Last updated: 20 September 2026

1. Scope and Acceptance

These Terms and Conditions of Participation (Terms) apply to organizations applying to join or approved to participate in the International Charter for Media Integrity and Countering Disinformation (Charter), an initiative of the International Center for Countering Media Disinformation (ICCMD).

By submitting an application, the organization and its authorized representative confirm that they have read, understood, and agreed to comply with:

• The principles and professional standards of the Charter
• These Terms
• The applicable Privacy and Data Processing Policy
• Any certificate, badge, Registry, or verification requirements published by ICCMD

Participation is voluntary and remains subject to review, verification, approval, and continued compliance.

2. Eligible Organizations

Eligible applicants may include:

• Media organizations and media outlets
• News agencies and media networks
• Journalists' associations, syndicates, and federations
• Universities and academic institutions
• Research, studies, and fact-checking centers
• Professional organizations and institutions
• Governmental and public-sector organizations
• Private-sector organizations
• Non-profit and non-governmental organizations
• International and intergovernmental organizations
• Public-private partnerships
• Other organizations whose activities are relevant to the Charter's objectives

Belonging to an eligible category does not guarantee approval. ICCMD may determine whether an applicant satisfies the applicable eligibility and participation requirements.

3. Authorized Representative

The application must be submitted and electronically signed by a person duly authorized to act on behalf of the organization.

The authorized representative confirms that they have authority to:

• Submit the application
• Provide declarations and consents
• Submit organization and personal information
• Upload verification documents
• Accept the Charter and these Terms
• Sign electronically on behalf of the organization
• Receive official communications
• Respond to verification requests
• Represent the organization throughout the application process

ICCMD may require evidence of authority, including an authorization letter, board resolution, appointment letter, power of attorney, employee identification, or equivalent official documentation.

4. Accuracy and Authenticity

The organization and its authorized representative confirm that all submitted information and documents are complete, accurate, authentic, current, legally obtained, and not altered, fraudulent, misleading, or deceptive.

The applicant must not impersonate another organization or representative, submit forged, expired, or invalid documents, conceal information relevant to eligibility or verification, make false or misleading declarations, or misrepresent its legal status, activities, ownership, or authority.

The organization must promptly notify ICCMD if any material submitted information changes.

5. Verification Documents

The organization may be required to provide:

• A valid licence, registration certificate, incorporation document, or equivalent official record
• A valid identity document for the authorized representative
• Evidence of the representative's position and authority
• An authorization letter, board resolution, appointment letter, power of attorney, or equivalent document
• Any additional documentation reasonably required to complete the assessment

Documents must be clear, valid, legible, complete, and submitted in an accepted format. ICCMD may request updated or replacement documents, clarification, certified copies, official translations, confirmation from an issuing authority, or additional evidence relevant to eligibility or verification.

6. Application Review and Verification

Applications may proceed through the following stages:

1. Application submission

2. Document verification

3. Eligibility review

4. Request for clarification or additional documentation

5. Approval or rejection

6. Charter signature, where applicable

7. Issuance of an ICCMD registration number

8. Inclusion in the International Signatories Registry

9. Issuance of the Certificate of Commitment

10. Issuance of the Committed to the Charter Standards badge, where applicable

ICCMD may verify information through official registries, publicly available records, submitted documents, direct communication with the applicant or issuing authorities, and other lawful and appropriate verification methods. Review times may vary depending on the completeness and complexity of the application and the availability of verifiable records.

7. Requests for Additional Information

ICCMD may request additional information or documentation at any stage. The applicant must respond within the period stated in the request or, where no period is specified, within a reasonable time.

Failure to respond may delay the application, temporarily close the review, lead to rejection, or result in suspension of an approved status pending clarification. Providing additional information does not guarantee approval.

