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Peter Cunliffe-Jones

@pcunliffejones.bsky.social
2.5K followers 384 following 256 posts

Information effects at Facts Matter Research | visiting researcher at Uni Westminster | founder africacheck.org | new book: “Fake news - what’s the harm?” available in print or as free e-book www.fulcrum.org/concern/monographs/…

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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 28/12/2025
Most of those outsiders expressing opinions about US missile strikes on Nigeria could do with reading this piece. It might also benefit those ordering those strikes, too. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
US strikes on IS targets in Nigeria may only fan the flames of insurgent violence | Onyedikachi Madueke
The public is looking for relief from terrorism and violence. But Donald Trump’s words bolster narratives of foreign ‘crusader’ aggression, says Onyedikachi Madueke, a security analyst at the Universi...
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Adrian Monck @amonck.bsky.social · 07/12/2025
From the @wsj.com chief foreign correspondent
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 08/11/2025
"Social media misinformation is driving men to NHS clinics in search of testosterone therapy...(but) taking testosterone unnecessarily can suppress the body’s natural hormone production, cause infertility, and increase the risk of blood clots, heart problems etc." www.theguardian.com/society/2025...
theguardian.com
Social media misinformation driving men to NHS for unneeded testosterone therapy
Endocrinologists warn taking testosterone unnecessarily can suppress natural hormone production
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 07/10/2025
In a piece for @rsf.org, Valdez Onanina, chief editor for fact-checking group @fr.africacheck.org, talks about the cost of exposing Russian disinformation networks operating in west Africa; doxing, threats and smears rsf.org/fr/valdez-on...
rsf.org
Valdez Onanina : « Exposer les mécanismes de désinformation russe est devenu un exercice à haut risque. »
Organisation indépendante de fact-checking africaine créée en 2012, Africa Check est présente à Johannesburg, à Dakar, à Nairobi et à Lagos. Journaliste, Valdez Onanina est depuis 2022 le rédacteur en...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 06/10/2025
I think other journalism awards need to up their game. www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEBS...
youtube.com
2025 African Fact-Checking Awards gala dinner
YouTube video by Africa Check
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 04/10/2025
10 years ago I came to Dakar and recruited @fr.africacheck.org’s first editor, Assane Diagne, the first factchecker in Francophone Africa. This week I joined 200 others in Dakar at the fourth #AfricaFactsSummit. There are many challenges at the moment. The work of this community is reason for hope
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 26/09/2025
Google’s commitment to free expression “is unwavering and will not bend to political pressure,” Google said, bending to political pressure. www.cnbc.com/2025/09/26/h...
cnbc.com
How Google shifted from a bastion of accurate information to a steward of free expression
After years of rolling out features designed to provide users with factual and accurate information, Google is now touting its commitment to "free expression."
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Otto English @ottoenglish.bsky.social · 24/09/2025
The polio immunisation program started in the USA in 1955. Look what happened next.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 25/09/2025
Some politicians care about facts. Others, not so much A Royal Parks spokesperson: “We’ve not had any incidents reported to us of people killing or eating swans". Farage: "Migrants are eating the swans" www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c8...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Two cities at random: London, England: The crime rate in London was 106.4 crime offences per thousand people for the 2024/25 reporting year, compared with 105.8 in the previous year. Miami, Florida: In 2023, Miami’s crime index was reported as 283, aligning closely with the national average.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
Besides the politics - and I am not all anti Nick Robinson - this is a truly dreadful 'think piece', that doesn't at all explore what free speech actually is and entails.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 23/09/2025
"Mel Merritt, head of policy and campaigns at the National Autistic Society said: 'This is dangerous, it's anti-science and it's irresponsible.' But hey, why would a medical expert know better than a businessman-politician. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Why Trump's views on vaccines and paracetamol risk child health
The public relies on measured, careful statements rooted in robust scientific research, not conjecture.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 18/09/2025
Looking forward to taking part in this free online All-Ireland conference today on how corporate policy and mis/disinformation affect public health - and what we can do about it. It starts in half an hour. Do join if you can. #TurningTheTide2025 #CDOH #PublicHealth jointpublichealthconference.org
jointpublichealthconference.org
Home
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
If "free speech" means allowing people to say things you find disagreeable, what's this?
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 13/09/2025
Listening to this today. Seems relevant. open.spotify.com/episode/3XAW...
open.spotify.com
Rivers of Blood – How Enoch Powell poisoned Britain
Spotify video
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Old School Gentleman @oldschoolgentl1.bsky.social · 31/08/2025
Science is real
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 01/09/2025
"The Israeli military has prevented international journalists from entering and reporting on the war, and has decimated Gaza’s own media community." www.theguardian.com/global-devel...
theguardian.com
The deadly toll on journalists in the Gaza war
With foreign media barred, Palestinians have reported alone, facing the ‘most deliberate effort to kill and silence’ them ever
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 28/08/2025
More details on Reform UK's commitment to freedom of speech: "the principle that freedom of speech must be paired with responsibility and honesty," says Council boss. www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Reform UK Nottinghamshire council leader bans local newspaper's reporters
The Nottingham Post describes the ban as
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 18/08/2025
How to get massive economic growth overnight 👇 Change the numbers africacheck.org/fact-checks/...
