A New Front in the Fight Against Disinformation: Get Fact Aims to Arm Canadians with Truth
The insidious rise of disinformation and misinformation has deeply impacted societies worldwide, eroding trust in institutions, influencing elections, and even seeping into personal lives. In Canada, a collective of seasoned journalists, researchers, and creatives are launching a counter-offensive against this tide of falsehoods. Get Fact, a volunteer-driven platform, aims to empower Canadians with factual information, providing a bulwark against the distortions and divisions sown by misinformation.
Spearheaded by veteran journalists like Kevin Newman, formerly of Global National and CTV, and Wilf Dinnick, with experience at CNN, ABC, and Al Jazeera, Get Fact boasts a diverse team of over 120 contributors. Among them is Dan Leger, a retired journalist with extensive experience covering politics and elections, who offers a unique perspective on the evolving landscape of information warfare. Leger highlights the disappearing sense of shame in the political arena, where partisan interests often trump ethical considerations, and the erosion of public trust in democratic processes.
Get Fact’s strategy involves leveraging a multi-platform approach, spanning newsletters, social media, and video content. The organization is also collaborating with a software company to develop a "disinformation detection bot" nicknamed "Laura," after Canadian heroine Laura Secord. This tool will scan various media sources, flagging potential misinformation related to Canada. The team convenes daily to analyze emerging trends and assign tasks, operating much like a newsroom, ensuring a rapid response to misinformation campaigns. The organization recognizes the importance of representing diverse communities and aims to recruit younger contributors and individuals from various backgrounds to broaden its reach and impact.
Leger emphasizes that Get Fact’s objective isn’t to dictate a singular "Truth" but rather to equip Canadians with verifiable facts and resources to navigate the complex information ecosystem. Acknowledging the challenge of reaching those deeply entrenched in their beliefs, Leger points to research indicating a significant portion of the population remains open to persuasion and factual arguments. He suggests that engaging with family and friends who have fallen prey to disinformation requires patience and a focus on providing credible sources, while recognizing that some may remain impervious to reason.
Addressing the ethical responsibilities of journalists in this era of rampant misinformation, Leger stresses the importance of upholding core journalistic principles. He advises fellow journalists to diligently fact-check, promptly correct errors, and maintain unwavering commitment to truth-seeking, even in the face of relentless attacks. He believes that citizen groups and independent initiatives like Get Fact can play a crucial role in bolstering public trust in journalism by emphasizing transparency and accountability.
The launch of Get Fact coincides with Canada’s federal election, a period particularly vulnerable to manipulation by disinformation campaigns. Leger expresses concern about the long-term impact of misinformation, even beyond election cycles, and envisions Get Fact as an ongoing project. He observes a growing sense of national unity in the face of these threats, noting a resurgence of patriotism and engagement with civic discourse. He hopes this heightened awareness will translate into a substantial voter turnout, signaling a renewed commitment to democratic values.
Leger’s reflection on the current climate reveals a sense of unease, comparing the present atmosphere to the shadow cast by World War II experienced by his parents’ generation. While acknowledging the absence of overt conflict, he perceives a distinct erosion of peace and social cohesion. Get Fact, he believes, represents not only a vital response to misinformation but also a reaffirmation of the values that underpin a healthy democracy. The organization’s success, he argues, will hinge on its ability to empower citizens to critically evaluate information and engage in constructive dialogue, ultimately safeguarding the integrity of Canadian society.