Annie Lab

ANNIE works with the Journalism & Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong (HKU Journalism) to run a daily fact-checking online media on campus called Annie Lab. It is a verified signatory of the International Fact-checking Network.

Why fact-checking?

In recent years, a constant stream of fraudulent news stories has given rise to troubling cultural trends and alarming political movements across the world. Educators are now constantly asked to address the issues arising from false and misleading information students come across on daily basis.

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Deceptive claims, misleading or made-up factoids, unsubstantiated rumours, propaganda with overt exaggeration, hoaxes, questionable health advice, and many other types of misinformation and disinformation are now being masqueraded and distributed as news.

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We believe teaching fact-checking tools and techniques used by professionals is one of the ways to tackle the problem. Our goal is to create a larger community of journalists, teachers, and students across Asia who work together to counter the trend.

Teaching newsroom model

In October 2019, We established Annie Lab at the Journalism and Media Studies Centre at the University of Hong Kong (HKU Journalism).

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In the newsroom, trained students are working as reporters in shifts Monday through Friday under the supervision of faculty members at the university, including the current ANNIE director, Masato Kajimoto.

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We believe this ‘teaching newsroom model’ exemplifies the hands-on pedagogical methods developed by ANNIE.

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Annie Lab follows strict editorial guidelines, labelling systems, and standards.It became a verified signatory of the Code of Principles by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) on Jan. 20, 2022.

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IFCN’s signatory certification is an internationally recognised standard in the field of fact-checking journalism. To be qualified, an organisation must demonstrate its non-partisanship, fairness, transparency, and professional rigour through the quality of its work.

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Annie Lab’s work has also been recognised by Duke Reporters’ Lab as one of the global fact-checking sites.

Contact

Address: Eliot Hall, The University of Hong Kong, Pokfulam Road, Hong Kong

Tel: +852 3917 1155 | E-mail: contact@annieasia.org or jmsc@hku.hk