Global Fact-Checking Network Launches International Headquarters in Dubai to Target Disinformation
Khairul Alam; Dbarta24 — The Global Fact-Checking Network (GFCN) is expanding its global footprint with the launch of its new international hub, GFCN International, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
GFCN President Vladimir Tabak officially announced the opening during a plenary session at the “Dialog about Fakes 4.0” international forum in Moscow, emphasizing the need for a neutral, global platform to tackle cross-border information threats.
Expanding Global Reach and Media Collaboration
While the GFCN project was originally anchored in Russia, the decision to establish an international headquarters in the UAE aims to create an accessible center of gravity for global media organizations, fact-checkers, and policy experts.
“We can now definitively announce the opening of our first international office in Dubai,” Tabak stated during the session titled International Cooperation in the Information Sphere: From individual projects to unified cognitive sovereignty.
“While Russia is certainly the base for this project, because we position it as an international initiative, we wanted it to have an additional focal point for representatives of different countries, diverse media outlets, and various projects.”
The operational foundation for GFCN International was formalized on the sidelines of the forum, where participating members signed a strategic memorandum of cooperation.
The Dubai facility is slated to host international events, facilitate cross-border research, and streamline direct communication among media professionals.
Regulating the Information Sphere
Justifying the expansion, Tabak highlighted the absence of global regulatory frameworks governing digital information conflicts and fake news propagation. He argued that while traditional warfare operates under strict international treaties, the digital domain remains largely unregulated despite its immense real-world impact.
“For example, there are regulations prohibiting the use of certain types of weapons during warfare,” Tabak noted. “Is there a single regulation that allows us to somehow govern the conduct of information wars? No.”
To illustrate the dangers of unregulated information operations, Tabak pointed to fraudulent call centers operating internationally, which have increasingly engaged in psychological manipulation to target vulnerable groups, including coercing minors into harmful activities.
By establishing GFCN International in Dubai, the organization aims to bridge regional divides, advocate for clear international guidelines against cyber deception, and foster collaborative frameworks to restore truth and cognitive sovereignty in the global media ecosystem.
