TIRANA, ALBANIA     The newly established Albanian fact-checking service, “Faktoje”, was formally launched in Tirana last week. As a tool of responsible journalism, Faktoje will increase accountability of politicians and public officials by fact-checking their statements and declarations. The program was developed by two Albanian organizations, Gender Alliance for Development Centre (GADC) and National Centre for Social Studies (NCSS), and supported technically by the USAID-funded Justice for All project. USAID/Albania Country Representative Catherine Johnson spoke at the event.

In March 2016, USAID began its five-year Justice for All project, which is designed to strengthen the effectiveness and transparency of Albania’s justice sector. USAID works with civil society and investigative journalists to respond to citizen demands for fair and equal application of the law. Through responsible journalism, Faktoje will help increase citizens’ trust in the judiciary and the Government of Albania more broadly.