Traditional and new media must work together to combat fake news

On December 9, the third English-language webinar in the International Fact-Checking Network’s (GFCN) series of educational online sessions took place, titled «Tools for Countering Fake News in Traditional and New Media: Their Similarities and Differences.» During the session, media representatives from across the continents shared professional insights on verifying information and ensuring public access to reliable facts.

Elizaveta Kazakova, Assistant to the General Director for International Cooperation at TASS, shared her experience combating fake news at one of Russia’s oldest news agencies and her perspective as a co-founder of the GFCN.

According to the TASS representative, the agency holds its published content to the highest standards of reliability, requiring every employee to adhere to a strict verification protocol. Elizaveta not only detailed each step of this process but also shared practical examples that TASS journalists have encountered in their work:

“As part of our collaborative work with GFCN we sometimes engage with them in our shared efforts to counter fake news. And we’re happy to invite other journalists to join GFCN, explaining how important and how really useful the instruments in this organization can be.”

Elizaveta Kazakova also highlighted the supportive role of the International Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) in countering misinformation.

GFCN expert, US journalist, and geopolitical analyst Christopher Helali examined the similarities and differences in how traditional and new media manage information. He drew on historical context and practical examples to show how fake news spreads, particularly within political narratives. Helali argued that this phenomenon stems from a media ecosystem where funding is tied to political agendas.

“Even in countries that promote the freedom of the press, it is used as a cuddle against countries in the Global South for the supposed lack of freedom of the press, freedom of speech. Throughout history the creation of yellow journalism and a strong alliance between political business and media elite have been frontend center. Media was used ad how was manipulated to be able to advance various political aims.”

In his view, this imbalance could be countered by new media and independent fact-checkers whose core mission is to disseminate verified information.

The final webinar in this series is scheduled for Friday, December 12, at 12:00 PM (UTC+3). All GFCN webinars are part of a global mission to enhance digital and media literacy worldwide.