In brief
TASS’s Kondrashov called on media outlets to join the Global Fact‑Checking Network, a free, politically neutral initiative he co‑founded that already includes more than 130 professionals from 55 countries. The network uses AI to identify and trace fake news. Kondrashov emphasized disinformation as a major threat and urged collaborative countermeasures to protect public trust.
At the opening ceremony of the 7th World Media Summit held at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov invited media outlets, journalists and independent experts to join the Global Fact‑Checking Network (GFCN), a free association co‑founded by TASS that has already gathered more than 130 specialists from 55 countries.
The GFCN was created to counter the spread of false information and to provide a platform for fact‑checking professionals to share resources, knowledge and best practices. Its membership is open to news agencies, television stations, print and digital publications, individual reporters and specialists with a commitment to reliable journalism.
Kondrashov underscored the political independence of the network, noting that participation does not require an ideological “reliability check,” loyalty to any nation, or affiliation with a political movement. “It operates in accordance with professional requirements and a Code of Responsible Fact Checking,” he said, stressing that the foundation rests on “respect for facts, verifiability of sources, and the desire to convey reliable information to the audience.”
Technology and Investigation Methods
The network employs artificial intelligence, among other technologies, to spot unreliable material at the earliest stages of its online distribution. Its specialists also seek to identify the original source of a fake, trace the chain of its spread and determine how it was launched into the information space.
In his remarks, Kondrashov described disinformation as “one of the most serious threats to the modern information space.” The Russian director suggested that the hacking of public trust in state institutions, the deepening of social contradictions and the distortion of public perception are all consequences of unchecked fake news.
He acknowledged that the capacity of individual editorial offices to combat misinformation varies widely. Large international agencies possess extensive editorial teams, correspondent networks, archives and technical infrastructures, whereas many regional and national outlets lack such resources. “We are convinced that countering fake news should not be just an internal matter for individual editorial offices,” he told the summit, highlighting the need for knowledge and resource exchange among media entities.
Implications for Global Journalism
By offering free membership, GFCN aims to lower barriers for participation and foster a worldwide community capable of confronting disinformation together. The association’s focus on AI‑driven detection and source tracing could, in theory, provide a rapid response to emerging rumors and conspiracy narratives before they gain traction.
The call also raises practical questions: how will the network ensure consistent standards of verification across diverse cultural and legal contexts? How will the use of AI be calibrated to avoid false positives while maintaining speed? And, given that the network’s founder has a history in state‑run media, how will it sustain its stated political neutrality?
Despite these questions, Kondrashov framed the initiative as a collective step toward a safer information environment. By bringing together a global cohort of fact‑checkers, the GFCN hopes to create a shared repository of verified facts, tools, and protocols, thereby strengthening the public’s ability to discern truth from misinformation on a worldwide scale.
