In response to the spread of misinformation following Category 5 Hurricane Melissa, the UNESCO Office for the Caribbean, in partnership with the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, the Caribbean School of Media and Communication (CARIMAC) at The University of the West Indies, and the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, launched Truth Yard on 10 November 2025. The innovative rapid-response fact-checking platform was established to combat the circulation of unverified content, AI-generated misinformation, fake donation campaigns, and misleading reports that have threatened public safety, trust, and mental well-being during the disaster.
Truth Yard is designed to provide verified, accurate, and timely information to the media, authorities, and the public in the aftermath of national emergencies such as hurricanes. By bringing together regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and international organizations, the platform promotes collaboration, responsible communication, and information integrity in crisis response.
Operating from Kingston, Jamaica, the Truth Yard team will continuously monitor television, radio, social media, and online content to identify and assess potential misinformation. Reports will be verified through coordination with experts, national authorities, and emergency services before being disseminated to journalists and broadcasters to help counter false claims and provide the public with reliable updates.
UNESCO plans to expand Truth Yard across the Caribbean, creating a regional fact-checking network to enhance media resilience in other Small Island Developing States (SIDS). The Organization will document lessons learned, operational challenges, and best practices to guide similar initiatives globally.
Speaking at the launch, Eric Falt, UNESCO Regional Director for the Caribbean, emphasized the importance of helping the public access reliable information amid the growing influence of misinformation. Cordel Green, Executive Director of the Broadcasting Commission of Jamaica, described Truth Yard as a reflection of Jamaica’s commitment to truth-based freedom of expression, especially vital in recovery periods. Dr. Patrick Prendergast, Director of CARIMAC, highlighted the opportunity for students to apply their training in data verification for public good, while Everton Hannam, Secretary-General of the Jamaica National Commission for UNESCO, reaffirmed the Commission’s support for the initiative’s mission to ensure accurate and transparent communication during disasters.
