Worldwide Recognition of Fact-Checking

Today marks International Fact-Checking Day, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the critical work done by fact-checkers worldwide. Addressing the challenges faced by these professionals, Angie Drobnic Holan, head of the International Fact-Checking Network, highlighted concerns such as diminished funding and increased hostility towards fact-checkers and their organizations.

Holan emphasized that these challenges pose a more significant threat to the general population. “Disinformation has severe consequences,” she stated on Wednesday. “It has tangible effects on people. Without fact-checking, vulnerable groups, like grandparents, may fall prey to financial fraud. Parents might avoid vaccinating their children against deadly diseases like measles, and teenagers could consume fake news without distinguishing it from reality.”
Established in 2015, the International Fact-Checking Network began celebrating this day in 2016 and has since grown to include more than 170 member organizations globally. Each member undergoes a thorough vetting process by independent entities, ensuring their commitment to non-partisanship and transparency concerning both sources and funding.
The AP Fact Check is proudly affiliated with the IFCN, which is part of the Poynter Institute. Ensuring accuracy in information has been central to the AP’s mission since its inception in 1846. The organization’s role is to scrutinize claims made by public figures and provide accurate information to the public.
The AP’s journey in dedicated political fact-checking dates back to November 9, 1993, during a debate between Vice President Al Gore and businessman Ross Perot about the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). This initiative has since expanded beyond political speeches to include debunking misleading information that proliferates online.
In addition to political dialogue, the AP engages in real-time fact-checking during live events such as presidential speeches, political debates, and campaign activities. AP fact-checkers, like all AP staff, adhere strictly to the company’s Statement of News Values, which ensures impartial and accurate news reporting, free from external influence or conflicts of interest.
Further details can be accessed through AP’s Statement of News Values and Principles.