(UNDP) invested in the platform and concluded a partnership with it on the Healthy Internet Project” (interview, July 2021). The platform does not have a particular work methodology, code of principles, or correction policy, but La’abi confirmed that “the team works within an internal charter that guides the work.” In addition to mentioning obstacles such as poor funding, a lack of skills, and difficulties in accessing information, La’abi highlighted that the platform aspires to reach a larger audience and circulate corrected news pieces in order to raise awareness among the public. AKHBAR METER Akhbar Meter has been evaluating Egyptian media content since 2014. Up to 2018, the site did not receive any funding and was operating with the help of volunteers. Once the site started to receive funding, it developed its methodology and enhanced the standard of its evaluation of Egyptian media. It has also promoted media literacy and focused on providing workshops. Akhbar Meter is made up of a small team of no more than seven people. Every year, the platform selects the ten most popular Egyptian news sites and then evaluates them periodically according to a specific methodology based on a mathematical equation. It assesses the quality of the content by answering nineteen questions, after which it ranks the sites from best to worst on a weekly, monthly, and annual basis. The platform continuously strives to develop its work. The project manager, Dina Ibrahim, explained that the platform faces the challenge of a lack of funding, like all other platforms. Other challenges include difficulties in accessing information and a lack of competency and expertise. Naturally, the platform tries as far as possible “to stay away from problematic issues and to preserve the safety of the team members” in light of the restrictions on freedom of opinion, expression, and the press in Egypt (interview, July 2021). Ibrahim stressed that there is a large number of platforms working in the field of fact checking in the Arab world. In her opinion, the main problem is that “the interaction with these platforms is not great. If there were innovative ways to urge people to interact with them, this would lead to great success.” SAHEEH MASR This platform was established in 2019 by a group of Egyptian journalists who work confidentially to protect their identities due to restrictions on the freedom of opinion, expression, and the press in Egypt. The Saheeh Masr platform is one of very few platforms in the region that focuses on fact checking statements made by officials, politicians, and decision makers. The platform developed quickly: It started by correcting statements made by officials, public figures, and media professionals and moved on to publishing reports on issues relevant to public opinion and on misinformation Table 8: Overview of the operations of Akhbar Meter AKHBAR METER Country Egypt Established 2014 Website https://akhbarmeter.org/ Reach Local Languages Arabic and English Purpose Akhbar Meter is a digital media observatory that evaluates the content of Egyptian media websites based on their credibility and commitment to professional and ethical standards. Methodology Akhbar Meter evaluates content and news pieces on the basis of nineteen questions related to the criteria of professionalism, credibility, and respect for human rights. After evaluation, each piece of content receives a score, between 0% and 100%, to indicate its compliance with professional and ethical standards. Nature of work Fact checking, evaluation of media content, promotion of media literacy, and workshops Social media presence (as of January 2022) Facebook: close to 100,000 followers (https://www.facebook.com/akhbarmeter) Twitter: more than 1,140 followers (https://twitter.com/akhbarmeter) Instagram: more than 3,400 followers (https://www.instagram.com/akhbarmeter/) I N FO R M ATI O N D I SO R D ER IN THE GLOBA L SOUTH Middle East and North Africa – 39