European Union marks International Fact-Checking Day in Almaty

European Union marks International Fact-Checking Day in Almaty

On 2 April 2026, the Delegation of the European Union to Kazakhstan, in partnership with Narxoz University, marked the International Fact-Checking day by hosting "Fact-Checking Day 2026", an expert roundtable and educational event. The event brought together representatives from academia, the media industry, digital transformation research, as well as international experts and students.

Fact-Checking Day 2026, held under the theme "Safeguarding Information Integrity in the Face of Evolving AI and Information Manipulation", served as a platform for a meaningful dialogue on the key challenges shaping today's information environment. The discussions focused on the ways to tackle spread of disinformation in the context of rapid artificial intelligence development, the role of universities as institutions enhancing critical thinking, and the need for systematic integration of media literacy into educational programs.

During the expert roundtable, participants emphasized that in the era of digital transformation, societal resilience directly depends on citizens' ability to analyze information, distinguish facts from manipulation, and make informed decisions. Particular attention was given to cross-sectoral cooperation between government, academia, and media as a key condition for building a trustworthy information environment.

The discussions at Fact-Checking Day 2026 will inform a professional dialogue at the third EU Media Forum in Kazakhstan in December 2026.

H.E. Aleška Simkič, Ambassador of the European Union to Kazakhstan, highlighted the importance of joint efforts in countering disinformation: "In the context of rapid digital transformation and development of artificial intelligence protecting information integrity has become a key element of societal resilience. The European Union consistently supports initiatives aimed at strengthening media literacy and critical thinking, especially among young people. Education and open dialogue create the foundation for countering disinformation and strengthening trust in information."

Kanat Kozhakhmet, President of Narxoz University, emphasized the strategic role of universities in this agenda: "For Narxoz University, this agenda is of particular importance. As Vice-Chair of the Global Hub of the UN Academic Impact programme for SDG 16 'Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions', we consistently promote the values of transparency, accountability, and trust. We are building an open academic platform that brings together science, government, and civil society. Our key priority is to prepare students - future professionals - who are capable of critically assessing information, verifying data, and resisting manipulation in the digital environment."

The practical component of the programme focused on developing students' applied skills. A fact-checking workshop was led by Adil Dzhalilov, founder of Factcheck.kz. During the session, participants gained hands-on experience in verifying information, working with sources and data, analysing visual content, and identifying manipulation in social media. They also applied these skills through practical case studies. Certificates were awarded to participants upon completion of the workshop.