In a context of widespread disinformation, fact-checking forms the first line of response through its focus on restoring the facts. 

Fact-checking involves verifying content that has already been published, particularly on social media, and establishing what is known—or not—about a subject.
 

The work of fact-checkers involves:

• Selecting the most sensitive and viral topics;

• Conducting thorough verification;

• Publishing for the widest possible audience;

• Being transparent about the methods used.
   

This publication often takes place on the platforms themselves, directly confronting the fact-check with the original false information.
 

Fact-checking requires a solid understanding of social media as well as mastery of key open-source intelligence (OSINT) tools to aid in verification or image geolocation. At AFP, this discipline falls under the broader umbrella of digital investigation.