8. No Automatic Acceptance or Accreditation

Submission of an application does not constitute or guarantee acceptance as a Charter signatory, accreditation, governmental or regulatory recognition, professional licensing, certification of the organization's publications, services, or operations, endorsement by ICCMD, inclusion in the International Signatories Registry, issuance of a registration number, certificate, or badge, or approval of any employee, publication, report, product, program, or service.

Approval must be formally communicated by ICCMD.

9. Commitment to the Charter

If approved, the organization voluntarily commits to uphold the Charter's principles and professional standards, including:

• Accuracy and verification
• Integrity and independence
• Transparency and accountability
• Responsible media and digital practices
• Professional neutrality
• Responsible correction of significant errors
• Responsible use of artificial intelligence and emerging technologies
• Respect for applicable laws, sovereignty, national identity, cultural characteristics, and differing media and social contexts
• Promotion of media and information literacy
• Responsible action against media disinformation

The organization must apply these principles in a manner appropriate to its professional activities, operational context, and applicable legal obligations.

10. Nature of Participation

Participation represents a voluntary professional commitment. It does not create a partnership, agency, employment, franchise, or joint venture with ICCMD; authority to represent or legally bind ICCMD; regulatory, governmental, diplomatic, or licensing status; immunity from applicable laws or professional obligations; or approval or endorsement of every activity or publication of the organization.

The organization remains independently responsible for its conduct, publications, operations, employees, representatives, services, and legal obligations.

11. International Signatories Registry

Following approval, ICCMD may include the organization in the International Signatories Registry. Publicly displayed information may include the official organization name, organization type, field of work, headquarters location or country, official website, ICCMD-issued registration number, signatory status, certificate status, and approval or registration date.

ICCMD should publish only information relevant to the Registry and approved for public display. Identity documents, authorization documents, private contact information, confidential verification records, internal application assessments, and other protected information should not ordinarily be displayed publicly.

Information may be withheld, retained, or disclosed where required by applicable law or necessary for legitimate verification, security, administrative, or legal purposes.

12. Certificate of Commitment

An approved organization may receive a Certificate of Commitment confirming its approved signatory status.

The certificate recognizes a voluntary commitment to the Charter, is issued only to the approved organization, remains subject to the organization's current status, and does not constitute regulatory accreditation or governmental approval.

The certificate must not be transferred, sold, assigned, deceptively reproduced, altered, or used after suspension, withdrawal, expiration, or revocation. It must not be used to claim that ICCMD has approved or guaranteed every publication, employee, product, service, or activity of the organization.

The certificate's authenticity and current status may be displayed through ICCMD's verification system.

13. Committed to the Charter Standards Badge

Where issued, the organization may display the official Committed to the Charter Standards badge in accordance with ICCMD's usage requirements.

The organization must not modify the badge's wording, design, colours, or proportions; create an imitation badge; use it for an unapproved organization, affiliate, branch, product, or service; transfer or sublicense it; combine it with a false or misleading claim; present it as governmental accreditation, regulatory approval, or general endorsement; or continue using it after suspension, withdrawal, expiration, or revocation.

ICCMD may require correction or removal of unauthorized, inaccurate, or misleading badge use.

14. ICCMD Name and Intellectual Property

All rights relating to the Charter, ICCMD name, logos, seals, certificates, badges, designs, Registry, verification systems, and related materials remain with ICCMD or their respective lawful owners. Approval does not transfer ownership of any intellectual property.

The organization may accurately refer to its approved signatory status but must not claim to be or officially represent ICCMD, imply a partnership, sponsorship, endorsement, or accreditation that does not exist, create unauthorized certificates or badges, register confusingly similar names or branding, or use ICCMD materials deceptively.

Any permission to use a certificate, badge, or signatory reference is limited, non-exclusive, non-transferable, and dependent on continued approved status.

15. Continuing Responsibilities

An approved organization must continue complying with the Charter and these Terms, maintain accurate and current information and valid legal registration where applicable, inform ICCMD of material changes, respond to reasonable verification requests, correct inaccurate claims about its status, use the certificate, badge, and registration number responsibly, cooperate with appropriate reviews, discontinue certificate or badge use when instructed, and avoid conduct materially inconsistent with the Charter.

