The Poynter Institutethe International Fact-Checking Network and MediaWisewith support from Google News Initiativewill launch a comprehensive program to strengthen fact-checking and media literacy across Canada. Divided into three programs, two of the three initiatives will work directly to promote fact-checking within Canada while the third will reach the public through a continuation of the Teen Fact-Checking Network. These efforts are aimed at supporting and developing fact-checking organizations across the country with the goal of allaying widespread concerns about disinformation, as identified in a survey conducted by Survey series about people and their societies.

“We are excited to strengthen the training and development of more fact-checkers in Canada, using our experience advocating for fact-checking around the world,” said IFCN Director Angie Drobnic Holan. “We believe fact-checking is a critical part of improving information privacy and public dialogue everywhere.”

Using Poynter’s trusted resources, the program will start with a foundation self-directed course in fact-checking. After this, eight virtual workshops will provide hands-on training in key areas such as verification tools, media literacy, collaboration, audience engagement and financial sustainability. The first webinar starts on November 27, with registration now open.

In addition to workshops, IFCN will mentor three to five Canadian fact-checking initiatives through a six-month development track, helping them create sustainable, long-term strategies for their operations. These selected organizations will be eligible to receive funding to support organizational growth and capacity building goals. To be considered for the mentorship, organizations must complete the self-directed course, attend each workshop and submit an application. They must also be Canadian-based and fact-check errors and misinformation in the Canadian ecosystem.

“Google is committed to supporting a thriving and diverse news ecosystem and giving people the tools to navigate today’s complex information environment,” said Suzanne Perron, News Partnerships Manager at Google Canada. “We are proud to partner with the Poynter Institute’s International Fact-Checking Network and MediaWise to empower fact-checkers across Canada and to equip the next generation of news consumers with essential media skills.”

Surpassing two million video views in its first year, the Canadian Teen Fact-Checking Network will be renewed for another year. Built on MediaWise’s Teen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN), the Canadian newsroom will continue through an expanded partnership with MediaSmartsCanada’s Center for Digital Media Literacy. Built on a peer-to-peer learning model, TFCN gives teens the opportunity to fact-check claims they come across and teach their peers how they fact-checked it with skills their peers can learn. Topics can range from serious to funny to ridiculous, but basically these are statements found by teens for teens. Some statements the first group reported on included whether maple syrup supplies were running low, whether it’s illegal to paint your garage door purple, and whether caffeine causes women to lose hair.

“We are excited to continue the fact-checking network of teenagers in Canada, in partnership with MediaSmarts,” said Brittani Kollar, Deputy Director of MediaWise. “We are in a time where the need for media knowledge and the ability to identify factual information online is crucial. Through these peer-to-peer learning videos, teens will learn skills that will empower them to consume information responsibly.”

TFCN recognizes the importance of early media literacy education and engages young people to critically evaluate online information and become informed digital citizens. The program publishes videos in English and French. TFCN applications open in late November. Please check MediaSmart’s TFCN website for more information.

The launch of this initiative will help Canadians navigate disinformation with stronger fact-checking and media literacy, and build a more informed and resilient public.

About the Poynter Institute
The Poynter Institute is a global nonprofit organization that works to address society’s most pressing issues by educating journalists and journalism, covering the media and the complexities facing the industry, convening and building community-building, improving the capacity and sustainability of news organizations, and promoting trust and reliability for information. The Institute is a gold standard for journalistic excellence and dedicated to the preservation and promotion of press freedom in democracies worldwide. Through Poynter, journalists, newsrooms, businesses, large tech companies and citizens come together to find solutions that promote trust and transparency in news and create meaningful public discourse. The world’s top journalists and emerging media leaders rely on the institute to learn new skills, adopt best practices, better serve audiences, scale operations and improve the quality of the universally shared information ecosystem.

The Craig Newmark Center for Ethics and Leadership, the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN), MediaWise, and PolitiFact are all members of the Poynter organization.

Support for Poynter and our entities upholds the integrity of the free press and America’s First Amendment and builds public trust in journalism and the media—a necessity for healthy democracies. Read more at poynter.org.

About MediaWise
MediaWise is a social first digital media literacy initiative from the nonprofit Poynter Institute. The program teaches people of all ages and backgrounds how to responsibly engage with online content in an age of information overload. MediaWise was created in 2018 to empower citizens to find trusted sources and make sense of the vast amount of information at their fingertips. MediaWise brings simple but effective digital media literacy tools to people where they are – whether they’re on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, X, TikTok or in one of the 10 countries where MediaWise operates – and walk you through each step to determine what what is real and what is not on the internet. Through MediaWise, everyone can do their part to reduce the spread of misinformation and highlight the facts.

Follow MediaWise on social media to learn how to debunk viral claims and become more critical consumers of online information. Explore programs and become part of the solution poynter.org/mediawise.

About the Google News Initiative
Working with editors and journalists around the world, the Google News Initiative (GNI) aims to foster a more sustainable, diverse and innovative news landscape. Through a comprehensive suite of programs, digital tools, training and resources, GNI empowers journalistic efforts, enabling journalists to effectively discover, verify and tell compelling stories while maintaining the highest standards of quality journalism.