What Is the Problem with Misinformation? Fact-checking as a Sociotechnical and Problem-Solving Practice

The study explores the challenges of fact-checking. Part of the study explores more specifically the digital safety issues journalists and fact-checkers encounter and the consequences on the work of fact-checking.

Sample

Fact-checking actors work in an online- and platformed environments, and the sociotechnical conditions expose them to high risks. Just as news publishers and journalists jeopardize their safety through work, fact-checking actors are exposed to various threats including online harassment, legal intimidation, and life-threatening attacks by a diverse set of antagonists. Such actors include official and unofficial representatives of state power; organized networks and groups in civil society; and members of the wider public (i.e., audiences). [...act-checking actors also shared the need for securing technical systems and staff, such as in countries with hostile governments, though they acknowledged that this can be challenging when expanding operations into new terrains. Some fact-checking organizations have taken systematic measures to reduce the visibility of fact-checking actors online and created filters so they are not easily approached and exposed to threats and harassment.

Policy recommendations/implications

Need for organizations to develop systemic measures to ensure the visibility of fact-checking actors online and create filters so they are not easily approached and exposed to threats and harassment.