Medical Dialogues Receives IFCN Grant To Boost Health Fact-Checking In India

In a significant step to enhance health and medical fact-checking in India, Medical Dialogues has been awarded the BUILD grant by the International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) at the Poynter Institute. Funded by Google and YouTube, this grant aims to strengthen the capacities of fact-checking organisations globally.

As part of IFCN's second BUILD phase, a total of USD 975,000 has been allocated, supporting 39 organisations across 34 countries. This initiative is designed to improve the operational capabilities of fact-checking groups, enabling them to effectively support local and regional initiatives. Medical Dialogues is one of three organisations in India to receive this prestigious grant.

IFCN Director Angie Holan emphasised the critical role of these grants, particularly in an election year, stating, "This vital funding will energise fact-checking organisations, sharpening their skills, amplifying their capabilities, and expanding their reach. As we navigate the complexities of global voting, fact-checking fosters a culture of critical thinking that leads to a more informed electorate."

Meghna A Singhania, editor-in-chief at Medical Dialogues, expressed gratitude for the support: "We are thankful to IFCN for this support and recognition. With medical misinformation and disinformation prevalent in our country, this grant will take us a long way in stepping up our fact-checking and myth-busting efforts, ensuring the public has access to reliable and verified health information in various Indian languages."