Fact-checking in ColombiaRedCheq in 2019 regional elections

  1. Rodríguez-Pérez, Carlos 1
  2. Calvo, Dafne 2
  3. Campos-Domínguez, Eva 3
  1. 1 Universidad de La Sabana
    info
    Universidad de La Sabana

    Chía, Colombia

    ROR https://ror.org/02sqgkj21

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad de La Sabana
  2. 2 Universitat de València
    info
    Universitat de València

    Valencia, España

    ROR https://ror.org/043nxc105

    Geographic location of the organization Universitat de València
  3. 3 Universidad de Valladolid
    info
    Universidad de Valladolid

    Valladolid, España

    ROR https://ror.org/01fvbaw18

    Geographic location of the organization Universidad de Valladolid
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Journal:
Cuadernos.Info

ISSN: 0719-3661

Year of publication: 2022

Issue: 53

Pages: 46-69

Type: Article

DOI: 10.7764/CDI.53.40653 DIALNET GOOGLE SCHOLAR lock_openOpen access editor

More publications in: Cuadernos.Info

Sustainable development goals

Abstract

Globally, there is a social concern regarding the effects of disinformation in electoral processes; in fact, the community of verification journalists has evaluated contents and statements during elections. This research delves into fact-checking journalism in Colombia through the case study of the RedCheq platform during the 2019 regional elections. Through a quantitative content analysis, this article analyzes the geographic scope, the typology of verified information, the tools employed, and the characteristics of the checked actors. The results show the regional reach of RedCheq's fact-checking journalism practice in Colombia. The fact-checks on electoral matters, justice, and the economy predominated. Besides, there was a balance between verifying public statements and tracking social networks to identify misleading content. The analysis revealed ideological impartiality to assess the check of content propagated by the political parties that competed in the elections. The latter is relevant in order to provide institutionality and legitimacy to fact-checking journalism, which faces accusations about following ideological bias.

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