Regional Fake News Verification process: a Case Study of the Ubon Ratchathani Fake News Verification Center

Abstract

This research article aimed to study and analyze the fake news verification process of the Fake News Verification Center in Ubon Ratchathani Province. Key informants included the operators of the Fake News Verification Center in Ubon Ratchathani Province and representatives from Isan Cofact who played an important role in the fake news verification process; 2 representatives from Cofact (Thailand) and 3 representatives from the Office of Media and Intellectual Health Promotion (Office 11), Thai Health Promotion Foundation (Thai Health). Three activities were observed during data collection. The research instruments were semi-structured interviews and activity observation forms. The results of the research found that the fake news verification process at the Regional Fake News Verification Center in Ubon Ratchathani Province had the following characteristics: 1) the source of fake news came from the communication channels of local media that the operators were responsible or by asking for information from people in the area directly; 2) methods for checking facts and filtering false information included following up on information from sources directly and following up on information through other online communication channels; 3) expanding the information on fake news checking, both through the central Cofact  database and local communication channels such as Ubon Connect or LINE chatbot. This research recommended promoting cooperation between the regional fake news verification center and other relevant agencies for collaboration. Knowledge and understanding about fact verification should be created and media literacy should be instilled in the public. The research topic should be further developed by comparing the working process for fake news verification with other organizations in other regions in Thailand and international organizations, including studying the behavior of fake news publishers and the roles of the government and civil society in solving the fake news problems in order to obtain guidelines for solving the fake news problem effectively.