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API / Stopfals.md – Best Project Against Disinformation

27 April 2023

Photo: API


The Stopfals.md portal, managed by the Association of Independent Press (API), has won the European Union Delegation's award for the best project against disinformation. At the first edition of the Anti-Disinformation Awards Gala, prizes were awarded in four categories: media against disinformation, civil society against disinformation, projects aimed at combating disinformation and media education.

The award event confirmed the mission of the European Union and its member states to contribute to the fight against disinformation and to appreciate the efforts of media and civil society organizations that are actively involved in the fight against false information.

 

Ambassador Jānis Mažeiks, Head of the EU Delegation to the Republic of Moldova, said that the Delegation supports the Republic of Moldova through specific projects and support tools, helping institutions as well as civil society to be more resistant to disinformation attacks. "Russia's war against Ukraine has made the phenomenon of disinformation in the Republic of Moldova grow, but has also brought Moldova much closer to the European Union. Our role is to support you in the effort to fight false information and to be part of the EU family," the Ambassador added.

 

The award for the best project against disinformation went to the Association of Independent Press / fact-checking portal Stopfals.md for merits in mitigating propagandistic and manipulative effects and information. "Our mission is not only to inform, but also to help citizens, especially now, in times of crisis, to be more resilient to disinformation campaigns and to distinguish between truth and manipulation," said Petru Macovei, executive director of API.

 

The EU Delegation also awarded two other API member media organizations, namely Ziarul de Gardă in the category of media against disinformation and the Independent Journalism Centre (IJC) in the category of media literacy promotion.

 

WatchDog was awarded in the civil society against disinformation category.

 

Stopfals.md is an online platform for information on the phenomenon of ‘fake news’, debunking false and obviously biased information, verifying statements and allegations in the public space. Stopfals.md is a member of the world's largest fact-checking network International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN). In the framework of the Campaign Against False and Biased Information STOP FALS, API also carries out other activities, including meetings and debates with different categories of information consumers, other activities promoting critical thinking and media education, training in fact-checking. Consumers are encouraged to report false and biased information on Semnale.stopfals.md.