About us

RMIT Lookout team

We are experienced journalists and researchers who use traditional journalistic skills and digital verification tools to counter the spread of harmful and misleading information. Learn more about our staff.

IFCN accreditation

RMIT Lookout is accredited by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) based at Poynter. We are a verified signatory to the IFCN’s Code of Principles, which include a commitment to nonpartisanship and fairness, to transparency of funding, sources and methodology, and to open and honest corrections.

Our signatory status means we have been independently evaluated by external assessors and found to be compliant with the IFCN’s rigorous protocols.

Code of Practice

RMIT Lookout seeks to advance information integrity through high-quality fact-checking in the public interest. We do not promote any political position and our editorial decisions are not influenced by commercial considerations. Our staff cannot be members of political parties or activist groups and they must adhere to principles of accuracy, fairness, transparency and impartiality.

These principles are embodied in our Code of Practice, which lays out the rules our staff must abide by in the course of their fact-checking work. The code aligns with recognised principles of ethical, professional journalism, as well as the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles.

Organisational structure

RMIT Lookout is an independent fact-checking project of the RMIT Information Integrity Hub in the School of Media and Communication at RMIT University. Apart from fact checking, the hub provides a platform for interdisciplinary research into mis/disinformation as well as media literacy education and training to students, journalists, private organisations and civil society groups.

RMIT Lookout conducts fact checking and also provides data and expertise to support the work of the hub. An earlier iteration of the fact-checking unit operated as RMIT FactLab from 2022-23. Our office is based at the Melbourne city campus of the university.

We have an advisory committee of respected professionals with media and fact-checking experience who are appointed by the School of Media and Communication. The committee, which is drawn from within the university and externally, meets twice a year and provides RMIT Lookout with advice.

Funding

RMIT Lookout is a not-for-profit project funded by RMIT University and income earned from Meta for the fact-checking of content on its social media platforms. We are also funded by research grants. Previously we have received funding from the Judith Neilson Institute for research into election related mis/disinformation on social media.

Meta and funders of grants have no say in our decision-making or our fact-checking operation. We do not accept donations from political parties, advocacy groups or lobby groups. All funding goes directly towards operating costs.

Corrections policy

Corrections and clarifications which affect the integrity of a fact check will be dealt with promptly. Changes to fact checks, apart from typographical corrections, made after publication will carry a footnote explaining the change, why it was made and the date it was made. To find out how to request a correction please see Our process.

Work with us

RMIT Lookout offers internships to students from all universities and disciplines, with successful candidates working under the guidance of RMIT Lookout’s staff. To apply, please contact us here.