The truth game: Verification factors behind fact-checkers’ selection decisions

Based on 40 interviews with fact-checkers in editorial and reporting roles and a content analysis of 3154 debunking articles published between January and December 2022 across eight countries and over 20 organizations, this article systematically compares and analyzes news factors in fact-checking as a journalistic subgenre. Which specific pieces of inaccurate information are considered worthy of verification? We first inductively identify the key factors emphasized by professionals and then measure their frequency in verification articles. Three factors serve as crucial prerequisites for verification decisions: checkability (Is the claim inherently verifiable?), verifiability [Are sufficient data and resources available for verification?], and virality [Is the claim widespread enough to prevent the amplification of falsehoods?]. Once these thresholds are met, we evaluate additional news factors in fact-checking products, including reach, prominence of targets and sources, timeliness, and relevance across organization types [independent or affiliated with legacy media], misinformation topics, geographical scope [national, international, transnational], and fact-checking targets [online rumors or statements from public figures]. Moderate yet significant associations were identified among the variables. Among the results, independent organizations and legacy media desks emphasize source prominence more than global news agencies, conducting slightly more verifications targeting public figures instead of online rumors. User requests, considered a form of participatory transparency, are particularly valued by independent units, while legacy media and global news agencies place a higher priority on timeliness.