Sergipe school project teaches students to fact-check news

A news fact-checking initiative called ‘Observa! Observatório de Desinformação’ is being implemented in schools in Sergipe, Brazil. Started by teacher Ronney Santos at the Centro de Excelência Atheneu Sergipense in Aracaju, the project engages high school seniors in analyzing the veracity of internet content.

The project, which began in 2022, encourages students to form fact-checking clubs where they divide into groups to compare texts, seek evidence, and verify information shared on social media. The goal is to develop critical thinking skills and help students navigate the high volume of daily digital information. Following its success in Aracaju, the initiative is expanding to schools in the state's interior.