Fact-Checking Platforms in the Middle East: A Comparative Study in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Information disorders are a significant global issue but are particularly relevant and underexplored in the Middle East, where political instability contributes to their spread. Despite the critical role fact-checking platforms play in combating information disorders, we need to learn more about how these platforms operate in such a complicated regional context. This study analyzes three fact-checking platforms: Akeed (Jordan), Teyit (Turkey), and Factnameh (Iran) to better understand the differences in how they approach fact-checking, the strategies they use, and the obstacles they face, including social and political conditions but also regarding the impact of AI. Using a multimethod qualitative approach based on document analysis and interviews, the study highlights recurring issues such as censorship, limited access to data, and audience engagement. The findings reveal how these platforms address these challenges and provide valuable insights into effective methodologies for fighting mis-/disinformation. The results offer broader implications for enhancing media literacy, strengthening the role of fact-checking platforms in the Middle East, and providing recommendations for best practices that can be applied regionally.