africacheck.org
FACTSHEET: Nigeria rebases its economy again – here’s what sets it apart
Nigeria has updated how it measures its economy as part of ongoing reforms.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 06/08/2025
Does factchecking work? Well, do you know what factcheckers do? @fullfact.org reached out to a woman misidentified in a viral online video. She found it “really helpful… it was the only organisation that tried to contact me to see if there was any truth to the claims.” fullfact.org/culture-and-...
fullfact.org
Woman falsely linked to viral video involving the PM: How fact checking could have helped – Full Fact
When 31-year-old Abby Raworth first realised her photo and name were being shared online—falsely linked to a viral video involving the Prime Minister—she’d thought it was quite funny...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 05/08/2025
How do fact-checkers select the claims to check? How should we develop a 'harms-based' approach and defend freedom of speech? Great to work with friend & colleague @mrdudders.bsky.social on this piece for @poynterinstitute.bsky.social Feedback welcome www.poynter.org/ifcn/2025/sp...
poynter.org
Spotting the harmful needles in the haystack: How fact-checkers select what to check - Poynter
From person-to-person coaching and intensive hands-on seminars to interactive online courses and media reporting, Poynter helps journalists sharpen skills and elevate storytelling throughout their car...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 04/08/2025
I wrote for @timeshighered.bsky.social blog on questions to spot fake claims 1. Where did the claim come from? 2. What do other, credible sources say? 3. What might make you likely to fall for the claim? 4. What does the context tell you? More 👇 www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/four-...
timeshighereducation.com
Four questions to ask to detect false news online
Even those working in higher education can fall for misinformation. Ask these four questions to get better at zeroing in on false news
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 28/07/2025
Asked by media to provide any evidence for its wild claim about the United States' traditional allies convicting citizens for criticising governments, the US State Department "declined to comment". x.com/StateDept/st...
x.com
Department of State on X: "In Europe, thousands are being convicted for the crime of criticizing their own governments. This Orwellian message won't fool the United States. Censorship is not freedom. https://t.co/kCDhaXCVkC" / X
In Europe, thousands are being convicted for the crime of criticizing their own governments. This Orwellian message won't fool the United States. Censorship is not freedom. https://t.co/kCDhaXCVkC
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Africa Check @africacheck.org · 11/07/2025
Some viral posts say guava leaves, ginseng, ginger & lemon can “cure” blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis. But these remedies don’t work, and promoting them can delay real medical treatment. africacheck.info/endo_fallopi...
africacheck.info
No, mixture of guava leaves, ginseng root, ginger and lemons can’t cure blocked fallopian tubes or endometriosis – see a doctor instead
A post circulating on Facebook in South Africa claims that users can cure “blocked fallopian tubes” with a simple mixture of guava leaves, ginseng root...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 09/07/2025
Garbage in, garbage out. Methodology matters. archive.ph/2025.07.09-0...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 01/07/2025
Little better than to be recognised by your peers, no? 11 years ago, in London, I took part in the first Global Fact-Checking Summit. Last week in Rio, at #GlobalFact12, I was honoured for ‘outstanding service’ to the fact-checking community worldwide. Couldn’t be more grateful for the journey.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 23/06/2025
"I wasn't able to stop my sister from dying. But it would mean the world to me if I could make it that she wasn't just another in a long line of people that die in this way," says Gabriel." www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
bbc.co.uk
Our sister died because of our mum's cancer conspiracy theories, say brothers
Paloma Shemirani’s brothers say she refused chemotherapy because of their mother’s beliefs.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 19/06/2025
Huge thanks to @morrischris.bsky.social and all the friends and colleagues who came out on a (rare) sweltering night in London for the launch of my new book 📚 👇🏻
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Shukran @arijnetwork.bsky.social. Very kind.
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European Digital Media Observatory @edmo-eu.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
The widespread circulation of #scams on #Facebook and #Instagram highlights the limitations of #Meta's current #contentmoderation and #advertising review systems, write @thanossitistas.bsky.social & @cianellaaa.bsky.social in the latest EDMO investigation: loom.ly/nxDJeqs
Meta’s Failure to Curb Digital Scams: The Alarming Spread of Fraud on Facebook and Instagram in the EU
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Sage & Jester @sageandjester.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
STOREHOUSE has been included in Radio Times' Best Immersive Experiences in London. What are you waiting for? 🎟️ sageandjester.com/storehouse
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 12/06/2025
Busy times! Misinformation poses challenges for us all - Thrilled to work with the great team at @sageandjester.bsky.social over the past weeks as they bring their vision of empowering people to sort truth from nonsense ... and bring it to life like this. The show - STOREHOUSE - launches today
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 10/06/2025
Important work showing AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Grok are misleading audiences about major events. The International Fact-Checking Network's code of principles has a clear corrections system when fact-checkers get things wrong. Not so the chatbots www.ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org/complaintsNo
ifcncodeofprinciples.poynter.org
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Africa Check @africacheck.org · 04/06/2025
🔎 Facts matter. Your donation helps us fact-check claims that shape public opinion and policy. Show your support here: africacheck.org/donate
africacheck.org
Join in the fight against harmful misinformation
We depend on donations to bring you quality, fact-based information and keep public figures accountable.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 04/06/2025
The best way to fight false information after security incidents is to release what we DO know I. As timely a way as possible - as these examples in the UK and Ireland show
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 03/06/2025
This week's "All in the Mind" with @claudiahammond.bsky.social talks about what we do to "flourish". It's from a serious report. Play is key & one way we're told is to "take different routes on your way home or to work...opening yourself up to different experiences" 1/2 www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
bbc.co.uk
All in the Mind - Are you flourishing? And why a playful approach can help us cope - BBC Sounds
What a global study tells us about how to thrive, and why being playful can help us cope.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 01/06/2025
Grateful to Sean for inviting me on to his Podcast #TheNewAbnormal to talk about my new book, and what got me interested in 'fake news' ... starting in Bosnia in the 1990s. open.spotify.com/episode/6NAK...
