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FactCheckNI

@factcheckni.bsky.social
5.3K followers 184 following 200 posts

FactCheckNI is Northern Ireland’s first and only dedicated not for profit fact checking and training service. Accuracy matters.

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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
🔎 NEW FACT CHECK: #Drumcree Does the Secretary of State need a request from the PSNI Chief Constable before intervening? The law provides two distinct mechanisms with different requirements. One requires an application from the Chief Constable.The other does not expressly require one. Read more👇
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
⚠️ When tensions are high, good information matters. Rumours, speculation and unverified claims can fuel fear and real-world harm. 🔎 Check the source. Look for reliable information. Think before you share. Good information can help lower the temperature. #FactCheckNI #NorthernIreland
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
🔎 Seen a claim about Northern Ireland and wondered: is that true? That’s where we come in. FactCheckNI checks claims shaping public debate-from politics and health to migration,public spending & more. Independent.Non-partisan.Evidence-led. Spot something that needs checked? Send it our way.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Who has the right to walk on Benbradagh? 🥾 NI has no general right to roam. We explain the law and the ongoing dispute. factcheckni.org/articles/hik... #Benbradagh #northernireland
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
🏛️ Politicians are returning to Stormont after the summer break-but could change be coming to Stormont itself? With the next Assembly election on the horizon,we look at what NI’s main parties are saying about Stormont reform,where they agree;and where they don’t. #NorthernIreland #FactCheckNI
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
HMOs are often discussed as though they are synonymous with migrant or asylum accommodation. They aren’t. They are shared homes used by students, professionals, migrant workers, people on lower incomes and others. What the evidence tells us- and what it doesn’t: factcheckni.org/articles/hou...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
NI doesn’t lack renewable energy; the grid cannot always handle what we already produce. In 2024, renewable generators were turned off or down 30% of the time because the grid could not absorb their output. Our latest explainer examines the big grid challenge:
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
A widely shared post claimed 85% of women murdered in Ireland this year were killed by foreign migrants. We examined the evidence. Our verdict: Unsubstantiated. There is no official police data to support the claim, and publicly available evidence points to a substantially lower figure.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 29/07/2026
Do data centres now consume nearly a quarter of all electricity in the Republic of Ireland? Our latest fact check examines what the official figures show, what they don’t, and the context behind the claim. factcheckni.org/articles/ene... #FactCheck #Ireland #Energy
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 15/07/2026
Financial pressure is not the same as underfunding. Northern Ireland’s public finances are under immense strain, but that’s not the same as evidence that Westminster has underfunded NI.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 07/07/2026
💷 Does Northern Ireland receive relatively less funding than Scotland and Wales? We looked at the figures behind the claim - and what they show about public spending across the devolved nations. Read more: factcheckni.org/articles/pub...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 25/06/2026
📊 Have child poverty levels in Northern Ireland fallen significantly? The latest official figures show child poverty rates fell from 21% to 16% in 2024/25. But the picture is more nuanced than a single headline figure suggests.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
Immigration debates in NI often focus on asylum seekers.But what do the latest figures actually show? An explainer we published last year has been referenced recently,so we’ve updated it with the latest data 📊 How many people are seeking asylum in NI 📊 How NI compares with the rest of the UK
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 17/06/2026
A recent political cartoon about migration in Northern Ireland is attracting attention online. The image appears to assume migrants receive free housing, free money and free healthcare. The reality is much more nuanced. Different groups have different legal statuses, rights and entitlements.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 12/06/2026
🔍 FACT CHECK We examined a claim by DUP MLA Jonathan Buckley that people of Somali descent are more likely to commit crimes than other immigrant groups in the UK. 📊 To assess the claim, we reviewed the available data and consulted expert analysis. 👇
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 09/06/2026
In the hours after a major incident, information travels fast. Unfortunately, rumours and misinformation often travel even faster. Police and community leaders have urged people not to share unverified claims that could cause further harm to families,communities and ongoing investigations.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
False or misleading claims spread fast on WhatsApp. We investigated viral claims about the Orange Order and home buying support in NI. Read the fact check ⬇️ factcheckni.org/articles/wha... #MediaLiteracy #FactCheck #NorthernIreland
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 18/05/2026
Northern Ireland’s renewable energy story is more complicated than “we stalled after 2016.” Our latest prebunk breaks down what the data really shows about wind power growth, why the 80% by 2030 target matters, and how misleading claims can shape the debate.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 05/05/2026
