The political economy of fact-checking

This chapter adopts a critical political economy perspective, as proposed by Martin Hirst (2017), to analyse fact-checking practices within their broader political and economic contexts. The study traces the historical evolution of fact-checking from its origins in the United States to its global proliferation, with an emphasis on the European Union’s distinct regulatory framework. The influential role of social media companies in shaping information production and fact-checking projects is examined. The analysis underscores the epistemological challenges and contradictions by fact-checkers, particularly in the European context. It concludes by highlighting the complexities inherent in fact-checking amidst societal polarisation and advocates for a comprehensive approach encompassing media and information literacy, and accountability in the information ecosystem.