Recommendations to prevent disinformation

The communication of large volumes of data requires mechanisms and strategies that strengthen transparency in communication processes and tackle disinformation or fake news. 

In this context, fact-checking has become increasingly relevant in communication strategies to combat disinformation and ensure the quality of information.

On December 6, the community of practice held the third communications talk focused on the main challenges in communicating large volumes of data and examples and lessons learned around disinformation. 

Ricardo Corredor, Former Communications Director of the Colombian Truth Commission [Comisión de la Verdad], shared the process to create the communications strategy for the final report Hay futuro si hay verdad. This initiative managed large volumes of data that were processed, analyzed, and contrasted to provide a complete account of Colombia’s internal armed conflict. 

Corredor shared three elements on the strategic lines for communicating large amounts of information:

Inform different audiences

Create a strategy focusing on narratives and public communication that mixes emotions and rational arguments

Independent fact-checking

Ana María Saavedra, Director of Colombiacheck, also participated in the session and mentioned the two principles involved in the fact-checking methodology:

Select the content circulating in social networks or portals and evaluate its relevance (the scope of the publication and the significance of the topic in the public debate are taken into account)

Search for the veracity of the publication through data and analysis