New Delhi, Feb 19, 2025 – The Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA) is delighted to announce the launch of the Fact-Checking Network (FCN) for India, an initiative designed to elevate transparency and credibility in fact-checking across the country.
The MCA & FCN have been created as a response to the misinformation and disinformation prevalent in our information ecosystem. Misinformation has been listed as a top short-term risk for the second consecutive year in the World Economic Forum (WEF)’s Global Risks Report 2025. The report also underlines how misinformation is a“persistent threat to societal cohesion and governance…as it erodes trust and exacerbates divisions within and between nations.” There is also the growing threat of Indians falling prey to financial, health & other digital scams, losing their hard-earned money.
To increase trust in the work done by fact-check organisations fighting misinformation, the FCN has established a dedicated Board which comprises seasoned professionals from diverse backgrounds in media and law. The FCN Board is presided over by Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, former Chief Justice of the Bombay High Court, the Rajasthan High Court and former judge, Delhi High Court and comprises six other members, who are:
Amrita Choudhary - CCOAI Head; Internet Governance Expert
Prof Faizan Mustafa - Vice-Chancellor, Chanakya National Law University; Former Vice-Chancellor of NALSAR
Madhavi Diwan - Senior Advocate, Supreme Court of India; Former Additional Solicitor General (ASG),
Maya Sharma - Journalist; Former NDTV South Bureau Chief
Prof Usha Raman - Professor, University of Hyderabad
Venkatesh Hariharan - Former Google Public Policy Head; Advisor at FOSS United; Open Source Advocate
Jatin Gandhi, a member of the Governing Council of the MCA will serve as an ex-officio member on the FCN board.
Talking about the current challenges in the information ecosystem, former Justice Pradeep Nandrajog, chairperson of the FCN Board, said, “Public trust in media reports is a complex and multifaceted issue. Perceived bias, sensationalism and inaccuracy result in a lack of trust. Fact-check organisations, with a commitment to truth and transparency as their mission, can help in prioritising transparency, i.e. clear and open reporting, accuracy and fairness in media reporting and help build public trust in media.”
Reflecting on the consultation process that led to the drafting of the FCN’s Code of Principles, Rakesh Dubbudu, President of Misinformation Combat Alliance, said, “We developed the FCN Charter and the Code of Principles for fact-checking organisations, drawing from global best practices while incorporating provisions to suit India's unique needs. Through a public consultation process and stakeholder feedback, we ensured a well-rounded approach before operationalizing the network.”
The FCN will function independently and will “uphold the highest standards outlined in our charter, reinforcing our commitment to accuracy and integrity in information dissemination”, added Rakesh.
Any fact-checking organisation interested in becoming an FCN Signatory can write to fcn@mcaindia.in
What FCN does?
FCN sets up clear, global standards for fact-checking through its Code of Principles. Fact-checking organisations that want to build public trust can apply to be evaluated against these guidelines. An independent assessor reviews their fact-checking methods and their commitment to non-partisanship and transparency in funding. If the organisation meets all the standards, the independent assessor recommends them for FCN Signatory status to the FCN Board.
This status is reviewed every two years and can be revoked if any public complaint shows a breach of the Code. In this way, FCN ensures that signatories consistently maintain high-quality fact-checking practices. All the processes are detailed in the FCN Charter and accessible to the public.
What is FCN’s impact on the public?
An FCN Signatory status provides news consumers with a clear signal of credibility. By verifying that an organisation adheres to internationally recognized standards for accuracy, transparency, and ethics, FCN enhances public trust. This assurance empowers audiences to confidently rely on fact-check reports, knowing that any deviation from these standards is subject to public accountability.
MCA invites fact-checking organisations, media companies, academic institutions, and civic tech groups to explore the FCN platform and join us in this collaborative effort to combat misinformation.
For more information, please visit https://fcn.mcaindia.in/.
About Misinformation Combat Alliance (MCA)
MCA is dedicated to promoting transparent, accurate, and accountable fact-checking in India. Through collaborative initiatives and innovative strategies, MCA combats misinformation and fosters public trust in media institutions through collaboration among technological companies, civil society organisations, academic research institutions and committed members of the public.