Perception of fact-checking services

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Why is it important?

Fact-checking sites are on the rise, but do people trust them? Even when checked by fact checkers, facts are often still open to preexisting bias and doubt. Though fact-checking services play an important role countering online disinformation, little is known about whether users actually trust or distrust them. The data we collected from social media discussions—on Facebook, Twitter, blogs, forums, and discussion threads in online newspapers—reflects users’ opinions about fact-checking services. To strengthen trust, fact-checking services should strive to increase transparency in their processes, as well as in their organizations, and funding sources.