And That’s a Fact: A Rhetorical Perspective on the Role of Fact-Checkers
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And That’s a Fact : A Rhetorical Perspective on the Role of Fact-Checkers. / Bengtsson, Mette; Schousboe, Sabina.
In: Journalism Practice, 2024, p. 1-19.Research output: Contribution to journal › Journal article › Research › peer-review
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TY - JOUR
T1 - And That’s a Fact
T2 - A Rhetorical Perspective on the Role of Fact-Checkers
AU - Bengtsson, Mette
AU - Schousboe, Sabina
PY - 2024
Y1 - 2024
N2 - Fact-checking initiatives have rapidly expanded worldwide with the overall aim of assessing the veracity of factual claims made in public. In this paper, we critique how the objectivity norm informs the current role perception of fact-checkers and suggest ways to reinterpret this perception through rhetorical argumentation theory. First, we point to research literature on fact-checking as a site in which role perceptions of fact-checkers and epistemological ideals are represented, (re)created and contested, marking out an objectivist role perception. Second, we highlight recent contributions from scholars who, like us, have noticed tensions between the objectivist role perception and role performances of fact-checkers and constructively recommended different ways of working around these tensions. In dialogue with these suggestions, we propose that rhetorical argumentation theory can be considered a supplementary resource to further advance epistemological discussions on the role perception of fact-checkers. In addition, the vocabulary from rhetorical argumentation theory holds potential for methodological operationalisation to guide the future role performances of fact-checkers. Finally, to develop our suggestion further, we propose a new research agenda embracing action-oriented research as an integrated way of developing fact-checkers’ role and practise together with practitioners.
AB - Fact-checking initiatives have rapidly expanded worldwide with the overall aim of assessing the veracity of factual claims made in public. In this paper, we critique how the objectivity norm informs the current role perception of fact-checkers and suggest ways to reinterpret this perception through rhetorical argumentation theory. First, we point to research literature on fact-checking as a site in which role perceptions of fact-checkers and epistemological ideals are represented, (re)created and contested, marking out an objectivist role perception. Second, we highlight recent contributions from scholars who, like us, have noticed tensions between the objectivist role perception and role performances of fact-checkers and constructively recommended different ways of working around these tensions. In dialogue with these suggestions, we propose that rhetorical argumentation theory can be considered a supplementary resource to further advance epistemological discussions on the role perception of fact-checkers. In addition, the vocabulary from rhetorical argumentation theory holds potential for methodological operationalisation to guide the future role performances of fact-checkers. Finally, to develop our suggestion further, we propose a new research agenda embracing action-oriented research as an integrated way of developing fact-checkers’ role and practise together with practitioners.
KW - Faculty of Humanities
KW - Fact-checking
KW - Epistemic practice
KW - Epistemological beliefs
KW - Role performance
KW - Role perception
KW - Rhetorical argumentation theory
KW - Factual claims
U2 - 10.1080/17512786.2024.2340531
DO - 10.1080/17512786.2024.2340531
M3 - Journal article
SP - 1
EP - 19
JO - Journalism Practice
JF - Journalism Practice
SN - 1751-2786
ER -
ID: 391788239