An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian Contexts
This study explores fact-checking practices in Ethiopia and Mali in times of conflict and in a context marked by increasing restrictions to press freedom. The objective is to understand how, in this hostile environment, fact-checkers in these two countries manage to carry out their activities. Our f...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Cogitatio
2024-10-01
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| Series: | Media and Communication |
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| Online Access: | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/8698 |
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| author | Samba Dialimpa Badji Kristin Skare Orgeret Bruce Mutsvairo |
| author_facet | Samba Dialimpa Badji Kristin Skare Orgeret Bruce Mutsvairo |
| author_sort | Samba Dialimpa Badji |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This study explores fact-checking practices in Ethiopia and Mali in times of conflict and in a context marked by increasing restrictions to press freedom. The objective is to understand how, in this hostile environment, fact-checkers in these two countries manage to carry out their activities. Our findings reveal that fact-checkers are often victims of online bullying and harassment and fear reprisal from governments. This pushes them to self-censor, avoiding working on sensitive topics, such as military issues in Mali. In addition, fact-checking organizations in both countries highlight the difficulty of accessing reliable sources. Consequently, they focus more on debunking viral social media content, thus effectively becoming content moderators who have turned away from the mission of holding leaders accountable, one of the primary functions of fact-checking. Regarding their role conception, fact-checkers in Ethiopia and Mali see themselves more as guides helping navigate the information disorder than “guardians of truth” or “truth keepers.” |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5162865adcc047e1b4b5fa7b33d7a3c6 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2183-2439 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-10-01 |
| publisher | Cogitatio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Media and Communication |
| spelling | doaj-art-5162865adcc047e1b4b5fa7b33d7a3c62024-12-09T10:58:10ZengCogitatioMedia and Communication2183-24392024-10-0112010.17645/mac.86983820An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian ContextsSamba Dialimpa Badji0Kristin Skare Orgeret1Bruce Mutsvairo2Department of Journalism and Media Studies, Oslo Metropolitan University, NorwayDepartment of Journalism and Media Studies, Oslo Metropolitan University, NorwayDepartment of Media and Culture, Utrecht University, The NetherlandsThis study explores fact-checking practices in Ethiopia and Mali in times of conflict and in a context marked by increasing restrictions to press freedom. The objective is to understand how, in this hostile environment, fact-checkers in these two countries manage to carry out their activities. Our findings reveal that fact-checkers are often victims of online bullying and harassment and fear reprisal from governments. This pushes them to self-censor, avoiding working on sensitive topics, such as military issues in Mali. In addition, fact-checking organizations in both countries highlight the difficulty of accessing reliable sources. Consequently, they focus more on debunking viral social media content, thus effectively becoming content moderators who have turned away from the mission of holding leaders accountable, one of the primary functions of fact-checking. Regarding their role conception, fact-checkers in Ethiopia and Mali see themselves more as guides helping navigate the information disorder than “guardians of truth” or “truth keepers.”https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/8698disinformationethiopiafact-checkinginformation disorderjournalismmalimedia |
| spellingShingle | Samba Dialimpa Badji Kristin Skare Orgeret Bruce Mutsvairo An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian Contexts Media and Communication disinformation ethiopia fact-checking information disorder journalism mali media |
| title | An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian Contexts |
| title_full | An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian Contexts |
| title_fullStr | An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian Contexts |
| title_full_unstemmed | An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian Contexts |
| title_short | An Exploratory Study of Fact-Checking Practices in Conflict and Authoritarian Contexts |
| title_sort | exploratory study of fact checking practices in conflict and authoritarian contexts |
| topic | disinformation ethiopia fact-checking information disorder journalism mali media |
| url | https://www.cogitatiopress.com/mediaandcommunication/article/view/8698 |
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