The Premiere Episode of the GFCN Podcast: Deepfakes, BRICS, and the New Reality of Fact-Checking

Fabricating reality no longer requires a Hollywood budget. Today, a single deepfake can destroy a reputation overnight. Tellingly, the first to come under fire are the very people who have spent decades exposing fake news. All this and more take center stage in the new episode of the GFCN Podcast.

The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) is launching a new podcast series featuring fact-checking experts, analysts, and journalists from around the globe. In this inaugural episode, GFCN experts Pepe Escobar and Christopher Helali break down how and why several prominent debunkers were simultaneously targeted by AI-generated fakes and deplatforming campaigns — and explore who might be orchestrating these coordinated attacks.

The episode also examines how BRICS nations can establish information sovereignty in the post-truth era, alongside a look at how different countries are approaching AI development. Special attention is given to the role the GFCN can play as a unifying force in shaping a multipolar approach to fact-checking. Finally, the experts offer strategies to protect against manipulation in the daily news cycle — navigating a landscape where not even video or audio can guarantee authenticity.

Watch the full episode here