Our team

The Observatory's Director has over 17 years of distinguished experience in journalism, in addition to more than seven years in media monitoring and fact-checking, equipping her with exceptional expertise in the field. She holds a master’s degree in Digital Communication Leadership from Vrije Universiteit Brussels and the University of Salzburg and is currently pursuing further studies in Data Science, driven by her passion to enhance her capabilities in service of the media industry. Among her key achievements are contributing to the development of written content evaluation and fact-checking methodologies, as well as establishing the fact-checking department. She has received international recognition, representing her team in winning second place in the Youth Innovation Challenge on Democracy and Governance in Africa, and first place in the Media Innovation Challenge for the MENA region organized by the Digital Arabia Network.

The Director oversees all observatory activities, develops strategic plans in collaboration with department heads, and selects team members. She also coordinates between teams, defines the editorial policy, and serves as the main reference in case of any editorial or evaluative disputes

Haytham has a professional career spanning over ten years, with extensive expertise in project management, consultancy, training, and research in the fields of governance, digital transformation, public sector reform, and political communication. He has played a prominent role in managing projects across the private, public, and non-profit sectors and has published valuable content on digital transformation and governance. He has also spoken at numerous international conferences, delivering lectures on public policy and digital governance.

Atef holds a PhD in Governance from the Hertie School in Berlin, a Master’s degree in Public Policy from the University of Erfurt in Germany, and another Master’s degree in Global Citizenship, Identities, and Human Rights from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom. He also holds a Bachelor's degree in Communications Engineering from Cairo University.

A certified fact-checking trainer and seasoned journalist with over 20 years of experience, he currently serves as the Head of the Fact-Checking Department at the observatory. He also collaborates independently with prominent Arab fact-checking platforms such as the Arab Fact-Checkers Network’s chatbot and the “Chayyek” initiative. His diverse experience across various Egyptian and Arab media outlets has significantly contributed to refining his journalistic and training skills. He is a registered member of the Egyptian Journalists Syndicate and previously held the position of Managing Editor at Egypt’s “Al-Shorouk” news website.

In his current role, he leads the team in investigating and verifying claims, ensuring accuracy and professionalism throughout the verification process. He oversees the development of fact sheets, explainers, and video scripts, as well as visual content addressing false news. Additionally, he manages the verification workflow, evaluates the impact of misinformation, and ensures adherence to ethical standards and transparency policies.

A journalist with a Bachelor's degree in Media from Misr University for Science and Technology, specializing in Radio and Television (Class of 2023/2024). She has three years of experience as a reporter in the News and Investigations Department at Al-Masry Al-Youm newspaper and currently works as a fact-checker at AkhbarMeter. She specializes in identifying and debunking false news and misinformation, particularly content that spreads widely on social media platforms. Through rigorous verification processes, she ensures that accurate information reaches the public.

Nada holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication from Misr University for Science and Technology. A journalist specializing in storytelling, she has experience in both print and digital media, with a focus on developing articles, investigating issues, and leveraging social media to boost engagement and respond to breaking news. With a strong background in fact-checking, she has been working as a journalist at Al-Masry Al-Youm since November 2021, covering a wide range of topics and events. Since October 2023, she has been serving as a fact-checker at AkhbarMeter, ensuring the accuracy of information and detecting misinformation.