Glossary
| Term | Definition | Read More | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Debunking | Debunking is a form of fact-checking focused on exposing viral misinformation on social media. It often targets anonymous, outlandish claims and uses specialized techniques, though it also relies on basic reporting. A key concern of debunking is harm reduction and limiting the spread of misinformation. It is distinct from political fact-checking. | Graves et al, 2023 Lewandowsky et al, 2020 |
| 2 | Digital source criticism (DSC) | Digital source criticism as an attitude and practice in journalism refers to examining digital information sources. DS somewhat diverges from the dominant approaches of fact-checking and verification. Instead of relying on binary notions such as true/false, fake/real, and trustworthy/untrustworthy in the process of journalistic knowledge production, it adheres to a more constructivist, interpretivist approach, emphasizing that every source or source material has its tendency affected by the context of its origin. | Kalsnes, 2023 Steensen, et al, 2022 Grut, 2024 |
| 3 | Disinformation | Disinformation in news production involves the deliberate spread of false or misleading information to manipulate public opinion, undermine trust in credible sources, or advance specific agendas. It can distort facts, misrepresent events, or fabricate narratives, posing significant challenges to the integrity and reliability of news reporting. | DW Akademie, 2024 Wardle & Derakhshan, 2017 Lewandowsky et al, 2020 |
| 4 | Epistemology | Epistemology in journalism is about how journalists gain and check their knowledge. It looks at how they collect, assess, and share information to create news stories. This involves considering methods, the reliability of sources, and ethical standards, all of which affect the trustworthiness and quality of news reporting for the public. | Ekström & Westlund, 2019 Ward, 2018 |
| 5 | Fact-checking | Fact-checking is the process of verifying the accuracy of information, particularly in journalism. It involves both internal practices within news organizations to confirm details before publication and external evaluations by independent fact-checking organizations that assess claims made by public figures. The primary goal is to combat misinformation and ensure fact-based discourse, ultimately upholding the journalistic commitment to accuracy and accountability. | Graves & Amazeen, 2019 Graves, 2016 |
| 6 | Fake news | Fake news is a type of online false information that includes misleading or incorrect statements. These statements may or may not relate to real events. People create fake news to trick or influence others, often using a news format to grab attention. The goal is to get more clicks and shares for advertising money or to promote an idea. Over time, the term “fake news” has changed and is now often used in politics to attack opposing views or parties. | Baptista & Gradim, 2022 Tandoc et al, 2017 Kalsnes, 2017 |
| 7 | Hermeneutics | Hermeneutics is the theory and methodology of interpretation, especially of texts. It involves understanding the meaning of language, symbols, and expressions within their context, considering historical, cultural, and subjective perspectives. Originating in biblical and legal analysis, it now applies broadly across humanities, including literature, philosophy, and social sciences. | Steensen, et al, 2022 Kalsnes, 2023 Gadamer, 2013 |
| 8 | Horizon of understanding | According to Gadamer (2013), a “horizon of understanding” refers to the range of vision that includes everything that can be seen from a particular vantage point. In hermeneutics, it signifies the framework of assumptions, beliefs, and preconceptions that shape how individuals interpret and understand texts and experiences. | Steensen, et al, 2022 Gadamer, 2013 |
| 9 | Media and information literacy (MIL) | Media and information literacy (MIL) is a set of competencies that empowers individuals to critically engage with media and information in the digital age. It involves the ability to assess the credibility of sources, distinguish between verified information and disinformation, and foster critical thinking skills. | Frau-Meigs, 2017 Frau-Meigs, 2022 |
| 10 | Misinformation | Misinformation is false information that is shared without the intent to cause harm. It often occurs when people are caught up in the moment, trying to be helpful, and fail to properly check the information they share. It differs from dis-information, which is intentionally harmful, and mal-information, which uses genuine information to cause harm. | Wardle & Derakhshan, 2017 Lewandowsky et al, 2020 |
| 11 | Source | In journalistic fact-checking and information verification, a source is the actor that produces source material. This source has a “horizon of understanding” and a “tendency” that impacts the material, whether it’s a document, statement, social media post, or image. Evaluating a source involves understanding its positionality, context, motivations, and how these factors shape the information. Source criticism in journalism emphasizes analyzing the source’s “tendency” and not just whether it is reliable or unreliable. | Steensen, et al, 2022 Grut, 2024 |
| 12 | Source material | Source material is anything produced by a source, such as a document, statement, social media post, picture, or recording. It can be analyzed as both testimony, which is what the source material reveals about the topic, and as a remnant, which reveals information about the source and the situation in which the material was produced. All source material has a “tendency” based on the source’s “horizon of understanding,” socio-cultural context, and other factors, which affects how it can be interpreted. | Steensen, et al, 2022 |
| 13 | Verification | Verification in journalism, influenced by logical positivism and natural science methods, is a practice that seeks to establish the truth or accuracy of information. It often treats information as either true or false and relies on checking multiple sources for accuracy. However, this approach can overlook the importance of social and cultural context. Additionally, verification is limited to facts and doesn’t address claims that can’t be proven true or false. | Steensen, et al, 2022 |