Fact-Checking for the evaluation of the reliability of online sources: conceptualization, actors, strategies and elements of feasibility

Abstract

This article analyzes the different problems that are currently caused by the excessive generation of online content, as well as the lack of control experienced by the presence of negative intentions behind their purposes, which generates serious information disorders in communication ecosystems. This proposal is based on four situations: (1) current conceptual identification in relation to the issue of disinformation, by categorizing the different modalities and dimensions of false information; (2) classification of the participating actors at different moments of the process: originators of situations, affected, fact-checkers and content consumers; (3) characterization of fact-checking implementation strategies corresponding to the verification of facts through specialized agencies, curricular training alternatives and the role of academic libraries and information science professionals through information literacy, media, digital and new media literacy; and (4) criticisms on the feasibility of Fact-Checking from the perspective of different authors. In conclusion, there is a lack of a solid epistemology regarding the subject and there is an excess of possible alternative solutions, but without specific and objective acts with effective applications.