European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN)

European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) is heading to #Vilnius🇱🇹  We are co-organizing #GlobalFact2026 with International Fact-Checking Network, Delfi.lt, and LRT, the annual fact-checking summit taking place June 17-19 alongside the International Investigative Journalism Festival. This year's keynote speakers are Nina Jankowicz, Jane Lytvynenko and Peter Erdelyi , bringing together expertise in #disinformation, #investigativejournalism and #media #sustainability. We will also be presenting on how fact-checking can become sustainable information infrastructure. More on the programme and speakers 👉 https://lnkd.in/eXqNRhc6 https://lnkd.in/evM_NY-S

If you are working on a project related to disinformation, this is a great opportunity to showcase it on a global stage. Submit your initiative on #ClimateChange and Disinformation or #Health and Disinformation by May 2 (11:59 PM UTC-3). Selected projects will be featured as part of the official program of the VI Global Summit on #Disinformation. Apply here: https://lnkd.in/ev7fb2sF

The Lakmusz team’s investigation into the Hungarian election is a necessary reality check for the #cybersecurity and policy communities. Despite the omnipresence of AI and targeted narratives, this outcome proves there are clear limits to digital manipulation. As the team at Lakmusz noted: "The most important lesson for policymakers from Orbán’s defeat is that they should not treat disinformation as a political sleight of hand which... will invariably sway voters in the intended direction. Counter-disinformation work should be supported continually, not to prevent certain election outcomes but to give voters the chance to make an informed choice, whatever that might be." Moving past the "hybrid warfare" rhetoric allows us to focus on what actually matters: building the long-term infrastructure for information integrity. Exceptional work by the Szilárd Teczár and Zsófia Fülöp. Highly recommended for anyone tracking the Russian interference, AI, and political ads: https://lnkd.in/eZMNi8H5

Great seeing VRT NWS focus so intensely on countering disinformation and working towards information integrity. Kudos to Luc van Bakel and his team! We are proud to count them as one of our members in the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN). It goes to show that a broad range of organisations works together in our community. From personal experience I know that independent PSMs are good for a healthy information ecosystem. If you work at a PSM and are interested in the EFCSN, don't hesitate to reach out!

🚀3 𝐆𝐫𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐎𝐩𝐩𝐨𝐫𝐭𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐋𝐈𝐕𝐄! Independent fact-checking is the cornerstone of a resilient democracy. Today, the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) is proud to announce four new grant opportunities to empower fact-checkers across the continent: 1. Content Grants: These grants support the production of high-quality fact-checking across various EU languages and regions to ensure comprehensive information coverage. 🎦 Q&A Webinar: 22 April, 11:00 CET ☞ How to apply: https://lnkd.in/eqvCmbQS 2. Innovation Grants: This funding is dedicated to the development of new tools, technologies, and methodologies necessary to stay ahead of evolving disinformation tactics. 🎦 Q&A Webinar: 23 April, 11:00 CET ☞ How to apply: https://lnkd.in/eH79QHWT ⚠️ Eligibility Note: Organizations may apply to ONLY ONE of the two calls above (Content or Innovation). These two specific calls are intended for single applicants only. 3. Expansion Grants: Designed to help organizations grow their reach and scale operations, this call specifically fosters cross-border collaboration. Unlike the calls above, consortia of organizations are eligible to apply. 🎦 Q&A Webinar: 21 April, 11:00 CET ☞ How to apply: https://lnkd.in/eVUR4nzF 📅 Application Deadline: 8 May 2026 | 23:59 CET 🛡️ These grants are part of the "Fact-Checkers for European Resilience Against Disinformation (FACTEUR) project: https://lnkd.in/eU3nsP8K If you are an independent fact-checking organisation or working in the space of information integrity, this opportunity may be for you! #EFCSN #FactChecking #Disinformation #EuropeanResilience #JournalismGrants #InformationIntegrity #EUDigitalStrategy

With the Hungarian elections just 4 days away, for those monitoring the final days of the campaign, Eliza Gkritsi at POLITICO just published a piece on how AI-generated deepfakes are testing the limits of EU regulations. https://lnkd.in/gj265x4V At Lakmusz, they have been publishing weekly digest of the digital trends shaping the campaign period. By tracking the statistical patterns and digital infrastructure involved, they’ve provided a clear view of how specific narratives are built and spread. Their latest investigation uncovers a coordinated attempt to link opposition figures to the #Epstein case, illustrating the tactics used to influence public perception. #Hungary #HungaryElection2026 #ElectionWatch #HungaryElection

Today, 𝟮 𝗔𝗽𝗿𝗶𝗹, we celebrate 𝗜𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗿𝗻𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗙𝗮𝗰𝘁-𝗖𝗵𝗲𝗰𝗸𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗗𝗮𝘆—this is a day to recognise the vital work of fact-checkers in ensuring access to accurate, high-quality information. By investigating widely circulated claims and adding context to public discourse, fact-checkers empower the public with verifiable facts, strengthening democracy and countering misinformation. This work is a cornerstone of freedom of expression; after all, democratic discourse can only thrive when it starts from an evidence-based foundation. This year marks a significant shift in the movement for information integrity. Even within a "hostile environment" shaped by changing platform policies and online harassment, a unified front has emerged to recognize that a fact-based environment is a strategic priority—as essential to a functioning democracy as the air we breathe. Fact-checking organizations across Europe remain committed to transparency, independence, and journalistic integrity. Today, we celebrate the resilience of those who defend the facts. Their work ensures that even in times of crisis, our democracy remains grounded in verified evidence and reliable context. #Factchecking #InternationalFactCheckingDay #InformationIntegrity

Fact checking keeps changing as the world around us changes. I strongly think the data we produce is more valuable than ever and can help increase audience trust in other web scale products and services. I appreciated the chance to talk about this at the Trust & Safety Forum and wider Forum INCYBER (FIC) this week, on behalf of the European Fact-Checking Standards Network (EFCSN) alongside Anthony LEVEL and John Salomon If you would like to understand more about our work and the data products we are building, please get in touch.

"Meta confirmed to the Board that there are 'no strikes for posting content that receives a community note' and that 'the distribution or monetization of such content is not affected.' Even published notes have no effect on reach or engagement, making them inherently weaker than traditional fact-checking labels." — Tech Policy Press Great to see this deep dive from Ramsha Jahangir on the #Meta Oversight Board’s latest findings.

"Community Notes and fact checking are not mutually exclusive," Oversight Board member Paolo Carozza tells Engadget. "One doesn't have to replace or substitute for the other, they can coexist. " Many thanks to Karissa for this insightful piece on the Oversight Board’s latest policy advisory opinion. #FactChecking #communitynotes #factchecking #Meta #InformationIntegrity #DSA #Freedomofexpression