“Establishment of Fact Checking Network” project was launched in June, 2019 by Public Journalism Club NGO, with the duration of 9 months.

The project was aimed at supporting development and application of fact checking mechanisms involving major stakeholders to promote the culture of fact checking culture, accurate, unbiased and balanced presentation of facts, news, statements and to equip media representatives with the skills of fact checking, in order to minimize disinformation dissemination risks, public misperceptions and improve knowledge of important issues among the public at large.

The objectives and goals of the project were:

1. To enable media in Armenia to provide accurate, unbiased and balances presentation of facts, news, statements
2. To equip media representatives with the skills of fact checking, in order to minimize disinformation dissemination risks, public misperceptions and
3. To increase objective knowledge of important issues among the general public,
4. To Introduce pilot mechanisms of fact checking communication among media, civil society, state and international institutions,
5. To establish a non-formal network of fact-checking journalists based on the signed code of principles.

During the project, the following activities were implemented:

• Fact checking training for Armenian journalists conducted  OCCRP experts and editors was carried out.
• Fact checking training for Armenian journalists conducted by an expert from Bellingcat was carried out.
• Fact checking for media professionals and the public at large online manual production http://factradar.tilda.ws/  , that includes video tutorials as well.
• Fact checking manual’s print version was developed, printed,  presentation and a series of discussions were held.
• 10 articles based on fact checking production
• A network of trained journalists throughout the project was established.
• A special page was developed on PJC website for the project and network.

The  project had more than 80 direct participants, that benefited from it, were trained and engaged in different events.