THE director of the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), Angie Drobnic Holan, has called on fact-checkers globally to remain united, innovative, and resilient amidst growing threats to truth and accountability.
She made the call during her keynote address on June 25, 2025 at the Global Fact 12, the world’s largest fact-checking summit, currently underway in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Holan noted that the fact-checking community is facing some of its toughest challenges yet, ranging from the spread of disinformation and disruption caused by artificial intelligence, to dwindling funding and the manipulation of free speech by populist actors.
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She warned of a growing culture of division and distraction that has turned political discourse into a battleground.
“Our political life no longer feels like a conversation among friends with different opinions; it has become a contested battle between enemies seeking total victory.”
Holan cited Brazil, the United States, the Philippines, South Korea, Serbia, and Georgia as examples of countries where divisive propaganda has taken root. According to her, the global spread of disinformation shows that no nation is immune to its effects.
She raised concern over how populist leaders and governments have twisted the idea of free speech to discredit fact-checkers, labelling them as censors. This tactic, she said, has allowed tech platforms to pull back from moderating harmful content, leaving users to navigate misinformation alone.
“Such expectations are not only unrealistic but cruel; they do nothing to create an informed public capable of making sound decisions,” Holan stated.
Holan reaffirmed the IFCN’s commitment to freedom of expression, referencing the Sarajevo statement issued at the previous Global Fact summit in Sarajevo. She explained that fact-checking is not about erasing speech, but about strengthening public debate with accurate, evidence-based information.
On the rise of artificial intelligence, Holan acknowledged its usefulness but warned that the same technology could be weaponised to produce and spread falsehoods.
She called for closer collaboration between AI companies and fact-checkers, saying such partnerships must include fair compensation for the work fact-checkers do to safeguard digital spaces.
Holan also addressed the ongoing financial challenges confronting the media and fact-checking sectors. She said the collapse of traditional advertising revenue and tech platforms withdrawing from media partnerships have left many organisations under-resourced.
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While noting the recent termination of funding for fact-checking initiatives in Eastern Europe and Africa as a troubling signal, she appealed to philanthropists, institutions, and individuals to support sustainable, independent journalism and fact-checking efforts.
Acknowledging increasing public distrust in journalism and institutions, Holan said this is precisely the moment for the fact-checking community to adapt and reaffirm its role.
“The future of fact-checking rests on our ability to evolve methods while holding firm to our values. We must make the truth compelling and accessible. The work ahead will be difficult, but it is vital. And in that work, truth alone triumphs,” Holan concluded.
Seasoned fact-checker and researcher Fatimah Quadri has written numerous fact-checks, explainers, and media literacy pieces for The FactCheckHub in an effort to combat information disorder. She can be reached at sunmibola_q on X or fquadri@icirnigeria.org.
