EPISODE NOTES

Imagine you’re living through a crisis in your part of the world. It could be a natural disaster, a contentious election, or even a coup d’etat. Rumors are swirling on social media, on television, and even your family group chat. Events are unfolding rapidly, and you don’t know what to believe.  

What if — just by sending a text message — you could reach a trusted source for an instant fact check?  

Our guest today, Ed Bice, heads an organization called Meedan, that provides a consumer-facing fact checking service in countries around the world. Meedan’s software integrates with messaging apps, to connect people quickly with trusted news organizations. Instead of asking Chat GPT or Google, you can ask a customized chatbot, and get an answer based on reporting from your local TV station or newspaper.  

Meedan’s work has been especially impactful during contentious elections in countries like Mexico, India, and Brazil.  

Unfortunately, Meta’s announcement that it will stop fact checking on its platforms this year – including WhatsApp, Instagram and Facebook – threatens the funding and support essential for tools like Meedan to combat misinformation.

Ed Bice has been working for two decades to make the Internet a more collaborative and democratic space. And he’s still optimistic.