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Jan Jagers
cofounder and managing director at deCheckers
Jan Jagers is the Managing Director of deCheckers, a Flemish platform that aggregates fact-checks from various sources to combat misinformation.1 With a background in journalism and fact-checking, Jagers has extensive experience in the field of information verification and media literacy.
Professional Background
Jagers has held several key positions throughout his career:
- Managing Director at deCheckers2
- Lecturer at Vrije Universiteit Brussel2
- Freelance journalist at Roularta Media Group2
- Lead fact-checker at Knack magazine4
Role at deCheckers
As the Managing Director of deCheckers, Jagers leads the organization in its mission to:
- Provide a centralized platform for high-quality fact-checks in Flanders1
- Collaborate with professional fact-checkers from various newsrooms1
- Investigate and implement AI technologies to assist in fact-checking processes1
- Promote values such as openness, impartiality, helpfulness, and respect1
Collaborations and Partnerships
Under Jagers' leadership, deCheckers has expanded its network of partnerships:
- Collaborating with French-speaking colleagues in Belgium1
- Working with fact-checking organizations across Europe through the European Standards Fact-Checking Network (EFCSN)1
- Engaging with the International Fact-Checking Standards Network (IFCN) globally1
- Recently partnering with RTBF (Faky) to publish their fact-checks on the deCheckers platform3
Personal Interests
Jagers describes himself as a father of three mischievous children and an Elvis Presley enthusiast.4
Highlights
On the invitation of the Flemish embassy in Poland, I had the honor of sharing my thoughts during the Economic Forum in Karpacz, often dubbed the "Davos of Eastern Europe."
Virtual Front: Is the Fight against Disinformation as Important as Military Clashes? To that title of the panel, I was asked to provide a Flemish and Belgian perspective.
I addressed three key points:
1️⃣ Is the fight against disinformation as crucial as military conflicts? My answer is a wholehearted yes. Sitting next to Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi (CEO of OpenMinds in Ucraine), I have made this point with caution, as I felt the privilege of not being directly involved in a war which calls for humility and support.
2️⃣ Imagine the role of firefighters. Of course, we need well-equipped fire squads to tackle immediate fires—just like armies handle military threats. But that’s only addressing the short-term crisis. To prepare for future challenges, we must maintain equipment, recruit and train new firefighters, and innovate technologically while collaborating with other sectors and government bodies. Similarly, if we fail to invest in combatting disinformation—through fact-checking, promoting media literacy, and adapting to the ever-evolving role of AI—we will be unprepared for the next disruptive crisis, like another COVID-19. In times of relative stability, we must strategize and invest to ensure resilience in the face of future challenges.
3️⃣ Moving beyond analysis. Let’s move beyond the questions of what disinformation is, how it works, and how it impacts us all. Let’s focus on what we can do. Mobilise, and gather the support and public and private money needed to make real progress. Together, through collective and aligned efforts, we can build a better tomorrow. A future that is grounded in truth, and stronger because of it.
A heartfelt thank you to the organizers, particularly Tijs Verstraete (photo) for the invitation, together with Kris Put for their hospitality and thought-provoking discussions. My gratitude also extends to our moderator Nikola Bochyńska and my fellow panelists including French Senator Olivier Cadic, who has been targeted by Chinese hackers just like what happened to Els Van Hoof in Belgium.
As I return home now, a special shoutout to old and newly met colleagues like Karolina Zawitaj, Sviatoslav Hnizdovskyi, Marcel Kiełtyka and Małgorzata Kilian-Grzegorczyk from Demagog, Maia Mazurkiewicz, who aired the first episode of her tv-show on disinformation in Poland Wednesday night, and Guillaume Kuster, for his wise perspectives and envigorating energy.
Karpacz reminds me yet again how crucial it is to seek outside insights to strengthen the work we do at deCheckers, helping ensure that public discourse is fueled by facts, not fiction.
Ons land is niet groot?
Groot genoeg om weer inspirerende en geïnteresseerde nieuwe mensen te leren kennen die er een betere plek van willen maken.
Vorige week waren we met deCheckers op uitnodiging van United Nations en de federale overheid te gast in Brussel om te spreken en luisteren op dit event: https://lnkd.in/e_i6qu5P
Veel dank voor de invite Marian Blondeel 🙏
Yves Stevens Tijl De Bie Sherri Aldis Geoffroy Patriarche Victor Wiard Damien Scholle Eric Goubin Judith Koza Klimentini Diakomanoli Rayan Temara Elke Van den Bosch Steven G. Caroline Joris
credits video: Jet van Duinhoven
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Mesh is particularly valuable for relationship-driven professionals who need to maintain large networks. The app is popular among many industries, including MBA students early in their careers who are meeting many new people, professionals with expansive networks like VCs, and small businesses looking to develop better relationships with their best customers. Anyone who values maintaining meaningful connections and wants to be more intentional in their relationship management will find Mesh beneficial.
Mesh offers competitive pricing in the personal CRM market. Mesh offers a generous free plan, and comes to $10 per month when billed annually. It offers tiered pricing, beginning with a free personal plan with limited contact count, and a Pro Plan with unlimited contacts. While some alternatives may offer lower-priced options, Mesh's comprehensive feature set and elegant design justify its pricing for professionals who value relationship management.
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