Fact-checking: what it is and how it works in Spain
Posted: Wed Dec 11, 2024 3:40 am
With the omnipresence and speed of social media, fact-checking becomes a very good tool to counter disinformation and safeguard the integrity of political discourse. In an environment where trust in the media and political institutions is in question, it emerges as a guarantor of credibility and objectivity, thus strengthening democracy and public debate.
In this article, we will examine what fact-checking is, how it operates in Spain and its significance for future political communication professionals.
Still, if you are passionate about overseas chinese in uk data this field and want to acquire solid skills in fact-checking and critical analysis, the Master in Political Communication and Marketing at the European University can help you boost your career.
Definition and function of fact-checking
Fact-checking is a process that involves carefully analyzing claims, statements or news circulating in the political arena , comparing them with reliable sources and verifiable evidence, and reaching a conclusion about their accuracy and precision.
Its fundamental purpose is to promote transparency and truth in political communication , exposing half-truths and deliberate lies, correcting misinformation and clarifying misunderstandings that can influence public opinion and distort democratic debate.
By providing verified and accurate information, fact-checking empowers citizens to make informed decisions and fosters accountability on the part of political and media actors.
Fact-checking process in Spain
When it comes to verifying the accuracy of political claims, the fact-checking process in Spain follows a series of steps:
Identify political statements, declarations or news items to be verified.
Collect information related to the topic , including statements from politicians, statistical data, official reports and other relevant sources.
Conduct thorough research to verify the veracity of the claims using reliable sources. The data presented is cross-checked with official statistics, public documents, academic research and expert statements.
Analyze the data collected and assess the authenticity of the claims . This is done by taking into account the context, the accuracy of the data, and any potential biases that may influence the interpretation of the information.
Reach conclusions based on the evidence collected and publish the results of the fact-checking in a clear and transparent manner, indicating whether the claim is true, false or misleading, along with a detailed explanation of the findings.
Tools and methods used
When carrying out an accurate and objective verification of political information, fact-checking relies on a variety of technological tools and methodologies. Some of the most commonly used are:
Technological tools
Advanced search engines: They provide access to many sources of information to collect relevant data on a specific topic.
Data analysis tools: help process large amounts of information and identify significant patterns and trends.
Data visualization software: makes it easy to visually present complex information in a way that is clear and understandable to your audience.
Image and video verification tools: allow you to check the authenticity and context of images and videos used as evidence in political claims.
Methodologies
Cross-checking sources: Claims are cross-checked against multiple reliable sources to ensure the accuracy of the information.
Context analysis: The context in which the claim was made is considered to evaluate its quality and veracity.
Review of official documents: Government documents, reports from international organizations and official statistical data are consulted to support or refute political claims.
Expert interviews: the opinions of experts in the field are used to obtain an objective and well-founded assessment of the authenticity of the information.
Challenges and success of fact-checking in Spain
Fact-checking in the Spanish political context faces various challenges that can hinder its effectiveness and scope . These are:
Speed of information: In an environment characterised by the immediacy of news and rapid diffusion through social media, fact-checking may face the pressure of having to respond quickly to political claims to counter their impact before they spread widely.
Ideological polarization: This can influence the perception of the veracity of political claims and the public’s willingness to accept the results of fact-checking. Partisan identification can lead to a biased interpretation of findings, making it difficult to effectively correct misinformation.
Despite these challenges, fact-checking has proven to have a significant impact on public opinion and political transparency in Spain. Some examples of specific cases where it has been successful are:
During election campaigns , fact-checking by fact-checking organizations has helped to debunk false or misleading information spread by political parties, thus contributing to accurately informing the electorate and promoting a fact-based political debate.
The exposure of falsehoods or half-truths by politicians or public figures through fact-checking has generated greater scrutiny on the accuracy of their statements and has promoted greater responsibility on the part of political actors in communicating truthful and transparent information.
Fact-checking organisations in Spain
These are some of the organizations that, today, play a crucial role in the fight against disinformation campaigns in the political landscape of our country:
Maldita.es: Recognized for its work in verifying information in Spain, Maldita.es is an organization that has distinguished itself by debunking rumors and hoaxes in the political and social spheres.
Newtral: Led by journalist Ana Pastor, Newtral has become a reference in fact-checking in Spain, offering detailed analysis of political claims and disinformation.
El Objetivo: The television program El Objetivo , presented by Ana Pastor, includes fact-checking sections where statements by politicians and public figures are refuted or confirmed.
Importance of fact-checking in political communication training
The inclusion of fact-checking as an integral part of political communication training is essential in the current context of disinformation and post-truth, since:
Promotes accuracy, transparency and ethics in political communication by teaching how to verify information before disseminating it, strengthening the credibility of political communicators and maintaining public confidence in democratic institutions.
Develops critical analysis skills among students by rigorously evaluating the veracity of political claims, enabling them to discern between true and false information, identify biases and manipulations, and make informed decisions based on solid evidence.
In conclusion, fact-checking plays a very important role in combating disinformation and promoting a public debate based on verifiable facts and evidence.
