A U.S. federal judge has temporarily blocked a Trump administration immigration policy that targeted foreign fact-checkers and misinformation researchers, while South Korea has enacted a new law integrating the International Fact-Checking Network's (IFCN) Code of Principles into its legal framework.
In the United States, Chief U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg ruled this month that the Trump administration's policy, which could have led to visa denial or deportation for professionals in fact-checking and online safety, likely violated the First Amendment's free-speech protections. The policy, announced by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in May 2025, aimed to counter what the administration called "foreign censorship of Americans" and had already imposed visa restrictions on five individuals, including Imran Ahmed, founder of the Center for Countering Digital Hate. The IFCN had opposed these restrictions, arguing that fact-checking is not a security threat.
Meanwhile, an amendment to South Korea's Network Act, effective July 7, now allows anyone to report false online posts, requiring platforms like Naver, Kakao, Google, Meta, and TikTok to address these complaints. The law's enforcement decree incorporates the IFCN's Code of Principles, meaning platforms can refer disputed claims only to IFCN-accredited organizations. Currently, only JTBC and Danbi Fact Check hold this accreditation in South Korea.
EunRyung Chong, editor of Danbi Fact Check and former director of the SNU FactCheck Center, expressed mixed feelings about the new law. While acknowledging "the Korean government's strong commitment to addressing misinformation and disinformation, as well as its official recognition that fact-checking organizations deserve support," she added, "the situation is not that simple." Chong's previous center faced political pressure and lost funding, highlighting the delicate balance between government support and editorial independence.
The developments underscore a global tension between combating misinformation and safeguarding free expression, with both legislative and judicial actions shaping the future landscape for fact-checking organizations worldwide.