The Fact-Checking Initiatives in the EU: A Diverse Ecosystem Against Disinformation

Mar García-Gordillo, Rubén Rivas- de-Roca and Mathias-Felipe de-Lima-Santos
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Mar García-Gordillo: Department of Journalism II, University of Seville, Spain
Rubén Rivas- de-Roca: Department of Communication Sciences, University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain / Department of Communication, Carlos III University of Madrid, Spain
Mathias-Felipe de-Lima-Santos: School of Communication, Society and Culture, Macquarie University, Australia / Department of Communication, Pompeu Fabra University, Spain / Digital Media and Society Observatory, Federal University of São Paulo (Unifesp), Brazil

Media and Communication, 2025, vol. 13

Abstract: 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.

Keywords: fact-checking; disinformation; media literacy; public service media; European Union; European Public Sphere (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:cog:meanco:v13:y:2025:a:9421

DOI: 10.17645/mac.9421

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