Imagine a world where truth is under constant attack. Where stories, carefully crafted to mislead, spread like wildfire, blurring the lines between reality and fabrication. This isn’t science fiction; it’s the daily reality faced by countless individuals and societies across the globe. But there’s a beacon of hope, a collective of dedicated individuals and organizations fighting valiantly to reclaim the narrative: the world of fact-checking. And at the heart of this global movement is the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at Poynter, an organization tirelessly working to empower those who stand for truth. Their annual GlobalFact conference is more than just a gathering; it’s a vital convergence of minds, strategies, and unwavering commitment to illuminating the shadows of misinformation. This year, held in the historic and resilient city of Vilnius, Lithuania, from June 17-19, it promises to be an extraordinary event, especially with the inclusion of the International Investigative Journalism Festival. It’s a powerful statement, merging the rigorous pursuit of truth with the crucial task of verifying it, recognizing that both are indispensable in a world awash with digital noise. This combined effort is supported by crucial partners like the Lithuanian National Radio and Television (LRT), the Lithuanian Journalism Center, Delfi, and the European Fact-Checking Standards Network, all united in their mission to uphold journalistic integrity and foster an informed citizenry.
Leading this charge, among other brilliant minds, is Nina Jankowicz, an author and counter-disinformation expert whose insights are as sharp as they are necessary. Time magazine, recognizing her profound impact, recently named her one of the 100 most influential people in artificial intelligence – a testament to her understanding of how technology both shapes and distorts our information landscape. Her work isn’t just theoretical; it’s a practical guide for navigating the treacherous waters of the digital age, as exemplified by her insightful books “How to Lose the Information War” and “How to be a Woman Online.” But Nina is more than just a writer; she’s a builder. As the co-founder and CEO of the American Sunlight Project, she’s actively creating resources and strategies to ensure that when it truly matters, citizens can access dependable information. Her presence at GlobalFact isn’t just about delivering a keynote; it’s about sharing her profound expertise and galvanizing the community to confront the escalating challenges of disinformation with courage and intellect.
Joining Nina is another force to be reckoned with: Jane Lytvynenko, an investigative journalist whose work resonates deeply with the current geopolitical climate. As an NBC News reporter, Jane’s focus on the Russia-Ukraine war isn’t merely professional; it’s profoundly personal. Born in Kyiv, Ukraine, she carries the weight and urgency of the conflict in her reporting, making her insights into information manipulation surrounding the war invaluable. Her career trayectoria, spanning esteemed organizations like the Wall Street Journal and BuzzFeed, showcases her adaptability and dedication to uncovering the truth in complex situations. What truly sets Jane apart is her commitment to empowering others. She regularly conducts intensive training sessions for journalists, equipping them with critical skills in online investigations, including Open Source Intelligence (OSINT) techniques and navigating encrypted messaging apps like Telegram. In a world where information warfare is increasingly sophisticated, Jane Lytvynenko is not just reporting on the front lines; she’s teaching others how to fight back, making her a crucial voice at this year’s conference.
The battle for truth isn’t just about identifying false narratives; it’s also about ensuring the very institutions that disseminate accurate information can survive and thrive. This is where Peter Erdelyi comes in, a beacon of wisdom in the often-turbuous waters of media finance. As the founding director of the Center for Sustainable Media in Budapest, Peter is dedicated to finding pathways for news organizations and fact-checking outlets to achieve financial stability in an increasingly challenging economic environment. His popular “Media Finance Monitor” newsletter is a must-read for anyone grappling with the complexities of audience-based revenues, grant funding, strategic planning, and commercial projects. With two decades of experience launching and running various digital outlets and serving on the executive board of the European Digital Media Observatory, Peter brings a wealth of practical knowledge to the table. His discussions at GlobalFact will undoubtedly offer crucial insights into how to build resilient news models, ensuring that the vital work of fact-checking and investigative journalism can continue, unhindered by financial precarity.
The GlobalFact 2026 agenda is a comprehensive and ambitious roadmap, reflecting the urgent and multifaceted challenges confronting fact-checkers worldwide. With over 50 sessions, the programming delves into the two-edged sword of artificial intelligence – both as a powerful ally for fact-checkers and a fertile ground for new forms of disinformation. Expect dedicated sessions unpacking AI-generated content, the emerging “answer economy,” and the intricate ways AI models process politically sensitive information. Beyond AI, the conference courageously addresses the existential threat of financial sustainability for news organizations, exploring innovative strategies for survival in an era of shrinking revenues and migrating audiences across platforms. The discussions extend to the global impact of disinformation, dissecting its manifestations in the Russia-Ukraine war, the U.S. information environment, government-sponsored information strategies in Argentina, censorship and resistance in Iran, and the pervasive health and science misinformation in a post-pandemic world. Specialized sessions will also tackle financial fraud, climate misinformation, narrative tracking, and the unique challenges of fact-checking under restricted media systems, ensuring a holistic exploration of the disinformation landscape.
But GlobalFact isn’t just about intellectual discourse; it’s about practical empowerment. The conference offers a rich array of workshops and hands-on sessions designed to equip attendees with tangible skills. Participants can expect training in crucial areas like media literacy for younger audiences – a vital inoculation against future disinformation – advanced OSINT techniques, emergency planning for crisis situations, and leveraging AI tools to build cutting-edge newsroom technology. Beyond these practical workshops, the conference introduces exciting features such as a showcase of compelling short-form video work, a presentation from the EFCSN on transforming fact-checking into sustainable information infrastructure, and an engaging IFCN town hall, fostering direct dialogue and community building. The inclusion of regional sessions, bringing together fact-checkers from Europe, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, North America, Africa, and the Middle East, underscores the global nature of this fight. The culmination of this monumental gathering will be the GlobalFact Awards ceremony, a moment to celebrate the unsung heroes and groundbreaking initiatives that are tirelessly working to build a more informed and truthful world. In essence, GlobalFact 2026 isn’t just a conference; it’s a rallying cry, a learning laboratory, and a powerful demonstration of collective commitment to safeguarding truth in our complex information ecosystem.