Fact-checkers reached more people in 2025. That didn’t help their finances.

A survey of accredited fact-checking organizations worldwide found layoffs rose, coverage narrowed and reliance on single funders remained high

When VERA Files lost funding last year, the Manila-based newsroom had no choice but to overhaul its staffing plans.

Five reporters left by the end of the year, and nobody replaced them. A fact-checker took over the tip line and newsletters, the tech team volunteered to transcribe three-hour International Criminal Court hearings on a former Philippine president, and editors went out to report. Ellen Tordesillas, who co-founded the nonprofit 18 years ago, was back in the field herself, reporting stories because there was no one else to send.