RT Journal Article
T1 The Fact-Checking Initiatives in the EU: A Diverse Ecosystem Against Disinformation
A1 García-Gordillo, Mar
A1 Rivas-de-Roca, Rubén
A1 de-Lima-Santos, Mathias-Felipe
K1 Fact-checking
K1 Disinformation
K1 Media literacy
K1 Public service media
K1 European Union
K1 European Public Sphere
AB Disinformation in Europe is a significant challenge to democracy. The pan-European conversation faces a landscape dominated by misleading or false information targeting the EU. In response, various public institutions have been promoting fact-checking initiatives. Our research analyzes the fact-checking initiatives developed by these institutions at national and regional levels. This study identifies and describes organizations ranging from dedicated initiatives, such as VerificaRTVE in Spain and ARD-Faktenfinder in Germany, to news media and fact-checking platforms funded by public money. Our analysis is based on nine semi-structured interviews with professionals conducting fact-checking across the EU. We explored topics such as content selection criteria, audience involvement, collaboration with stakeholders, dissemination practices, and the evolving role of AI in supporting these activities. Results highlight a growing number of fact-checking initiatives, particularly those associated with public service media, with AI increasingly integrated into their operations. However, our findings also reveal concerns related to the pace of digital transformation and limited resources. This research provides insights into the future of fact-checking in Europe, where public fact-checking efforts and media literacy initiatives remain underdeveloped. Our study contributes to ongoing discussions about the creation of a robust European Public Sphere, arguing that public institutions can play a pivotal role in mitigating disinformation within a shared space for democratic deliberation.
PB Cogitatio Press
SN 2183-2439
YR 2025
FD 2025-04-10
LK https://hdl.handle.net/10347/40803
UL https://hdl.handle.net/10347/40803
LA eng
NO García-Gordillo, M., Rivas-de-Roca, R., & de-Lima-Santos, M. (2025). The Fact-Checking Initiatives in the EU: A Diverse Ecosystem Against Disinformation. Media and Communication, 13, Article 9421.
NO Education, Audiovisual and Culture Executive Agency (EACEA)
DS Minerva
RD 23 abr 2026