Logically’s independent fact-checking unit is now publishing its work in Kannada, Assamese, Telugu and Hindi and joins India's leading cross-industry collaborative combating misinformation as part of its commitment to the region ahead of upcoming elections

Logically Facts, the independent fact-checking unit of counter mis- and disinformation company Logically, has today announced the launch of its capabilities in four key Indian languages and its membership to the Misinformation Combat Alliance. With major upcoming state elections this year, and general elections next year, this announcement marks Logically Facts’ commitment to helping create better-informed online communities that enable users to better engage in healthy public discourse.

In 2018, social media user penetration stood at 20%, in 2022 it was 54% and this is predicted to rise to over 80% by 2028. With recent Logically research finding three major AI-power image generators accept more than 85% of prompts generating evidence for mis- and disinformation claims, combined with the number of new social media users in India, the need for non-english language fact-checking and cross-industry collaboration ahead of the upcoming elections, is vital.

The English language is by far the most moderated language globally and as a result bad actors are turning to disseminating information in alternative languages in order to work around content moderation processes, as we saw throughout COVID-19 for example.

As India has such a variety and volume of languages, Logically Facts is leading the charge in language expansion in the fact-checking community in India, boasting four dedicated websites for its work in Kannada, Assamese, Telugu and Hindi respectively. The websites not only feature fact-checks, but longer form analysis on topics concerning misinformation including health, climate change, human rights, politics, economics and conspiracies. Users of Instagram, Facebook and X (formerly Twitter) will also benefit from individual social media handles for the four different Indian languages where users can access bite size information that can also be found on the respective Logically Facts websites.

Tackling misinformation and fake news requires a multi-stakeholder effort — fact-check community members, regulators, governments, social media platforms and members of the public. Therefore, Logically Facts’ joining of the Misinformation Combat Alliance is a further step in the building of a cross-industry alliance that is working towards ensuring every internet user is media literate, enhancing the impact of fact-checking and verification, and building open technologies to help in verification of false or misleading information. We look forward to supporting members of the MCA editorially, technologically and in the regulatory and policy space.

Baybars Orsek, Managing Director of Logically Facts comments: “Fact-checking is more than a battle against misinformation; it is a fight for a more informed, more rational, and more democratic society. We rely on information to make meaningful decisions that affect our lives, but the nature of the internet means that misinformation reaches more people faster than ever before. At Logically Facts, we strive to support this endeavor, recognizing fact-checking as a guardian of truth.

Jaskirat Singh Bawa, Global Head of Fact-Checking at Logically Facts comments: “India is at a juncture where its progress in every field gets severely hampered by misinformation, disinformation, and fake news. Malicious online activity can manipulate public opinion, increase societal, religious, and cultural divisions, and influence elections and therefore, access to trustworthy information is one of the cornerstones of a prosperous society.

“With the threat landscape continuing to evolve, including the growth in AI-generated content, there is a growing need to strengthen the ability of social media users to find reliable information, as well as engagement in the problem from a host of different stakeholders across India. As part of our ongoing mission, we’re delighted to make our work accessible in four Indian languages, as well as join a cross-industry alliance that embodies the very mission of Logically Facts. We look forward to continuing our language expansion journey over the coming months,” Bawa concludes.