LatamChequea calls on technology platforms, governments, and journalism funders to support independent fact-checking in the face of political harassment, disinformation, and threats to its sustainability.
Mexico City, November 12, 2026. LatamChequea, the network of 47 fact-checking organizations in 20 countries, calls on technology platforms, governments, and journalism funders to strengthen reliable information in Latin America.
In the face of political harassment, polarization, and a crisis of trust, the network calls for concrete commitments to protect the integrity of information. This task requires independent journalists, transparent methods, and sustainable organizations.
The spread of disinformation and smear campaigns against journalism make it difficult to distinguish facts from biased narratives. In this context, fact-checkers play a vital role: they verify sources, provide evidence, and offer context so that people can evaluate what they receive and share. Their work helps build a shared factual foundation for debate, dissent, and informed decision-making.
Citizens need information to participate in democratic life and hold those in power accountable. When the ability to investigate and verify is limited, people’s opportunities to understand and question decisions that affect their lives are also reduced. Weakening the work of fact-checking organizations leaves more room for those who seek to manipulate public debate. Therefore, we make the following calls:
To artificial intelligence companies and search engines we propose to open a dialogue to reach agreements with fact-checking organizations to improve the accuracy of their models, recognize authorship, and fairly compensate for the use of their content. Our experience as professionals specializing in information integrity can contribute to the development of technologies that facilitate the circulation of verified data and include the necessary safeguards to prevent errors or, worse still, the spread of misinformation. These agreements should prioritize organizations working in the region, recognizing their track record, their knowledge of the local context, and the work of their professionals.
We call on social media platforms to make information integrity a central aspect of their distribution systems in order to promote the circulation of high-quality content. We express concern about initiatives that run counter to this goal, such as Meta’s announcement that it will replace its independent fact-checking program with “Community Notes” in Spanish-speaking countries in the region, a move that could dismantle the professional capabilities that allow millions of people to access verified information on its platforms.
We demand that governments provide guarantees for the free and independent practice of fact-based journalism. We call for an end to financial harassment and attacks on the press. We reject the use of state-run so-called fact-checking offices and digital armies to discredit independent organizations, as well as legislation designed to restrict their operations. Those in power must be held accountable and accept public scrutiny.
We call on local, national, and global funders to recognize the role of journalism and fact-checking in the dissemination of reliable information, an indispensable foundation for democratic discourse. We call on those who support the integrity of information to prioritize projects in Latin America with sustained funding that safeguards teams and editorial independence. Political pressure, the withdrawal of international cooperation, and uncertainty regarding revenue threaten the continuity of a task that is essential for the region.
The 47 organizations of LatamChequea reaffirm our commitment to evidence and transparency. Since 2014, we have shared knowledge, pooled our capabilities, and stood together in the face of challenges. Our collective strength and spirit of collaboration drive us to continue working to defend every person’s ability to make informed decisions and contribute to stronger democracies.
Mexico City, November 12, 2026.
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