Material changes may include changes to the organization name, legal status, ownership or control, registration or licence, headquarters, official website or contact information, authorized representative, principal activities, closure, dissolution, merger, or restructuring.

16. Monitoring and Status Review

ICCMD may review an organization's continued eligibility or compliance where reasonably necessary. A review may arise from material changes in legal or operational status, expired or unverifiable documents, credible concerns regarding submitted information, misuse of the Charter name or credentials, conduct materially inconsistent with the Charter, failure to respond to verification requests, a credible complaint, or information relevant to the integrity of the Charter or Registry.

Opening a review does not automatically establish wrongdoing. ICCMD may request an explanation or supporting documentation before making a final decision.

17. Complaints and Relevant Information

ICCMD may receive information or complaints concerning an applicant or approved organization. Where appropriate, ICCMD may assess relevance and credibility, request clarification and supporting documents, disregard information that is clearly irrelevant, abusive, unsupported, or submitted in bad faith, and take proportionate administrative action.

ICCMD is not required to disclose information where disclosure would breach legal, privacy, security, confidentiality, or legitimate third-party obligations.

18. Suspension

ICCMD may temporarily suspend an organization's status while reviewing a material concern. During suspension, ICCMD may mark the certificate as suspended, temporarily update or hide the Registry entry, require the organization to stop using the certificate and badge, request clarification or corrective action, and restrict representation of active signatory status.

Suspension is a temporary administrative measure and does not necessarily constitute a final decision.

19. Revocation

ICCMD may revoke the organization's signatory status, certificate, registration number, Registry listing, or badge where there are reasonable grounds.

Grounds may include false, fraudulent, altered, or materially misleading information; forged, invalid, expired, or unverifiable documents; loss of eligibility; misrepresentation of the organization's relationship with ICCMD; unauthorized use of ICCMD intellectual property; misuse of the Charter name or credentials; material or repeated breach of these Terms; serious or repeated conduct inconsistent with the Charter; failure to cooperate with a legitimate review or complete required corrective action; dissolution, closure, or loss of legal registration; or other material circumstances affecting the integrity of participation.

Where appropriate, ICCMD may provide notice of the decision and its reason. Following revocation, the certificate will no longer be valid, its verification status may display Revoked, the Registry entry may be removed or updated, the badge must no longer be used, and the organization must stop claiming active signatory status and remove digital and printed representations of that status within a reasonable period.

20. Voluntary Withdrawal

An organization may request withdrawal through an official ICCMD communication channel. Following confirmation, active signatory status will end, the Registry entry may be removed or marked as withdrawn, the certificate and badge will no longer represent active participation, and the organization must stop representing itself as an active signatory.

Withdrawal does not require deletion of records that ICCMD must or may lawfully retain for security, verification, administrative, audit, dispute-resolution, or legal purposes.

21. Rejection and Reapplication

ICCMD may reject an application that does not meet applicable eligibility, documentation, verification, or participation requirements. Where appropriate, ICCMD may provide a reason.

An organization may provide corrected information or submit a revised application where permitted. Any revised or future application may be treated as a new application, will undergo a new review and verification process, and does not guarantee approval.

22. Privacy and Data Processing

Application information and documents may be collected, used, stored, verified, and processed to assess eligibility; verify the organization and authorized representative; communicate with the applicant; administer participation; maintain the Registry; issue and verify registration numbers, certificates, and badges; conduct status or compliance reviews; prevent fraud, misuse, and misrepresentation; maintain security and administrative records; and meet applicable legal obligations.

Information will be handled in accordance with the applicable Privacy and Data Processing Policy. The authorized representative must separately confirm that they have read and understood that policy.

23. Confidentiality and Document Security

ICCMD will use reasonable administrative and technical measures appropriate to protect submitted information and verification documents. Access may be limited to authorized persons and service providers who require the information for legitimate application, verification, administrative, technical, or legal purposes.

