In a world where information travels faster than ever, and where a single misleading headline can shape public opinion before the truth has a chance to catch up, the work of organizations like BENEDMO has never been more essential. BENEDMO, the Belgian-Dutch Network for Disinformation, is one of fifteen hubs supported by EDMO, the European Digital Media Observatory, and it serves as a bridge between two closely connected regions: Flanders and the Netherlands. The ninth factsheet released by the network offers a snapshot of the third quarter of 2026, but it is far more than a list of projects and outcomes. It is a story about collaboration, vigilance, and creativity in the ongoing fight against falsehoods that circulate online. During these three months, the network continued to bring together fact-checkers, journalists, academics, media literacy trainers, and policy experts, all working across borders and across disciplines. The factsheet highlights how the Flemish-Dutch community has grown stronger, not only in responding to disinformation, but also in preventing it from taking root in the first place. This period was marked by meaningful milestones: a joint cross-border fact-checking campaign focused on LGBTQIA+ disinformation came to a close; new media literacy tools for vulnerable adults were developed; journalists took part in workshops designed to sharpen their skills in data evaluation and storytelling; and researchers published important studies on digital regulation and artificial intelligence. Each of these efforts, in its own way, contributes to a more resilient information ecosystem. The fight against disinformation is not a single dramatic battle with a clear victory. It is a steady, patient, often unglamorous effort that requires people from many different fields to sit together, share what they know, and commit to a common purpose. For anyone who cares about the future of public discourse, the third quarter of 2026 offers both reasons for hope and a clear reminder of the amount of work that still lies ahead.
One of the most notable achievements of this quarter was the conclusion of a joint cross-border fact-checking campaign focused on disinformation targeting the LGBTQIA+ community. This was not a small, isolated effort carried out by a single newsroom. It was a coordinated operation involving fact-checkers on both sides of the Dutch-Belgian border, who shared leads, verified claims, and published findings in a way that maximized impact. The campaign mattered because disinformation about LGBTQIA+ people is not merely an abstract problem; it has real consequences for real human beings. It affects their safety, their mental health, their relationships, and their place in society. False narratives about gender identity, sexual orientation, and so-called conversion therapies continue to circulate online, often dressed up as scientific fact or common sense. These narratives can fuel prejudice, encourage discrimination, and make life even harder for people who already face stigma. By working together, the participating fact-checkers were able to expose these falsehoods, trace their origins, and provide audiences with accurate, compassionate information. But the campaign was also about building trust. It showed that fact-checking is not about mocking or belittling people who have been misled; it is about offering clarity and treating every reader with respect. The cross-border dimension added an important layer of insight, because disinformation rarely respects national borders. A false claim that starts in one country can quickly spread to another, adapting its language and tone along the way. By cooperating across the region, BENEDMO’s partners were able to spot these patterns and respond more quickly and accurately. The conclusion of this campaign is not the end of the story, of course. It is a foundation. The relationships built between fact-checkers, the methodologies tested, and the lessons learned will all feed into future work, ensuring that the network remains one step ahead of those who seek to spread hatred and falsehood.
Alongside fact-checking, BENEDMO continued to invest in media literacy, with a special focus on the people who are often left out of digital education. This quarter saw the development of new inclusive media literacy tools and resources designed for vulnerable adults. The phrase “vulnerable adults” covers a wide range of experiences: people who are not comfortable using the internet, older adults who did not grow up with social media, individuals with low literacy levels, people living in social isolation, or those who simply do not have the time or confidence to question what they see online. For many of these individuals, the digital world can feel overwhelming. There are too many voices, too many images, too many half-truths, and too few clear signs that tell you what to believe. Disinformation is not always easy to spot, and the skills that come naturally to younger or more privileged users are not universally shared. The new tools aim to change this by offering clear, practical, and patient guidance that meets people where they are. Instead of assuming prior knowledge, these resources explain how information travels online, how to recognize common manipulative techniques, and how to seek out trustworthy sources. They are designed to be accessible, both in language and in format, so that learning does not become another barrier. What makes this work so meaningful is the mindset behind it. Media literacy is not about telling people what to think, but about empowering them to think for themselves. The goal is to help individuals feel more confident and less vulnerable when they encounter a suspicious headline, a viral video, or a message from an unknown person. By focusing on adults who are often overlooked, BENEDMO is reminding us that media literacy is a lifelong skill. It is also a basic right in a democratic society, because without the ability to make sense of information, citizens cannot fully participate in public life. These resources are not just pieces of content; they are tools of resilience, carefully shaped by people who understand that information is power and that everyone deserves a fair chance to access that power.
