Publication
Title
When are fact-checks effective? An experimental study on the inclusion of the misinformation source and the source of fact-checks in 16 European countries
Author
Abstract
Despite increasing academic attention, several questions about fact-checking remain unanswered. First, it remains unclear to what extent fact-checks are effective across different political and media contexts. Second, we know little on whether features of the fact-check itself influence its success. Conducting an experiment in 16 European countries, this study aims to fill these gaps by examining two features of fact-checks that may affect their success: whether fact-checks include the political source of the misinformation, and the source of the fact-check itself. We find that fact-checks are successful in debunking misperceptions. Moreover, this debunking effect is consistent across countries. Looking at features of fact-checks, we find no indication that it matters whether fact-checks include the political source of the misinformation claim. Comparing fact-checks from independent organizations with those from public broadcasters, we do find, however, that who the fact-checker is matters, especially in combination with trust in this source.
Language
English
Source (journal)
Mass communication & society. - Mahwah, N.J., 1998, currens
Publication
Abingdon : Routledge journals, taylor & francis ltd , 2024
ISSN
1520-5436 [print]
1532-7825 [online]
DOI
10.1080/15205436.2024.2321542
Volume/pages
(2024) , p. 1-26
ISI
001185029600001
Full text (Publisher's DOI)
Full text (open access)
UAntwerpen
Faculty/Department
Research group
Publication type
Subject
Affiliation
Publications with a UAntwerp address
External links
Web of Science
Record
Identifier
Creation 02.05.2024
Last edited 09.05.2024
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