Joanna Urbaś

THE SOCIAL POTENTIAL OF FACT-CHECKING IN VERIFYING INFORMATION ABOUT THE WAR IN UKRAINE - A CASE STUDY

Introduction

The social potential of fact-checking in verifying information about the war in ukraine - a case study. Discover the social potential of fact-checking in new media. This case study analyzes Demagog's role in verifying Ukraine war information and community activation.

Abstract

The emergence of new media has turned the formerly passive recipients of content into active users who, as a part of various initiatives, are willing to establish virtual communities. The aim of the argument is to present the social dimension of fact-checking in social media through the example of the analysis of the profile of the Demagog Association in the first month after the outbreak of the war. The author will attempt to answer questions about the social nature of fact-checking - what topics and values the community in the Demagog profile gathers around, whether fact-checking has social potential and whether the community around fact-checking organizations has the potential to educate and activate the rest of society in social media.

Review

This paper proposes a highly relevant and timely investigation into the social dimension and potential of fact-checking within social media, using the Demagog Association's activities during the initial month of the war in Ukraine as a case study. In an era characterized by rampant misinformation and the emergence of active, user-driven online communities, exploring how fact-checking initiatives foster social engagement and combat false narratives is crucial. The focus on a critical geopolitical event like the war in Ukraine provides a compelling context for understanding the real-world impact and dynamics of these efforts. The author outlines a clear set of research questions that aim to uncover the social nature of fact-checking. These include identifying the topics and values that rally communities around organizations like Demagog, assessing the inherent social potential of fact-checking, and evaluating its capacity to educate and activate broader segments of society through social media. Successfully addressing these questions promises to significantly contribute to our understanding of online civic engagement, the dynamics of information verification, and the role of digital communities in shaping public discourse during crises. The emphasis on the emergent phase of a major conflict is particularly insightful for observing how communities form and respond. While the abstract presents a compelling research agenda, the full paper would benefit from a rigorous articulation of its methodological framework. It will be crucial to clearly define how "social potential," "education," and "activation" will be measured and operationalized within the study, specifying the metrics and analytical techniques employed. Additionally, situating this specific case study within broader theoretical perspectives on online communities, collective action, and media effects would enrich its academic contribution. A discussion on the generalizability of findings from this unique context (Demagog, Ukraine war) to other fact-checking initiatives or crises would also be valuable for enhancing the study's broader implications.

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