Another important pillar of BENEDMO’s work in the third quarter of 2026 was the series of journalism workshops devoted to data evaluation and storytelling. Journalism has always been about asking questions, but in the digital age, the questions have become more complex. Journalists are now expected to work with enormous datasets, to interpret statistics, to see through manipulated charts, and to tell stories that are both accurate and engaging. The workshops organized by BENEDMO were designed to help journalists strengthen these skills in a hands-on, supportive environment. Participants learned how to evaluate the quality of data before using it, how to spot misleading numbers, and how to turn raw information into narratives that resonate with ordinary readers. This is work that requires patience and humility. It is easy to be seduced by a neat-looking statistic, but the most important lesson in data journalism is that every number has a context. The workshops encouraged journalists to slow down, to question their own assumptions, and to consider what the data does not say, as much as what it does. Storytelling, meanwhile, is the bridge between facts and meaning. A well-researched piece of journalism only makes an impact if it is presented in a way that people can understand and relate to. The workshops explored different techniques for making complex information feel human and accessible, without losing rigour. They also looked at the ethical side of data journalism: how to protect privacy, how to avoid bias, and how to be transparent about sources and methods. In this way, BENEDMO is investing not only in individual journalists, but in the health of the entire information ecosystem. Stronger, more confident journalists produce better journalism, and better journalism gives citizens the reliable foundation they need to make informed decisions. These workshops also created a sense of community. Journalists from different outlets and backgrounds came together, shared their challenges, and learned from one another. That collaborative spirit is one of the network’s greatest strengths, and it is exactly the kind of culture that disinformation struggles to penetrate.
Another vital part of the third quarter was the network’s contribution to research and policy, where BENEDMO helped translate complex regulatory and technological developments into clear, applicable knowledge. Among the most timely contributions was a study on the Digital Services Act, the landmark European regulation designed to make online platforms more accountable for the content they host. For most people, the DSA can feel abstract, a distant Brussels directive with little connection to daily life. But BENEDMO’s research brought it closer to home, explaining how the act affects the way platforms moderate content, how it protects users’ rights, and what its limitations still are. In a period of rapid change, this kind of explanatory work is essential. Similarly, an explainer on the EU AI Act helped readers understand the new rules governing artificial intelligence, a technology that is increasingly used to create and spread disinformation, sometimes in ways that are difficult to detect. The explainer did not simply list a set of rules; it connected the dots between regulation and the everyday experience of scrolling through social media, receiving a recommendation, or encountering a deepfake. Alongside these pieces, BENEDMO published a new white paper on generative AI, a growing area of concern and opportunity. Generative tools can be used to produce enormous volumes of fake content in a matter of seconds, and the white paper offered a thoughtful analysis of the risks and the possible responses, from technical detection methods to regulatory safeguards and educational efforts. Perhaps the most academically notable achievement of the quarter was the publication of a study in Digital Journalism, a leading international journal. This peer-reviewed work adds a rigorous layer of evidence to the conversation, demonstrating that BENEDMO is not only active in the field, but also committed to advancing knowledge in collaboration with the broader scholarly community. In all of these efforts, a common thread emerges: policy and research are not separate from fact-checking and media literacy. They are part of the same mission. By studying how disinformation spreads, how platforms behave, and how laws shape the digital environment, BENEDMO helps ensure that practical interventions are grounded in evidence rather than guesswork.
Finally, the third quarter was marked by the 3rd Participant Council meeting, an event that may not have the same public visibility as a fact-checking campaign or a research publication, but which is absolutely central to the way BENEDMO works. The Participant Council brings together representatives from the many organizations that make up the network: fact-checking initiatives, academic institutions, journalism schools, media literacy organizations, and civil society groups. It is a time to reflect, to share experiences, and to make sure that everyone is moving in the same direction. This year’s meeting produced a number of takeaways, but perhaps the most important was the recognition that collaboration is not always easy, and that different organizations sometimes have different priorities. The willingness to listen, to adjust, and to find common ground is what keeps the network strong. The meeting also served as a reminder that the fight against disinformation is a long-term commitment. There are no quick victories, only steady progress built on relationships and trust. Looking ahead, BENEDMO has a full calendar of upcoming events and projects, many of which are detailed in the factsheet. There are more workshops planned, more cross-border campaigns in development, and more research on the horizon. The organization is also preparing to respond to the next wave of challenges, from AI-generated content to the growing polarization of public discourse. But for now, the third quarter of 2026 stands as a testament to what a dedicated group of people can achieve when they work together. Every fact-check, every workshop, every study, every conversation at the Participant Council is a small step toward a more informed society. And in a world where information is both a weapon and a tool for change, that work matters more than ever. For those who want to explore all of these projects, research, and events in detail, the full factsheet is available online, and it is well worth the read.