Cited by 82Misinformation and Its ImpactsMedia Influence and PoliticsSocial Media and Politics

How Politics Shape Views Toward Fact-Checking: Evidence from Six European Countries

Open access
Lyons, Ben, Mérola, Vittorio, Reifler, Jason, Stoeckel, Florian·2020·The International Journal of Press/Politics

Abstract

Fact-checking has spread internationally, in part to confront the rise of digital disinformation campaigns. American studies suggests ideological asymmetry in attitudes toward fact-checking, as well as greater acceptance of the practice among those more interested in and knowledgeable about politics. We examine attitudes toward fact-checking across six European counties to put these findings in a broader context ( N = 6,067). We find greater familiarity with and acceptance of fact-checking in Northern Europe (Sweden and Germany) than elsewhere (Italy, Spain, France, and Poland). We further find two dimensions of political antipathy: a left–right dimension and an “anti-elite” dimension (including dissatisfaction with democracy and negative feelings toward the European Union), the latter of which more consistently predicts negative feelings toward fact-checkers in the countries examined. Our findings demonstrate that despite general acceptance of the movement, significant political divides remain. Those less likely to trust fact-checkers could be more vulnerable to disinformation targeting these divides, leading to a spiral of cynicism.

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Crossref · 10.1177/1940161220921732

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39 of 39 references verified0 citation errors · 0 not checkable

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Authors
Lyons, B., Mérola, V., Reifler, J., & Stoeckel, F.
Affiliations
  • The University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
  • Stony Brook University (US)
  • University of Exeter (GB)
Venue
The International Journal of Press/Politics
Published
2020-07
Volume
25
Issue
3
Pages
469-492
ISSN
  • 1040-1620 (ISSN-L)
  • 1940-1612
  • 1940-1620
OpenAlex
W3033146297
Cited by
82
References
39
Citations by year
2026: 9 · 2025: 26 · 2024: 12 · 2023: 9 · 2022: 18 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 3
FWCI
11.71
Type
journal article
Language
en
Locations
  • The International Journal of Press/Politics (publishedVersion)
  • Open Research Exeter (University of Exeter) (acceptedVersion)
  • Durham Research Online (Durham University) (submittedVersion, cc-by)
  • Figshare (submittedVersion)
Funders
H2020 European Research Council (682785)
Topics
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Misinformation and Its Impacts
  • Social Sciences › Sociology and Political Science › Media Influence and Politics
  • Social Sciences › Communication › Social Media and Politics
Keywords
fact-checking, political ideology, left-right divide, disinformation, political cynicism, European Union attitudes

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