In an age of fake news, the fact-checking of claims and the veracity images is becoming a vital part of impartial reporting. People place their trust on information sources that they consider accurate.
In May 2023, BBC will launch its Verify service. More than 60 journalists regularly fact-check, verify videos and counter disinformation. They also analyse data, explain complex stories , and combat disinformation.
In June 2025 the BBC launched Verify Live a blog which informs viewers in real-time what claims are under investigation and how these are being verified.
Since its launch, the Cardiff School of Journalism, Media and Culture, Cardiff University, has been tracking BBC Verify. We have tracked BBC Verify Live’s first month from June 3 to 27 this year. This includes all 244 blog entries, as well as hundreds of claims made and the sources used.
We found that this service puts a lot of emphasis on foreign affairs. We believe that the service could (and should be) used more to fact-check UK politics. This would enhance the BBC’s journalism’s neutrality and serve the domestic audience.
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According to our analysis, 71% of BBC Verify Live’s coverage was international. The focus of the coverage was largely on verifying conflicts and humanitarian crises around the world, including the Middle East, Ukraine and the recent plane crash that occurred in India.
The large number of international stories that were reported in the first month after the launch of BBC Verify Live could be the reason for this. The emphasis on foreign news is also evident in the analysis we did of the BBC Verify main service for the past 18 months. We tracked how often the BBC News at Ten used the fact-checking service and found that it was more prevalent in foreign affairs coverage.
BBC Verify used to scrutinise and challenge policies on migration and the economy during the general election campaign. BBC Verify also covers recent political developments such as the budget or announcements about government policy.
Its mission is to “analyse satellite images, investigate AI generated content, factcheck and verify videos as soon as news breaks”. BBC Verify uses geolocation and satellite mapping data to verify images and social media posts.
Verify’s resources and expertise could be used more frequently to fact-check false or misleading statements in domestic political issues. It could help build audience trust in a time where the BBC’s neutrality is frequently questioned.
In our past research, we found that media users wanted journalists to be more bold and transparent in assessing the credibility competing claims of politicians. BBC Verify can be used to accomplish this.
Verify, launched in 2010, is a trusted source of fact-checking for UK media by The Reuters Institute at the University of Oxford and Ofcom.
BBC Verify proved that it could effectively use its expertise and resources to challenge domestic political claims. This included the Spending Review as well as party manifestos in advance of the general election 2024. BBC Verify has previously been able to challenge an inaccurate Conservative Party claim that a future Labour Government would raise taxes during the election campaigns.
Real-time claim analysis
BBC Verify Live uses a variety approaches for its analysis of claims in real time. We assessed all blog posts throughout June 2025. Of the 22% that were deemed inaccurate, 23% were deemed accurate and 13% were partially upheld.
10% of the claims were not verified when the blog was published (but could have been confirmed or challenged later), while 12% received additional context. A fifth of the claims made were not subjected to any kind of clear assessment about their accuracy.
BBC Verify Live used the UK and official foreign governments or their military or agencies as the primary sources of corroborating information to factcheck or investigate claims. Over three quarters were based on these sources. Comparatively, there was a limited use of experts, academics, think tanks, nongovernmental organizations, and policy institutes.
Over one-tenth of all claims were given additional context (as opposed verifying or disputing a claim). It was mostly the case with blogs that discussed domestic affairs or rival political claims.
Verify’s international agenda will boost the BBC’s credibility and global profile, given the recent cutbacks. BBC Verify should be more involved in domestic political reporting to increase trust and impartiality with the audience.
Stephen Cushion received funding from BBC Trust, Ofcom AHRC BA and ESRC.
Nathan Ritchie has not disclosed any relevant affiliations other than their academic appointment. He does not work, consult, own or receive funding from companies or organisations that would benefit from the article.
