IFCN Expresses Concern Over US Visa Restrictions on Fact-Checkers and Content Moderators

U.S. Visa Restrictions for Fact-Checkers Draw International Condemnation

The International Fact-Checking Network (IFCN) has issued a strong rebuke against the United States’ recent decision to restrict visa access for fact-checkers and content moderators, describing the move as a mischaracterization of their work and a potential threat to press freedom.

According to multiple media reports, U.S. consular offices worldwide received a directive on December 2, 2025, mandating stricter vetting of H-1B visa applicants. The memo specifically targets highly skilled workers in content moderation and fact-checking roles, stating that individuals associated with what the administration characterizes as “free speech censorship” would face visa rejection.

In a formal statement released on December 9, 2025, IFCN Executive Director Angie Holan defended fact-checking as a legitimate journalistic practice. “Fact-checking is journalism. It is the straightforward work of comparing public claims against the best available evidence and publishing the results for all to see,” Holan stated.

The organization emphasized that fact-checking serves to enhance rather than limit public discourse. “This work strengthens public debate, it does not censor it,” Holan noted, adding that fact-checking activities are protected by the First Amendment in the United States, with similar press freedoms historically supported by the U.S. internationally.

The IFCN expressed particular concern about the broader implications of the policy change. The organization warned that the new restrictions could undermine trust and jeopardize the safety of professionals responsible for protecting children from online exploitation, preventing fraud, and combating coordinated harassment campaigns.

Industry analysts view the policy as part of a broader pattern of antagonism toward fact-checkers and content moderators under the Trump administration. The move comes at a time when misinformation concerns have reached unprecedented levels across social media platforms and news outlets.

The IFCN, headquartered at the Poynter Institute, represents more than 170 organizations operating in over 80 countries. These organizations adhere to nonpartisan principles and commit to transparent sourcing and public corrections when errors occur. The network was established in 2015 to foster collaboration among fact-checkers globally and promote factual information as a counter to spreading misinformation.

“Our signatories do not remove content from the internet. They add information to the public record,” the IFCN statement clarified, pushing back against implications that fact-checkers engage in censorship.

Digital rights advocates have voiced concerns that the visa restrictions could have chilling effects beyond the immediate targets, potentially discouraging journalists and tech professionals from engaging in content moderation or fact-checking activities for fear of immigration consequences.

Media scholars note that the policy creates a troubling precedent by potentially politicizing the visa process based on professional activities protected under press freedom principles. Several international press freedom organizations are reportedly monitoring the situation closely.

The IFCN statement concluded with a pointed observation that democracies fundamentally depend on an unrestricted press and an informed citizenry. When governments implement policies that appear to reject “actionable plans for truth,” it raises serious questions among journalists and observers worldwide about the administration’s commitment to established democratic norms.

As the policy begins implementation, technology companies and news organizations with international fact-checking teams are reportedly assessing potential impacts on their operations and considering alternative arrangements for affected staff members.