The proliferation of misinformation poses a significant challenge to public discourse. While fact-checking has demonstrated some efficacy, its impact is often limited. The Fact-checked project aims to understand how fact-checking editorial style, publishing approach, and communication methods influence the acceptance or rejection of direct corrections. By examining how misinformation sharers perceive fact-checks and the reasons for their acceptance/rejection, the project will identify key factors impacting fact-check effectiveness. This includes exploring the role of biases, fact-checker expertise, editorial policies and communication practices.

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Through the gathering of evidence from the literature and the analysis of responses to direct fact-checks, the project will identify the factors that lead to the rejection of direct corrections. This analysis will be coupled with interviews with international fact-checkers and the analysis of existing and emerging fact-checking editorial policies and practices. The project will also conduct a pilot study on a representative UK population sample to provide additional valuable knowledge to fact-checking organisations for developing more effective publication and communication strategies.

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Ultimately, the project aims to bootstrap the development of a larger research project that will develop more successful fact-checking practices and tools that address the evolving challenges faced by fact-checkers.