Information security

Who checks the fact-checkers? Facebook leaves verification to groups funded by Soros, US Congress

In its crusade against 'fake news', Facebook has vowed to fight for impartiality. However, when it comes to fact-checking, it seems to rely on sources, which have links to the US government, and renowned political meddlers.


For more than two years, the social media giant has been seeking to convince the public that it does its best to take a stand against malicious disinformation spread through its network and presented a whole bunch of instruments aimed at revealing and countering false narratives.

It appears, though, that Facebook heavily relies on decisions taken by some third-parties in its 'anti-disinformation' policy.

Submissions from the so-called fact-checkers – alongside some feedback from users – seem to be the primary source on which Facebook relies when saying a post is 'false'.

One-fits-all solution?

Facebook proudly boasted that all the "partners" it cooperates with were "certified" through what it calls "the non-partisan International Fact-Checking Network" or IFCN.

However, the social network's choice of people to trust with the power to decide what is true or false does raise questions. This seemingly impressive "international network" Facebook mentions is a project run by Florida-based private school of journalism – the Poynter Institute for Media Studies.