The international fact-checking association Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) and the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA) have signed a memorandum of understanding and cooperation. The signing took place on the sidelines of the media forum “OANA: 65 Years of Experience,” dedicated to the organization’s 65th anniversary.
The document was signed by GFCN President Vladimir Tabak and OANA President, TASS Director General Andrey Kondrashov. According to the press release, the agreement is aimed at creating a global trust infrastructure, developing common approaches to countering disinformation, advancing professional fact-checking, and introducing data verification technologies.
“An important task and mission that GFCN sets for itself is strengthening expertise within the journalistic community. This is necessary, among other things, so that media outlets increase their authority with users in recognizing fake information. I am confident that together with our partners from OANA we will be able to cover this great path,” Tabak emphasized.
According to him, GFCN already cooperates with more than 130 experts from 55 countries; more than ten of them represent states of the Asia-Pacific region. Systematic work with OANA agencies, as expected, will make it possible to expand this experience and scale up joint initiatives to counter unreliable information.
The practical implementation of the memorandum is due to begin on September 22 within the framework of the international forum “Dialogue on Fakes 4.0.” GFCN and OANA will hold a dedicated session, where they plan to agree on formats of cooperation, discuss joint projects to create reliable content, and educational programs for specialists and audiences in the countries of the Asia-Pacific region.
OANA was created in 1961 on the initiative of UNESCO. The organization brings together more than 40 state news agencies from 33 countries of the Asia-Pacific region. In 2025–2028, the chairmanship of OANA is held by TASS.
GFCN was founded by TASS, the ANO “Dialogue Regions,” and the “Workshop of New Media.” The association states that it is open to cooperation with media holdings, independent specialists, bloggers, and other participants in the information sphere.