No electronic transmission or storage system can be guaranteed to be completely secure. Applicants are responsible for submitting documents through the designated application system and avoiding unnecessary sensitive information.

24. Third-Party Verification and Service Providers

ICCMD may use appropriate service providers or lawful third-party sources to support identity and organization verification, document processing, email delivery, secure file storage, website administration, certificate generation and verification, Registry administration, and fraud and security checks.

Where providers process information on ICCMD's behalf, access should be limited to the relevant purpose and governed by applicable privacy and data-processing requirements.

25. Official Communications

The organization must provide a valid official email address and contact number. ICCMD may use these details for application acknowledgements, verification requests, requests for additional information, approval or rejection notifications, Registry and certificate communications, compliance or status reviews, suspension, withdrawal, or revocation notices, and administrative updates.

The organization is responsible for monitoring its official contact channels and notifying ICCMD when contact details or authorized representatives change.

26. No Transfer of Status

Approved status belongs only to the organization named in the application and may not be transferred to another legal entity, parent or subsidiary, branch not covered by the approval, affiliate, partner, member, purchaser, successor organization, individual, or representative.

A merger, acquisition, restructuring, or legal-entity change may require updated verification or a new application.

27. Limitation of Representation and Responsibility

ICCMD is not responsible for the organization's publications, statements, activities, services, products, employees, representatives, business or editorial decisions, legal or regulatory obligations, or unauthorized use of the Charter, certificate, badge, or registration number.

The organization remains responsible for ensuring that its activities comply with applicable laws, professional obligations, and third-party rights. To the extent permitted by applicable law, ICCMD is not responsible for losses arising from reliance on inaccurate representations made by an applicant or signatory. Nothing in these Terms excludes any responsibility that cannot lawfully be excluded.

28. Website and Verification System Availability

ICCMD may update, maintain, suspend, or temporarily interrupt its website, Registry, application system, or certificate-verification service. Temporary interruption does not invalidate an otherwise active certificate, but the organization must not misrepresent its status during an interruption.

ICCMD may correct technical or administrative errors in Registry or certificate records.

29. Amendments

ICCMD may update the Charter, these Terms, or related procedures to reflect changes in participation requirements, verification procedures, Registry administration, certificate or badge use, privacy or security practices, legal or regulatory obligations, or professional and operational standards.

The latest version may be published on the ICCMD website with an updated revision date. ICCMD may request renewed acceptance where an amendment materially affects participation.

30. Severability

If any provision of these Terms is found to be invalid, unlawful, or unenforceable, the remaining provisions will continue to apply to the extent permitted by law.

31. No Waiver

Failure or delay by ICCMD in enforcing a requirement does not permanently waive that requirement or prevent later enforcement. Any exception must be expressly authorized by ICCMD.

32. Interpretation

ICCMD administers the Charter and may interpret these Terms for application review, eligibility assessment, verification, Registry administration, certificate and badge use, status review, suspension, withdrawal, and revocation.

ICCMD may introduce reasonable technical, administrative, security, and verification procedures necessary to protect the integrity of the Charter.

33. Acceptance by the Organization

By submitting the organization signatory application, the authorized representative confirms that:

• They have read and understood the Charter and these Terms
• They are duly authorized to act for the organization
• The submitted information and documents are accurate and authentic
• The organization voluntarily agrees to comply with the Charter
• They understand that submission does not guarantee approval
• They agree to appropriate review and verification
• They understand the Registry publication terms
• They understand the rules governing certificates and badges
• They understand the conditions for suspension, withdrawal, and revocation
• They have read and understood the applicable Privacy and Data Processing Policy

34. Contact

Questions about the Charter, these Terms, an application, signatory status, Registry listing, certificate, badge, suspension, withdrawal, or revocation may be directed to:

General Secretariat

sg@iccmdcenter.org