FactCheckNI

📣News From FactCheckNI📣 We’re thrilled to announce the launch of FactCheckNI’s first-ever billboards,now at locations throughout NI. You’ll be able spot our billboards across the region. From Belfast to L/Derry; Newry to Lisburn; and Fivemiletown

Read more 🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/healt…

🔺Health in NI: Are deaths due to alcohol at the highest levels on record? Some recent figures on alcohol-related harm in Northern Ireland are worth understanding 📊 397 alcohol-specific deaths were recorded in 2024; the highest on record, and 80% higher than a decade ago. The impact isn’t evenly felt, with deaths almost four times higher in the most deprived areas. There is evidence that policy can make a difference. #PublicHealth #NorthernIreland #HealthInequality #AlcoholAwareness

🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/relig…

Is blasphemy still against the law in Northern Ireland? Technically yes, but it’s complicated. Our latest fact check explains what the law says and whether it’s ever been used. 🔎 Read more 👇

🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/expla…

Behind every statistic on Violence Against Women and Girls is a real person - but if the data’s unclear, how can we fight it? Our article explores the serious gaps in how NI’s justice system records and understands VAWG.

We break down:
🔺What the new guidance says
🔺When police may take action
🔺Who is responsible for removing flags
🔺How the law applies This explainer aims to provide clear, factual context before misunderstandings take hold. Read the article:
factcheckni.org/articles/flags… #Prebunk #FactChecking #NorthernIreland #PSNI

🚩 Prebunk / Explainer: PSNI guidance on harmful flags Public discussions about flags in Northern Ireland can quickly become confusing and misinformation can spread easily. Our latest prebunk explainer looks at the PSNI’s new instruction on removing harmful flags and clarifies what it actually means in practice. 👇

🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/econo…

The claim that regional inequality has doubled in Northern Ireland is not accurate. 📈Stats show Belfast’s output per person grew faster than average but that’s not a full measure of regional inequality. Read why here 👇

🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/ni-tr…

Will new EU customs fees apply to parcels in Northern Ireland? 📦 We found the answer is more complicated than some claims suggest. Our latest fact check explains what’s confirmed, what won’t apply, and what’s still unclear. Read our full analysis ⬇️

🔗 Read more: factcheckni.org/articles/onlin…

AI-generated abuse is accelerating and evidence must shape our response. Our fact check examines claims raised in the NI Assembly and finds strong evidence behind a troubling trend: deepfake pornography overwhelmingly targets women. #OnlineSafety #AIpolicy #FactCheck #NorthernIreland

Read the full article 🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/socia…

A claim that 70% of independent social care employers in NI pay the Real Living Wage is not supported by the evidence. 📊 Surveys show most don’t pay it; 73% in domiciliary care and 88% in other social care report not paying the RLW. 📉 Only 54% of staff earned the RLW at the 2023 rate, and the wage has increased since then. 📍Low pay is hurting recruitment & retention in the sector.

🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/onlin…

Fact checked: Nearly all pornographic deepfakes depict women; a stark reminder that online harms disproportionately affect women and girls. Read our full article ⬇️

🔗 factcheckni.org/articles/housi…

📈 New data shows private rents in Belfast have risen by around 50% over the past 5 years - average rents jumped from £737 in 2020 to £1,121 in 2025. Read the the latest @FactCheckNI article ⬇️ #northernireland #factcheck #housing