RMIT University has quietly discontinued its third-party fact-checking operation, RMIT Lookout, following scrutiny over its politically biased work and a dramatic policy shift from major funder Meta.
Source: SkyNews Australia
The RMIT's troubled involvement in the fact-checking business has come to a permanent end.
Nearly all fact-checks commissioned by the university were aimed at conservatives and it was revealed that multiple ‘fact checkers’ were campaigning publicly in favour of social issues they sought to preside over, including the Voice to Parliament referendum.
An RMIT spokesperson confirmed the permanent closure of its fact-checking unit conceding the university has decided to focus on ‘core activities’ of research and education.
“As a result, RMIT’s fact-checking partnership with Meta concluded at the end of its term on 31 January 2025.”
While RMIT had not published a “debunk” since 2023, the university had recently invested in a botched rebrand of the unit RMIT FactLab unit to RMIT Lookout.
While the RMIT has vowed to focus its attention on education moving forward, it claims that it will continue to focus on ‘media literacy and capability’ through media and communications offerings.
“The university remains committed to upholding the integrity of public information and will continue to help build media literacy and capability through a range of learning, teaching and research activities.”
“This includes our current media and communication education offerings, ARC-funded research and other learning and teaching initiatives designed to help slow the spread of misinformation and disinformation.”
Source: SkyNews Australia