The International Fact-checking Network(IFCN) has announced the launch of the maiden Legal Support Fund to make financial support available to fact-checking organisations that are faced with threats of harassment, intimidation, and litigation.
The fund was announced at the recently concluded Global Fact 9.
The fund is a product of Meta’s renewed support and Google News Initiative’s year-long partnership with the International Fact-Checking Network.
This year’s Global Fact 9 conference has a gathering of fact-checkers from over 85 different countries around the world at the Oslo Metropolitan University in Oslo, Norway.
Key among issues discussed are the challenges faced by fact-checkers in their respective regions of the world and the increasing level of hostility towards their work.
These challenges are mission critical for fact-checking organizations and for the practice of accountability journalism at large. The fund is, therefore, positioned to shield fact-checkers from these hostilities.
The discussion, which was part of the ninth annual GlobalFact hosted by IFCN, was moderated by IFCN director Baybars Örsek and featured a panel of representatives from Meta.
“Fact-checkers around the world are experiencing harassment and online abuse in different forms and capacities. We are excited to offer a sense of support to organizations facing those challenges on the ground and working toward finding sustainable solutions to navigate increasing attacks on journalism and fact-checking with significant support from Meta and Google News Initiative,” Mr. Örsek said.
He added, “We’re thrilled to partner with IFCN on this crucial initiative to protect fact-checkers from harassment and provide the financial support they need to address the unique challenges they face,” said Karishma Shah, News Integrity Program Manager at Meta. “The Legal Support Fund is a critical part of our ongoing effort to support fact-checkers and connect them with resources to mitigate the risks they face as they work to debunk viral misinformation.”
The sum of 40,000 US dollars have been made available for each eligible applicant and the fund is directed towards empowering fact-checking organizations to hire a media defense lawyer. The role of the attorney hired will be to provide legal representation in matters of disputes associated with fact-checking or reporting cases of defamation, copyright infringement, fair use and licensing.
The Head of Google News Lab at Google News Initiative Matt Cooke revealed that “It is proving more important than ever for people to access accurate information, and sort facts from fiction in their everyday lives. As part of our ongoing support at the Google News Initiative, we’re hoping this partnership with the IFCN will scale their efforts to a worldwide audience.”
The funds from Legal Support Fund will be administered by the IFCN and all intending applicants must be signatories to the IFCN’s Code of Principles. While fact-checking organizations are expected to apply to stand the chance of securing the grant, a committee comprising regional and global organizations with legal, journalism, and freedom of press domain expertise will lead the process of selecting grantees. The Committee members will carefully review each application for risks that can cause imprisonment, bankruptcy, and closure.
Applications for the Legal Support Fund will open next month. For more information, visit poynter.org/ifcn.
