BRICS countries support GFCN’s initiative to develop centers to combat disinformation

MOSCOW, August 21. /TASS/. The BRICS countries have endorsed a proposal by the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) to establish centers and institutions dedicated to combating misinformation, the association told TASS. According to the GFCN, its initiatives aimed at fostering international cooperation in combating misinformation were included in the statement issued following the 12th meeting of BRICS communications ministers in the Indian city of Pune. These initiatives focused on sharing the best practices and methods for verifying information, building fact-checking capacity, and developing educational programs for journalists, government officials, and other user groups. "Another proposal voiced by the GFCN concerns developing specialized centers and institutions in BRICS countries dedicated to countering disinformation. The statement reaffirms support for raising public awareness and the exchange of best practices for implementing educational programs and training sessions," the GFCN noted. The association clarified that such programs "should help users, including journalists and government officials, acquire the knowledge and skills necessary for critical evaluation of information, as well as increase society’s resilience to the negative impact of false reports." In addition, the final statement included provisions proposed by the association on the fight against fake and misleading information. At the GFCN's initiative, the document emphasized the need to strengthen international cooperation in this area, including the exchange of experience and verification methods, as well as building fact-checking capacity. "Collaboration in this area must take into account the cultural and national contexts of the BRICS countries," the association noted. The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) unites experts and fact-checking organizations worldwide. Established in 2025 by the TASS news agency, the autonomous nonprofit organization "Dialogue Regions," and the New Media Workshop, the association was formed to combat disinformation. Currently, the GFCN collaborates with more than 95 foreign reporters, investigators, and organizations from 47 countries in the field of fact-checking.