The state of (dis)information sphere: The rise of fact-checking initiatives

Abstract

The number of fact-checking initiatives has increased especially after 2016 with the effects of post-truth politics, and the emergence of fact-checkers all around the world become more spectacular day by day. In this study, to understand and define the reasons for the rise of fact-checkers all around the world, at first, we described the (disinformation sphere in the context of digital threats within the very recent examples that harmed democracy and caused the violation of human rights. After, to answer the question: 'Can fact-checking initiatives play a prominent role to sustain democracy?' we did research and examined 222 fact-checking initiatives/organizations according to where, when, and for which purpose they had been founded, and what kind of topic they mostly focus on. Besides, by referring Global Press Freedom Index of Freedom House (2019) and World Democracy Index (2018) compiled by Economist Intelligence Unit, we made a comparative analysis on the relationship between media freedom, democracy, and the rise of fact-checking initiatives. © 2021 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.