COLOMBO – As the world observes International Fact-Checking Day, Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka, an IFCN-certified fact-checking organization, reaffirms its commitment to safeguarding information integrity and calls on media institutions, journalists, and the public to take a united stand against the growing threat of misinformation.
International Fact-Checking Day is observed annually on April 2, the day following April Fools’ Day, symbolizing a shift from deception to evidence, and from rumour to truth. Established in 2016 by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), the day brings together fact-checkers and news consumers worldwide around a shared principle: access to accurate information is a fundamental right.
Why This Day Matters More Than Ever
The urgency of fact-checking has never been greater. The World Economic Forum’s Global Risks Report 2026 ranks misinformation and disinformation as the second most severe short-term global risk, highlighting how AI-driven narrative manipulation continues to destabilise societies and erode public trust. This follows consecutive years in which disinformation has ranked among the most critical global threats, underscoring that this is not a passing issue, but a deepening structural risk to democracy, public health, and economic stability.
In Sri Lanka, the rapid spread of false narratives and manipulated content on social media has shaped public opinion, fuelled communal tensions, and enabled financial scams targeting ordinary citizens. Today’s digital information environment requires greater responsibility from all actors, from technology platforms to individual users.
Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka: Defending the Truth
Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka works closely with technology platforms, including Meta, to help identify and review misleading content circulating online. Through these collaborations, potentially false or misleading posts can be assessed and provided with additional context to reduce their spread and impact.
The organization’s team verifies claims, images, videos, and viral content daily, delivering accurate, evidence-based information in Sinhala, Tamil, and English. Each year, thousands of misleading or false claims are reviewed and addressed through this process.
A Shared Responsibility
Combating misinformation requires collective action. Media institutions must uphold rigorous editorial standards, educators must integrate media literacy into learning systems, and individuals must develop the habit of verifying information before sharing it.
In an era where AI can generate convincing deepfakes within seconds, and where a single viral post can reach millions before corrections appear, fact-checking is no longer optional; it is a civic responsibility. Every Sri Lankan is encouraged to pause, verify, and think critically before sharing information online.
Verify Before You Share
Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka operates a public WhatsApp verification hotline for anyone seeking to check the accuracy of content encountered online. WhatsApp Hotline: +94771514696.
The public is encouraged to submit suspicious messages, images, videos, or links for professional verification. The team is committed to providing timely, evidence-based responses.
About Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka
Fact Crescendo Sri Lanka is the country’s leading fact-checking organisation, certified by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) and an accredited third-party partner in Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program. The organisation fact-checks misinformation in Sinhala, Tamil, and English, serving audiences across Sri Lanka’s diverse linguistic communities.
– factcrescendo.com
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