The Poynter Institute, the International Fact-Checking Network and MediaWise, with support from Google News Initiative, will 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 aim to support and develop fact-checking organizations throughout the country with the goal of calming widespread concern over misinformation, which was identified in a survey conducted by Survey Series on People and their Communities.
“We are excited to empower the training and development of more fact-checkers in Canada, drawing on our experience in advocating for fact-checking around the world,” said IFCN director Angie Drobnic Holan. “We believe fact-checking is a critical part of improving information integrity and public dialogue everywhere.”
Using Poynter’s trusted resources, the program will start with a foundational self-directed course on fact-checking. Following this, eight virtual workshops will provide practical training in key areas like verification tools, media literacy, collaboration, audience engagement and financial sustainability. The first webinar kicks off on Nov. 27, with registration open now.
In addition to workshops, the IFCN will mentor three to five Canadian fact-checking initiatives through a six-month development track, assisting them in creating 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 every workshop and submit an application. They must also be Canadian-based and fact-check mis- and disinformation in the Canadian ecosystem.
“Google is committed to supporting a thriving and diverse news ecosystem, and providing people with tools to navigate today’s complex information environment,” said Suzanne Perron, news partnerships manager at Google Canada. “We are proud to collaborate 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 literacy skills.”
Surpassing two million video views in the first year, the Canadian Teen Fact-Checking Network will renew for another year. Built upon MediaWise’s Teen Fact-Checking Network (TFCN), the Canadian newsroom will continue through an expanded partnership with MediaSmarts, Canada’s Centre for Digital Media Literacy. Built upon a peer-to-peer learning model, the 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 at the core these are claims found by teens for teens. Some claims the first cohort reported on included whether maple syrup reserves were running low, is it illegal to paint your garage door purple and does caffeine cause women to lose hair.
“We are thrilled to continue the Teen Fact-Checking Network in Canada, in partnership with MediaSmarts,” says Brittani Kollar, deputy director of MediaWise. “We find ourselves at a time where the need for media literacy 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.”
Recognizing the importance of early education in media literacy, the TFCN engages young people to critically evaluate online information and become informed digital citizens. The program publishes videos in English and French. TFCN applications will open late November. Please check MediaSmarts’ TFCN webpage for more details.
The launch of this initiative will help Canadians navigate misinformation with stronger fact-checking and media literacy skills, building a more informed and resilient public.
About The Poynter Institute:
The Poynter Institute is a global nonprofit working to address society’s most pressing issues by teaching journalists and journalism, covering the media and the complexities facing the industry, convening and community building, improving the capacity and sustainability of news organizations and fostering trust and reliability of information. The Institute is a gold standard in journalistic excellence and dedicated to the preservation and advancement of press freedom in democracies worldwide. Through Poynter, journalists, newsrooms, businesses, big tech corporations and citizens convene to find solutions that promote trust and transparency in news and stoke 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 the U.S. First Amendment and builds public confidence in journalism and media — an essential for healthy democracies. Learn more at poynter.org.
About MediaWise:
MediaWise is a social-first digital media literacy initiative of the nonprofit Poynter Institute. The program teaches people of all ages and backgrounds how to responsibly engage with online content in the 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, yet 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 them through every step to determine what’s real and what’s not on the internet. Through MediaWise, everyone can do their part to reduce the spread of misinformation and elevate the facts.
Follow MediaWise on social media to learn how to debunk viral claims and be more critical consumers of online information. Explore programs and be part of the solution at poynter.org/mediawise.
About Google News Initiative:
In collaboration with editors and journalists worldwide, the Google News Initiative (GNI) strives to foster a more sustainable, diverse, and innovative news landscape. Through a comprehensive suite of programs, digital tools, training, and resources, the GNI empowers journalistic endeavors, enabling journalists to effectively discover, verify, and narrate compelling stories while upholding the highest standards of quality journalism.
