MCA, Google News Initiative and DataLeads to Launch Shakti India Election Fact-Checking Collective

Shakti India Election Fact-Checking Collective: The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) and Google News Initiative will join to introduce the Shakti India Election Fact-Checking Collective in preparation for the General Elections and the requirement of news publishers, journalists and fact-checkers to help people access trustworthy information.

Shakti India is a pan-India network driven by DataLeads in collaboration with MCA, The Quint, Vishvas News, Boom, Factly and NewChecker with the support of Google News Initiative. 

The collective will combat the surge in misinformation which is likely during the general elections and enhance fact-checking capabilities by disseminating accurate information in multiple languages including Hindi and English. The project will focus on connecting independent fact-checkers and Indian language publishers providing them with a platform to share fact chers, research resources and alerts on election-related misinformation and deepfakes.

Fact checks in multiple Indian languages and formats will be shared via partnering news publishers ensuring they reach a wider set of language users and diverse audiences across the country. The Fact-checking collective will also continue to onboard new partners and scale the effort to reach most parts of the country.

Bharat Gupta, President, Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA), and CEO, Jagran New Media states, “In an era where digital information flows faster than ever, the need to empower people with trustworthy and credible information has never been more critical. The strategic partnership of MCA with the Google News Initiative and DataLEADS will empower different demographics, helping individuals with credible and fact-checked information at the grassroots level, so that they can make the most informed choices during the elections and beyond. MCA's fact-checking members aim to debilitate and disarm the agents of disinformation by using a combination of high-integrity journalism and useful technologies against emerging threats to democracy”

The MCA is proud to steer the Shakti India Election Fact-Checking Collective – a partnership that will bring together fact-checkers and news publishers to fight election misinformation.@data_LEADS @GoogleNewsInit pic.twitter.com/tPr1F0lXrC

— Misinformation Combat Alliance (@india_mca) March 1, 2024

Syed Nazakat, Founder and CEO, DataLEADS says “We are proud to work with India's leading fact-checking organizations and news publishers to spearhead Shakti, especially at a time when deepfakes are being increasingly used for disinformation purposes. Amidst a complex information landscape, with the elections round the corner, the Collective is a crucial intervention towards building a robust fact-checking ecosystem to safeguard the democratic processes. We are honoured and excited to partner with Google News Initiative to build this important consortium."

Ritu Kapur, Co-Founder and Managing Director, The Quint says “Mis - and disinformation is proliferating at an alarming pace, aided by technology and fuelled and funded by those who stand to gain by it. The only way to combat the malaise is to join forces as fact-checkers and news publishers. Not just to fact-check that which has gone viral, but to prebunk and inoculate the same digital highways that spread fake information, with media literacy and relevant information. We need to work with our audiences so they can make well-informed decisions as voters in a democracy. Google News Initiative and DataLEADS’ initiative towards building collaboration between fact-checkers and news publishers is a much-needed step in this direction”

The collective efforts of 11 fact-checking organisations with the MCA will contribute to ensuring the integrity of information during the election period. With 2024 witnessing the largest number of elections the Shakti India Election Fact Checking Collective will work towards safeguarding the democratic process against the rising misinformation.