"The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute strongly opposes the Trump administration's recent decision to deny U.S. visas to European public officials and civil society leaders. This action, which includes the blacklisting of individuals for their professional contributions to information integrity, represents a disturbing departure from historic principles of free expression. These bans punish public servants and researchers and are antithetical to democratic values."
"The IFCN stands in unambiguous opposition to the classification of fact-checkers, researchers, and trust and safety professionals as national security threats. Such characterizations are the tools of authoritarian regimes to suppress independent media. The pursuit of accuracy is not a hostile act; it is a vital service to the public record. The IFCN remains committed to the protection of our global fact-checking community."
The U.S. government denied visas to European public officials and civil society leaders, including individuals blacklisted for their professional contributions to information integrity. The bans punish public servants and researchers and depart from principles of free expression. Targeted individuals acted under laws passed by democratic governments, including the European Union's Digital Services Act. The affected professionals expose coordinated lies and defend the public's right to reliable information. Classification of fact-checkers, researchers, and trust and safety staff as national security threats undermines independent media and resembles authoritarian tactics. The IFCN will assess impacts, expand legal and safety support, and calls for immediate reversal of the restrictions.
Read at Poynter
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