Understanding Fact-Checking as a Global Phenomenon: Trends, Institutions, and Impact. From 2004 till the present date. (original) (raw)

Abstract

Facts are at the core of the democratic process. Politicians neither always tell facts nor commit to what they pledge. Fact-checking refers to efforts focused on correcting misinformation, fighting falsehoods and bringing attention to facts and hard evidence. Fact-checking nowadays is mostly perceived to be a US-centered and journalistic phenomenon. However, in the recent few years, fact-checking has developed significantly and faster than the literature examining it. This paper explored the question of How fact-checking evolved to become a global phenomenon with direct impact on national and transnational politics? The author conducted a critical analysis of the global fact-checking ecosystem, stakeholders, and networks through data produced by Duke Reporters' Lab, International Fact Checking Network (IFCN) and interviews conducted in the annual fact-checking summit in Buenos Aires 2016. Throughout the paper, the author provided two main arguments on the globalisation of fact-checking; the distribution of the phenomenon worldwide and the evolution of the phenomenon to produce networks and institutions. By examining the first argument, a typology of different global trends of fact-checking is produced in relation to various lenses of types, targets and media. By examining the second argument, IFCN is studied as both a model of institutions and Transnational Advocacy Networks (TANs). The impact of this accelerating phenomenon is not restricted to tangible, immediate changes but also to a gradual cultural adoption of healthy skepticism towards news and politics. Finally, the paper concludes that fact-checking is no longer a US centered phenomenon. While this phenomenon is led by journalists, it is not exclusive to them. Civil society, entrepreneurs, and citizens also participate in the process of developing fact-checking.

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