The John S. and James L. Knight Foundation has announced grants totaling nearly $3 million to help journalists combat misinformation.

Recipients include First Draft, which was awarded $1.2 million in support of training programs designed to help journalists navigate the spread of dis- and misinformation online; the Shorenstein Center on Media, Politics, and Public Policy at Harvard Kennedy School, which will receive $800,000 to equip news executives with the knowledge and frameworks they need to address media manipulation and disinformation; Duke University, which was awarded $700,000 in support of an effort to expand automation that provides instant notifications of fact-checks during live events and to develop a tool that will automatically transcribe spoken words and other elements into text; and the Rochester Institute of Technology, which will receive $200,000 in support of its efforts to equip journalists with an effective tool that can detect altered "deepfake" photos and videos.

"In an era where misinformation is on the rise, we know these projects will provide tangible and substantial solutions for journalists," said Knight Foundation director for journalism and technology innovation Paul Cheung. "Providing training and tools will help journalism take an important step forward in solving a pervasive problem in America."

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