Not only fact-checking

We live in a time where information spreads rapidly and misinformation is a daily challenge. How to counter it? A recent international study sought to answer this question by examining different strategies for limiting misinformation. Conducted in the United States, Poland and Hong Kong, the study involved more than 6,000 participants and tested several key approaches, including fact-checking and media literacy.

Fact-checking aims to verify the veracity of information to combat fake news. Media literacy educates people to recognize fake news and bias in the media, offering tips for spotting fake news and recognizing bias in the news.

The results showed that almost all of these strategies are effective in reducing "distorted perceptions", i.e. the tendency to believe false statements. However, these same strategies have increased skepticism toward true claims. This means that people, despite being less inclined to believe fake news, have also become more distrustful of real news.

These findings raise important questions about the effectiveness of current strategies to combat disinformation. While it is positive that people are becoming more critical of fake news, it is worrying that this increase in skepticism also extends to real news. This could erode trust in institutions and the media, creating a society in which everything can easily be questioned.

The study suggests that current strategies may need to be rethought. For example, media literacy campaigns could benefit from a greater focus on differentiating between false information and bias, and could include numerical anchors to help people understand the true extent of misinformation. The study authors acknowledge several limitations. Although survey experiments are powerful tools for determining causal links between different phenomena, they may have limited external validity. Furthermore, the measurement of misperceptions was based on statements “fabricated” specifically for the study, which may limit the ecological validity of the findings. Finally, cultural and contextual differences between the countries studied may have influenced the results.

In conclusion, while it is crucial to counter misinformation, it is equally crucial to be careful not to erode trust in true, verified information. As we address these challenges, it will be important to continue to explore and develop strategies that reduce misinformation without compromising public trust in trustworthy news.



Pierluigi Conzo
NP June/July 2024