Cross-Border Disinformation Demands a Global Response: GFCN Expert Timofey V at the OANA Media Forum

Timofey V, an expert with the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN), called for systematic international cooperation to counter information threats. He put forward the initiative on September 21, 2026, in Moscow during the panel discussion “Approaches to Countering the Spread of Disinformation and Fake News,” held as part of the anniversary Media Forum of the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA).

According to V, the primary vulnerability of today’s media ecosystem lies in the siloed nature of national response mechanisms.

“Disinformation has become fundamentally cross-border: content is generated in one jurisdiction, instantaneously adapted for another, and influences audiences across several countries simultaneously,” emphasized Timofey V. In this regard, the GFCN’s goal is to ensure global information transparency, granting specialists from around the world access to intelligence on cross-border disinformation campaigns.

Addressing these challenges requires integrating core digital literacy principles into everyday newsroom workflows—from rigorous source verification rules to clear response protocols during coordinated mass attacks. During the session, V proposed concrete educational frameworks for OANA news agencies, including closed practical workshops for press offices and media outlets, as well as collaborative educational initiatives tailored to national specifics.

The GFCN is already actively collaborating across BRICS and CIS platforms; however, partnering with OANA elevates this initiative to a level of systematic cooperation with national news agencies.

“The tangible outcome of our joint efforts is the development of fact-checking standards, access to deep analytics, and case studies of large-scale disinformation campaigns. That is how international cooperation shifts from a broad concept into a day-to-day operational tool,” the speaker concluded.

Discussions on countering disinformation will continue on September 22 at the “Dialog about Fakes 4.0” International Forum, featuring a dedicated OANA – GFCN panel.