The rise of fact-checking sites in Europe

Abstract

Over the last decade independent political fact-checkers have emerged across Europe, with at least 34 such outlets active in 20 different countries as of late 2016. In this report we examine the remarkably diverse and fast-changing landscape of European fact-checkers, drawing on interviews with more than 40 practitioners, site visits to fact-checkers in eight countries, and an online survey of 30 organisations across the continent. Though fact-checkers share a common goal of promoting truth in public discourse, they vary widely in their identity and their methods, with some identifying as journalists while others see themselves political or media reformers. And while legacy newsrooms dominate the field in Western Europe, a majority of fact-checking outlets have no ties to traditional media; many are projects of NGOs concerned with transparency, accountability, and civic engagement. However, all of these groups depend on news outlets to give their fact-checking work reach and impact.

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