Post-event report by Christos Gavalas, Journalist & Fact – Checking Expert
Last week, we were honored to host EDMO’s Annual Training Event at the iconic Stavros Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center in Athens. Organized by Athens Technology Center (ATC), this event brought together acclaimed fact-checking trainers and participants from various EDMO Hubs across Europe, offering a dynamic mix of hands-on learning and high-level networking opportunities.
From the moment the participants arrived, their enthusiasm was palpable. Over two days, they immersed themselves in sessions that delved deep into challenging fact-checking topics. Renowned experts guided them through investigative techniques for Telegram, the nuances of political ad investigations, and recognizing manipulative behavior in online content. Seeing the audience engage so actively, exchanging ideas, and absorbing every bit of knowledge reaffirmed our belief in the importance of such gatherings.
One of the highlights for us was witnessing the impact of these sessions. Feedback poured in from participants expressing their gratitude—not just for the insights they gained but also for the opportunity to connect with peers. Many requested access to presentations and contact details to keep the conversation going, underscoring the value of the event as a networking catalyst.
The event was also a showcase of ATC’s commitment to addressing the pain points of fact-checkers.
Our team presented one of our ongoing efforts: enhancing the capabilities of Truly Media to extract the correct set of narratives from fact-checking articles stored in its repository.
Our goal is to create better visualizations and develop extracted narratives that effectively capture the essence of similar fact-checking stories at varying levels of precision and conciseness.
This innovative approach aims to provide fact-checkers with sharper insights and streamlined storytelling tools, making their investigations more impactful and easier to communicate.
Looking back on the event, standing in that very room after its conclusion, I felt an overwhelming sense of pride. Pride in the team that made this event possible, the participants who made it so engaging, and ATC’s role as a key facilitator in the fight against disinformation.
This event was more than just a training session—it was a testament to our dedication to the fact-checking community. It solidified our commitment to continuously innovate and invest in tools and technologies that make fact-checkers’ work faster, more collaborative, and more effective.
As we move forward, events like this inspire us to dream bigger. We remain steadfast in our mission to support fact-checkers worldwide, turning challenges into opportunities and ideas into impactful solutions.
To all who attended, thank you for making this event a success. Here’s to many more opportunities to learn, share, and grow together!