How does Derry/Londonderry compare on jobs and education? Employment is the lowest in NI, but the picture on education is less straightforward. Read the analysis 👇
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 01/05/2026
🚑 “Less than 20% hit target response times” true or misleading? 👉 Verdict: It’s complicated The figure reflects real data, but context matters. How targets are defined, which cases are included and how the stats are framed can change the story. 🔎 Full fact check: factcheckni.org/articles/hea...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
📊 What’s really happening to Northern Ireland’s population? Our FactCheckNI analysis shows a clear shift; not sudden decline, but long-term ageing. Read more: factcheckni.org/articles/dem...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
Are beef cattle numbers in NI at a 55-year low? 🤔 Our latest fact check digs into the data behind the claim 👇 factcheckni.org/articles/far... #FactCheck #FarmingNI #Agriculture
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 15/04/2026
Around 3% of adults in Northern Ireland are classed as problem gamblers. But what does that actually mean; and how is it measured? Our latest fact-check breaks it down 🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/gam...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 02/04/2026
Today is International Fact-Checking Day 📣 🌎Around the world, misinformation and declining trust are shaping public debate, influencing decisions, and dividing communities. #FactCheckingDay #FactCheckNI #NorthernIreland #medialiteracy
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 01/04/2026
Behind every statistic is a real human impact. What does the £3.4bn cost of mental ill health in Northern Ireland really represent? FactCheckNI explains 👇 factcheckni.org/articles/men...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 13/03/2026
Do people in your networks know about FactCheckNI? We’re an independent, non-partisan, not for profit organisation working to improve the quality of public debate in Northern Ireland. #FactCheckNI #FactChecking #MediaLiteracy #NorthernIreland #Misinformation
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 12/03/2026
Is blasphemy still against the law in Northern Ireland? Technically yes, but it’s complicated. Our latest fact check explains what the law says and whether it’s ever been used. 🔎 Read more: factcheckni.org/articles/rel... #FactCheckNI #NorthernIreland #NInews #FactCheck
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 05/03/2026
🚩 Prebunk / Explainer: PSNI guidance on harmful flags Public discussions about flags in NI can quickly become confusing and misinformation can spread easily. Our latest article looks at the PSNI’s new instruction on removing harmful flags and clarifies what it actually means in practice. 👇
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 26/02/2026
The claim that regional inequality has doubled in Northern Ireland is not accurate. 📈Stats show Belfast’s output per person grew faster than average but that’s not a full measure of regional inequality. Read why here 👇
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 18/02/2026
Will new EU customs fees apply to parcels in Northern Ireland? 📦 We found the answer is more complicated than some claims suggest. Our latest fact check explains what’s confirmed, what won’t apply, and what’s still unclear. Read our full analysis ⬇️
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 16/02/2026
AI-generated abuse is accelerating and evidence must shape our response. Our fact check examines claims raised in the NI Assembly and finds strong evidence behind a troubling trend: deepfake pornography overwhelmingly targets women. #OnlineSafety #AIpolicy #FactCheck #NorthernIreland
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 05/02/2026
Fact checked: Nearly all pornographic deepfakes depict women; a stark reminder that online harms disproportionately affect women and girls. Read our full article ⬇️
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 28/01/2026
Independent fact checking is vital to democracy and public trust in NI. Our work supports informed public debate by checking claims transparently and impartially. If you value evidence-based discussion,support our work: crowdfunder.co.uk/p/factcheckni #NorthernIreland #criticalthinking
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 26/01/2026
📈Trade between NI, GB and Ireland has increased in recent years. 👉 While the figures cited in support of the Windsor Framework are broadly accurate, trade volumes were already rising before the framework was agreed in 2023, meaning the data alone does not show its impact on trade.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 15/01/2026
📊Are Northern Ireland’s breastfeeding rates among the lowest in Europe? A new @FactCheckNI analysis finds that while international data comparisons are imperfect, current evidence suggests NI lags behind the rest of the UK - and the UK sits near the bottom in Europe. Read the full breakdown 👇
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 12/01/2026
Do nearly 1 in 20 over-50s in Northern Ireland suffer from PTSD? New research says 4.74% are living with PTSD right now, and almost 60% say their worst trauma is Troubles-related. Understanding the facts matters. Read our full analysis 👉 factcheckni.org/articles/men...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 05/01/2026
A new year doesn’t need louder opinions, it needs clearer facts. In 2026, FactCheckNI will keep checking claims, explaining the evidence, and separating fact from spin in Northern Ireland. Because accuracy still matters.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
🌍 Who comes to the UK, and what are they entitled to? Most UK migrants are here legally - and unauthorised migrants have very limited entitlements. In this article we unpack the facts behind the headlines. 👉 Read the full explainer here: factcheckni.org/articles/exp...
