How reliable are election promises? During the Factcheck Marathon 2025 at MICA, we will be scrutinizing politics for two days.
In the run-up to the Dutch parliamentary elections, MICA, together with the Leeuwarder Courant newspaper and the Organizations & Social Media Research Group at NHL Stenden University of Applied Sciences, is organizing the Factcheck Marathon on October 28 and 29, 2025. From the Media Investigation Lab (MIL) of the research group, students, supported by journalists and experts, will investigate the reliability of statements made by politicians and political parties, with a special focus on Friesland and the northern Netherlands.
Facts over fiction
During the marathon, residents can submit political statements in advance and live. These are examined using Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques. The results are immediately translated into accessible content such as podcasts, videos, infographics, and social posts. This allows us to present the facts to the public in a clear and appealing way.
What is an OSINT tool?
OSINT stands for Open Source Intelligence: information that is freely available on the internet and other public sources. OSINT tools allow you to search through this information quickly and intelligently, for example to find out where a photo was taken, whether a statement is true, or whether a profile is real. Think of image search engines, geolocation software, or specialized databases. These are tools that help journalists, researchers, and students to check facts and expose fake news.
How does it work?
- Gatekeeper: collects and filters the submitted statements and claims.
- Checkers: students and participants investigate statements using OSINT tools.
- Content creators: convert the results into creative and shareable media.
- Final editing: under the watchful eye of journalists and teachers.
Partners
The Factcheck Marathon is made possible in part by the Organizations & Social Media research group, the Thorbecke Academy, NHL Stenden, Firda, dbieb Leeuwarden, the Leeuwarder Courant newspaper, and MICA.
Would you like to submit a question?
Have you heard a claim or political statement that you question? Send it in via this link and we will see if we can do something with it: https://tally.so/r/nrZkrN
Want to participate or learn more? Send an email to info@mica.nu or keep an eye on MICA's channels for updates.
