Vision and Mission

Vision

Upholding the motto of “Truth is virtue”, the School of Communication at Hong Kong Baptist University aims to pursue truth in journalism and make every endeavour to combat the spread of misinformation and disinformation. HKBU Fact Check was established to achieve research contribution and social responsibilities. We strive to reduce the level of misinformation and disinformation in mass media, to increase the public’s media literacy, to facilitate academic research, and to promote communication between professionals and practitioners.

Mission

HKBU Fact Check is a member of the UNESCO Media and Information Literacy Alliance and a signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network.

We are committed to providing fact-checking service independently, precisely and transparently. We are a nonpartisan, independent, self-funded organization that aims to pursue the truth and uphold journalistic professionalism. Various workshops have and will be organized and academic research will be published to provide insights to tackle the problem of fake news in Hong Kong.

Operation

HKBU Fact Check is established by the School of Communication and operates editorially and operationally independently of Hong Kong Baptist University. While the School allocates resources and appoints the personnel needed to run the center, it does not participate in editorial decisions. The University likewise has no role in our operations or editorial processes. This funding and governance structure safeguards our editorial independence.

As a self-funded, nonpartisan organization adhering to the principles of journalistic professionalism, we do not accept external sponsorships to ensure our fact-checking remains free of prejudice, bias, and external influence.

All fact-checkers are well trained to abide by the code of principles of fact-checking. Fact-checkers can join the team only if they have passed three rounds of fact-checking tests and signed the Declaration of Interest Form.

Source of Funds

2024

  • International Fact-Checking Network
    ENGAGE 2023 Grant Award (US$100,000)

2020

  • Centre for Holistic Teaching and Learning, Hong Kong Baptist University
    Teaching Development Grant – Communities of Practice (HK$494,856)