Arij has conducted recently the first webinar under the name “SA7 project: Towards a Journalists community with Fact-Checking expertise” and was a kick off for SA7 project activities that is conducted by AFCN under Qarib project, implemented by CFI and supported by AFD.

The webinar was moderated by Saja Mortada, AFCN manager and hosted 4 speakers from organisations/initiatives specialised  in fact-checking from Jordan, Palestine, Iraq and Lebanon. The speakers represented the following institutions/initiatives, were asked to present briefly the work and objectives of their initiatives and how being part of SA7 project can help them on their missions and develop their work:

• Palestine: Kashif – Baker Abdelhaq
• Iraq: Tech4Peace – Aws Al Saadi
• Jordan: Akeed – Majdi Qsos
• Lebanon: Maharat – Layal Bahnam

The open webinar also included a space to ask questions about SA7 project and AFCN, the requirements to become a fact-checker and the means/channel for participation for fact-checkers from the 4 countries in addition to other countries.

The webinar was live on zoom and ARIJ Facebook page. The call for the webinar was announced on December 3, 2021 with 461 as the total number of registrations of which 43% (197 people) actually attended.