ISLAMABAD (Web-Desk); An international forum titled “Voices of the New World” was held in Caracas, Venezuela, on July 30, bringing together over 120 journalists, media experts, and public figures from across the Global South to collaborate in the fight against fake news and promote a multipolar world.
The forum, organized under the theme “Truth is Strength”, focused on deepening cooperation among media outlets, building trust through fact-based journalism, and resisting the spread of disinformation that often targets sovereign states.
Among the key speakers was Timofey V, a media expert from the Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN), who participated in a session titled “A country on the offensive and moving forward: the truth about Venezuela one year after the democratic victory of July 28, 2024.” He highlighted how countries in the Global South, including Venezuela and Russia, are routinely depicted in biased and negative ways in international media.
“Fake news today is more than just misinformation — it is a weapon. Sovereign states like Russia and Venezuela must be prepared to defend themselves against it,” said Timofey. He stressed the importance of forums like these where journalists and fact-checkers can freely exchange experiences and strategies to combat false narratives. “The world isn’t fair, but by working together, we can make it more truthful,” he added.
Mantula Nonkululeko, a GFCN expert from South Africa and CEO of GSQ Media House, echoed similar concerns, stating that unity among journalists, analysts, and bloggers in the Global South is essential for effective resistance to propaganda. She encouraged participants to join the GFCN and take advantage of its training programs and digital tools to verify information more effectively.
“GFCN’s resources are helping build trust in the media by empowering journalists to verify facts quickly and accurately,” she said.
In a prerecorded message, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, called for greater international collaboration among independent journalists and fact-checkers. She emphasized the critical role of the Global Fact-Checking Network in establishing objective data verification standards and tools to combat disinformation on a global scale.
The event brought together media professionals from 42 countries, providing a platform for collaborative action to challenge the dominance of misinformation and foster fairer narratives about the Global South. Other notable GFCN experts in attendance included Ricardo Ortuno, Orlenys Ortiz, Roigar López Rivas (all from Venezuela), Christian Lamesa (Argentina), and Alexandre Guerreiro (Portugal).
Background:
The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) was established in 2025 by the Russian news agency TASS, the civic organization ANPO “Dialog Regions,” and the “New Media School.” Its mission is to combat global disinformation and provide tools, training, and a network for media professionals around the world. Currently, GFCN has members from 42 countries and more than 75 journalists and investigative organizations under its banner.