But you can be a part of this effort too. Share verified information, support fact-checking organisations and educate others on how to spot and combat disinformation. Explore additional resources on politics and the media . And find out more about courses and university programmes related to these topics, such as the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics at the European University.
In this article, we will examine what fact-checking is, how it operates in Spain and its significance for future political communication professionals.
Still, if you are passionate about overseas chinese in uk data this field and want to acquire solid skills in fact-checking and critical analysis, the Master in Political Communication and Marketing at the European University can help you boost your career.
Definition and function of fact-checking
Fact-checking is a process that involves carefully analyzing claims, statements or news circulating in the political arena , comparing them with reliable sources and verifiable evidence, and reaching a conclusion about their accuracy and precision.
Its fundamental purpose is to promote transparency and truth in political communication , exposing half-truths and deliberate lies, correcting misinformation and clarifying misunderstandings that can influence public opinion and distort democratic debate.
By providing verified and accurate information, fact-checking empowers citizens to make informed decisions and fosters accountability on the part of political and media actors.
Fact-checking process in Spain
When it comes to verifying the accuracy of political claims, the fact-checking process in Spain follows a series of steps:
Identify political statements, declarations or news items to be verified.
Collect information related to the topic , including statements from politicians, statistical data, official reports and other relevant sources.
Conduct thorough research to verify the veracity of the claims using reliable sources. The data presented is cross-checked with official statistics, public documents, academic research and expert statements.
Analyze the data collected and assess the authenticity of the claims . This is done by taking into account the context, the accuracy of the data, and any potential biases that may influence the interpretation of the information.
Reach conclusions based on the evidence collected and publish the results of the fact-checking in a clear and transparent manner, indicating whether the claim is true, false or misleading, along with a detailed explanation of the findings.
Tools and methods used
When carrying out an accurate and objective verification of political information, fact-checking relies on a variety of technological tools and methodologies. Some of the most commonly used are:
Technological tools
Advanced search engines: They provide access to many sources of information to collect relevant data on a specific topic.
Data analysis tools: help process large amounts of information and identify significant patterns and trends.
Data visualization software: makes it easy to visually present complex information in a way that is clear and understandable to your audience.
Image and video verification tools: allow you to check the authenticity and context of images and videos used as evidence in political claims.
Methodologies
Cross-checking sources: Claims are cross-checked against multiple reliable sources to ensure the accuracy of the information.
Context analysis: The context in which the claim was made is considered to evaluate its quality and veracity.
Review of official documents: Government documents, reports from international organizations and official statistical data are consulted to support or refute political claims.
Expert interviews: the opinions of experts in the field are used to obtain an objective and well-founded assessment of the authenticity of the information.
Challenges and success of fact-checking in Spain
Fact-checking in the Spanish political context faces various challenges that can hinder its effectiveness and scope . These are:
Speed of information: In an environment characterised by the immediacy of news and rapid diffusion through social media, fact-checking may face the pressure of having to respond quickly to political claims to counter their impact before they spread widely.
Ideological polarization: This can influence the perception of the veracity of political claims and the public’s willingness to accept the results of fact-checking. Partisan identification can lead to a biased interpretation of findings, making it difficult to effectively correct misinformation.
Despite these challenges, fact-checking has proven to have a significant impact on public opinion and political transparency in Spain. Some examples of specific cases where it has been successful are:
During election campaigns , fact-checking by fact-checking organizations has helped to debunk false or misleading information spread by political parties, thus contributing to accurately informing the electorate and promoting a fact-based political debate.
The exposure of falsehoods or half-truths by politicians or public figures through fact-checking has generated greater scrutiny on the accuracy of their statements and has promoted greater responsibility on the part of political actors in communicating truthful and transparent information.
Fact-checking organisations in Spain
These are some of the organizations that, today, play a crucial role in the fight against disinformation campaigns in the political landscape of our country:
Maldita.es: Recognized for its work in verifying information in Spain, Maldita.es is an organization that has distinguished itself by debunking rumors and hoaxes in the political and social spheres.
Newtral: Led by journalist Ana Pastor, Newtral has become a reference in fact-checking in Spain, offering detailed analysis of political claims and disinformation.
El Objetivo: The television program El Objetivo , presented by Ana Pastor, includes fact-checking sections where statements by politicians and public figures are refuted or confirmed.
Importance of fact-checking in political communication training
The inclusion of fact-checking as an integral part of political communication training is essential in the current context of disinformation and post-truth, since:
Promotes accuracy, transparency and ethics in political communication by teaching how to verify information before disseminating it, strengthening the credibility of political communicators and maintaining public confidence in democratic institutions.
Develops critical analysis skills among students by rigorously evaluating the veracity of political claims, enabling them to discern between true and false information, identify biases and manipulations, and make informed decisions based on solid evidence.
In conclusion, fact-checking plays a very important role in combating disinformation and promoting a public debate based on verifiable facts and evidence.
But you can be a part of this effort too. Share verified information, support fact-checking organisations and educate others on how to spot and combat disinformation. Explore additional resources on politics and the media . And find out more about courses and university programmes related to these topics, such as the Bachelor’s Degree in Economics at the European University.