Abstract
Fact-checking alliances emerged worldwide to debunk political disinformation in electoral contexts because of social concerns related to information authenticity. This study, thus, included the Latin American context in fact-checking journalism studies as a journalistic practice to fight political disinformation. Through analyzing RedCheq, the first fact-checking journalism alliance in an electoral regional context led by Colombiacheck, 11 in-depth interviews were conducted to identify the perceptions of regional fact-checkers regarding the usefulness of this journalistic practice, its achievements, and the key aspects for incorporating fact-checking into the regional media ecosystem. The study results revealed that RedCheq achieved the goal of fighting disinformation, and that fact-checking developed as transformational leverage for the regional media. Regional journalists perceived fact-checking as an element that restores credibility and social trust in regional media as the epistemology of this journalistic practice neglects the power pressure and dissemination of official narratives. Finally, this study highlighted how fact-checking journalism contributes to the democratic quality and civic empowerment in silenced and polarized environments. In addition, it discussed the need to expand fact-checking journalism’s coverage to new geographical areas and improve journalists’ professional competencies and training, thereby enabling them to function as using verification tools based on regional journalists’ requirements.
Highlights
This study analyzes the fact-checking RedCheq collaborative project, which is the first alliance of checkers in Colombia that was established to fight disinformation prevailing in the Colombian regional elections in 2019
RedCheq was headed by Colombiacheck, a digital, open, and collaborative fact-checking platform signatory of the Code of Principles of the International Fact-Checking Network and Consejo de Redacción, a nonprofit organization that counts among its ranks more than 100 associated journalists in Colombia to foster research journalism and contribute to the democratization of information
Regional journalists unanimously state that RedCheq fulfilled the objective of fighting disinformation and monitoring the public discourse and malicious use of political information
Summary
This study analyzes the fact-checking RedCheq collaborative project, which is the first alliance of checkers in Colombia that was established to fight disinformation prevailing in the Colombian regional elections in 2019. The initiative was developed in August 2019 with the participation of journalists, media, universities, and civil society organizations from across the country. These participants attended training workshops to be able to verify content and information during the electoral campaigns; limit the collateral effects of fake and deceitful information related to candidates, political parties, and processes and party platforms; and thoroughly monitor and examine regionally coded electoral public discourses. RedCheq was headed by Colombiacheck, a digital, open, and collaborative fact-checking platform signatory of the Code of Principles of the International Fact-Checking Network and Consejo de Redacción, a nonprofit organization that counts among its ranks more than 100 associated journalists in Colombia to foster research journalism and contribute to the democratization of information
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