund fact checks produced under the Meta partnership.
RMIT FactLab is transparent, independent and fully accountable. We provide links to our sources and welcome discussion and feedback.
Our staff cannot be members of political parties or activist groups and are required to declare all previous affiliations.
We are committed to accuracy, impartiality, and independence. If a mistake is made, we will correct it quickly and transparently.
Complaints and corrections about our fact check articles produced as part of our third-party fact-checking work should be made through the channel provided by Meta or by emailing factlab@rmit.edu.au.
RMIT FactLab collaborates with the IFCN, the ARC Centre of Excellence for Automated Decision-Making and Society and the RMIT Centre for Information Discovery and Data Analytics.
We also work with Meta to deliver real-time fact-checking of misinformation posted on Facebook and Instagram.
From time to time, RMIT FactLab also collaborates on special projects. This has included Mosaic, a federal election monitoring project conducted in partnership with the Institute for Strategic Dialogue in 2022.
RMIT ABC Fact Check is a partnership between RMIT University and the Australian Broadcasting Corporation. It examines the claims of politicians and other public figures on issues of national importance, and produces fact checks for the ABC News Online website. An archive of its work is available via the Australian Policy Observatory (APO).
RMIT ABC Fact Check and RMIT FactLab are separately funded, and the ABC is not a party to the partnership with Meta.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Luwaytini' by Mark Cleaver, Palawa.
Acknowledgement of Country
RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business.