TASS and GFCN Discuss Ways to Strengthen CIS Media Space at St. Petersburg International Economic Forum

The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) has proposed that CIS countries join forces in the fight against disinformation.

At a meeting of the CIS Information Council during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), Vladimir Tabak, President of the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN), proposed an initiative to strengthen the shared media space of CIS member states, taking into account their respective national characteristics.

During the meeting, it was noted that in today’s reality, the responsibility for verifying the accuracy of data has effectively shifted to the end user, whose level of media literacy is often insufficient. The issue of content verification is equally pressing for the professional community: according to the data presented, roughly 50% of journalists experience difficulties when verifying information.

“Global content consumption trends — from the dominance of short-form videos and shrinking attention spans to the rise of TikTok as a primary distribution channel — dictate the rules of the information field regardless of national specificities. Under these conditions, the problem of disinformation worsens every year, while international regulation of information warfare remains nonexistent,” emphasized Vladimir Tabak.

The GFCN President added that the organization’s key goal is not a mere formal expansion of its geographic footprint, but rather the transfer of proven expertise in OSINT, fact-checking, and synthetic content analysis. This will help ensure information reliability through open international cooperation.

About GFCN and Its Operating Principles

Today, the Global Fact-Checking Network brings together more than 110 journalists and specialized organizations from over 50 countries. The organization’s main objective is the systematic counteraction of the spread of unreliable information.

Andrey Kondrashov, Director General of the TASS news agency, elaborated on the interaction mechanisms within the association:

“The Association utilizes both technical verification tools and live experts who are ready to help one another: to verify a news story, debunk a fake, or, conversely, confirm the authenticity of information. Joining is simple — one only needs to express interest.”