Purposes, Principles, and Difficulties of Fact-checking in Ibero-America

Journalists’ Perceptions

Bibliographic Data

ID12909889
AuthorsCarlos Rodríguez Pérez (0000-0002-4830-5554, Universidad de La Sabana, corresponding author), Taís Seibt (0000-0002-2709-5658, Instituto Brasileiro de Informação em Ciência e Tecnologia), Raúl Magallón-Rosa (0000-0002-2236-7802, Universidad Carlos III de Madrid), Francisco Javier Paniagua Rojano (0000-0001-7376-4536, Universidad de Málaga), Sonia Chacón-Peinado (0000-0003-2870-589X, Universidad de Málaga)
Year2022
Volume17
Issue10
Pages2159-2177
Publication date2022-10-31
Peer ReviewedYes
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueJournalism Practice (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 1751-2786 • E-ISSN: 1751-2794
PublisherTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17512786.2022.2124434
OpenAlexW4308024639
LanguageEN
Citations received20
References cited44

Fact-checking journalism has become a common practice to counteract misinformation. This research analyzes the perceptions of fact-checkers in Ibero-America on the purposes, principles, and challenges of fact-checking. Specifically, we studied if there are differences in perception based on adherence to the International Fact-Checking Network’s (IFCN) Code of Principles, how frequently fact-checkers perform fact-checks, as well as their experience and age. Data were collected through a questionnaire that received 122 responses from fact-checkers in 17 countries. Results indicate that journalists’ experience appears to be a variable that can help understand the boundaries between fact-checking and political and social activism in Ibero-America. Less-experienced fact-checkers were more likely to consider activism to be a purpose of fact-checking. Age was a predictive factor for explaining reformist perceptions of the essence of fact-checking in Ibero-America, with younger fact-checkers more likely to state that the purpose of fact-checking is to uphold the ideals of journalism and serve as a commitment to information transparency. Pledging to adhere to IFCN’s Code of Principles was found to facilitate the use and analysis of fact-checking tools. The implications of these findings are discussed

Algorithm · Code (set theory · Computer security · Journalism · Misinformation · Model checking · Perception · Political science · Politics · Programming language · Sociology · Transparency (behavior · Computer Science · Law · Media Influence and Politics · Misinformation and Its Impacts · Psychology · Social Media and Politics · Social Psychology

Tools

Open DOI