Tahaqaq, the Palestinian Observatory for Fact-Checking and Media Literacy

Tahaqaq, the Palestinian Observatory for Fact-Checking and Media Literacy, is the first and pioneering platform in Palestine dedicated to fact-checking and fostering media literacy. Founded in 2015 by journalist and fact-checking researcher Bakr Abdelhaq, the platform aimed to combat misinformation and disinformation circulating on Palestinian social media over a span of two years.

In 2020, Tahaqaq was rebranded as "Tahaqaq-Kashif" through a collaboration with "Shahid Center for Citizen Rights and Community Development". This partnership integrated Tahaqqq into the center’s media programs until mid-2022, when both entities agreed to operate independently once more. The observatory then reverted to its original name, "Tahaqaq".

Tahaqaq is run by a team of journalists and experts specializing in fact-checking, best practices, and media literacy, alongside an Israeli affairs expert to fact-check the Hebrew content.

On October 26, 2023, Tahaqaq achieved institutional independence by securing necessary legal and financial frameworks, obtaining official licenses from the Palestinian Ministry of National Economy under Company Law No. 42 of 2021 and its amendments. It established "Deraya for Media and Digital Literacy" as a private, non-profit corporation with license number 562791186.

A cooperation agreement was signed between Deraya and Tahaqaq, designating Tahaqaq as one of Deraya’s media initiatives. The agreement guarantees Tahaqaq’s editorial independence, while committing it to implement media awareness programs, fact-checking projects, media literacy, digital rights, and combat bullying and hate speech.