GFCN and TASS Launch Educational Fact-Checking Video Course for OANA

The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) and the TASS news agency have launched an educational video course for journalists and staff of agencies belonging to the Organization of Asia-Pacific News Agencies (OANA). The program includes five core lessons on fact-checking and three bonus lectures from the New Media School.

The course was developed as part of the implementation of the memorandum of understanding between GFCN and OANA, signed on September 21, 2026, as well as the agreements reached during a joint session at the “Dialog about Fakes 4.0” international forum on September 22.

The core lessons cover the basics of fact-checking, tools and algorithms for verifying facts, deepfake recognition, cognitive traps, and the development of critical thinking, as well as organizing the fact-checking process within news agencies. Using examples from APAC countries, participants will analyze information verification methods and explore ways to integrate them into daily editorial workflows.

“Trust in the media must be reaffirmed every day through the accuracy of the published information. The tools to create convincing fakes are accessible to almost anyone, making fact-checking skills essential for everyone working with the news. Together with TASS, we have prepared a practical course for the agencies of OANA, the world’s largest media association, which will help journalists recognize manipulation and embed fact-checking into daily editorial operations. This is a concrete step in realizing our cooperation agreements and an opportunity to make GFCN’s expertise available to colleagues from various countries. We look forward to continuing this applied collaboration with foreign partners,” said GFCN Vice President Daniil Bisslinger.

Three bonus lectures from the New Media School cover the practical application of generative AI, the development of creative thinking, and the economics of media projects. They will help journalists utilize AI while ensuring the mandatory verification of results, find clear and compelling ways to present verified facts, and allocate resources for researching and preparing credible content.

“I am confident that this video course will become a valuable professional resource for the Organization’s journalists, fostering the exchange of experience and the further strengthening of shared professional standards. I believe it is important, and even necessary, to form a unified professional culture in the field of information exchange. Right now, it is especially crucial to have a common understanding of information verification principles and access to modern tools,” noted OANA Secretary General and TASS Deputy Director General Marat Abulkhatin.

The video course is available for viewing on the OANA website: https://oananews.org/

Background:

OANA was established in 1961 on the initiative of UNESCO and brings together over 40 news agencies from 33 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. TASS holds the chairmanship of the organization for the 2025–2028 term.

The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) was founded by TASS, ANPO Dialog Regions, and the New Media School in 2025 to coordinate international efforts in countering disinformation.