DW recently introduced a new media verification platform, Truly.Media, that enables media producers and civil society groups to quickly verify news reports circulating on social media. The platform was developed in partnership with the Greek software development company Athens Technology Center (ATC).

Truly.Media’s first major client is the world’s leading human rights advocacy group,  Amnesty International (AI).

“When inconvenient truths prompt public officials to cry ‘fake news’, or when content posted on social media purports to show something it doesn’t, Amnesty International needs to be ready to respond, based on rigorous, methodical research and verification methods,” said Tirana Hassan, Amnesty International’s Crisis Response Director, in a statement on AI’s website.

When important news stories go viral on social media, there is a flood of information that is not always accurate, or even worse, manipulated. Truly.Media works by enlisting teams of journalists and editors, along with automation tools, to verify information in real time.

It was recently introduced to the European Parliament in Brussels, where Members of Parliament welcomed it as an impressive tool that will have real benefits for poltical discourse. As the platform shows positive results with AI, more clients are sure to follow.

Truly.Media has been in development since 2016, and was produced with the support of the innovation fund from the Google Digital News Initiative and EU research financing.

During a recent conference with media partners in the Moroccan capital Rabat, Peter Limbourg, DW’s director general, joined representatives from Moroccan media and politics and underlined the importance of ensuring quality in digital media. Limbourg showed how the standards of  accuracy, verification and thorough reporting by “traditional” media can set an important example as traditional shifts to mobile. The talk also focused on how to distinguish fake news from bad journalism and how DW ensures a high standard of quality across all outlets.

DW’s international focus means that working with partners around the world is essential to building a foundation for new ideas and cooperation.

Hespress is a Moroccan example of successful digital media that is produced independently with a high standard. Founded ten years ago, today it is the country’s top news website and is one of the most-popular sites in the Maghreb. The success of the website is centered around its digital first strategy and understanding how digital media is becoming the primary source of news and information for audiences everywhere.

DW Akademie is also very active in the region in promoting quality digital media. DW’s center for international media training is currently working with the ISIC, Morocco’s renowned journalism training institute, on creating educational strategies for developing and organizing digital media.

Support from broadcasters like DW sets an international standard for media, which most importantly, is built on a tradition of credibility and professionalism that is true no matter what medium the audience uses.