Health on the Net Foundation Loses Financial Backer, Seeks Alternate Funds for Accreditation Services
The Health on the Net Foundation (HON), which accredits health-related Web sites, is facing financial "uncertainty" after its main backer announced it would not renew its support when the current contract expires in December, Reuters reports. The foundation has given its "seal of approval" to 3,000 Web sites and is "internationally recognized" for its model of assessing Internet site quality. However, the Geneva Ministry of Health, HON's main backer, is withdrawing funding; Reuters does not explain why. As a result, HON is attempting to develop a new financial model while maintaining its "independence and the integrity" of its accreditation system. Possibilities include charging for accreditation or the use of its search engines, but HON officials currently feel that charging could "introduce bias" into the accreditation system, and Reuters notes that users would be unlikely to pay for services that are now free (Reuters, 5/23).
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