The Spanish news agency EFE has reached a major milestone in the ongoing fight against misinformation, receiving the prestigious Global Fact-Checking Award on June 19th. This recognition, presented by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) during a global summit in Lithuania, marks a significant moment for the IBERIFIER network, of which EFE Verifica is a proud and active member. By securing the win in the “Creative Format” category, the agency has proven that the fight against digital falsehoods doesn’t have to be a dry, academic exercise. Instead, it can be a deeply humanizing endeavor that cuts through the noise of the internet to highlight the genuine, often painful, consequences of unchecked lies.
At the heart of this success is the agency’s standout multimedia project, Fake News, Real Victims (Noticias falsas, víctimas reales). While many fact-checking initiatives focus primarily on debunking viral memes or political rhetoric, this project intentionally pivots to the human element. It reminds us that behind every manipulated image or inflammatory false story, there is a person—or a community—whose life has been permanently altered. By shifting the focus from the “what” to the “who,” EFE has successfully bridged the gap between complex digital phenomena and the everyday reality of its audience, making the dangers of disinformation feel immediate and personal.
The project is a masterclass in modern storytelling, utilizing multimedia tools to bring the personal testimonies of victims into sharp relief. In an era where disinformation is often treated as an intellectual puzzle or a data-driven battle, Fake News, Real Victims serves as a sobering reminder that digital deception has tangible, real-world stakes. Whether it involves lives ruined by fraudulent medical advice or reputations shattered by targeted harassment, the project illustrates how disinformation serves as a catalyst for social instability and personal anguish. This emotional depth is precisely what won over the international jury, who sought to highlight projects that prove fact-checking can be both innovative and deeply empathetic.
Sergio Hernandez, the Head of EFE Verifica, accepted the award in Lithuania on behalf of his dedicated team. His leadership has been instrumental in positioning the agency as a central pillar of the IBERIFIER hub, which is one of fifteen regional components of the European Digital Media Observatory (EDMO). The recognition is not merely a badge of honor for EFE, but a testament to the collaborative spirit of the broader IBERIFIER network. It confirms that when fact-checkers combine data-driven rigor with creative communication strategies, they are far more likely to penetrate the polarized “bubbles” that often protect disinformation from being challenged.
The value of this award lies in how it challenges the journalism community to think outside the box. For years, fact-checkers have struggled to find ways to make their findings “go viral” in a way that truly matters, often finding themselves outpaced by the very clickbait they are trying to debunk. By winning in the “Creative Format” category, EFE has set a new benchmark, demonstrating that engagement is not just about catchy headlines, but about building trust through storytelling. When readers see their own struggles or the struggles of their neighbors reflected in the news, they are far more likely to stop, think, and verify before they share content that could potentially harm others.
Ultimately, the triumph of Fake News, Real Victims is a victory for the integrity of public information everywhere. It highlights a critical shift in the fact-checking landscape: acknowledging that while technology is the tool used to spread disinformation, it is people who must act as the line of defense. As the IBERIFIER hub continues to support these kinds of high-impact initiatives, the goal remains clear—to empower individuals with the truth while never losing sight of the humanity that hangs in the balance. This award serves as a powerful reminder that if we want to save the truth, we must continue to show, in vivid and moving detail, why it matters so much to our lives.