The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter launched in 2015 to bring together a growing community of fact-checkers around the world and to advocate for factual information in the global fight against misinformation. We enable fact-checkers through networking, capacity building, and collaboration.
The Code of Principles of the International Fact-Checking Network is a series of commitments organizations abide by to promote excellence in fact-checking. We believe nonpartisan and transparent fact-checking is a powerful instrument of accountable journalism. Fact-checkers sign on to the IFCN's Code of Principles and go through a verification process to prove they meet universal standards of transparency, independence and methodology.
Attaining the status of a Verified Signatory to IFCN's Code of Principles grants access to certain privileges.
Every year, the IFCN hosts GlobalFact, the world's largest and most impactful annual summit for professional fact-checking. Fact-checkers and supporters of fact-checking come together to discuss industry-wide challenges, exchange best practices and build collaborative solutions to improve our shared information ecosystem. The conference provides both business networking opportunities and training and support for fact-checking journalists to improve their craft. The IFCN provides need-based travel assistance to fact-checkers to attend the conference.
The rest of the year, the IFCN hosts monthly virtual meetings for signatories; talks and webinars about pressing issues in information integrity; and a range of electronic communication channels (more details below) for constant communication.
The IFCN works alongside various partners to identify, fund, and launch innovative grant programs that address the global threat of misinformation. With support from partner organizations, the IFCN awards grants and fellowships to fact-checkers to protect the health and vitality of communities worldwide through fact-based information.
For the latest grant opportunities, please visit ourGrants page
The IFCN connects fact-checkers to online and in-person training programs to help them navigate today's complex media landscape by leveraging the expertise of its team, Poynter faculty, signatories, and global partners. Past training sessions have included fact-checking basics; advanced analytics and monitoring of specific programs; building financial sustainability, and more
For more information, please visit the Training Programs page.
The IFCN newsletter Factually helps fact-checkers, educators, journalists, and citizens find the truth, with features on the latest resources, stories and training opportunities to navigate misinformation. The newsletter includes links to stories about the latest developments in fact-checking to identify and forecast industry trends, surface common positions of fact-checkers worldwide, and monitor global policy-making about fact-checking. Subscribe to get Factually in your inbox.
The IFCN Slack Workspace is a great way to connect and communicate with the fact-checking community regarding various topics. There are dedicated topic channels where fact-checkers around the world reach out for information, share research regarding mis- and disinformation and announce important developments in the field.
The Verified Signatories listserv is dedicated exclusively to signatories of the IFCN Code of Principles. This listserv is for signatories to communicate with each other, as well as receive important information and updates from the IFCN.
The Fact-Checking Community listserv is open to the entirety of the larger fact-checking community, not just the verified signatories to the IFCN Code of Principles. This Listserv is for the community to communicate with each other and receive important information and updates from the IFCN.
In our daily efforts to combat mis/disinformation, fact-checkers heavily rely on search and analytics tools to be able to do their work. Verified Signatories receive access to IFCN's Tools Bank discounts, so that fact-checkers can subscribe to leading commercial services at reduced rates.
Along with access to a proprietary IFCN Signatory badge, signatory organizations will have a profile page dedicated to them on the list of active IFCN Signatories.
Several technology platforms such as Meta, Google and TikTok have opted to make IFCN signatory status a condition of being a part of some fact-checking programs and policies. Typically, being a signatory is a necessary but not sufficient condition to have access to such programs. The IFCN does not negotiate on behalf of these relationships but instead acts as a verification authority for the fact-checking organizations that achieve signatory status. From time to time, the IFCN advocates for the overall interests of the fact-checking community, or facilitates communication between platforms and all signatories or the broader fact-checking community. It's important to note that relationships between individual fact-checking organizations and platforms remain on a one-to-one basis without IFCN intervention.