Explainer: Who migrates to the UK and what are they entitled to?
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 07/11/2025
Northern Ireland still has the largest disability employment gap in the UK - but have the numbers shifted recently? 🔍 Read our fact-check to find out. #DisabilityEmployment #FactCheckNI 🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/emp...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 03/11/2025
Former DUP MP Ian Paisley Jr. recently claimed that proportionally, more loyalists than republicans went to prison during the Troubles. FactCheckNI reviewed the evidence and found big gaps in the data. Our verdict? Unsubstantiated.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 29/10/2025
Behind every statistic on Violence Against Women and Girls is a real person - but if the data’s unclear, how can we fight it? Our article explores the serious gaps in how NI’s justice system records and understands VAWG. Read more here 👉 factcheckni.org/articles/exp...
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 16/10/2025
Who’s responsible for Lough Neagh’s phosphorus pollution? Agriculture (61%) leads, while wastewater & septics tanks adds 30%. Read our full analysis here 👉 factcheckni.org/articles/lou... #LoughNeagh #FactCheckNI #NIEnvironment
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 02/10/2025
🎓Does Northern Ireland really have a shortage of local uni places? NI’s universities face a challenge: demand outstrips supply. But the story is more complicated than it seems - with funding caps, student choices, and migration all in the mix. 📊 Read our full analysis 👇 #HigherEdNI #Education
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 19/09/2025
👥 Northern Ireland is getting older. There are now more people aged 70+ than children under 10. What does this mean for our future health, pensions & policies? Read more ➡️ factcheckni.org/articles/dem... #northernireland #demographics #factcheckni
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 11/09/2025
Does Belfast have the 2nd highest number of asylum seekers in the UK, and do almost a fifth of them live in BT12, as claimed by DUP MLA Edwin Poots? ❌ No. 📊Belfast ranks 20th overall. 👥With 0.6% of the local population (1 in 167 people). ➡️ No data confirms the BT12 claim.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 05/09/2025
📊 FactCheckNI has a new series exploring NI’s demographics-exploring age,religion and place of birth. These articles are designed to be a reference point for what’s changed and what’s stayed the same over time. ➡️First up: place of birth.Where were people who call NI home born?
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
Does Belfast really house more “illegal migrants” than every other UK city except Glasgow? Turns out, no. This FactCheckNI article slices through the noise with clear, evidence-based insight. Read our full analysis 👉 factcheckni.org/articles/imm... #FactCheckNI #NorthernIreland #Belfast
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 27/08/2025
🌍 Who comes to the UK, and what are they entitled to? Most UK migrants are here legally - and unauthorised migrants have very limited entitlements. In this article we unpack the facts behind the headlines. 👉 Read the full explainer here: factcheckni.org/articles/exp...
Explainer: Who migrates to the UK and what are they entitled to?
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 12/08/2025
We recently published an analysis of what is known about Violence Against Women and Girls in Northern Ireland, focusing on the criminal justice system and, in particular, the statistical records maintained by the PSNI.
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FactCheckNI @factcheckni.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Who migrates to the UK and what are they entitled to? 🔺Immigration has been a recurring theme in UK, Irish and global politics over the last number of years. In some cases there have been protests, riots and attacks on people who are perceived not to be ‘local’.
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