Comparative analysis of the evolution of contemporary fact-checking verdicts in the media

Abstract

In contemporary media discourse, the ability to promptly distinguish between reliable and false information has become one of the central challenges of the digital age and the rapid development of the Internet. The proliferation of questionable content in the early 21st century was largely conditioned by the broader accessibility of information and the active participation of non-professional actors in the communication sphere. This article addresses one of the most urgent issues of the transitional period and social reflection – namely, the methods of detecting and analyzing disinformation. The study explores the etymology and essential features of fact-checking as a phenomenon, along with the factors that have determined its emergence as a specific practice within the media environment. It considers a wide range of scholarly perspectives offered by European, American, Russian, and Kazakhstani researchers, identifies concrete forms of false content dissemination, and seeks to uncover the mechanisms underlying its reproduction. It is emphasized that the avalanche-like circulation of similar materials on digital platforms, combined with their multiple interpretations, leads to distortions of the original facts and contributes to the growth of disinformation. Such processes can be regarded as manifestations of both intentional and unintentional falsification of historical reality and event chronology. Drawing upon these observations, the article formulates conclusions regarding the theoretical foundations of “verdicts” in fact-checking practices and their relevance for both academic inquiry and public knowledge. Special attention is devoted to the social and epistemological risks associated with the spread of false information. The concluding section relies on materials from Kazakhstani and Russian digital outlets to compare their approaches and highlight the distinctive features of fact-checking within the dynamics of the contemporary information flow.