Debunk.org - Bias and Credibility - Media Bias/Fact Check

LEAST BIASED

These sources have minimal bias and use very few loaded words (wording that attempts to influence an audience by appeals to emotion or stereotypes). The reporting is factual and usually sourced. These are the most credible media sources. See all Least Biased Sources.

Overall, we rate Debunk.org as Least Biased due to its international, nonpartisan focus on combating disinformation and misinformation across a wide array of topics. It earns a High factual rating based on its transparent funding, rigorous fact-checking methodology, and credible sourcing. While partially government-funded, Debunk.org has shown no evidence of bias or political influence in its editorial content.

Detailed Report

Bias Rating: LEAST BIASED (-0.5)
Factual Reporting: HIGH (1.0)
Country: Lithuania
MBFC’s Country Freedom Rating: MOSTLY FREE
Media Type: Organization/Foundation
Traffic/Popularity: Minimal Traffic
MBFC Credibility Rating: HIGH CREDIBILITY

History

Debunk.org is an independent, non-governmental organization and technology think tank based in Vilnius, Lithuania. The organization was founded in 2018 by Viktoras Daukšas and has expanded its operations to cover the Baltic states, Poland, Georgia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, and the United States. Debunk.org focuses on disinformation research, public education, and media literacy training. More information about its mission and team is available on the About page, Methodology page, and Team section.

Read our profile on the Lithuanian government and media.

Funded by / Ownership

Debunk.org is transparent about its funding. According to its Donate page, the organization receives financial support from multiple sources, including:

Delfi, the largest news organization in the Baltics
A €315,000 grant from the Google Digital News Initiative
Research and project grants from government and institutional partners, such as the German Federal Government, German Marshall Fund, United Kingdom Foreign Office, and the Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Defense

While government-backed funding may present potential for perceived bias, Debunk.org maintains transparency about its donors and has not shown evidence of editorial influence.

Analysis / Bias

Debunk.org specializes in identifying, analyzing, and debunking false claims, disinformation campaigns, and manipulative narratives. Its fact-checking methodology combines AI-based monitoring tools with expert human review, as outlined on its methodology page. The organization publishes detailed reports such as “False narratives about COVID-19 portray vaccines as ineffective, useless, or developed too fast”, where they cite reliable scientific sources and present data-driven rebuttals.

Other analysis includes educational articles like “Disinformation vs. Misinformation”, which explains key distinctions in deceptive content, and “AI-powered propaganda operation: Overload (Part 2)”, which investigates how AI is used in modern influence campaigns. Their work is typically well-sourced and avoids sensationalism, focusing on public education and resilience-building against false information.

Debunk.org does not exhibit partisan bias, and its work is supported by international institutions that value media integrity and democracy. Its European foundation and transparency protocols set it apart from more politically aligned U.S.-based fact-checkers.

Failed Fact Checks

None in the Last 5 years. They are fact-checkers.

Overall, we rate Debunk.org as Least Biased due to its international, nonpartisan focus on combating disinformation and misinformation across a wide array of topics. It earns a High factual rating based on its transparent funding, rigorous fact-checking methodology, and credible sourcing. While partially government-funded, Debunk.org has shown no evidence of bias or political influence in its editorial content. (D. Van Zandt 03/30/2025)

Source: https://www.debunk.org/

Last Updated on March 29, 2025 by Media Bias Fact Check