In brief
At the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing, TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov invited media outlets, journalists, and independent experts to join the Global Fact‑Checking Network (GFCN). The network, already active in 55 countries with over 130 experts, uses AI tools to detect and trace fake news and offers free, politically neutral membership. Kondrashov warned that disinformation threatens public trust and called for a global, collaborative effort to counter misinformation.
At the 7th World Media Summit in Beijing on November 7, 2014, TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov announced a new invitation to media outlets and experts to join a growing fact‑checking community. The event took place at the Great Hall of the People in China’s capital.
The Global Fact‑Checking Network (GFCN), co‑founded by TASS, already counts more than 130 professionals from 55 countries. The association uses artificial intelligence to spot false stories early, trace their origins, and map how they spread across social media.
Andrey Kondrashov said:
I would like to take this opportunity to invite all interested news agencies, TV channels, print and digital publications, as well as individual journalists and independent experts, to join our association.
Disinformation, the director said, is a major threat to the information space, eroding public trust, inflaming social divisions, and distorting the public’s view of events.
Kondrashov noted that large international media organisations typically have dedicated fact‑checking teams and sophisticated technical infrastructure, whereas many regional outlets cannot afford such investments. He urged that the fight against fake news should be collective, recommending the sharing of experiences, best practices, and technology between members to build a stronger global response to misinformation. He also pointed out that media capabilities vary significantly across the world.
Membership is free and does not require any political loyalty or ideological verification. The GFCN operates under a Code of Responsible Fact Checking that emphasizes verifiable sources and factual reporting, fostering global credibility and standards.
