Chandran Sankaran, a former software entrepreneur, has emerged as a key figure in combating misinformation by founding Gigafact, a nonprofit organization that partners with local and regional newsrooms to provide fact-checking resources. Sankaran saw the need for action in a society where falsehoods and conspiracy theories are rampant, especially on social media platforms where many Americans get their news. Gigafact’s mission is to equip newsrooms with the tools they need to verify claims circulating online and provide accurate information to the public.
With eight current partnerships with regional and metro newsrooms, including Wisconsin Watch and The Nevada Independent, Gigafact is expanding rapidly with plans to collaborate with at least 20 U.S.-based news outlets before the 2024 elections. The partnership with Wisconsin Watch, a nonprofit investigative news outlet, has already yielded positive results in terms of increased web traffic and visibility for their fact briefs. These briefs, which are around 150 words in length, provide a straightforward explanation of an issue and declare whether it is true or false.
The fact-checking process involves journalists scouring social media for claims made by politicians and others that may be misleading or false. Gigafact provides a standardized format for the briefs, manages the content from partners, and distributes them through its network to reach a wide audience. By engaging with social media discussions and providing accurate information, Gigafact aims to help Americans navigate the sea of misinformation and make informed decisions.
Funding for Gigafact primarily comes from individual donations and family foundations, but recent grants from major donors such as Google, the Patrick J. McGovern Foundation, and the Skoll Foundation have boosted the organization’s resources. These investments reflect the growing recognition of the importance of fact-checking and the need to support local journalism in combating misinformation. Gigafact’s approach, which combines technology with traditional journalistic values, has attracted attention from national news outlets and industry experts.
As Americans continue to grapple with a divided reality fueled by misinformation, initiatives like Gigafact offer a glimmer of hope in restoring trust in the media and promoting critical thinking. By empowering local newsrooms to uphold the truth and counter the spread of falsehoods, Gigafact is playing a vital role in shaping a more informed and engaged society. With the support of donors and the dedication of journalists, Gigafact is poised to make a significant impact in the fight against misinformation leading up to the 2024 elections and beyond.
