Google and YouTube have announced a $13 million grant to address misinformation online.

Representing the companies’ single biggest grant in fact-checking, given to the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the non-profit Poynter Institute, the capital will enable the institute to launch its Global Fact Check Fund to support its network of 135 fact-checking organisations from 65 countries which cover over 80 languages.

Opening in early 2023, the new fund aims to help fact-checkers scale existing operations or launch new ones that “elevate information, uplift credible sources and reduce the harm of mis- and dis-information around the globe”.

Google’s parent company Alphabet said fact-checking organisations can also use the funding to incorporate new technologies, create or expand digital footprints, improve verification tools, and provide better audience engagement through storytelling formats such as audio, video or podcasts.

The IFCN grant is a further expansion of the Google News Initiative. Since it was established in 2018, Google has invested nearly $75 million in projects and partnerships working to strengthen media literacy and combat misinformation around the world.

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