IFCN said 80 fact-checking organizations from 74 countries have identified more than 4,000 coronavirus-related hoaxes since January. The new bot makes it easier for you to search through these myth-busters. You can search for terms like “Masks” or “Garlic” to get related fact-checks. Here’s how you can use it:
Save +1 (727) 2912606 as a contact or click on http://poy.nu/ifcnbot. Send a “hi”. Press 1 to search for facts based on keywords, or press 2 to search for the latest myth busts.
You can even get information about fact-checkers near you to contact them about possible hoaxes. [Read: WhatsApp sees 70% drop in ‘viral message’ forwards after applying limits] IFCN’s Director, Baybars Orsek, said apart from helping people search for facts, the bot will also redirect them to the local fact-checkers’ websites: Notably, this isn’t a tipline where you can report about misinformative pieces, but this will surely help you go through existing coronavirus myths a lot quicker. In March, WhatsApp provided a $1 million grant to the Poynter Institute to help it with the #CoronaVirusFacts Alliance. It also launched a bot with the World Health Organization (WHO) to provide the latest information to people all around the world.
