Our process

RMIT Lookout’s mission

RMIT Lookout identifies, reviews and rates misinformation and disinformation in the form of text, images and videos. We aim to improve the community’s understanding of false information through fact checking, and to inform people of the methods they can use to assess the accuracy of information themselves.

Our team of journalists are experienced in traditional and digital fact-checking methods. We do not seek to influence voters or push an agenda, we simply follow the weight of evidence, regardless of where it leads.

How we decide what to check

Lookout's team monitors social media for potential misinformation and disinformation and welcomes submissions from the public. We do not check claims about the future or statements made in private.

When deciding what to fact check we are guided by the following questions:

• Can the content be verified with trusted sources of information?
• What is the potential community harm if it is left unchecked?
• How rapidly is it spreading?
• Is the topic relevant to a broad audience?

We prioritise checking content that has the potential to harm people’s wellbeing or undermine democratic processes, such as misleading health advice, financial scams and inaccurate information about voting. We take care not to amplify misinformation.

How we fact check

Our fact-checking and verification work is produced in accordance with the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles and underpinned by rigorous research that draws on multiple credible sources.

Our process includes analysing the best available data and using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) tools to mine information contained in publicly available material such as satellite imagery and web archives. We rely on primary sources and provide links to these in each article. Where relevant we consult qualified experts in the field.

While we may request supporting evidence from a claimant, we only fact check what is on the public record. Our assessments are based on the best available evidence when the information was shared.

Before publication, each fact check is scrutinised and challenged by senior staff who review the data, cross-check all sources and ensure the article’s findings are accurate, fair, impartial and consistent with the evidence.

We weigh up the relevant facts, putting aside the possible motivations of whoever shared the information, and provide a verdict for each fact check.

Fact checking with Meta

RMIT Lookout is one of many fact-checking organisations globally that works in commercial partnership with Meta to help slow the spread of harmful information. We independently identify, review and rate the accuracy of content on Meta’s platforms: Facebook, Instagram and Threads.

Where posts are found to contain false or misleading information, Meta uses its technology to label, 'grey-out' or downrank them. This means they feature less prominently in people’s feeds, and users who share them are alerted to our fact check articles.

Under the partnership, Meta does not remove posts that have been checked by independent fact checkers. The company may, however, take action against users who breach its community standards.

RMIT Lookout maintains complete editorial independence from Meta. Meta has no control over what we choose to fact check, what we write or which verdicts we apply. Meta does not see our fact checks before they are published.

Corrections, clarifications and complaints

RMIT Lookout aims to provide accurate, trustworthy information. If you think we have made a mistake or missed something important in a fact-check article, you can request a review which will be dealt with promptly. All reviews are managed by the RMIT Lookout director, who may consult the RMIT Information Integrity Hub director.

Where corrections or clarifications, apart from typographical corrections, are warranted, the fact check article will carry a footnote explaining the change, why it was made and the date it was made.

Requests for reviews relating to fact-check articles produced as part of our fact-checking partnership with Meta should be submitted through the channel provided by Meta.

If you are unable to submit a request using the channel provided by Meta, you can contact RMIT Lookout directly by clicking the the Contact RMIT Lookout button below.

As a signatory to the International Fact-Checking Network’s Code of Principles, we are dedicated to providing fact-check articles that maintain high standards of accuracy, impartiality, fairness and transparency. If you think we have breached this code you can contact the IFCN.

For everything else you can contact RMIT Lookout.