Global Innovators Unite to Combat Disinformation at ICFJ’s Solutions Challenge

Innovators collaborate to counter misinformation through creativity and mentorship.

Staff Reporter

Dec 26, 2024, 10:15 AM2 min read

Global Innovators Unite to Combat Disinformation at ICFJ’s Solutions Challenge

Journalists and technologists are teaming up through ICFJ’s Disarming Disinformation initiative to develop innovative tools

Journalists and technologists from across the globe gathered for the Solutions Challenge, an event designed to foster innovation and collaboration in the fight against misinformation and disinformation. The challenge provided participants a unique opportunity to share ideas, gain insights, and receive mentorship, creating a space where creativity and problem-solving thrived.

“Being in a space that incubates and encourages innovation invites more creativity, more innovation,” said Smith Galer, reflecting on the collaborative spirit of the event.

Mikhail Ageev, president of the Internet Innovations Foundation in Kyrgyz Republic, highlighted the diversity of perspectives that enriched the experience. “You meet other people, and mentors, from different continents and cultures, who have different objectives and issues. You can just interact with them, share your ideas, vision, and it can motivate you to look differently at the problem you are trying to solve,” he said.

Participants received guidance from expert mentors, including Justin Arenstein of Code for Africa, Maggie Farley from the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ), and Nasr ul Hadi of PROTO. The challenge culminated with selected projects receiving up to $20,000 in funding, as well as ongoing mentorship to transform their innovative prototypes into fully realized solutions.

The Solutions Challenge is part of ICFJ’s broader Disarming Disinformation initiative, a three-year global program aimed at countering misinformation and disinformation. Funded by the Scripps Howard Foundation, an affiliate of the Scripps Howard Fund, and with additional support from the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the initiative seeks to empower journalists and technologists to develop sustainable, impactful solutions to this global challenge.
By bringing together diverse voices and perspectives, the Solutions Challenge has once again demonstrated the power of collaboration in addressing complex issues and fostering innovation.