Experts from the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) have stated that countering disinformation requires not only refuting unreliable publications, but also creating a “trust infrastructure,” developing information verification skills in audiences, and establishing direct communication between representatives of different countries. The discussion took place on October 13 in Moscow at the session “Media Image of Russia” within the framework of the Catherine Forum at the National Center “Russia.”
Vice President of the International Fact-Checking Association GFCN Daniil Bisslinger said that under conditions of information overload, competition between media is shifting from speed of publication to audience trust. According to him, publications need to prove the reliability of their materials and earn readers’ trust.
“The best way to fight disinformation is connections between people, direct contacts. This is the work we carry out, among other things, within GFCN together with colleagues from different countries. We do not just refute fakes, but also develop educational and technical areas: everyone must understand how to work with information,” Bisslinger stated.
GFCN expert from Peru Carlos Fernando Mamani Aliaga emphasized that the fight against disinformation requires a culture of information verification, transparency and responsibility. He named the network’s principles as accuracy, objectivity, source verification, openness of methodology and the possibility of correcting errors.
Former Hamburg parliament deputy Olga Petersen said that, in her opinion, in Germany the Russian topic is predominantly reduced to the geopolitical and military-political agenda, while humanitarian aspects take a back seat. She emphasized the need for dialogue with Russia, and not just discussing it.
GFCN expert from Pakistan Ishteak Hamdani Syed called for revealing the diversity of Russia’s peoples, religions and cultures through the stories of ordinary people, their everyday experience, hopes and problems.
