Fact-checking as a media practice: between information reliability and censorship

Abstract

This article explores fact-checking as a contemporary media practice, analyzing its functions, limitations, and impact on freedom of expression in the digital era. While fact-checking is often presented as a tool to protect truth and combat disinformation, in practice it raises concerns related to transparency, content selection, relationships with digital platforms, and the lack of public oversight. The study argues that fact-checking, despite its potential informational value, can lead to the marginalization of legal yet unpopular views and contribute to a chilling effect in public debate. Based on four case studies (COVID-19, the 2020 U.S. presidential election, the war in Ukraine, and the public discourse on LGBT+ individuals), the article demonstrates that fact-checking is not merely a technical process but a form of narrative power in the information space. It concludes with recommendations for institutional safeguards that ensure transparency, proportionality, and pluralism in the use of verification mechanisms.