Fake news has always existed, but with the rise of the Internet and social media, it spreads today more quickly and widely than ever. For this reason, fact-checking — the verification of the accuracy of statements, declarations, images or news — has become more and more central in the modern information landscape. However, fact-checking can expose lies, but it can’t stop people from believing what fits their worldview. Social psychology shows us that belief is often guided more by identity, ideology and emotion than by evidence. Understanding why fact- checking often fails to convince requires looking at the human mind and the social structures that shape it.
Fact-checking started in the 1920s as an internal practice in newsrooms, when journalists realized the importance of checking every event, name, data or quotation before publication. At that time, special departments of fact-checkers were created in prestigious magazines, such as Time in the United States, which was among the first to establish a team dedicated to verifying facts. At the end of the 20th century, with the arrival of the Internet and the economic crisis of publishing, many newspapers reduced their fact-checking departments, considered too expensive.
Some, however, chose to go against the trend, like Der Spiegel in Germany, which kept and even expanded the number of journalists, showing that accuracy can be a winning editorial strategy. Today, fact-checking is a central part of modern journalism, where more and more journalists, researchers and independent organizations work to fight online disinformation, using scientific data, empirical evidence and expert opinions. Still, showing the truth is not enough to change people’s minds, as they often prefer to keep their own beliefs even when faced with contrary evidence.
The psychology of belief
The effectiveness of fact-checking often clashes with the psychological and social structure that supports wrong beliefs. People do not process information in a neutral way: the so-called confirmation bias leads them to search for and believe only what strengthens their existing ideas, ignoring or rejecting opposite evidence. In polarized contexts, rejecting a false statement can seem like betraying one’s group or admitting a personal mistake. This mechanism creates the boomerang effect: the more one tries to correct a wrong belief, the more the person resists, seeing the truth as an attack.
Truth is also a social and political construction. In a polarized society, what is considered “true” is often filtered through ideological visions, party interests and dominant narratives.
Social platforms amplify this dynamic, because algorithms create so-called echo chambers, spaces where users are exposed almost only to content that confirms their opinions. In these environments, disinformation not only spreads faster, but also finds fertile ground to grow. For this reason, fact- checkers must also consider the identities and social contexts in which beliefs are formed and defended. Today, truth needs to be communicated with strategy and psychological awareness.
The political dimension of “truth”
Truth is also a social and political construction. In a polarized society, what is considered “true” is often filtered through ideological visions, party interests and dominant narratives. The statements of political leaders and campaigns are based on selective interpretations of reality, presented as objective facts. Today, the work of journalists is not only to correct mistakes. Fact-checking makes communicators responsible, but at the same time exposes those who do it to criticism and accusations of partiality. Often, verification is seen as a political act.
History shows that disinformation has often been used to influence public opinion, from war propaganda to manipulation of economic data. Even today, truth is a matter of conflict between institutions, media and citizens, and its value depends on the trust people have in those who tell it. For this reason, fact-checking must be clear, rigorous and aware of the political context. It is not enough to say what is true: it is necessary to explain why it is true and who has an interest in making it appear false.
The role and responsibility of fact-checkers
In today’s information landscape, the role of the fact-checker is crucial. It is not only about correcting mistakes or checking data, but about protecting democracy by exposing disinformation that circulates online and offline. Fact-checkers have the responsibility to analyze public statements, viral content, manipulated images and controversial data, using reliable sources, scientific documents and expert opinions. This process of verification is essential to protect the quality of public debate and the health of democracy.
Therefore, it is very important that fact-checkers remain neutral, avoiding the trap of confirming only what reflects their own beliefs. To do this, they must adopt rigorous practices such as comparing multiple independent sources, making verification criteria explicit and keeping impartial language. They must also communicate in a clear and accessible way, explaining not only what is false, but also why it is false. They need to recognize cognitive biases, anticipate emotional reactions and put information into context in polarized environments. In an age where truth is often seen as opinion, the fact-checker acts as a mediator between reality and its interpretation.
Conclusion
Fact-checking can expose lies, but alone it is not enough. Fact-checkers will really be able to correct wrong beliefs only when people decide to question their own certainties. Paying this price is the only way to fight disinformation.
Leave your comments, thoughts and suggestions in the box below. Take note: your response is moderated.
RESEARCH | ARTICLE © Jacopo Garavaglia
