VRT NWS receives European quality label for fact-checks

VRT NWS receives official recognition from the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN). EFCSN is a European network of over 50 fact-checking organisations and editors that follow the same deontological code. The recognition opens doors to more international cooperation between journalists and editors. VRT NWS is the second Belgian newsroom to receive the recognition.

EFSCN represents factcheckers in discussions on combatting disinformation with European governments and technology companies. To be recognised, editors must meet strict admission standards, including independence, transparency and journalistic quality. Among others, it is important that articles have clear source references. Each reader can thus check for themselves whether a factcheck is correct or not and what reasoning lies behind an assessment.

Since 2020, the VRT news service has worked with a 'check' editorial team, comprised of journalists dedicated to factchecking and image verification. This team checks statements made by public figures or news circulating on social media for authenticity, carrying out extensive source research.

The recognition opens doors for VRT NWS to more international cooperation and journalistic research with domestic and foreign media. After Knack, VRT NWS is the second Belgian news outlet to receive the recognition from EFCSN. Earlier, VRT NWS also achieved the global quality label of the IFCN (International Fact-Checking Network).