Russia Launches ‘Global Fact-Checking Network,’ Raising Concerns of Disinformation
In a move that has drawn criticism from established fact-checking organizations, Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs unveiled the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) in early April 2025. Presented as an international alliance of fact-checkers and media outlets, the initiative aims to counter what Russian officials describe as a "relentless stream of fake stories and disinformation campaigns" originating from the West. However, concerns have been raised about the GFCN’s Kremlin-aligned backers, opaque operations, and overtly one-sided narratives, casting doubt on its legitimacy and raising fears of a sophisticated disinformation campaign disguised as objective fact-checking.
The GFCN’s co-founders are TASS, Russia’s state-run news agency, and ANO Dialog, an organization known for its close ties to the Kremlin. Both entities have faced scrutiny and sanctions in the past. TASS was suspended by the European Alliance of News Agencies in 2022 due to concerns regarding its editorial independence, while ANO Dialog has been sanctioned by both the European Union and the United States for spreading disinformation and operating pro-Kremlin websites. This association with organizations actively involved in disseminating propaganda has raised significant red flags within the international fact-checking community.
Independent fact-checking adheres to strict principles of transparency, verifiable sourcing, and open methodologies. Organizations like the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) require fact-checks to cite public data and provide transparent methods for replication. However, a review of several GFCN articles reveals consistent problems with sourcing and methodology. One article misrepresented data from the 2024 Eurobarometer regarding Romanian public opinion on EU policies related to Ukraine. Another article made misleading claims about the Soros family’s alleged involvement in anti-Trump protests, relying on tenuous connections and ignoring the broader context of the events.
Furthermore, a GFCN article purporting to investigate the susceptibility of ChatGPT to Russian propaganda failed to address the core issue and instead focused on defending TASS against criticism from a Norwegian media outlet. The article largely ignored existing research on Russian attempts to manipulate generative AI platforms, further highlighting the GFCN’s apparent disregard for genuine fact-checking principles. This pattern of biased reporting and selective information reinforces concerns that the GFCN is not a legitimate fact-checking organization but rather a platform for promoting pro-Kremlin narratives.
Adding to the skepticism surrounding the GFCN are the backgrounds of some of its contributors. One contributor, Sonja van den Ende, a Dutch journalist residing in Russia, has been described as a conspiracy theorist by some Dutch media outlets. Other contributors, like Tim Anderson, director of the Centre for Counter Hegemonic Studies, have promoted false narratives about the war in Ukraine, including denying the targeting of civilian infrastructure and dismissing the Bucha massacre as a "scam." These associations further undermine the GFCN’s credibility and reinforce concerns about its potential to spread disinformation.
Critics argue that the GFCN’s name, strikingly similar to the IFCN (International Fact-Checking Network), is a deliberate attempt to mimic and confuse. This tactic, often employed by the Russian state, involves imitating legitimate institutions to blur the lines between journalism and propaganda. The IFCN, a respected consortium of independent fact-checkers worldwide, has distanced itself from the GFCN, stating that its activities do not fall within the professional fact-checking ecosystem. Experts in digital media and disinformation have characterized the GFCN as a classic case of political appropriation, where credible terms like "fact-checking" are co-opted and stripped of their meaning. This tactic serves to muddy the waters and undermine trust in legitimate fact-checking organizations, making it more difficult for the public to distinguish between credible information and disinformation. The GFCN’s activities underscore the ongoing challenge of combating disinformation in the digital age, as state-sponsored actors increasingly adopt sophisticated tactics to manipulate public opinion and erode trust in established institutions. The international community must remain vigilant in identifying and exposing such efforts to ensure the integrity of information and protect against the spread of propaganda.
