Fact-checking has emerged as one of the most prominent policy tools to combat the spread of misinformation, but critics have argued that it infringes upon freedom of expression and that it has no meaningful impact on the circulation of misinformation. This column provides evidence from the field that fact-checking significantly reduces engagement with posts on Facebook rated as false and also decreases users' subsequent activity. The findings suggest that the impact of fact-checking primarily results not from Facebook’s actions to hide or demote content, but rather from users’ behavioural responses, challenging the idea that it suppresses free speech.

TLDR: It reduces the virality of misinformation by ~8% and increases article deletion.

  • it_depends_man@lemmy.worldEnglish
    46·
    8 days ago

    Most fact checkers I’ve seen so far have had pretty poor methodology. Mostly a “here are three people on the internet that confirm my point of view, therefore it is fact and because we drew ourselves as the chad wojack first uh… because this is a fact checking site it’s the truth”.

  • surph_ninja@lemmy.worldEnglish
    35·
    8 days ago

    There’s a big difference between actual fact-checking, and the “fact-checking” industry which is controlled by powerful interests to help sell their narrative.

    • Whats_your_reasoning@lemmy.worldEnglish
      41·
      7 days ago

      The “fact-checking” industry, lol. Fact-checking things is a skill anyone could develop, you don’t need an industry.

      You won’t find the sources for every thing out there, but you can find out a lot if you know how to critically examine information for yourself. Which is better than depending on someone else to fact-check for you, IMO.