Google, through its Google News Initiative platform, has launched a $3 million global fund to counter misinformation related to COVID-19 vaccines, the tech giant said in a blog post.
Known as “Covid-19 Vaccine Counter Misinformation Open Fund”, it aims to support journalistic efforts to effectively fact-check misinformation about the immunization process against the virus.
The Open Fund is accepting applications from projects that aim to broaden the audience of fact checks, particularly with those who may be disproportionately affected by misinformation in mind.
The fund is global and open to news organizations of every size that have a proven track record in fact-checking and debunking activities, or partner with an organization with such recognition.
A global team of 14 Googlers will review applications. The jury that will choose grantees is composed of members from the academic and medical fields as well as representatives from World Health Organisation (WHO).
“While the Covid-19 infodemic has been global in nature, misinformation has also been used to target specific populations,” the post added.
“Some of the available research also suggests that the audiences coming across misinformation and those seeking fact checks don’t necessarily overlap.”