# Contestable Multi-Agent Debate with Arena-based Argumentative Computation for Multimedia Verification

arXiv: https://arxiv.org/abs/2605.14495 · HTML: https://mlsanity.com/paper/2605.14495/

## Key facts

- Cited by 2 papers in the map (data through 14 Oct 2026).
- Placed in Social simulation and multi-agent debate, one of 16 directions in LLM agents and tool use.
- Builds on 8 of its 26 references that are in the map.
- First posted on arXiv 14 May 2026.

## Placed in

- LLM agents and tool use / [Social simulation and multi-agent debate](https://mlsanity.com/agents/social-simulation-and-multi-agent-debate/)

## Builds on (most cited first, 8 of 8)

- [FaceForensics++: Learning to Detect Manipulated Facial Images](https://mlsanity.com/paper/1901.08971/) (2019)
- [DeepFakes and Beyond: A Survey of Face Manipulation and Fake Detection](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2001.00179/) (2020)
- [Argumentative Large Language Models for Explainable and Contestable Claim Verification](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2405.02079/) (2024)
- [ArgRAG: Explainable Retrieval Augmented Generation using Quantitative Bipolar Argumentation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2508.20131/) (2025)
- [Motion2Meaning: A Clinician-Centered Framework for Contestable LLM in Parkinson's Disease Gait Interpretation](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2512.08934/) (2025)
- [Multimedia Verification Through Multi-Agent Deep Research Multimodal Large Language Models](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2507.04410/) (2025)
- [Adaptive Collaboration of Arena-Based Argumentative LLMs for Explainable and Contestable Legal Reasoning](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2602.18916/) (2026)
- [Detecting Out-of-Context Image-Caption Pairs in News: A Counter-Intuitive Method](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2308.16611/) (2023)

## Built on by (most cited first, 2 of 2)

- [Adaptive Arena-based Contestable Argumentative Network-of-Experts for Open-Ended Care Plan Coordination](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2608.05391/) (2026)
- [Self-Evolving Multimedia Verification through Memory Consolidation of Contestation Experiences](https://mlsanity.com/paper/2609.27175/) (2026)

## Abstract (arXiv)

Multimedia verification requires not only accurate conclusions but also transparent and contestable reasoning. We propose a contestable multi-agent framework that integrates multimodal large language models, external verification tools, and arena-based quantitative bipolar argumentation (A-QBAF) as a submission to the ICMR 2026 Grand Challenge on Multimedia Verification. Our method decomposes each case into claim-centered sections, retrieves targeted evidence, and converts evidence into structured support and attack arguments with provenance and strength scores. These arguments are resolved through small local argument graphs with selective clash resolution and uncertainty-aware escalation. The resulting system generates section-wise verification reports that are transparent, editable, and computationally practical for real-world multimedia verification. Our implementation is public at: https://github.com/Analytics-Everywhere-Lab/MV2026_the_liems.