The other day, I encountered the “International Fact-Checking Network” (sounds “fishy”, doesn’t it??), which told me I was about to view “false information”… Let’s look at who funds it

I had an adventure a few days ago. The “item” which brought this up was this FaceBook video that I found somewhere. So I clicked it, but before I could view it, I was confronted with this IMAGE…

“False Information… Checked by independent fact checkers”

Then I clicked the “See why” button, then the “Learn more” link, and was led to a page that said this at the top:

“How is Facebook addressing false news through third-party fact-checkers?
“We’re committed to fighting the spread of false news on Facebook. We use both technology and human review to remove fake accounts, promote news literacy and disrupt the financial incentives of spammers. In certain countries, we also work with third-party fact-checkers who are certified through the non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network to help identify and review false news.”

But it perked my interest in “International Fact-Checking Network“.

So I did a search with Swiss Cows. Found this Poynter.org link.

About the International Fact-Checking Network”>About the International Fact-Checking Network

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) is a forum for fact-checkers worldwide hosted by the Poynter Institute for Media Studies. These organizations fact-check statements by public figures, major institutions and other widely circulated claims of interest to society.

It launched in September 2015, in recognition of the fact that a booming crop of fact-checking initiatives could benefit from an organization that promotes best practices and exchanges in this field.

Among other things, the IFCN:

• Monitors trends and formats in fact-checking worldwide, publishing regular articles on the dedicated Poynter.org channel.
• Provides training resources for fact-checkers.
• Supports collaborative efforts in international fact-checking, including fellowships.
• Convenes a yearly conference (Global Fact).
• Is the home of the fact-checkers’ code of principles.

The IFCN is led by Alexios Mantzarlis, who joined Poynter after co-founding and editing Pagella Politica, an Italian political fact-checking website.

[NOW THE IMPORTANT PART]…

Poynter’s IFCN has received funding from the Arthur M. Blank Family Foundation, the Duke Reporters’ Lab, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Google, the National Endowment for Democracy, the Omidyar Network, the Open Society Foundations [aka, Soros] and the Park Foundation.

So look who’s funding these “independent fact checkers” (among others):

• Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
• Google
• Open Society Foundations

With these foundations / people funding the IFCN, you know all the news that is “important and truthful” will be put out (yeah, right).

Anyway somewhere along my own timeline, I found it often helps to find out the funding sources. In this case, it paid off.

Just felt this was worth passing along.

Aloha, Kp