BBC Verify: a natural progression for BBC Monitoring

BBC Verify is the new BBC brand which brings together experts in disinformation, Open Source Intelligence (OSINT), and verification from across the BBC. The BBC understands that it should “show its workings” to restore public trust in news. Disinformation specialist Alistair Coleman tells us about BBC Monitoring’s contribution.

Among the 60 journalists taking part in the initiative is BBC Monitoring’s Disinformation Team, the small but effective unit which was set up five years ago to combat “fake news”. The squad’s skills have led to investigations into vaccines, the QAnon conspiracy theory, potential war crimes in Ukraine, and the consequences of Elon Musk’s Twitter takeover.

Now we’re working formally among teams with which we’ve been partnering since the start of the Covid pandemic, such as Reality Check, UGC Hub and global disinformation teams.

Greater impact

It has given BBC Monitoring greater impact both on air and on the BBC News website. In its first weeks, BBC Monitoring experts have already proved their worth by appearing in reports on Ukraine, while continuing to work on longer-term projects such as climate change and international affairs.

But it is not just the Disinformation Team that is playing a part. Verification and countering propaganda has been at the heart of Monitoring’s operation since its founding, and experts from across the business can now demonstrate their local knowledge and experience in an initiative that brings the BBC closer to its audience.

BBC Verify allows Monitoring to showcase what we’ve always done, and show us at our best. It is, indeed, a natural progression.

Alistair Coleman is a senior journalist in our Disinformation team