The IFCN welcomes new applications to its Code of Principles beginning Jan. 16, 2024. Our website is currently under renovation, so new signatories should begin the application process by emailing their interest to info@ifcn.org with "New Signatory" in the subject line.

The advisory board and our pool of assessors

The advisory board

The International Fact-Checking Network has 13 members in its advisory board, 9 from active verified signatory organizations and up to 4 independent board members participating in decision making processes except vetting incoming applications to Code of Principles. Approved in September 2020, the International Fact-Checking Network’s Bylaws lay out the governance structure of the IFCN. The responsibilities of the advisory board members and the IFCN Director are available in the bylaws.
Board members who come from active verified signatory organizations represent the geographical diversity of the network. They are pioneers in the development and implementation of fact-checking in their countries and regions. All board members are unpaid.
The Advisory Board's main role is to help oversee the verification process of the code of principles, but it is also consulted on all matters of other decisions that have an international relevance for fact-checkers. Independent board members do not cast votes for incoming applications to IFCN’s Code of Principles, while actively participating in all other decisions.
The role of the advisory board members in applying for the code of principle is fundamental, because once the external advisors issue a recommendation on the applicant, the board votes. The organizations are approved after obtaining at least six votes in favor.
Meet our board

* Please visit the bylaws and the transparency document of the International Fact-Checking Network to know more about the ratification and renewal process of the advisory board.


Pool of assessors

Our pool of assessors

External assessors are the first filter in the application and vetting process of the code of principles. External assessors are journalism professors, researchers or media consultants that have a solid knowledge of the media and fact-checking ecosystem, a broad understanding about transparency and freedom of the press and about the political context of the country or region where they work and where the assessed applicants publish their fact checks.

The IFCN currently has a pool of 276 advisors.

Assessors will be asked to carry out their assessments in 15 days based on the guidelines here.

For each assessment they conduct, the IFCN pays them $350 USD. $200 USD come from the application fee and the rest is a subsidy that comes from IFCN funding. Assessments that require a second phase of will be compensated with an additional $100 amount for their extra work.
Meet our assessors
Do you have the expertise to be an external assessor? Would you like to join this group?
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