open.spotify.com
Peter Cunliffe-Jones 'Fake News - what's the harm?'
The New Abnormal · Episode
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 31/05/2025
Cc @africacheck.org - of interest to the Africa Facts network?
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Alexios Mantzarlis @mantzarlis.com · 29/05/2025
👏👏 "Scientists have no more power to censor others than anyone else without legal authority. Americans want to learn about misinformation and then decide what to do based on that research. The NSF's decision will prevent that from happening." www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
science.org
Misinformation research continues to be urgent science
By one account, roughly 70% of Americans regard misinformation as a major threat, outpacing fears about climate change and infectious disease (1). This is true although the current and longer-term imp...
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Africa Check @africacheck.org · 30/05/2025
Don’t trust social media posts claiming to have the cure for diabetes and asking users to reach out for more details – they’re FALSE. There is still no cure for diabetes. africacheck.info/diabetes_sou...
africacheck.info
Diabetes cure is not ‘just a drop of inbox message’ away – ignore social media posts claiming otherwise
“SAY NO MORE TO INSULIN ISSUES FROM PHARMACY,” begins a Facebook post written in all caps and doing the rounds in South Africa.It continues: NO MO...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
Hey @ohgodwhatnow.bsky.social. Great to hear the team discussing my research on spotting what misinformation is potentially harmful & what is not camri.ac.uk/blog/2025/04... If you plan to chat about the subject again... happy to connect (am actually both an ex-journalist & factchecker & do talk 😀)
camri.ac.uk
Trial finds predictive model helps fact-checkers identify false claims with potential to cause harm - CAMRI
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 30/05/2025
My son was born in Hong Kong and I am a lifelong Liverpool supporter. It really would take a heart of stone not to laugh…
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Marisha Goldhamer @marishagoldhamer.bsky.social · 29/05/2025
My team at AFP can confirm the MAHA report cites studies that do not exist. With contributions from @billmccarthy.bsky.social, @manonjacob.bsky.social and Gwen Roley www.france24.com/en/live-news...
france24.com
'Make America Healthy Again' report cites nonexistent studies: authors
At least four of the studies cited in a flagship White House report on children's health do not exist, authors listed in the document told AFP Thursday, casting doubt on the paper outlining Health Sec...
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Alexios Mantzarlis @mantzarlis.com · 27/05/2025
ICYMI: Yesterday @indicator.media revealed that the top Community Notes author is a security startup that flagged >52,000 crypto scams. This raises questions about the alleged democratizing purpose of the program and the value X extracts for free from contributors. indicator.media/p/the-top-co...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
When people in high places make false claims, it's important to turn to reliable sources @africacheck.org has been fact-checking false claims about murder rates in South Africa - for males, and females and different races - since 2013. Still fact-checking them today 👇
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 27/05/2025
After what happened in 2024, good to see the police have learned a lesson; in incidents like the one in Liverpool yesterday, you counter the risks posed by mis/disinformation by providing accurate information as rapidly as possible.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 23/05/2025
Little off my normal topic ... but if you're in need of reminding 'what a wonderful world' it is - these photos & more in the link below ... just wow.
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 21/05/2025
All killings are terrible but instead of "stories talking about it" try facts. @africacheck.org first tackled false claims of a 'white genocide' in 2013. If you go through this report - as relevant today as in 2013 - the facts are clear & picture remains the same. africacheck.org/fact-checks/...
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 16/05/2025
It is great to see @economist.com feature a discussion of a trial that I ran at University of Westminster, that found that fact-checkers could create consistent data identifying false claims that have greatest potential to cause or contribute to harm. www.economist.com/internationa...
economist.com
Fact-checkers forecast which dodgy claims will do most damage
How to distinguish between weapons-grade disinformation and everyday codswallop
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Peter Cunliffe-Jones @pcunliffejones.bsky.social · 13/05/2025
As UK fact-checker @fullfact.org argues today, 2025 is "a moment of crisis" for anyone who cares about facts. True in the UK & around the world. And I would add, a crisis for anyone affected when key life-changing decisions are made based, at least in part, on factually false claims. 1/4
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