Amman – September 2025

As part of its efforts to enhance accuracy and professionalism in journalism, ARIJ, did a training for a team from  Al-Ghad newspaper, organized an in-person training titled “Pre-Publication Fact-Checking” from September 23 to 25, 2025, at the ARIJ Office in Amman.

The training was led by Fact Checker Mousa Abu Qaood and supported by Free Press Unlimited (FPU). It was attended by 10 members of Al-Ghad’s Newspaper, half of whom were females.

The program focused on equipping participants with a clear and rigorous editorial methodology for verifying information before publication, aligning with international standards and the internal editorial policies of the media institution. It also aimed to enhance participants’ ability to navigate the overwhelming volume of daily information and assess its credibility before it reaches the public.

Key Training Topics:

• The difference between pre- and post-publication fact-checking, and the importance of integrating a fact-checking culture within the editorial workflow
• Tools and methodologies for verifying images and videos online, and combating misleading or manipulated content
• Advanced search techniques and geolocation verification using Google Earth and open-source maps
• Analysis of real case studies from local media to identify potential editorial gaps
• Drafting internal editorial policies that embed systematic pre-publication verification into daily newsroom operations
• Exploring key artificial intelligence tools and how to integrate them into newsroom practices

The sessions were marked by a strong focus on practical application. Participants worked on real content previously circulated in Jordanian media, allowing them to simulate real-life newsroom scenarios while practicing verification techniques.

The training concluded with an open discussion aimed at drafting a pre-publication fact-checking policy for Al-Ghad, positioning it as a core newsroom practice to safeguard journalists from errors and legal liabilities while strengthening public trust in media content.

This training is part of ARIJ’s broader vision to expand the impact of investigative journalism in the region by equipping local newsrooms with modern editorial and technological tools, ensuring the production of reliable journalism that serves the public interest and reinforces a culture of transparency and accountability.