Myth Detector

Myth Detector is a regional fact-checking platform originally founded in 2014 by the Media Development Foundation (MDF) in Georgia. In 2024, it became an independent legal entity registered in Estonia. While the expansion of the project and the addition of European languages were already part of Myth Detector’s strategic development plan, the process accelerated due to increasing anti-democratic developments and government pressure in Georgia.

Today, Myth Detector operates as a regional platform dedicated to identifying and countering disinformation, propaganda, and manipulative narratives that undermine democratic institutions, public trust, and informed decision-making.

Vision

A resilient, informed, and democratic society where citizens and institutions are able to recognize and resist disinformation and manipulative narratives, and where transparent, evidence-based information strengthens democratic governance, public trust, and Euro-Atlantic values.

Mission

Myth Detector’s mission is to identify, verify, and debunk disinformation, propaganda, and misleading media narratives through transparent fact-checking, media research, and public education. By exposing manipulative communication strategies and promoting media literacy, the initiative seeks to strengthen societal resilience to information manipulation and support informed public discourse.

International Standards and Professional Networks

The professional standards of Myth Detector are internationally recognised. Since 2019, the platform has been a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) Code of Principles, and since 2023 it has been a member of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN). In 2020, Myth Detector joined Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program, contributing to efforts to limit the spread of false and misleading information on social media platforms. These partnerships demonstrate compliance with internationally recognised fact-checking principles and reinforce the organisation’s credibility within the global fact-checking community.

What We Do

Myth Detector analyses manipulative media content and disinformation from several perspectives: Foreign information influence operations, including direct propaganda from Russian government-sponsored media and indirect anti-Western narratives promoted through affiliated or disguised outlets. Domestic political disinformation, including the use of coordinated online networks, trolls, and fake accounts to spread misleading narratives for political purposes. Economically motivated misinformation, such as clickbait websites, fraudulent platforms, and misleading commercial content designed to generate financial gain. To maximise impact and reach diverse audiences, Myth Detector employs a multi-channel communication strategy:

• Website: The organisation’s primary platform for publishing fact-checks, investigations, analytical articles, and explanatory content. Multimedia Production: Short-form videos, infographics, visual explainers, and social media cards designed to communicate complex fact-checking findings in accessible formats.
• Social Media Platforms: Content distribution across Facebook, Instagram, X, LinkedIn, YouTube, TikTok, Bluesky, and Telegram, allowing rapid response to viral disinformation and engagement with audiences most exposed to misinformation. AI Chatbot: A Telegram-based chatbot that enables users to verify information and submit suspicious content for fact-checking by the editorial team.
• Newsletter / Weekly Digest: A subscription-based disinformation digest providing journalists, researchers, institutions, and the general public with regular updates on key disinformation trends and fact-checks.
• Third-Party Fact-Checking: Within Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program, Myth Detector reviews and rates viral content, contributing to the reduction of false information circulating on social media platforms.

Myth Detector works to uncover disinformation, expose hidden agendas, and enhance media literacy in Georgia and beyond. Since 2019, it has been a verified signatory of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), and since 2023, of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN). In 2020, Myth Detector joined Meta’s Third-Party Fact-Checking Program, flagging false and misleading content on Meta platforms to limit the spread of misinformation. Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Myth Detector expanded its language coverage to include Russian, strengthening its capacity to counter cross-border disinformation and foreign influence operations originating from Russian, Georgian, Belarusian, and Ukrainian sources.

Media Literacy Activities

In parallel with fact-checking, Myth Detector experts deliver Media and Information Literacy (MIL) trainings for youth, journalists, and educators across Georgia, contributing to long-term societal resilience against disinformation. The platform monitors and exposes foreign propaganda, domestic political disinformation, and economically motivated fake news through a four-step methodology: Identify, Deconstruct, Investigate sources, and Explain.

Regional Cooperation and Partnerships

Myth Detector collaborates with a wide network of regional and international partners, including media organisations, fact-checking initiatives, research institutions, and civil society organisations. These partnerships support joint research, knowledge exchange, and coordinated responses to cross-border disinformation and influence operations. The organisation works with partners in countries such as Armenia, Ukraine, Moldova, and EU member states, contributing to regional fact-checking initiatives, comparative research on disinformation ecosystems, and capacity-building programs for journalists and civil society actors.

Promoting Media Standards and Accountability

Beyond fact-checking and research, Myth Detector contributes to strengthening media standards and professional accountability. The organisation develops educational resources, supports media self-regulation mechanisms, and provides capacity-building programs for journalists and communication professionals. Through these initiatives, Myth Detector promotes ethical journalism, transparency, and responsible reporting practices, helping to build a healthier and more resilient information environment.

Human Resources

Myth Detector’s work is carried out by a multidisciplinary team of journalists, fact-checkers, researchers, and media analysts with expertise in investigative journalism, disinformation monitoring, and strategic communication. The editorial team applies transparent fact-checking methodologies in accordance with international professional standards, including the IFCN Code of Principles and the EFCSN standards.