Verifying Information in Challenging Environments for Citizen Monitors

Introduction

At a time when information is readily available through the Internet and social media, the ability to distinguish between what is credible and trustworthy and what is propaganda is vital for anyone trying to engage in meaningful debate on political and policy reform. As citizen monitors in these efforts, you will use these types of sources to collect information. One way to collect this information is through crowdsourcing.

It is important however to verify crowdsourced information for accuracy, impartiality and objectivity. This course will give you the tools you need to evaluate and accurately report information you have gathered through crowdsourcing. Included are lessons on:

1. Understand the basics of crowdsourcing;
2. Authenticate the source of information to confirm its reliability;
3. Verify the content of information to confirm its validity; and
4. Cross-Referencing the context of information to confirm its relevance

Internationally, crowdsourcing has become a common practice. Following the contested presidential elections of 2009, when the Iranian government imposed a total media blackout, activists used social media and e-mail to share information and report on events; in essence, the protests were crowdsourced. By learning how to use crowdsourcing information effectively your efforts to promote change will be amplified because you become a trusted and reliable source of information.