Fact Checking and Information Verification in Russian Media: Survey Results

Section: Modern Journalism: Subjects and Issues

This article is based on the survey that includes responses from Russian journalists, editors, producers and other media staff participating in news gathering and consumption and having different professional experience. The sample contains diverse types of media (print, news agencies, television channels, radio stations and new media). The fact checking process is a daily practice. Information verification takes from several minutes to half an hour. Statistics, citations and posts on social networks are verified more often than other information categories. Journalists find incorrect information in other mass media, social networks and materials of PR-departments. In 85% of cases, it is negligent attitude to professional functions that leads to the publication of fake information. Drawing on the survey, one can highlight the factors interfering with the fact checking process. These are lack of time, lack of necessary information and laziness of those responsible for verifying information. As a rule, the most difficult cases of fact checking involve the intentional distortion of information or an unwillingness to provide it.

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